Chapter 6
By: MysticFantasy
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Jack woke up the next morning and felt like his feet were covered in dozens of pairs of socks that weighed a few hundred pounds each. After skating lessons yesterday, Jack had returned feeling like he had run for miles without stopping.
He'd been so tired that Bobby had carried him inside when they got home. Normally, he'd never let anyone get so close to him but he'd been so tired that he hadn't even realized what was going on at the time.
Plus he remembered what was going to happen in a month. He needed to open up more if he wanted to stay with the Mercer's. This was actually the first time he found himself wanting to stay with the foster family he was with.
But Jack realized that the Mercer's were nothing like the other homes he'd been in. They treated him like a real person, they gave him positive attention, included him in their family activities, actually fed him...
Jack knew he shouldn't get his hopes up but he felt that this was the very home he's dreamt of having as far back as he could remember when the abuse had started and he prayed for escape from it.
Would this be his new home where he could grow up in safety and comfort?
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"Hey kiddo. Sleep alright?" Bobby asked seeing Jack walk in.
Jack nodded and climbed onto his chair at the table.
"Good. You were exhausted last night." Bobby said. "That means you got a good workout from skating."
"How'd it go with that?" Evelyn asked placing a plate holding three pancakes in front of Jack.
"He's a natural Ma." Bobby declared. "I wouldn't be surprised if he got signed up for a hockey contract like I am."
"Contract?" Jack repeated.
"Bobby's going to play professional hockey once he graduates school." Evelyn explained.
"Graduate. Right." Bobby said slowly.
"Bobby."
"I'm just kidding Ma. Don't worry. You'll see me tripping over the stage in that stupid gay gown." Bobby said.
"I had better." Evelyn said. "And Jackie, you'll be starting school when the winter break is over. That'll be about another ten days or so."
"School?" Jack asked.
"Yep. Get ready to fall asleep in class all the time kid." Bobby said. "What grade are you in?"
Jack didn't answer and the two right away knew what it meant.
"You never went to school did you Jack?" Bobby asked.
"I did. A few times. But all of my foster dad's said it was a waste of time and didn't let me go anymore."
"Oh my." Evelyn said quietly. "I'll need to go to the school and talk to the principal."
"Hey, at least he'll be easier to get into school than me. Remember that day Ma?" Bobby asked with a small but satisfied smirk on his face.
"How could I forget?" Evelyn declared.
"What happened?" Jack asked curiously.
"Well, Bobby didn't like going to school when he was a little older than you Jackie." Evelyn started. "When I adopted him I found out how much school he had missed. I talked to the principal and other people at the school and got him back in. The first day he was back in school he got in a fight with someone three grades ahead of him. He was suspended for a month before he was allowed back with strict warnings not to fight anymore or he would get put in juvie."
"Stikin' system." Bobby muttered.
"Anyway, I had talked to him and finally convinced him to behave. We actually came up with a little deal. Every week that he didn't get into a fight, I gave him an allowance to save and buy whatever he wanted."
"Ended up going the whole year without getting into another fight." Bobby mused proudly.
"What'd you buy?" Jack asked.
"Didn't buy anything." Bobby answered. "I kept saving. Next thing I know I make it the next year without getting into a fight. Wasn't until I was a freshman that I got into another fight. But I had a reason."
"The freshman welcome is tradition Bobby." Evelyn stated.
"I wasn't about to let no dang seniors 'welcome' me with balloons filled with water, paint and flour." Bobby declared.
Jack lightly chuckled.
Evelyn smiled happily. Jack had finally given her an idea of what his laugh sounded like.
Bobby noticed how happy his mother looked after hearing Jack chuckle and knew that things were heading in the right direction for them. Especially Jack.
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"Say it!"
"No!"
"Say it Angel!"
"No!"
Jack watched in confusion and amazement as Bobby and Angel raced each other in a video game that was flashing brightly on the tv screen. Bobby easily had Angel out matched but the younger man wasn't about to let his older brother beat him.
"Say it!"
"No! I ain't lettin' you win!"
"You guys are a bunch of morons." Jerry declared. "Be more like Jackie here. Calm and quiet."
"He won't be that way anymore if mom adopts him like she wants." Bobby declared not taking his eyes off the screen. "He'll be just like the rest of us."
