Chapter 7
Jarrod quietly walked into Jack's room the next morning and smiled at his youngest grandson sleeping. Sitting down on the bed, he shook him awake. Jack rolled over and looked at him. "We're not riding this morning?"
Jack shook his head. "Not today grandpa."
Jarrod burrowed a look into his eyes that told Jack he meant business. "Yes we are," he quietly said. "Get dressed and your teeth brushed. I'll expect you downstairs in ten minutes. Get moving." He got up off the bed and left the room.
They rode in Jarrod's truck to the stable in silence. His sullen mood from last night hasn't changed Jarrod thought. After the shock of the news yesterday had worn off, Jack was quiet and nearly insolent at Aaron.
Jarrod parked the truck and they both got out. Miquel had Blackie and Haley saddled, their reins tied to the fence. There was not a ranch hand to be seen; not even Miquel who usually greeted them every morning. Jarrod gently slapped Blackie to move over a bit so he could help Jack mount the now three year old and fully grown Haley. He untied Haley's reins, handed them to Jack and mounted Blackie. Jarrod turned to leave. Jack turned Haley to follow. "Where we going," Jack asked.
"Miner's Falls," Jarrod answered. They rode in silence until they got there.
Jarrod dismounted and let Blackie drink from the stream. Jack slid down out of his saddle and let Haley do the same. "Let's take a walk together," Jarrod said. They got to the top of the small falls and Jarrod sat down on a large rock. "We need to talk," he said, seriously looking at Jack. His voice was quiet and measured.
"'Bout what," Jack challenged.
"Your attitude," Jarrod calmly said.
"My attitude," Jack questioned. "I just lost two dogs I loved," he growled out. He already sounds like Aaron. "What about my mom? And I got the crap scared out of me by a SWAT team guy pointing a gun at me and watching my dad get hauled away in handcuffs. All because of dad's job. It's not going to end. I hate it. I'm tired of losing. I want my dad home with me not off chasing some criminals that are going to come back and hurt me."
Jarrod looked at him. "You done?" Jack eyed him. "I want you to spit it all out."
"I'm done," Jack fired back.
"OK, I heard you out. Now it's your turn to hear me out." Jarrod looked at him. "The first thing I have to say is an apology to you."
"How come," Jack asked.
"Because grandma and I listened in to you all on the patio yesterday. We shouldn't have; you have a right to your privacy. Our only defense is we both were worried about how you boys would take the news; especially you. I'm sorry." Jack shrugged.
"That out of the way, grandma and I know you've lost more than any one young boy should. You lost your mother. That is not fair Jack. And honestly, it doesn't make any more sense to me than it does to you." Jack looked at him. "You're hurting and you have the right to hurt; deeply." The water of the falls softly slipped over the rocks as Jarrod paused.
"But did you just hear yourself Jack?" Jack eyed him deeper. "It was me, me, and me. And you have a right to say that given what happened to your mother that was totally innocent. But you've told grandma and me that one of your best friends in school has a dad overseas, serving in the military in a war zone. What does Blake say about that?" Jack looked at him. "Answer me please."
"He worries about his dad. But he supports him," Jack softly said.
"And," Jarrod asked.
"He's proud of him," Jack whispered.
"How long has Blake's dad been gone?"
"Seven months," Jack whispered again.
Jarrod let that thought sit for a bit. "Next question for you. If a stranger would stop by the house and Mudg was there, what would he do?"
"He'd growl, bark and the hair would stand up on his back."
"And Beans?"
"She'd wag her tail," Jack softly admitted.
"Like I said, I heard what Matt said about your dad's job and the team. And I heard what your dad told you boys yesterday. Do you remember it," Jarrod gently asked. Jack shook his head. "Mudg was the protector; no doubt about it. But Jack, dogs sense danger. Heck, all animals do. And because Beans sensed that, for her family that she loved, she was right there with Mudgie, following his lead. Your mom told grandma and I last night that was the first and only time she'd seen Beans' hair stand up on her back and neck. She stood with Mudg to protect your dad, mom and the team against the bad guy. Just like your mom did for you facing a certain death."
