Chapter 6
Jackson arrived home where Vince sat on the couch watching TV. His dogs excitedly jumped on him.
"Don't jump," Jackson said. "I hate that."
The dogs got down and Jackson quickly ran towards his room.
"Can't talk now, Vince!" Jackson hollered. "I have a date!"
Jackson walked back into the room.
"Wait a second," Jackson said. "What are you doing here? Go home."
"I just really wanted to see that movie from the beginning," Vince lied.
"Vince Callerson," Jackson said. "You have one minute to tell me why you're here."
Vince sighed.
"I got a notice from my landlord," Vince said. "The building where I lived has been condemned. They're tearing it down."
"When?" Jackson asked.
"Two days ago," Vince replied.
"Two days ago?" Jackson asked. "They gave you that short of notice?"
"Actually," Vince said nervously. "I found out a month ago."
"A month ago?" Jackson asked.
"I've been staying with a friend, and now I've been kicked out," Vince said.
"Why don't you just get another apartment?" Jackson asked.
"I've been applying," Vince replied. "But I keep getting turned down. Can I please just move in here with you?"
"Vince," Jackson said. "We already tried that in college. We just got on each other's nerves. Well, you got on my nerves."
"That was so long ago," Vince said. "And this trailer has five bedrooms. You don't even use four of them."
"You're not moving in with me," Jackson said.
"Please!" Vince begged. "I'll pay rent!"
"No," Jackson said.
"I'll help out with the groceries!" Vince begged.
"No," Jackson said.
"I know how much you hate mowing!" Vince begged. "I will mow the lawn for you!"
"Rent's due at the end of each month," Jackson said. "You can have the room at the end of the hall. It's the furthest one from my room."
Vince got up and hugged Jackson tightly.
"Thank you!" Vince cheered.
"Vince," Jackson said. "I've got to go. I have a date."
Vince let go of Jackson.
"With the Angie?" Vince asked.
"Yes," Jackson replied. "And I have to be there in less than 30 minutes."
"Don't worry," Vince said. "The plus side to having your gay cousin living with you is that I know exactly what you need to wear. Come on!"
Vince grabbed Jackson's arm and quickly dragged him into the master bedroom.
Half an hour later, Jackson entered the Chicken Wing Joint. He immediately saw Angie sitting at one of the tables. Jackson smiled and walked over to her.
"There you are," Angie said. "I was worried you wouldn't show up."
"My cousin felt the need to help me get ready," Jackson said, sitting at the table.
"My sister does the same thing," Angie said. "Anyway, I'm really glad you came. Those firefighters over there were really getting on my nerves."
Jackson looked to see the Station 37 team sitting at the bar. The members smiled and waved at him.
"They're definitely an acquired taste," Jackson said.
"So how long have a 9-1-1 operator?" Angie asked.
"Almost two years," Jackson replied. "I realized being a freelance writer wasn't a big money earner and I wanted to do something to help people."
"My cousin Grace is a 9-1-1 operator in Austin, Texas," Angie said. "She's married to a firefighter named Judd."
"That's neat," Jackson said. "How long have you been a police officer?"
"About five years," Angie replied. "This is actually my third year of being a Patrol Sergeant. I moved up the ranks pretty fast."
Angie looked over to see a couple sitting a few tables down from them. The couple noticed her as well. They got up and quickly exited the restaurant.
"Will you excuse me for just one second?" Angie asked.
"Sure," Jackson replied.
Angie got up and exited the restaurant. She quickly caught up to the couple.
"Excuse me?" Angie asked. "Are you Albert and Evelyn Kinsley?"
The couple stopped and turned around.
"Leave us alone!" the man shouted. "We know exactly who you are!"
"Because of you, our daughter is dead!" the woman shouted. "There's a special place in Hell for people like you!"
Angie broke down crying.
"I'm sorry!" Angie cried. "I really am! Not a day goes by when I don't think about your daughter! I don't expect you to forgive me, but I just want you to know how sorry I am!"
"Do us a favor and just stay out of our lives!" the man shouted.
The couple got into their car and drove away. Angie turned around to see Jackson standing there.
"Angie?" Jackson asked concerned. "Are you okay?"