Ripple Effect Chapter 4
Puzzled, Jay let the phone ring, curious as to what the message would be. He half-expected to hear something like: Jay, this is Mr. Simpson. I don't know what you were thinking, coming to our home like that. I don't like you, and I'm not afraid to say it. Stay away from our family and stay away from Emma. He cocked an eyebrow at the thought of his sickly teacher threatening him through a pathetic message. It was almost funny, picturing this scrawny man in a fighting stance. Hearing the beep on his phone, he anxiously dialed the voicemail, anticipating the mysterious message.
It was Emma's mother. She sounded hurried, persistent, annoyed, tired. The list went on.
Hi, Jay? This is Christine Nelson, Emma's mom. I just wanted to call and say thank you for giving Emma a ride home. We both really appreciate it. Oh, and about earlier…you caught us at a bit of a hectic moment. I don't know if Em told you what happened, but she won't come out of her room now…Listen, you seem like a nice kid; maybe you could coax her into coming out? I normally wouldn't ask this of a near stranger, but, well, I'm in a bit of a tight spot. Emma'd be glad to see you right now… (Sighing) I'll leave the door unlocked.
Jay heard a click, which signaled the end of one of the strangest messages he'd ever heard. Ever. He wasn't even sure how she had his number.
Let me get this straight, he thought to himself. She wants me to come backApparently you seem like a nice kid, came his alter-ego. Ha. I agree. Why not one of her little nature friends? Her mom liked you, remember? Emma apparently doesn't talk to her enough, then. It would mean alone time with her.
He sighed, deciding this was a rare occasion. When he reached her house, it looked deserted. The car that had resided in the driveway was gone, and all the lights were out.
"Maybe no one's home," he thought out loud. Just go inside.
He went up to the door and knocked lightly on the dark brown wood. No one answered. Trying the doorknob, he found that it was in fact unlocked. Jay opened it slowly, causing the hinges to creak eerily.
"Hello?" came Emma's hoarse voice. She walked into the living room, puffy-eyed and red-faced. "Jay. What're you doing here?" she asked, trying to avoid his eyes.
He cleared his throat and when he saw that tears were still streaming down Emma's red cheeks, couldn't help letting a feeling of pity surface. "Uh, I thought I'd be a good civilian, check up on you?"
"You're a bit out of character, don't you think?" Emma joked half-heartedly. She wiped her face and collapsed haggardly onto the couch. Jay followed suit.
"My mom called you, right?" she asked moments later.
"Yeah. I guess she's worried or something stupid like that."
"I know my mom's worried, alright? This…it just can't happen again. We can't take it," Emma fired up, tears welling up in her eyes again.
Jay wasn't sure if she was talking about them or the cancer, but either way, she was probably right. It wasn't fair. She didn't deserve to go through this much pain all over again; it just shouldn't have been this way. Yet, it was, and there was nothing either Jay or Emma could do to change the fact that Snake was sick again, and this time the hope that kept the Nelson-Simpson family functioning was evaporating, disintegrating. The tension in the room was made stale by the depressing atmosphere that hovered around Emma. Jay could tell; he could sense it.
"Nice place," Jay said sarcastically, attempting to change the subject.
"Thanks," Emma sniffled, "mom really likes to keep it nice." She sat up straight and looked Jay in the eye. Her gaze against his was unbearable. He wanted so badly to make his move, right then and there. "What are you doing here?" Emma finished.
"I was being nice," he said, as if surprised himself.
Emma cocked her eyebrows as if to say 'yeah right'.
"Well…I'll just as easily leave." He began to move from the couch, eyeing Emma.
"No…" she trailed off. "I—it's nice to have someone around who doesn't judge me."
Jay looked at her, almost quizzically, and then gave a nod.
He owed her a debt that he was sure he would never be able to repay. He owed her so much more than just this, this pity. But, it was all he had to offer. He had never had much to give when it came to material things; emotionally he was stubborn. It took all he had to put a sympathetic hand on Emma's shoulder, rubbing it gently with his thumb. The touch of her soft skin against his rough palm became the only thing either of them noticed, and this simple, surreal act of kindness, frankly, surprised the both of them.
Jay removed his hand awkwardly when Emma got up and walked into the kitchen. Awkward. It always seemed to describe them, whatever the situation may have been. Along with anger and frustration, of course.
When she emerged from the archway, Jay noticed she was holding a note and two bottles of water. Handing him one she read the note aloud.
