VI
Jack and Carey went and sat down on a bench in Central park looking out over onto the park lake. Jack pulled a paper out from inside his jacket and offered it to Carey. She reached her hand into the bag and pulled out a small stick of liquorish. "Thanks," said Carey before she started to much down on the black sweet. Jack pulled out a stick and stuck the end in his mouth like a cigarette.
"I remember the first time I arrived in New York. 1721 this place was nothing more than a large trading port. I ended up working in the dockyards for this Irishman named Robin O'Riley. He was a nice chap had a fishing boat that he worked during the week then on Wednesday and Saturday he'd sell off his catch. I'd help out at his stall along with his daughter. Bar me it was entirely a family business. Robin and his son Bud would work the boat and I'd work on the boat most days fixing nets mainly the tedious jobs they didn't like doing then the rest of the week I'd help out at the stall stopping thieves and doing all the heavy lifting that his daughter Jaye couldn't do," said Jack as he slowly chewed on the liquorice.
"Working for Robin was the first time in my life that I had to do any physical labour. The fact I grew up rich meant I had nether really worked a day in my life. People think being born into aristocracy is a good thing. Until I left England I would have agreed with them. But having a rich family and nether doing any work can nether prepare an 18 year old boy for the real world. I would've been worked to the bone had I been human. Yeah those ten years working for Robin were the best years of my live back when I did my best to stay human. I was relatively calm back then but obviously I had to do something for my blood lust. I would invite myself over to the local jail and help myself to any criminal about to be hanged the next day. The army would do their best to keep it quiet but every so often stories would leak out and the tales of the fearsome man eater, a walking devil, a witch, a monster would circle around town."
"It turns out Robin and his family had figured out what I was after the first month of me staying with them. I would live in their cellar you see they had a nice little cottage by the shoreline. But for some reason though even though they knew it was me they kept quiet I didn't understand why until after Robin died. Robin feared for his family's safety and so he believed that I would protect them if they showed me kindness putting me in their debt basically. It was a good honest plan and he told me that on his death bed and made me swear to always watch over the family. And I always have. It's kind of funny during the war I used Robin's name and I have done ever since," said Jack standing up and looking around.
"Why the sudden talk on your past?" Carey asked and Jack spun around to smile at her.
"Because it saves me explaining why I have to say hello to that gentleman over there," said Jack pointing over at an old man sat in a wheelchair gazing out over the lake. Jack gave Carey the bag of liquorice and went over to the old man.
Jack put his arm gently on the man's shoulder and the wrinkled old face turned and smiled at him. "I knew I'd see you again Jack," said the old man. Jack knelt down beside him and shook the man's hand. "It has been to long Sam. I haven't seen you since I left for Vietnam. I always promised to come see you and the family at Christmas," said Jack and the old man chuckled.
"There's still time for you to come round. Christmas is only a few months away now. Besides I could've sworn you were at Edna's funeral," said Sam looking back over the lake.
"Yeah I was hiding over in the corner saying hello to some old friends. I still don't know what to say at those things so I opted not to see you I'm afraid," said Jack and the man chuckled.
"Scared stiff weren't you. I'm not surprised you always didn't like funerals and weddings and silly things like that but you could face down an entire SS Panzer Battalion armed with nothing but your fists just fine," said Sam patting the young man's shoulder.
"That just about sums me up."
Sam smacked the vampire over the head with an umbrella. "If you think the fact that you aren't scared to face any kind of danger head on is what sums up your character you have another thing coming to you. Do you remember the day we first met?" Sam asked and Jack nodded.
"Yeah I had come to see your farther before we all got pulled into the next great war," said Jack and Sam smiled.
"You came in and sat on the sofa and everyone but my father was afraid of you. Even the dog couldn't stand you. Then I came in crying after the other boys on the street had been picking on me. My mother just told me to man up and stop crying. She always went on about me being weak but you came up to me and asked what they were doing to me. You the scary old family friend that nobody new asked a little boy what was wrong and I told you the other boys wanted me to help them keep look out for the local mob. Now you couldn't have that and so you asked me to take you to the boys."
"I took you to those boys and you got them to take you to the local mob hang out. That is when I saw your hero side as you beat up those mobsters and told them not to involve children in their schemes. You then stayed for a year to protect us from the mob. You are the only vampire I know who would to such lengths to protect people like me. So take your monster fighting butt and realise you care about certain things in this world and that makes you more than a killing machine," said Sam and Jack took off his sunglasses.
"I guess you're right. Imagine me being taught what's what by a young punk like yourself," said Jack and Sam chuckled.
At that point a young woman in her late teens walked up to the pair of men. "Is this guy bothering you grandpa?" The young woman asked handing Sam a cup of coffee. "Oh that's right you two haven't met Jack this is Jay my granddaughter. Jack's and old family friend," said Sam introducing the young woman. "A pleasure to meet you ma'am," said Jack offering his hand.
"An old family friend 'ay then how come I've nether heard of you?" Jay asked folding her arms.
Sam smiled then reached into his jacket and handed Jack his wallet. Jack opened the wallet and found an old photograph. "Is this what I think it is?" Jack asked as he unfolded the photograph.
The photograph showed two men stood side by side with a small boy stood in between them. The man on the left was Jack wearing what looked like British army Battledress from the Second World War with an RAF Beret. The man on the right appeared much older with stubble clearly visible. The man was wearing an American army M1943 field uniform with service cap perched on his head. The little boy was wearing dungarees and an American Army helmet that nearly covered the boy's smiling face as he held onto the two men's hands.
"This was on your father's home leave the day before he got shipped out to Africa. We were about to head back to camp when your mother insisted on getting one photograph before we left," said Jack before handing the photograph to Jay. "And this is supposed to be you. Yeah right who is this your grandfather or something?" Jay asked giving Sam the photograph.
"Sorry about her Jack. Meeting someone like you for the first time is always unbelievable," said Sam and Jack laughed before giving Sam a plain paper bag. "I've always been meaning to give you this but I nether new when to give it you," said Jack and Sam gingerly opened the paper bag. A small blue rotting cardboard box was inside. Sam opened the box to find a harmonica slighted rusted sat inside.
Sam gasped then looked up at Jack tears forming in his eyes. "How? When? I nether…" Sam began to say. Jack placed his hand on the old man's shoulder. "If you ever need me. You know where to find me. As for you ma'am if you ever need a man like myself," said Jack handing Jay a small white envelope. "I hope to see you again at Christmas Sam. Miss O'Riley," said Jack partially bowing before walking off.