Jack cracked open his eyes. It was still dark out but he knew that he had to get up for his shift at the Steel factory. Jack yawned and got out of bed. He turned on the lantern. He went over to the stove and put the kettle on for coffee. Once Jack turned 18, his mother let him turn the shed into his own space. He put in a stove, and a small fireplace. It wasn't a big space but it was his. Jack waited for the kettle to get hot. He put the hot water into a cup and put the coffee grounds in the hot water. Jack stirred his coffee.
After Jack's father had passed, he had to step up to be a provider. His father had left death benefits but that only got the family so far. At 14, Jack would pick corn for his neighbors before and after school to make some money. At 16, Jack started working at the steel factory. He would work at the factory before and after school. Once Jack graduated school, he started working full time at the factory.
There was a loud knock at the door.
Jack went over to the door and opened it.
"Frank. What are you doing here so early?" Jack asked.
"It's your brother. He was arrested for trespassing" Frank said.
Jack motioned for Frank to come in. Jack sighed.
"How do you know this?" Jack asked.
"My cousin Tony works down at the police station. He heard the name Thornton and looked over. And there was your brother.
Jack pinched the bridge of his nose.
"What are you going to do?" Frank asked.
"I guess I'll go get him out of jail" Jack said.
"Mr. Daughtry said that if you were late on more time, don't bother come back. Are you going to risk your job for Tom?" Frank asked.
"He's my little brother. But don't worry about me. I'll land on my feet. Just do me a favor and keep this under wraps. I don't want my mother to find out that Tom had been arrested again" Jack said.
"Sure thing" Frank said. The two men shook hands and Frank left.
Jack poured his coffee down the drain. He changed, grabbed his jacket and left for the jail. Tom was first arrested when he was 14 for vandalism. Knowing who Tom's father was, the police gave them a pass. Jack kept an eye on Tom. Tom was doing well for a while. But this past year, Tom had been previously arrested for getting into a fight with a kid at school. That kid happened to be a police Captain's son. But Jack talked to the Captain and charges were dropped against Tom. Jack wasn't sure what Tom was picked up for this time but Jack knew it wouldn't be good.
Jack made it to the police station. He told the front desk officer his brother's name. Jack sat down and waited for someone to come talk to him.
"Jack" said the man with a smile.
Jack smiled back.
"Chief Dobson. Nice to see you again sir" The two shook hands.
"Nice to see you again as well. But I wish it was under better circumstances" Chief Dobson said.
"Me too" Jack said sadly. Jack followed Chief Dobson to his office.
Chief Dobson closed the door behind Jack and sat behind his desk. Chief Dobson opened a file.
"Tom was picked up for trespassing in an old abandoned factory. Looks like Tom and five other men were hanging out there drinking. Tom was the only one we were able to catch"
Jack sighed.
"This is the second time in a year we have arrested your brother. Do you have any idea why he has been acting out?" Chief Dobson asked.
"He's 16 and thinks he knows everything." Jack said.
Chief Dobson closed the file.
"Jack, if I didn't know your father or your family, Tom would have been put into the system already. You need to talk to him. This is the last time. If he gets picked up again, he will face charges" Chief Dobson.
"I understand Sir. I will talk to him" Jack said.
"Good. Now let me go get Tom out and get him to school on time" Chief Dobson said.
Chief Dobson led Jack out to the waiting room. After about ten minutes, Tom was escorted out by Chief Dobson. Jack thanked the Chief one more time for hi help.
Jack walked Tom outside.
"School isn't too far, let me walk you" Jack said
"Thank for springing me big brother" Tom said.
Jack turned red.
"Tom. You need to stop getting into trouble. The Chief told me that if you get arrested again that you will face charges. Why do you keep getting into trouble" Jack yelled.
Jack walked far ahead of Tom. When Tom finally caught up to Jack, Jack had cooled down.
"I'm sorry, okay. The warehouse was abandoned. We were just having fun. Those guys see me as Tom Thornton. Not perfect Jack Thornton's little screw up brother" Tom said.
Jack stopped. "What?!"
"Do you know how hard it is to be Jack Thornton's younger brother. The golden boy. Or to be Benjamin Thornton's son. The hero. I just want to be seen as Tom Thornton." Tom said.
The two brothers walked quietly to the school.
