Tag #31 – Foundations
Daniel was shaking as he fled Jack's house, seeking the sanctuary of his car. Jack's final words echoed in his ears. "Apparently not much of a foundation there, huh?" It felt like something inside him was not quite breaking, but being torn ragged instead. Taking a deep breath, he leaned his forehead against the steering wheel. "I can't believe that," he whispered. "That was not Jack."
He glanced at the innocent-looking house out of the corner of his eye, half-hoping to see Jack coming out to apologize, to say he didn't mean it. But the door remained firmly closed.
He started his car and pulled out of the driveway, unsure of where to go. He didn't feel like going back to the base, but after that emotional knife in the back, he didn't want to go back to his apartment either. And so he drove, unmindful of where he was going, only trying to get away.
He wasn't sure how long he drove, but when he saw the signs for the Garden of the Gods park, he decided to take a walk along one of the many trails open to the public. The park was rather empty this time of day, which suited his need for solitude. He hiked all the way back to the Kissing Camels rock formation and sat down on the low stone wall, staring up at the natural monument. Look at me, he scoffed, hanging out with rocks for solace. If Jack saw me here...
He sighed, looking down at the pavement. There was something wrong with Jack, he realized, forcing himself to think back on that horrible conversation. He didn't want to hurt me like that.
"Come on, you're a bright guy. You had to sense some of this."
"No," he mumbled under his breath. "I didn't sense any genuine dislike. There was something there, we were friends. What happened?"
Thinking back, he knew that Jack had been lying from the start. He'd been uneasy, on edge, just trying to get Daniel to go away. Why? What was so important that he needed to drive Daniel away, sever the ties of friendship?
He looked up at the sky, barely taking notice of the incoming storm clouds. There was something about the whole thing that just didn't seem right. Jack had wanted so badly for Daniel to leave, but at the same time he'd been radiating waves of...something. Something that told him Jack desperately wanted him to notice, to catch on, but at the same time not say anything about it. All right Jack, you got my attention. What were you trying to tell me?
"Yes to the beer. No to the feelings."
Could that have been some kind of hint? Nothing past that truly seemed sincere. "Stop your worrying. I'm fine." But Jack had been angry, and gave some bullshit answer when Daniel had asked.
He didn't want to do it, Daniel realized. He had no choice, and wanted me to get away before I figured out it was all a sham. But why?
It still hurt that Jack hadn't trusted him, and that he'd known just where to twist the knife to drive Daniel away in a hurry. And yet that horrible torn feeling was eased somewhat by the knowledge that Jack hadn't wanted to shatter the bonds of friendship, he just had no other choice.
"Well Jack," he said out loud, "I don't know what you're up to, but I'll play along. No one will know I've caught on until you're ready to come clean."
Getting to his feet, he started the trek back to his car.