I hurry inside as casually as possible and warn everyone to get ready. We take our places. The door opens and Jackson steps inside the house.
Everyone (Eric, Daley, and I): Surprise!
Jackson: (speechless)
Me: (walks up to him and pats his shoulder) Welcome home, man.
Daley: Were you surprised?
Eric: Of course he was. (to Jackson) You should've seen your face.
Jackson: (still hasn't moved from his spot at the door)
Eric: Oh. I got another surprise for you. Since I'm the boss of a company, I can get you a job selling cars. If you want to.
Jackson: Of course. Thank you.
Eric: No problem.
Me: We got a surprise for you, too.
Daley: We became foster parents!
Jackson: That's great.
I motion for the three children in the kitchen to come into the room. They do.
Jackson: (tears stream down his cheeks as he drops onto his knees and hugs the boys: his sons)
Aaron: Who are you?
Jackson: (pulls away slowly with hurt) I'm…. (sniffles) I'm Nathan's friend.
Me: Why didn't you tell them?
Jackson: I don't know. I mean, they're in good hands here. I can't provide anything for them. And, I mean, what if I relapse again?
Me: Don't say that. You have my support. And Daley's and Eric's.
Jackson: I guess.
Me: So you're never gonna tell them?
Jackson: Maybe. I don't know. Do you think it's the right thing?
Me: I don't know. I can honestly say that I've never been in a situation like this before.
Jackson: (laughs despite the situation)
Me: But you know how kids are when they become teenagers. They'll probably hate their father because they think he's not there. You did that.
Jackson: Yeah. I guess you're right.