Jarrod softly cupped Jack's chin in his hand. "My grandson that I love more than my own life, like all my grandkids, you have a decision to make," he quietly said. "How are you going to honor your mom's sacrifice? And Beans and Mudgie's? They died protecting the ones they loved most." The water continued to softly play over the rocks of the falls in the silence of the moment.
Jack just stared at him.
Jarrod stood up. "Let's head back. I'm getting hungry."
-00CM00-
When they got back home, Jack quickly entered, pulled off his boots and walked past the kitchen. Maggie looked at him. "Your after ride breakfast is almost done Jack," Maggie said.
"Not hungry," he said, running for the steps.
Maggie looked at Jarrod. "How'd it go?"
Jarrod shook his head. "That's was the quietest ride we've ever had together. But I gave him a lot to think about." He smiled. "Let's see how long it takes the Hotchner in him to accept it," Jarrod softly smiled. As they ate, they heard the shower running upstairs. They figured it was Cait finally up after enjoying a morning to sleep in with Aaron golfing with their sons. It soon became quiet upstairs.
After his shower, Jack walked into his room and angrily threw his riding clothes into the corner. Then he sat down on the end of the bed, and slid to the floor, putting his head into his hands that were on his knees. A minute later, he wiped a stray tear that ran down his face, followed by another one, with others coming. When they finally stopped, he took a deep breath and thought some more, wiping a couple more tears. He took another deep breath and then thought some more and got up off the floor. He grabbed his p.j.'s off the bed, pulling them on as he tiptoed across the hall.
Cait was blissfully sleeping on her side when she woke to Jack quietly getting into bed with her. She pulled him to her and covered him. "You didn't go riding with grandpa this morning?"
"We went," Jack said. "And I sorta got my butt kicked," he softly added.
Cait smiled, kissing his head. "Jack, grandpa's gently butt kickings are pretty legendary around here. I've had more than my fair share." Jack rolled on his back to look at her. Cait rubbed his chest with a smile. "And the bottom line is always the same. He makes you think."
"He sure did me," Jack admitted. Cait fought the urge to smile and kissed his forehead. Jack looked her in the eye. "I'm sorry I was so grumpy last night."
Cait smiled. "You were hurting. Dad and I understand," she said, rubbing his chest more.
"And I get it now."
"Get what now Jack?"
"Why dad and the team does what they do. And why you help them."
Cait smiled at him. "I'm glad to hear that. But I think there's someone else that should be hearing that before me."
"Since he's not here right now, I thought I'd practice with you," Jack smiled. Cait laughed and pulled him up to her. They laid together for a few minutes. Jack's stomach loudly grumbled.
"Mom – a news flash."
"There's an earthquake coming?" Jack laughed. Cait kissed his head. "You go get out of your p.j.'s while I get out of mine. We'll make our beds together and head downstairs. I think I smell French Toast and sausages."
"Let's get to it," Jack smiled, climbing out of bed and thundering across the hall. Just as they were finishing with Jack's bed, he looked at Cait. "Houston, we have a problem."
Cait pointed. "Please turn the fan on and open the window."
"Got it mom," Jack smiled, heading to the bathroom.
Cait came downstairs. Jarrod was at the lunch counter reading the newspaper with his usual cup of coffee. Cait put her arm around his shoulder and kissed his cheek. "Thanks daddy," she smiled.
Jarrod smiled at her. "Any time."
"Where is Jack," Maggie asked.
Cait shook her head. "He's getting as regular as his father." Just then the upstairs toilet flushed. Cait simply pointed. Maggie and Jarrod laughed. Cait sadly shook her head. The parents laughed more at their daughter.
Cait laughed with them. "I'll help with round two of breakfast mom," she smiled. She nudged Jarrod. "You grandpa get to expound your earthly wisdom on your two grandsons to get them out of bed."
Jarrod smiled, got out of his chair and went to the basement door. He opened it and sharply whistled like Cait. "Grandma isn't running a restaurant. You want breakfast - get your asses out of bed."
Just then Jack came into the kitchen. "I think I got off easy this morning," he smiled. Maggie roared with laughter pulling him into a hug, kissing his head.