Em,
Sorry to rush out, but the doctors said it was probably best to get Snake checked into the hospital as soon as possible. We're going to his parents' house tonight, we'll be back to pack a bag in the morning. And Joey's going to pick up Jack after you get out of school; he'll stay there until we get back. You can stay at home and I'll call when I get the chance. I love you.
-Mom
By the time Emma looked up from her mother's note Jay was admiring the different pictures scattered around the living room. One in particular caught his eye.
"Dracula," Emma said before taking a drink of water.
It was a black and white photo of Emma and Manny in front of the school in full costume. Manny had a pure, wide smile plastered on her face, while Emma's, Emma's didn't seem quite right. The kind of smile you give out of respect, not happiness. It was something Jay remembered well, too well.
"Yeah," he said. His eyes darted around the room, eventually landing on Emma's face. He furrowed his eyebrows in thought before saying, "I should probably get going. I need food." And it was true. He thought back to last time he had eaten…at least a day ago, maybe longer.
"I can fix you something to eat, if you want," Emma said.
"Why are you being so nice, Nelson?" Jay asked.
Emma thought for a minute. Why was she being so nice to him?
"I could ask the same of you," she replied, unable to think of an answer simple enough.
Jay thought. "I don't know... You were Sean's girl. I guess I've learned that you deserve a little respect."
"Since when?" she mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." She said quickly. "Are you staying?"
"I'll take a rain check, Green Peace."
"Fine. I'll see you at school then."
"Fine. And…stay out of trouble Nelson."
Emma looked at him questioningly before nodding. He lingered for a minute, and then turned for the door.
---
Jay opened the fridge. Baking soda, a carton of milk, some packaged lunch meat, a few beers. The freezer was just as disappointing; there were two things of freezer-burned ground beef and an empty ice tray inside. He searched the cabinets, but all he found were possible remnants of food. His best bet was to just go out.
Pulling up to the Dot, he found it surprisingly empty. Finally, somewhere quiet. Somewhere with food. Getting out of the car, Jay made his way inside and sat himself at a table in a corner of the restaurant.
"What'll it be?" asked his waitress moments later.
"Just a burger."
"With cheese?"
"Why not."
"Pop?"
He nodded and the waitress left without another word. He didn't recognize her; she must've been new. He could definitely say that he liked eating at the Dot more than working there. Jay thought back to his brief employment last summer.
Hairnets. Never again.
He leaned back in his chair and studied the restaurant. It was no different physically than the last time he had been there. But it felt different somehow. Maybe that's what working did to you. Gave you a different outlook on certain aspects of life, and one thing he had learned…never mix work and pleasure. Making money hadn't been so bad. But the hairnets. He shook his head in disgust as the waitress appeared with a hamburger, glass of pop, and a bottle of ketchup on her tray.
"Enjoy," she said setting in front if him.
"Yeah."
Needless to say he scarfed down that poor slab of meat in record time. He wasn't full, but it had been enough to get him by for the time being. Rummaging through his pockets, Jay pulled out a bit of spare change and tossed it onto the table. He made his way to the front register slowly and paid the bill. Once back in the confinement of his Civic, he checked the time. Twenty minutes had passed. Jay tilted his head back and groaned in annoyance, turning the ignition. It was evident that this night was not going to pass gracefully… or quickly.
---
A song played softly on the radio, and a small table lamp was lit. The only sign of life in the room were the gentle sounds of fingers tapping lightly at the keyboard, and the yawns erupting from her mouth. She read and re-read the instant message three times before deciding that action needed to be taken.
(10:05PM)Lexxi5: R U sure Amy?
(10:06PM)Amez101: Alex either ur blind or u just don't see it!
(10:06PM)Lexxi5: she's not exactly normal amy.
(10:08PM)Amez101: Trust me; shez got the hotts for ur man! She stares at him all day…she watches you 2 make out. It's gross…and she needs 2… like learn not 2 make it so obvious.
(10:09PM)Lexxi5: she needs 2 learn not 2 look at other people's boyfriends…specially mine.
(10:10PM)Amez101: Lexxi, what ru gonna do?
(10:15PM)Amez101: Alex?
(10:18PM)Amez101: …hello?
(10:20PM)Lexxi5: ill c u tomorrow, amy.
(10:21PM)Amez5: But…
Lexxi5 has signed off at 10:21 PM.
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