Jadie
Disclaimer: I don't feel like writing one this chapter –gasp—just go look at one of the other chapters if you really must see a disclaimer.
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CHAPTER 8: Home—"… now that I think about it—it really isn't…"
Don led Jadie up to the door of his apartment, fumbling with the bags and his keys in the faded hallway of the apartment complex. He was more nervous about having a child in his apartment; more than he would have admitted to anyone, as a matter of fact. He silently acknowledged this fact to himself however and also the fact that he simply couldn't bring himself to involve his father and Charlie in the case. Luckily, the FBI had managed to keep the case all but out of the news so Charlie and his dad would have little or no idea what was going on. Don planned on keeping it that way.
Don opened the door and Jadie went right in, looking around with vast amounts of interest and curiosity written all over her pale face.
"It's not much," Don remarked, putting the bags down by one end of the couch, "But it's …well…" Don stopped, cocked his head sideways, thought about what he had been about to say, and chuckled to himself. "I was going to say 'but its home', but now that I think about it—it really isn't," Don continued, "I spend more time at the office and at my brother's house than I do here—funny huh?" Don looked at Jadie who was studying his CD rack with great interest. Don shook his head. She probably doesn't even care, Don mused. She's off in her own little world…
Abruptly, Don's cell phone began to ring, interrupting his thoughts. Don inwardly groaned when he saw "Dad" come up on the screen. Don would not have bet any amount of money that Megan hadn't called his father and at least told him a little bit about what was going on. Don shook his head ruefully. He should really know better. Don answered the phone.
"Hey dad!" Don mustered with a small amount of false cheer.
"Don!" Alan did not sound happy. "I just spoke with Megan and she says that you're taking care of a witness at you apartment!" Don winced.
"Yeah I…" Don managed to begin.
"Donnie, why don't you just bring her over here! You know Charlie and I would love to help and don't think I haven't noticed that you are trying to keep both of in the dark on this case your working on!" Alan took a breath and continued before Don could interject a comment, "…and I would really like to know what is going on Donnie, this isn't a dangerous case is it?" Don didn't like where this conversation was going. Don sighed. His father was not going to be happy with him. Don could hear Charlie in the background as Alan started to speak again.
"Now, Don…"
"Listen, Dad," Don cut him off, "I can't talk right now ok? I have to go there are some things I need to take care of—don't worry about me I've got everything handled…" Alan tried to speak but Don just talked over him. "Listen I-got-to-go-bye" Dan ran his words together so his father couldn't interrupt and then hung up the phone. Don looked down at the phone like it was an alien; he couldn't even remember the last time he'd hung up on his father.
"You hung up on your dad?" Jadie suddenly questioned from right beside him, startling Don from his thoughts.
"Yeah," Don shrugged, "He worries too much." Jadie gave him a curious look.
After a moment of silence, Don figured he should sit her down and ask her some pertinent questions, but truth be told, he just didn't feel up to it.
"Hey kid," Don spoke, a little resigned, "Want to watch a movie or something on T.V.?" Jadie nodded.
"Sure."
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Note: this was an über-short chapt. But the next one should wind up being a biggie. R&R!