Chapter 50
As time passed, Jerome became a member of his family again. Eventually, Jerome adjusted to his meds though he never quite got used to them, but with Addy by his side, he didn't worry about anything. His family didn't worry as much either. They saw as he started to grow and become not just the person they'd known before everything else had happened, but someone else too. He was growing into the responsible young man, the person he might have been if he'd never killed his mother. The more they saw this, the less the worried until they began to worry for him not at all. They didn't watch him as closely as they did when he first came home. His sessions with Casey became fewer until finally they stopped. That was when everything really started to settle, and things got back to normal. Jerome began to feel normal again. So much so that it almost felt like his time in Arkham had never happened. Jerome found that he was happy again. Like he had been before he'd went to stay with his mother. Back then he had just been Jerome. When he came back that wasn't who he was anymore. He was a killer then, but as time passed, he stopped being that. He started to become Jerome again. He knew this for sure when even Detective Gordan began to see him as the kid he used to be. He didn't read him the riot act every time he came by. He treated him like a human being after a time and after a while, Jerome noticed as the Detective seemed to become part of his family. A visitor that everyone suddenly welcomed with open arms into their home. They no longer dreaded his visits but looked forward to them.
"You don't need to be looked after anymore. I won't be coming by as much" said Detective Gordan one day, and suddenly, he only came by when he wanted to, which was hardly ever, and when he did, he didn't question Jerome's every move anymore. Detective Gordan started to talk to him like a friend. Jerome didn't believe it at first, but as time passed, he realized he thought of the detective as a friend too. They would sit and talk and together, they saw another side of each other. It was yet another unexpected thing to happen in his life.
"You aren't that kid I met at that circus anymore, Jerome. You should be proud of that" said Detective Gordan, when he said it, it came out of nowhere, and Jerome felt a puffed up feeling deep down inside at the words though at the time, he wasn't sure why, soon he realized it was because everything in his life was about to change. One night, Detective Gordan came to the trailer for Addison. Her father had been killed in a drunken accident at some sort of bar. After that, she had that house all to herself, so she moved Jerome's whole family in with her. Jerome celebrated with her as she graduated from high school then as she received a scholarship to a college in Central City. He was scared for the first time when she started to talk about leaving, but that didn't last. Because Addy made it quite clear she wouldn't leave without him.
"I want you to come with me, Jerome. We could get a fresh start, you, Archer, and I" whispered Addison as she lay with him in bed talking about it and Jerome knew she was right that's why he decided to go.
As the date for their departure got closer, Jerome would constantly change his mind about what was happening. He felt guilty at first, for leaving Charlie to raise the kids alone again. He kept changing his mind until finally, Charlie looked him straight in the eye, and told him to go. It somehow eased his mind. Addison was his second chance at another life. A life where he might be able to redeem himself for the things he'd done.
"It's okay to be nervous, J…I am too" whispered Addison that morning as they prepared to pack up the car, a building emotion in him then as everyone prepared to say goodbye to them. It wasn't just his family that showed up either.
Detective Gordan and Selina Kyle came too.
"Who would have thought the chick who tried to kill me would become your best friend" said Jerome when Selina emerged from the car, since that night, she had visited more and more until she truly was a member of the family. When she got out of the Detective's car though, she hugged only Addy.
"You better write me" said Addy hugging the girl back before producing a pair of gloves from inside the car.
"I saw these and thought of you" said Addy then helping her put the gloves on and seeing them, Jerome immediately knew they were perfect for the cat girl.
They were smooth leather gloves that fit tightly to her hands. The fingertips were sharp tips that looked suspiciously like needles. Addy had said the girl had to have them because now, Selina would really have claws, something Jerome had only nodded at. He had a feeling many people would rue the day Selina Kyle got those gloves, but he didn't say anything to Addy. When she put them on, at first, Selina only looked at them. Then her fingers flexed and smiling, she bared her claws for Addy to see for the first time. After a moment, she smiled, and Addy knew she had touched the girl when she engulfed her in a hug. Jerome knew this wouldn't be the last time they saw the girl. In fact, he knew they would need a guest room at their place in Central City because he could already see they would have a lot of visitors after they left. At first, he would admit to being jealous because part of him wanted Addy to himself for a while, but he got over it quicker then he thought. Selina had become his friend too and he wouldn't mind it if she came to visit.
"You're making the right decision, Jerome, going with Addison is the right path to take" said Detective Gordan as they stood by the car.
They stood silently for a moment until suddenly, Jerome started to speak. Detective Gordan suddenly clasped his shoulder and giving him his full attention, Jerome found her was curious to see what he would say. The detective only looked at him though and Jerome suddenly felt like he was going to say something he would have wanted his father to say if he'd cared to. After all, Detective Gordan had been more of a father to him than his real father had. That's why Jerome had killed him, but he didn't dwell on that.
"I'm proud of you. You really grew up and I'm glad you chose to try to atone for everything you've done" whispered Detective Gordan, Jerome could see he was trying to remain neutral about the whole thing, but the words touched him all the same.
"I used to be scared of you, of letting you run loose like I did, but now I know it was the right choice. You aren't crazy and you never belonged in Arkham, you needed to be with the people that loved you, and you got that. That's why you're the man in front of me now" whispered Detective Gordan suddenly doing something Jerome never thought he would. Detective Gordan stuck his hand out and looking at it, Jerome took it, and gave it a hardy shake. Jerome took it, unsure what to say at first.
"Thanks Detective…I hope you'll visit every once in a while" whispered Jerome meaning every word. The two looked at each other and both had to admit they never saw this day coming. They had once been enemies, but somehow, now here they stood, friends. Jerome felt grateful to him in that moment because he could have taken him back to Arkham that day, but he didn't. Instead, he let him stay with his family, and in that moment, Jerome was grateful as he shook the man's hand still.
"I might…just to check up on you from time to time" whispered Detective Gordan in response. The two didn't part until Addy approached them. She hugged the detective, taking him by surprise, and Gordan gingerly hugged her back. She was one of the reasons why he wasn't worried about Jerome. She loved him enough that Gordan knew she would keep him under control. Charlie brought the kids out then and suddenly, Jerome felt the reality of what he was doing. He was leaving. Going to start a new life with Addy.
Nothing would be the same now and yet, this wasn't bad. It was as good as it was scary. Approaching Charlie, they collided in a hug, and Jerome heard it as she cried.
"Thanks for bringing me up, for always being my big sister, and taking care of me" whispered Jerome hearing as she laughed.
"I didn't have much of a choice. I love you" said Charlie pulling back to look at him.
"Be good and don't cause Addy any trouble" whispered Charlie as she kissed his cheek before moving to say goodbye to Addy. Oliver and Jackson and Chloe attacked him all at once.
"You guys can come visit all the time" said Jerome, but the words didn't help. Oliver only nodded, hugging him tight while Chloe cried, and Jackson said nothing at all. It almost made Jerome decide to stay, but pulling away, he didn't. Because they really didn't need him anymore. If he went with Addy now, he might do better than he could hiding in a room living with his sister. That's why he got in the car that day and drove away, looking back the whole time.
