"I haven't been able to contact anyone yet...the weather service, D.C.,..." Jason stared into the fireplace, spreading his fingers before it.
"Me neither. I wish to heck-"
"Mr. Hall?"
"Laura?"
"It's-Sam. I think you should talk to him."
"What is it now?" Jack couldn't quite keep the irritation from his voice.
"Nothing. I think you should be with him, is all." Laura was soft and delicate, features of a china doll. Looks could be deceiving.
"He's fine. Sam needs to get some rest." Jack went back to his perusal.
"You're lucky to have a son."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that I envy you. It must be nice to have a whole family."X
Sam shifted on the drapery mattress. Interesting way to spend one's vacation to New York. The City. With the girl he loved. No, admired. Respected. Cared for-
"Whatever." Sam didn't need things spelled out. If he felt something, why bother classifying it. It just was.
"I think-" Laura's words floated back, over the lounge chair he'd refused to take.
They were talking about him. Sam fidgeted restlessly, sighing. Why couldn't things be like they used to? Jack's mixture of irritation and concern set him off. It was so unusual, and frustrating, and demeaning, all at once. He could look after himself. He'd made it through, hadn't he?
"Hey."
"Hey yourself." Whether Laura was telling his dad stuff or not-it didn't matter as she took his hand.X
It was so quiet in the library. Jack eased himself off the floor, leaving Jason to his own ponderings. The carpet disguised his footsteps as the weatherman rounded the furniture. Sam was staying off the leg atop a comfortable mound of available material; namely the curtains. Might as well check in.
"I don't like him."
"He's alright." Sam's soft reply. Jack found himself hesitating, standing still in the cloaking shadows.
"I guess."
"You sound really convinced."
"Hey-you're supposed to be convalescing. Don't poke fun at me."
"It's just that-"
Jack leant forward, straining to catch his son's unfinished sentence.
"What?"
"The way he is." Sam idly plucked at his covers.
"Do you need another pill? I'll get you one-"
"No, no." Sam's hand caught her wrist. To Jack, the movement was not unalike a boy's gentle grasp of a butterfly. There was so much to read in the simple actions of people. Even more than words spoken.
"I'd rather have you here."
"Does it hurt?"
"I'm probably overdosed on tylenol already."
"How did you break it anyways, you silly?"
"Just wasn't paying attention. How's your cut?"
The look on his son's face. Lips curved in the tenderest of smiles. The way he ducked his chin. Did Laura really see all of this?
Jack bit his lip, an uncharacteristic uncertainty. He wanted Sam to be happy. All live together when they got back home...now was not the time to intrude.
"I heard Jason talking about someone who died on the way here. A friend of his."
Sam frowned. "On the way here? Are you sure?"
"Probably. Sam, lie down."
"No-who was it? Was it Frank?"
"Stay still! Who's Frank?"
"A friend of my Fathers's. It makes sense. They're a team-Jason, Frank and my Dad."
"I'll find out." Laura looked at him helplessly. She didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry."
"It's not me. It's my dad."
The firelight shifted violently, throwing the dark shapes along the walls into twisting scepters.
Almost on cue, a dog's sharp bark echoed throughout melting halls.
Peace would not be come by quite as soon.
Sam stared into the inky blackness until his eyes burned. The blankets seemed to suffocate.
Across the room, Jack met his son's gaze.
He wasn't only a Dad, but a leader. Something was changing again, out there. He could sense it...as everyone else in that little room.
And a son who couldn't walk.X
Thanks for the review, OTHlover04!