The boys and Lauren finished the clean-up of the kitchen. "Thanks again grandma," Mike smiled, kissing her cheek. "Awesome breakfast as usual."
"What's for dinner," Jack asked. Cait just stared at him. "I need to plan ahead mom."
Cait shook her head. "I'm going upstairs to take my shower," she said leaving.
"It's the traditional Friday night, whole dam-family get together," Maggie smiled. "Which I need to run to town to get some groceries for."
Jack smiled and then looked at them. He raced toward the steps upstairs. "Mom wait! I need to brush my teeth again," he hollered.
"Can I come along," Lauren asked.
Maggie smiled. "Hit the shower; I'm sure Cait will too." Lauren headed for the steps.
Matt looked at Jarrod. "Speaking of town grandpa, can I take your truck? Mike and I want to check out that used video game store."
Jarrod smiled. "My keys are in there," he pointed at the small wicker basket on the kitchen counter.
"Thanks grandpa," he smiled, heading for downstairs.
"Can I use your shower grandma," Mike asked.
She smiled. "Go for it."
Jarrod looked at Maggie and just shook his head. Maggie laughed at him.
Forty minutes later, Cait was helping Maggie with the last of her grocery list. Lauren was helping. Matt grabbed Jarrod's keys from the basket. "You comin' along bro," he asked, looking at Jack.
Jack shook his head. "I'm gonna hang out with grandpa," he smiled.
Aaron and Jake walked into the house a little after one that afternoon. Jarrod was snoring in his favorite recliner. Aaron looked out the patio door of the living room to see Jack sitting at the patio table coloring in the shade. Jake smiled at him and headed towards the basement for a shower.
He quietly slid open the screen door and went out, pulling the door shut behind him. "Hey bud," he softly said.
"Hey," Jack said.
Aaron rubbed his shoulder. "You OK?"
"Yeah," Jack said. Aaron sat down next to him. Jack put his coloring pencil down. "I'm sorry dad."
"For what bud?"
"Being so mean and grumpy last night."
Aaron shook his head. "I knew you were hurting Jack. We all did. You had a right to feel that way."
"That's what mom said; and grandpa."
"Grandpa?"
Jack recounted his morning with Jarrod. Jack shook his head with tears forming in his eyes. He got out of his patio chair and climbed into Aaron's lap. "I still miss her." Aaron shook his head and kissed Jack's head.
"So do I buddy; every day."
Jack looked at him. "Losing Beans and Mudgie sorta opened that all up again."
Aaron looked at him. "We all understand that."
"No dad, you don't," Jack said, looking him in the eye. "I was mad at you. And your job. But grandpa gave me….." he paused. "How did mom say it? The legendary grandpa gentle butt kick." Aaron looked more closely at him. "I'm not the only kid in the world that has a parent that takes care of all of us. And while you do your best, you don't always win."
Aaron pulled Jack tightly to him. "No buddy, we don't."
"Dad, grandpa gave me a lot to think about." He paused and thought for a few seconds. "I can only honor what mom did for me and what Beans and Mudgie did for you and mom by supporting both of you." He pulled away a bit and looked at his dad. "I'm going to do that." Jarrod, with his eyes still shut, smiled.
"I love you buddy," Aaron said, tightly hugging him.
"I love you too dad." They shared the moment and then Jack pulled away. "We good?"
Aaron smiled. "We're more than good."
"Great," he smiled. He paused. "Can I say somethin' else dad?"
"Sure Jack."
"You stink." Jarrod snickered in his chair.
Aaron laughed. "That's perspiration, two Bloody Marys with a cigar golfing with your uncles and a beer afterwards."
Jack looked at him. "I'd get that taken care of before mom gets back." Jack rubbed Aaron's face. "And the whiskers." Jarrod fought to not laugh out loud.
"Good advice son," Aaron smiled. "You OK while I do that?"
Jack smiled moving back to his chair. "I just told ya dad; I've got your back."
"Thanks bud," Aaron smiled rubbing Jack's shoulder, getting out of his chair. He went back inside. Walking past Jarrod's chair, he rubbed his shoulder. "Thanks dad," he softly said.
Jarrod's reply was a snore.
###