"No he won't." Jerry declared. "Don't listen to him Jackie. If you do become a Mercer like we want, then stay the way you are now. Believe me it'll save you a lot of trouble."
"Why?" Jack asked looking at Jerry curiously.
"Let's just say that Bobby's made a repuation of the Mercer name and not in a good way." Jerry answered.
"Hey, it got us a little neighborhood fame and respect didn't it?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah but we're even more famous with the cops." Jerry replied before looking at Jack. "Come on Jack. You and me can hang out for a while. These two won't stop unless they go blind."
Jack climbed off the couch and followed Jerry outside to the backyard. The air was cool but not cold enough for anything more than a sweatshirt.
"Ever been in a tree house before Jack?" Jerry asked leading him over to a tree that had several pieces of wood lying close by.
"No." Jack answered.
"Really?" Jerry muttered. "Well, I'm building one right now. Maybe you can help me and then you can use it whenever you want."
"What are they for?" Jack asked.
"They're kinda like a club house. Only in a tree. You can campout in them at night, have snacks up there, or just to have some time to yourself or with friends."
"How come you want one?" Jack asked.
"I like to work on projects but I know to start on something small first. I thought a treehouse would be perfect. So how about it? Want to help me build it and then use it whenever you want?"
Jack looked a little doubtful but then lightly smiled and nodded.
"Awesome. You're not scared of heights are ya?"
"No."
"Good. Let's get started."
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"Bobby. Angel. Where's Jerry and Jack?" Evelyn asked walking into the living room.
"No clue." Bobby answered. "They were in here with us but Jerry took Jack somewhere."
Evelyn was about to ask another question but she got her answer when she heard the faint sound of hammering coming from outside. She walked throught the kitchen and to the backdoor to see that her guess was right.
She spotted Jerry leaning over a few pieces of plank wood that he was nailing together and she smiled when she saw Jack standing a few feet away holding a small box of nails and handed one to Jerry when he was asked.
Evelyn walked outside and over to the two.
"Working together on the treehouse?" she asked getting their attention.
"Yeah." Jerry answered. "Jackie's a real good helper. With his help, the treehouse could be up before spring."
"That's good to hear." Evelyn said. "Jackie, tomorrow you and I are going to go to the school and talk to the principal and then to the doctor."
"Ok." Jack agreed looking a little unsettled about hearing he would be going to see a doctor. "Does that mean I'll start school?"
"I'm pretty sure of it." Evelyn answered. "Jerry, isn't it too cold to be working on the treehouse right now?"
"I'm fine but Jack can take a break if he wants." Jerry answered. "Don't want him getting sick."
"I agree. Come on Jack. I need to talk to you about school anyway." Evelyn said.
Jack put down the small box of nails and followed Evelyn inside. He soon found himself sitting on the counter holding a cup of hot chocolate while Evelyn began moving around the kitchen to make dinner.
"Jack, do you remember what grade you were in last?" Evelyn asked.
"I think I was in the fourth grade." Jack answered.
"Fourth grade? A little ahead I see." Evelyn said with a smile.
"Is that good?" Jack asked.
"That is good. It means that you're a bright person. Especially for your age. But the principal will have to check that for himself. Do you have a favorite subject?"
"I liked music." Jack said.
"Really?" Evelyn asked pausing in making the salad. "Did you have a favorite instrument?"
"I saw one I liked but I never got to try it. A guitar."
"Come with me honey." Evelyn said picking Jack up and placing him on the ground.
Curious and a little confused, Jack followed Evelyn as she walked up to the second floor. He then followed her to another door that revealed a staircase.
The wooden stairs creaked under their footsteps as they walked up. Jack quickly realized they were in an attic. A light was turned on and Jack saw that although the attic was a decent size there wasn't very much stuff.
Evelyn walked over to a small stack of boxes and reached for something behind them. Jack felt his eyes widen a little when he saw her pull out a black guitar case.
"Here you go honey." she said handing the case to Jack.
The ten year old held the case but looked at Evelyn with a questioning gaze.
"It's your own guitar." she said. "I can show you how to play it."
"Really?"
"Of course." Evelyn answered. "You'll be able to play because the reason we're going to the doctor is so your cast can be removed."
Jack looked down at his cast. It had been a constant reminder that no one could be trusted. But now it was all going to change. With the cast being removed soon, Jack decided that maybe some people could be trust.