This would be chapter 7 I would appreciate if you would read it and it's up to you if you enjoy it or not.
As if rubber band being pulled too tight I snap upwards away from Carey at the sound of Jack's voice. Great just great. He'll soon become obsessed with this behavior no matter what carefully concocted reasoning I give to him. One shouldn't complain about a child who cares so dearly for their parent's well being emotionally and physically, though sometimes it almost feels if our roles are reversed in their responsibilities. I know it's partially because of Rick's loss and having a parent ripped away that Jack tries with all his might to keep a hold of me.
"It's okay honey I am fine." I might as well of added that babies come from the stork and that five plus five is eight.
"But you're crying did something happen?" Jack questions further as I pull myself away from Carey not wanting Jack to take any notice of the position in which he found me in.
"No Jack nothing happened I am just having a bad day for some reason, just been in a concrete gray funk since the day began." If I could cross my fingers without having it seen by either party I would.
"Is there anything that I could do?" The sound of sorrow and defeat bounces off of the words that he knows he is powerless to learn more information from me. Almost any other circumstance of my embarrassing display I would have shared with him, some how I think this isn't worth it.
"I could use some tissues, could you buy a few pocket poaches for me, do you need any money?" I ask while reaching for my wallet shoved in my side pocket.
"No I got some, do you need anything else?"
"Thank you but that's suitable. Carey will you escort me back to the bus please?" Jack turns and walks away as Carey nods in response placing his hand lightly onto my shoulder. I wasn't sure how to handle the situation, but leaving Carey standing there as if a fool certainly didn't feel right. As we walk towards the bus I can't help but to notice his shallow steps that are often hesitant, looking down I discover the reason why.
"Carey! Do you know how dangerous that is?" Barefoot at truck stop gas station what in the world was he thinking?
"I am being careful." Said just as he plants his left foot into a shard glass no scream comes but the look on his face speaks even louder.
"Holy shit Carey see this is the reason you should wear shoes!" Way to go Molly what he really wants to hear at this particular moment a lecture. He takes a harder grip of my shoulder leaning down to support his weight as we unceremonially hopple towards our home on wheels. Luckily the door was being held open to allow some fresh air, though the gasoline fumes and truck exhaust surrounding other in every direction is anything but fresh, Carey lets loose and assists himself up the stairs, the passage too narrow to continue on side by side. Irene is sitting at the table sipping on the coffee poured into the handle chipped red mug, as she held her cell phone preparing to dial it. She looks up at us taking no notice of the dried stains of tears or of the blood dripping from the sole of her eldest son's foot. When it comes to her job or anything involving the business Irene can only focus her energy on that, everything is simply in a haze of her vision until pointed out to her. I can never decide if I should call Irene being dedicated to her job obsessively a good or bad thing. It usually evens out fairly well.
"Irene can you get the first aid kit out of the bathroom for me?" I call out to her, and as I had guessed the words first aid draw her full attention towards our direction. Carey sat down on the outstretching his leg on the cushion staining the fabric.
"What happened!" Irene asks panic filled after a quick dash to retrieve the requested item. Carey explains to her of his foolish behavior as I examine the wound closer, it's deep wound too deep for a simple bandage.
"We'll have to take you to a hospital." I inform him as he shakes his head in denial.
"Ah come on it's not that bad just put a touch of iodine and wrap it up, I'll be fine."
"I am guessing at least five stitches and let's not forget you'll need an anti-infected shot to ensure that you didn't catch anything." Though I am not looking up at her I can just picture the panicked expression on Irene's face, not because her son is hurt, but because it could possibly cancel the show this evening. I won't be surprised if she at this very moment she is circulating through her head every possible soul that could substitute. I know there is nobody.
"Now what happened?" Jack sits down beside me I hadn't even him walk onto the bus.
"Carey decided he wanted to see if stepping on glass really hurt or not." Irene answers her voice oozing of sarcasm, not towards Jack in particular just the situation in a whole.
"Ah dang man that sucks, does it hurt?" Carey just nods in response. I suddenly notice that Annie is absent from our little festivities
"Jack where's Annie?" Inquiring would be the only way to put a close to this current mystery.
"She's talking to some guys in a car over on the other side of the parking lot." Good damn I swear I need to put that girl on a leash whenever we go out somewhere for a period longer than two minutes. Annie has always been a beautiful girl and attracted the attention and other things I don't even want to think about of various men and young boys, but it wasn't until fairly recently that she began to like it, and now seeks it out. I love the girl I truly do nonetheless I am glad she'll be gone in a few weeks time.
"I'll go get her." I tell the other three.