Chapter 12

Almost A Month

Robert

Its been three days since he's seen his son.

He expected the business conference to be grueling but, when the second day approached he realized that he was more out of shape than he thought. It was a bit embrassing.

Robert sits in his living room beside his son. He flips through channels of reality and music shows.

"So... how-"

"I'm gonna go."

Jack gets up and walks toward his room.

Robert gets to his feet, "wait, son."

Jack stops and turns around.

"I thought we could spent the day together."

"Watching T.V? I'll pass."

He turns to leave again, " Jack."

He turns around, again.

"Maybe we can go out and get something to eat or go to see a movie. Anything you want."

Jack opened his mouth to say something when someone knocked on the door. Robert walked over to open it.

"Wait, dad. If it is Rudy or Eddie tell him i'm out."

"Why?"

Jack didn't answer, he backed around the corner. Robert shook his head and opened the door. Sure enough, it was Rudy.

"Hello, Rudy. What can I do for you?"

He just had to act causal.

"I actually need to speak to Jack. Is he around?"

Robert almost looked back over his shoulder.

"No, he's hanging out with a girl named Donna, I think. You want me to pass along a message?"

The only reason he said her name was because she called all the time asking for Jack.

"No, thank you. Have a good afternoon."

"You too."

He closed the door and Jack reappeared.

"Tell me why you made me lie to your sensei. Now."

Jack hesitated and looked away. I crossed my arms.

"I messed everything up and its all my fault."

"You're gonna have to be more clear than that."

"Why do you even care?"

"I'm your father."

"You're never here. If you were, you would know what's going on. You would know why I'm so scared. Why I'm so dumb. Why my life is falling apart and you could help me. But you can't."

"Is this about Kim?"

"No, this is about me."

"Jack, I'm sorry but, I'm here now. You want-"

"No. I"ll see you later."

Luckily, his son did yell and argue like he thought he would. Still, Robert's hear sunk in despair. He missed his son and wife terribly while he was away. All he wanted to do when he got home late Friday night was play board games with his family and eat pizza, like they used to. His wife was tired though and his son fast asleep.

He walked to his room. He felt as if there was a heavy weight on his shoulders keeping him down. He opens his bedroom door, runs then flops onto his bed. He frowns, not even the soft mattress could make the invisible weight go away.

"Honey," his wife called from the bathroom.

Robert then remembered his father at the moment. He remembered all the wise things he said and would say in the argument with his son. His father, Landon Brewer, is a wealthy martial artist. His whole life revolves around fighting and beating opponents, both physically and mentally. Robert could remember, quite vividly, when his father would brutally beat someone. Then he would then yell at them for being too slow or too stupid to anticipate his next move.

Robert never wanted any part of that side of his father's life. Thankfully, his father didn't force it on him. Jack, on the other hand, marveled at his grandfather's martial artist skills. It started out with just tricks but, as he got older, he started to get into the fighting part of the sport. He also started spending more and more time with Robert's father and less time with him. This made Robert a little jealous. His father then said something that he will never forget.

He said, "Rob. Don't ever use me as an excuse of why your son hates you. No matter what I do, you'll always be his first hero."

I have to do better.

"Robert, I got to go to the store. Want to come with me?"

"Yeah."

Robert didn't move. He tried to compose his question.

"You gonna get up and change?"

"What's up with Jack? And I mean what's really up?"

"Uh, I remember him saying something about some new kid named Drake. He said he was ruining his life but, he wouldn't go too much into it."

"Did you know him and Kim aren't a thing yet?"

"Doesn't really surprise me."

Robert sits up on the bed, "why?"

"Robert, it took you almost a month to tell me you liked me."

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Well, he's not in a marvelous mood and only thing he says about Kim anymore is how 'cruel' she is. And not to mention his own father hasn't exactly taught him how to express his feelings."

"I... he... doesn't that come naturally?"

"Not to you it didn't. Your dad didn't teach you this stuff?"

"Kind of. He talked to about girls, he never quite told me how to talk to girls."

Robert rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'll talk to him. And what about this Drake guy?"

"He lives a few houses down. Honey, we have to go."

"I'm sorry but, I have to stay and have a long overdue talk with my son."

He rubbed the back of his neck again. He got off the bed and walked into the bathroom. His wife was just finishing up her ponytail. He wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her cheek tenderly.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

./.

Robert knocks on his son's door. Some shuffling is heard but, the door remained closed and locked.

"Jack, can we talk?"

He didn't answer.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I realized that I'm the reason your life is falling apart, at this moment, is my fault. I haven't been here for you. Especially, in this pivotal time in your life. I mean you're becoming a man."

Still no answer from the other side of the door.

"Did you know it took me a month to tell your mother I liked her? It wasn't even like I was trying to say that I loved her. It was just 'I liked you'. But, I did it and I'm glad that I did. There's not a moment I wish I didn't. And I want to let you know that's it's okay. That no matter what she says, I will always love you. I doubt that she's not in love with you though. You two-"

The door swings open revealing a distraught Jack. His eyes were red and wet. They both stood there for a moment silent as Jack breath heavily.

"You don't understand. I'm the whole reason my friends hate each other. Me being a coward and waiting too long destroyed everything."

Robert stared at his son.

"Jack. You are not a coward. Your decision to not tell Kim how you felt was out of fear. Fear of rejection. That's normal for us guys, protecting our ego and all. But, I want you to know that anyone who is great put it all on the line to be great. You have to tell her how you feel or its going to tear you up. Everything else will figure itself out."

Jack chuckled lightly and wiped his eyes. He looked to his father then walked into his arms. Robert smiled and squeezed his son tenderly.

"So, how about that movie."

Sorry about the hiatus on this one. I have end of year testing and its terrible. :/

How did you like the chappie though? What didn't you like? Let me know and Review.

Thank you to all for reading, Favoriting, Following and Reviewing. It means do much to me.

Also, if there is any confusion or questions you can PM me. I will get back to you asap. :)

Story to check out: Illicit Love by Megadaydreamer166. It's not finished but, its great all the same.

Praying for all of you and your families. Crazy world we livin' in. lol

Oh, anyone see the footage for the new show 'Supergirl' Too excited! And Avengers: Age of Ultron was AMAZING! So many easter eggs.

Anyway, this is Angel signing off.

Love and ice cream for all!

-Angel