Face to Face

Part 26

Aaron had got up even quicker than he'd gone down, ready to do Carl some serious damage. He'd been here before, two or three times. Each time Paddy had stepped in and stopped the fight. Well Paddy wasn't here now, and Carl so had it coming.

Chas had thrown herself between the two men, desperately trying to calm Aaron down and at the same time telling Carl to back off, that it was him in the wrong. But neither one was listening to her. Each one intent on landing the next blow.

Aaron was wild eyed with rage, and Carl equally out of control, and it was him who roughly pushed her aside, out of his way. In that brief lapse of concentration Aaron's fist had connected with his nose. The older man had stumbled backwards and Aaron had launched himself at him tackling him to the floor, the two of them then wrestling violently to get the upper hand.

Realising she had little chance of stopping the fight herself Chas ran outside.

Jackson still had his eye on Mill Cottage's front door, willing Aaron to walk out through it; he was growing increasingly uneasy by his no show. When it did finally open it was Chas who appeared, he was just about to acknowledge her with a wave when she yelled hysterically at him, pleading for help before turning around and running back inside.

He threw open his van door and ran after her, his heart now thundering in his chest, it's erratic rhythm fuelled by a sense of dread. He was horrified to find Aaron kneeling over a prostrate Carl King about to punch him in the face. Jackson could tell by the blood trickling from the older man's nose that it wouldn't be for the first time. Aaron had dealt the blow before he could reach him but he was able to haul the irate teen away before he had chance to deliver another one. He forced Aaron's arms behind his back and locked them there by folding his own firmly around them.

Aaron struggled against him, but he held on for dear life. It looked like he'd done more than enough damage as it was. He kept telling Aaron to calm down, to think about what he was doing, to not make things any worse, all the time knowing they couldn't get much worse.

Chas was now trying to talk Aaron down too, apologising for what had happened and promising him that everything would be alright. She had her back turned to Carl; her lover's condition seemingly the least of her concerns.

Only when Aaron ceased his struggling did Chas back away, finally turning around to address Carl. By now he was sitting upright on the floor, wiping his bloody nose with his shirt sleeve. If he'd expected any sympathy or concern from Chas he was sadly mistaken. She swore at him first and then called him a few choice names, her outrage at his actions plain for all to see. Then she went on to tell him that her son had done nothing wrong, that he had read the situation wrongly and had acted like some mindless thug. Then wagging a warning finger just inches from his face she told him that if he didn't apologise now and put all the old grievances behind him she'd walk out of his life for good. Finally she said, "He's my son and I love him and I won't let anyone come between us. Not even you!"

As Carl sat absorbing her words Jackson released his hold on Aaron. He turned him around to face him, only then did he see the swelling and rapidly forming bruises on his face. It seemed Carl had landed a few blows of his own. In fact Aaron seemed to have come off worst. His left eye was swelling shut, he'd have a right shiner by morning and his jaw and cheek had obviously taken some punishment too.

Aaron shrank away from Jackson's concerned gaze and touch, he didn't deserve it. He hated the fact Jackson had seen him lose his head again. It had to have made him wonder about him. Maybe even think he could be on the receiving end of that loss of control again someday. The thought that it could actually happen terrified Aaron.

"Well?" Chas demanded loudly, getting both young men's attention again.

Aaron couldn't believe his mother had given Carl that ultimatum, she'd sounded deadly serious too. Like she actually would choose him over Carl should it come to it. He wasn't going to hang around to find out either way. Avoiding eye contact with Jackson he said, "I'm going."

"No" Chas hurried to the doorway, blocking Aaron's exit. "Not yet."

Aaron reluctantly turned around, aware Jackson's eyes were on him, but he still couldn't meet his gaze.

Carl was looking up at Chas, shaking his head, "I thought he'd...I'm sorry..."

"It's not me you should be apologising to!" Chas snapped.

Carl wasn't prepared to lose Chas again, and knew he was very close to doing so now. He loved her and would do anything to keep her by his side but was it possible to forge some kind of relationship with her son? The boy hated him, although he had been a bit more amiable recently. He could but try he supposed. He didn't expect them to ever be mates but it would make life a lot easier for all concerned, especially for Chas if the two of them put their difference behind them and made an effort to get along. He turned to look at Aaron, "Sorry."

The apology sounded half hearted to every ones ears including Carl's, so he clambered to his feet. If he was going to do this to Chas' satisfaction he was going to have to be standing on his feet. Looking and sounding like a man. "I really am sorry, I got it wrong, I didn't stop to think I just reacted and I regret what I did." He knew he sounded genuine this time and could only hope it was enough for Chas and hopefully for her son too.

"We all make mistakes." Chas insisted, her gaze moving to Aaron, silently pleading with him to make the effort needed to clear the air. "We all do things we regret."

Aaron shifted uncomfortably; there were a lot of things he regreted doing and he knew he had some apologising to do too. He was ashamed of how low he'd stooped in the past to get back at Carl; now Jackson was going to learn some more unpleasant truths about him. "Yeah. What I did to this place, to the headstone. I'm sorry." He meant what he said; desecrating a grave was a terrible thing to do. He didn't blame Carl for hating him for it.

His mother was smiling at him now, relief shining in her eyes. Carl was looking at him too, nodding what seemed to be an acceptance of his apology.

Was that it? War over? It seemed it was. Well he wasn't ready to play happy families just yet. "I'll see you later." He told his mum, making his way outside.

He waited for Jackson by the driver's side door of his van, hoping to make it clear he wouldn't be getting in it.

"Aaron?"

"I'm going home."

"I'll come with you." Jackson said, very aware something was wrong.

"No. You've got things to do."

"Nothing that can't wait!" Jackson insisted, he had no intention of leaving Aaron now. His face needed some attention and he seemed badly shaken by what had happened.

"Will you just go!" Aaron snapped.

"What?"

"You heard."

"What's going on? Why the cold shoulder all of a sudden?"

"It's better this way." Aaron stated flatly. Edging away from the taller man

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I don't want to see you again."

Jackson shook his head, he knew that wasn't true. "What's this really about?"

"I told you!" Aaron snarled, "Now get out of my face."

TBC