XIV.
Jack never really did enjoy being called Jackie. Or Jackie-poo, cracker-jack, jackie-boy, fairy, sweety, princess, or sweetheart for that matter. He preferred Jack. Sometimes even Jackson. His step-dad used to call him Jackie. Sometimes he would catch himself dozing and he would suddenly hear "Jackie-boy," his head snapping up at the innocuous act. He would even expect to see him there. His old step-dad of course. He didn't expect to see Bobby looking at him suspiciously, his lips bending back into an uncertain smile.
He expected totally different reactions. And sometimes Bobby would yell without meaning to. He would raise his voice a little higher than he expected. He would pat him on the back a little too hard and he would flinch involuntarily, pushing him away as if there was actually some harm done.
It would always turn out the same though. He would catch himself, a little surprised and always more secure than the last time. Evelyn definitely summed it up the best when she said "you know Jackie, you don't have to keep your guards up all the time anymore,"