Getting To Know You
Chapter 16
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Previously: James agreed to let Jed spend the night; Abbey knew she was lucky to have such a caring father
Summary: Abbey becomes suspicious of Jed's relationship with his father; Jed and Abbey discuss London
Her concentration dominated by the events of that night, Abbey untangled her auburn tresses. Her eyes looked vacant, her expression worn. The only movement in her head was when she jerked through a stubborn curl that refused to surrender to the soft bristles of the silver-toned brush.
Jed had told her his father wasn't a reasonable man. She dismissed his warning. He told her they didn't get along, but she assumed he was exaggerating. Little did she know he had hit his mark and described John to a tee.
John Bartlet wasn't the man Abbey assumed he was. That much was clear. She flashed back to Jed's question when he sprinted down the stairs.
"He didn't hit you, did he?" he had asked.
It broke her heart to think that maybe the reason that question even entered his mind is because that was the kind of reaction he was used to in his own home.
She climbed into bed, lying back against her pillow. After tossing and turning several times, she sat bold upright and slipped into her silk-lined robe before heading out of her room. She had to see him. She had to hear Jed's explanation once more or else she wouldn't be able to sleep.
She knocked first and then opened his door. Just as she hoped, he was still wide awake. "I just want to make sure you have everything you need."
"I do."
"I could get you another blanket..."
"Abbey, I'm fine." He reached out his hand to hers.
She walked towards the bed, but stopped just short of where he was sitting. "Did you call your mom?"
"Yeah, she said staying here was probably best."
Abbey sat down on the mattress beside him. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"Why did you ask if my Dad hit me?"
"You were crying and I was worried."
"Is that all?"
"Yes, that's all," he said firmly, his eyes squinted sharply in her direction.
She didn't believe him, not after the display she had witnessed. If John could be so cruel, especially in front of her, she wouldn't put it past him to have struck his son during a heated argument. Abbey wanted to ask more questions. She needed to seek the answers she knew Jed was avoiding, but the tone in his voice told her this wasn't the time. She suspected any discussion she wanted to have tonight, he would just avoid. And truth be told, she couldn't really blame him.
"Okay then."
"Abbey?" Jed ran his hand over her back when she turned from him . "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about London."
"I'm not going to pretend I'm not upset about that."
"I know. You have every right to be upset. You should have heard it from me."
Without looking at him, she stood then. "Why? Why are you going?"
"They have a great program, Abbey. I applied on a whim. I had forgotten all about it until I got a letter inviting me to tour the campus and meet with some of the professors."
She curled her bottom lip, biting down on it as several silent seconds passed between them. "When are you leaving?" she finally asked.
"On the 21st. I'm meeting with the professors the next day, but I couldn't get a flight back until the 27th."
"It's our first Christmas."
"I know," he said sadly. "I'm sorry."
"What does it mean for us in the long run? Are we going to break up?"
"You're getting way ahead of yourself, Abbey. I haven't even been formally accepted yet."
"But you will. It's London, Jed. They wouldn't invite you out unless they were pretty sure they wanted you. So say you're accepted. Then what?"
"Then we'll figure something out."
She sputtered dismissively and reclaimed her seat on the bed. "I don't think we can survive being a continent away. It was hard enough with you in Indiana."
Jed was rarely at a loss for words, but when faced with her disappointed eyes and her shrinking posture, he struggled.
"I'm sorry," was all he could finally mumble as he wrapped his fingers through several locks of her hair, gently twirling them around until she laid back and rested her head against his chest. He kissed her tenderly when felt the wet tear that fell down her face and onto his skin.
TBC