"Look Tom. I know it hasn't been easy for either of us. We lost our father when we were young. I guess I took on the protector role when it came to you." Jack said.
Tom nodded. "I know. It's just hard to be myself when I feel like I'm living in your shadow. We are so different. You liked school, I don't. You got a job at 14. I got arrested when I was 14."
"I know. But you need to stop getting into trouble. If not for me, at least for mom" Jack said.
"You're right" Tom said.
"Just promise you will graduate from school? Be educated. That's what dad would have wanted" Jack said.
"I promise. Are you going to work now?" Tom asked.
"I actually quit today." Jack said.
"What are you going to do for money?" Tom asked.
"I'm going to go down to the market to see if I can sell any of my drawings." Jack said.
"Good luck" Tom said.
The two brothers waved goodbye. The market wasn't far from the school so Jack walked. Jack lied to Tom because he didn't want Tom to blame himself. Maybe he should have told Tom the truth. But in all honesty, Jack was going to quit that job anyway.
Jack set up on the curb at the market. He carefully displayed his drawings out. People walked by and commented on how nice they were but didn't buy anything. Jack only sold two drawings that day. He made less than he would have made at work. Jack opened the newspaper. Jack read a few articles and the comics. Jack turned the paper over. There was an advertisement on the back to join the Mountie's. Jack had wanted to join the Mountie's ever since he was 14. A Mountie came to his school to talk to all the men about joining. Jack was amazed with the Mountie. He wore his red serge proud. He commanded a lot of respect. But Jack knew that dream was out of reach. He had to stay to look out for his mother and brother.
After Jack was done at the market, he went home. He made it by supper time. He ate dinner with his mother and brother.
"How was work today?" his mother asked.
"I didn't go to work today. I quit" Jack said
"You did? Why?" his mother asked.
"I was getting tired of that job" Jack answered.
"So what are you going to do now?" his mother asked.
"I was thinking of joining the Mountie's" Jack said.
Tom looked at Jack in shock. His mother didn't say anything. Jack saw that she pursed her lips. Jack knew that she did not like the idea of joining the Mountie's.
"No. The Mountie's are too dangerous" his mother said.
"This is something I have been thinking about for 4 years." Jack said raising his voice.
"I will not bury another member of this family that I love." His mother said.
Jack got out his chair. Took his place and put it in the sink and went out to his place.
Jack was reading a book on his bed when he heard a knock.
"Come in" Jack said.
It was his mother. She came into Jack's place.
"May I sit" his mother asked.
"Sure" Jack closed his book and sat on his bed.
"I just want to apologize for what happened at dinner. I guess that the idea of you joining the Mountie's and putting yourself in danger scared me" his mother said.
"Don't worry. I'll find other kind of work" Jack said
"Jack. You had to grow up fast after your father died. You did these odd jobs to support me and your brother. I will always be grateful for that. But it's time for you to live your own life. If joining the Mountie's is something you want to do, who am I to stop you? And I know you think Tom is your responsibility, but he's not. I am his mother. You are not his keeper." His mother said.
Jack smiled. "You support me joining the Mountie's?"
"As much as I dislike the idea of you putting yourself in danger, I do support your decision. I will pray to God every night for you and to help guide me through my fear." His mother said.
Jack went over to hug his mother.
"Thank you" Jack said as he hugged his mother.
"No. Jack. Thank you" his mother said.
As his mother was leaving, she turned around to Jack.
"And I know about Tom being arrested"
Jack's mouth opened wide in shock.
"A mother always know. Good night honey" his mother said and closed the door.
Jack smiled. He went to put his book away on his bookshelf. He saw his father's picture as he put the book away.
"I'll make you proud" Jack whispered to the picture.
As Jack was putting his book away, he pulled out a scrap. Inside there were clippings from the newspaper about his father's death. His father died while breaking up a bar fight. He led the main aggressor outside when all of a sudden the man broke free, stole his father's gun and shot him point blank in the head. They never caught the man but they know who he is. His name is Peter Collins. One of the main reasons that Jack wanted to join the Mountie's was to learn how to track. He wanted to track down his father's killer. On the last page of the scrapbook, there was a wanted poster with Peter Collin's face on it. On the bottom, it said "wanted dead or alive." Jack knew that if he ever caught up to Collins, he would be bringing him in dead.