Aaron had walked away from Jackson at the cricket pavilion and that had been a couple of days ago. He hadn't seen him since. He'd been told by Paddy that Jackson had been asking after him when he didn't answer the text message he had sent the teen an hour after he stormed off, apologising for not listening to him. Like Jackson had said, he didn't need the extra hassle. He had the court case to be worrying about and having Jackson acting the way he was, he didn't need it all. So he'd shrugged it off when Paddy told him when Jackson had asked after him and had ignored the other texts that had been sent his way, even the text message that morning from the builder.
"Thinking about you today, hope all goes well in court. Jackson xxx."
It was nice to see that Jackson was thinking about him today of all days, but being the stubborn teen he was he was still angry with him. He'd gotten the response he'd been expecting from him. He was going to go running straight to Moira and John. He didn't know if he had followed through with his promise, knowing how stubborn Jackson could be also, he wouldn't have been surprised if he had. But he'd received no word from Adam about it all and he hadn't heard anything being said around the village about it. Although he had done a pretty good job of keeping everything about court and Darrel a secret. Only a handful of people knew and that's how he wanted it to be kept. He didn't want the whole village pitying him.
"Aaron? You awake?" Paddy asked as he knocked on his bedroom door.
He'd been awake for most of the night. He'd tried to sleep, knowing he needed to be on his guard all day, but sleep hadn't come so easily unfortunately. Gradually as the morning had crept ever so closer, a sickening feeling had began to settle in the pit of his stomach as he anxiously awaited the time he'd have to leave for court. He felt even more anxious than the time he had to make a court appearance after punching Jackson. "Yeah." Aaron called back. "I'll be down in a minute."
"Alright then . . . are you okay?" Paddy asked him only being able to imagine a little of what Aaron might be feeling today.
"Yeah, I'm fine Paddy." Aaron lied to him. "Give us a minute and I'll be down."
"Alright." Paddy said before he walked away from Aaron's closed bedroom and went back downstairs.
Aaron took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, hoping he could shift the sickening mood he could feel. He ran his hands over and down the back of his shaven head before clenching his hands in front of him. He was actually shaking! He needed to pull himself together. If Darrel could see him now he'd be laughing at him and rightly so, he was a complete mess!
"Pull yourself together Aaron." He muttered to himself.
He decided to switch on his stereo as he got dressed, blasting out that months latest tunes loud enough for Edna to hear down the road. He quickly got dressed into his stuffy black suit and tie. The last time he'd worn them had been at his Uncle Shadrach's funeral and he'd hoped he'd never have to wear it again. Luckily his suit trousers fitted over his cast. He would be glad when he could get rid of the thing. He could barely do anything hobbling round on his crutches.
"How're you this morning?" Hazel asked as he entered the kitchen dressed for court.
"Fine." Aaron told her. If he was going to be constantly asked how he was he wasn't going to be.
"Jackson told me tell you, he's thinking about you and wishes he could be there for you." Hazel told him as he poured himself a glass of water. He couldn't stomach any breakfast.
Aaron shrugged his shoulders, acting as though he didn't care. He was glad when Paddy walked through from the lounge.
"Ready to go?" Paddy asked him as he analysed, straightening the teens tie.
Aaron nodded.
"Good, your mum and Cain are gonna be here in a couple of minutes to take you." Paddy explained to him. They'd been through it all yesterday. Paddy and Jackson, plus the other witnesses, weren't allowed to attended court until they're given time. The older men so badly wanted to be there for the younger man. "Like I said before, I wish I could be there for you. In court I mean."
"Yeah I know Paddy, thanks." Aaron mumbled as he sipped on his water, his other gripping his one of his crutches to hold his balance and keep it from shaking.
Speaking of the devil, Chas knocked lightly on the front door before bursting through. She was dressed smartly in a satin blouse and black pencil skirt suit and slinky high heels. "I'm here!"
"We can see that." Hazel chuckled taking in Chas's attire. She wouldn't have dare worn a hit pink blouse to court.
Chas just rolled her eyes and looked over to her son. "You ready kid?" Chas asked him.
Aaron nodded his head and placed his unfinished drink on the side.
"Come on then." Chas said herding him towards the door.
"Good luck kid." Hazel called after him. It was sad for everyone to see what he was going through.
Chas sent her a smile over her shoulder when it seemed Aaron was only concentrating in getting the car, away with the fairies.
"Let me know how things are going." Paddy pleaded as he followed them outside.
"Will do, I'll call you if anything happens." Chas promised him, grateful for how much he cared for her son.
"Thank you." Paddy said as he watched Aaron climb into the front of Cain's car. "Good luck Aaron!" Paddy called after him as he ducked his head to see into the car.
Aaron smiled back at him, a forced one at that.
"What's going on? Why does Aaron need luck for?" Pearl asked as she approached them, on her way to work.
"Nothing." Paddy told her.
"Well it must be something!" Pearl argued noticing the smart clothes that the three Dingles were wearing. "They're all dressed up."
"It's nothing Pearl." Chas grinned at her, wanting nothing more than to tell her it was nothing to do with her what so ever.
"Can you get some custard creams from the shop please Pearl." Paddy ordered more than asked her.
"But I only jus-." The older woman began to argue before Paddy began to guide her back down the road.
"Thanks Pearl." He called after her when she gave in with a great huff and headed towards the village shop.
"Go on, you're going to be late!" Paddy turned to Chas as she stood near Cain's car off in thought like her son.
Chas snapped herself away from thoughts and looked over to Paddy. "You're right! See you later." She flustered before jumping into the back of the car.
A/N - :O Updated again today! I'm on a roll! Anyway, thank you for the great feedback once more. Each one always makes me smile, literally. I look like a Cheshire cat sitting by the computer reading through my emails. However, I hope you enjoyed this update.