Jack's P.O.V.
We all stood there mesmerized. Milton looked at Jerry, Jerry looked at Eddie,
Eddie looked at Kim, and Kim looked at me. I couldn't look at anyone except for
Rudy. I was praying to any God out there for him not to be disappointed in me for
what I have done. Him finally speaking took me out of my internal shock.
"Jerry, Milton, Eddie are you guys okay?" They all nodded even though they
winced while doing so.
"Okay," Rudy continued. "I'll need you to go home and got some rest, that goes
for you also Kim. They'll be no practice tomorrow." I stood still as the guys turned
to walk home. Rudy turned toward the dojo as his head lowered.
"Jack and Kim, can you follow me into the office." Kim nodded and we walked
into the dojo after Rudy.
Rudy closed the office door after we were all in, he told us to sit while he made his
way to his desk chair.
"Okay," he started off rubbing his temples. "tell me what happened." Kim was the
voice to be heard first from the two of us.
"We already did." Her voice hinted anger and frustration.
"I know but-"
"But what?" Kim rebutted. "Is it really hard to believe that Arthur would do
something like this?" She was standing up now and was "all up in Rudy's face" as
Jerry would have stated if he was here. I put my hand on her wrist. When she
looked down, it looked as if she had forgotten I was also in the office.
"Kim sit and calm down." She sat but still had the same emotions inside of her.
"But Jack he doesn't understand." This time I looked her straight in the eye.
"Kim relax, just let Rudy finish." With that she seemed to calm down. I looked
back to Rudy, giving him the OK to continue.
"Okay Jack, I'm not saying I don't trust or believe you. It's Arthur's father that
probably isn't going to believe you." I nodded as he spoke with sympathy.
"I know but there has to be some way to get him to believe what I said. I know
Arthur doesn't like us and he's going to go up and beyond trying to find a way to
make it look like it was our faults." All Rudy did was look at me. All this
commotion in one day was making my head swirl.
"Jack, I'll talk to him tomorrow and you can come to." I nodded.
"Thanks Rudy." I nudged Kim in the shoulder.
"Ow! What?"
"Say thank you." I said in a whisper pointing to Rudy. She gave me the evil eye
before flashing a smile at Rudy.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now go home, remember there's no practice tomorrow." He
reminded us as we walked out the door.
Kim and I walked aimlessly through the streets. Well, at least I was. I didn't want
to go home to my mom and explain what happened today. I've been through
enough interrogation for one day. I decided to ask Kim where she was going and
just go with her there.
"So… Kim where you headed?" she took a deep breath before she answered.
"Home. You?" I shrugged my shoulders.
"Maybe go with you to your house…?" I asked nervously. I didn't know why, I've
been to her house plenty of times. I saw her face flush as she played with her hair.
"Sure Jack."
When we go to her house we went straight to the backyard. But first we grabbed a
few ice cream cones because it gets hot in the middle of the afternoon. We sat
underneath her big oak tree. I guess I must have looked worried because soon she
asked if I was okay.
"Yeah, I'm totally fine. Not like I'm nervous about tomorrow or anything." I said
with a hesitant laugh. She turned her body to face me; her face was full of concern.
"Jack…?"
"Kim seriously I'm fine." She still had her worried face frozen on; this is a face I
never liked to see, and besides I don't like anyone to be worried for me or sorry for
me, ever. Making her smile was the only way I could be satisfied. I scooped off
some ice cream with my finger and smeared it on her cheek.
"Jack!" she yelled swatted my hand away. She laughed as she wiped the ice cream
from her face with the collar of her shirt.
"I had to make you smile Kimberly." I said while laughing between breaths. She
blushed, and then scowled.
"Don't call me that Jack, I'm just worried about you and what's going to happen
with Arthurs dad." I shook my head as I finished off my ice cream.
"Don't be. Everything's going to be fine." Kim only stared at me. Concern filling
her eyes once again.
"Kim. I promise. Nothing bad is going to happen." I said smiling at her.
Let's hope I didn't jinx it…