Me: (walks into the house to see Daley crying) What's wrong?
Daley: Where's Jackson?
Me: At work. Why?
Jackson had gotten a job as a dish-washer at Denny's.
Daley: Melissa's dead.
Me: What?
Daley: She was in a car wreck.
Me: (sits down on the couch weakly) I don't believe this.
Jackson: (walks through the door) Hey, Nathan. (pulls out his wallet and grabs some bills) I got my paycheck today. And I thought I'd pay for rent. You know, since you're letting me stay here and all.
Me: (stands up slowly)
Jackson: (suspiciously) Is something wrong?
Me: I've got some bad news, Jackson.
Jackson: (already worried as a hundred scenarios run through his head) What?
Me: Melissa was in a car crash. She didn't make it.
Jackson: (quietly as tears escape his eyes) What?
Me: I'm sorry.
I'd bought Jackson a suit. He'd put it on and was sitting on his bed.
Me: (walks into his room) You ready?
Jackson: I can't believe she's gone.
Me: (sits down next to him) Me neither.
Jackson: I need to be alone.
Me: What do you mean? You're not going to the funeral?
Jackson: I'll be there. You and Daley go on ahead without me.
Me: You sure?
Jackson: Yeah.
Me: (with my arm around Daley's shoulder as she cries) It's okay.
Daley: Why did it have to be Melissa?
Me: I don't know, baby. I don't know.
A pastor walks onto the stage and begins speaking.
Me: Where's Jackson?
Daley: (looks around) I don't see him.
Me: (hurriedly) I gotta go.
Daley: What? Why?
Me: He's gonna relapse.
Me: (opens the door) Jackson? (bolts upstairs and into the guest bedroom) Jackson, you here? (walks over to the bathroom and pushes the already cracked door open) Jackson!
Jackson is on the floor, having a seizure. His skin seems to have a bluish tent, especially near the nails and lips.
I rush out of the room and grab a phone, calling the police.
Jackson survived the overdose. When he got out of the hospital, he checked back into rehab.
Daley and I have a surprise for him when he gets out.