“Ma, I’m okay but don’t come home tonight, or tomorrow night probably… no no, I’m okay ma really, I don’t need the hospital, but it’s not safe for you. Just stay at auntie Ruth’s… No ma, I know how aunt Ruth feels about me- it’s okay… please don’t worry, I’m crashing at a friends..” he looked to where Sam was, aware that he was using someone else’s phone and that someone looked pissed. With a shake of his head he focused back on his phone call, and the worried older woman on the other end of the line. “I promise ma. You be safe too. Love you….”
With that he hung up, and finally let out a shaky, relieved sigh. At least he didn’t have to stress over his mother’s safety for the next few days. He might not be welcome to stay at his aunts, but his mother and Emma would be. That was more than he could ask for. Cautiously he wandered back over to Sam, wary not to anger the older male further, although Sam seemed to have calmed somewhat too. He held the phone out with trembling hands. “Uh, thanks for that. My ma knows now.” A silence fell, where Jack didn’t know what else to say… or do for that matter. Any other silence like this and the usual Jack would be acting up to fill it. And even more so since it was Sam, Ostara’s older jerk of a brother, and Jack liked to mess with him. But after that… he stood there awkwardly, contrite, wishing he wasn’t such a burden. And speaking of burden… “How did you know? How did you know that I was… in trouble?” The boy asked, shivering against cold once again.
Sam was leaning against his car, the night air cooling his head down somewhat. By the time Jack handed him back his cellphone, his face wasn’t as twisted or his expression as sour. “..Ducky texted. Sayin’ you weren’t answering your phone an’ since I was on the way I..” He paused for a second. Shoving his hands in his sweater’s pockets, he looked away for a bit before replying, “I jus’ had a hunch.”
“So.. My place or Sundown?” asked the older male as he got into the car, signaling Jack to do the same. As they fastened their seatbelts, Sam added, “Look I know we made plans to get dinner an’ stuff but like.. You don’t ‘ave to go if ye don’t feel like it so we can just call it a day. But ye shouldn’t be on yer own tonight. Not after that fiasco.”
“..It’s not any o’my business either. If ye don’t want to talk about it, ye don’t have to but..” Sam’s hands tensed, gripping the steering wheel. He looked like he had something else to say but chose not to. He’d wait for Jack to say his piece first.
“Either…” The teen answered. If he was honest it would be Sundown. He felt bad invading Sam’s own house; although having Sam go out his way to let the trouble maker stay at his business felt just as problematic. The safe bet was letting Sam decide where he would be less inconvenienced.
Sam signalled to get in and Jack listened obeyed, as he climbed into Sam’s passenger side, sliding the belt on. Idly Jack looked out the window, although still listening to every word being spoken. A breath of relief passed his lips when Sam said he didn’t have to follow through with their dinner, and looked to Sam with a grateful smile… only to have that crumple when was told the older boy would be staying too. And if it was possible his relief crumpled further at the suggestion that he talk about it. Or at least, that’s how Jack interpreted Sammy’s words. Whether it was a genuine offer, or a strong suggestion, or something else, Jack couldn’t quite figure out. Sam already looked tense, if his white knuckles were anything to go by- he had handle this carefully. He tried for a small smile but it was strangled and strained, managing to make his expression look worse as his head tilted. “But you think I should. You think I should talk about it, right?” For a moment his face relaxed, the strained, faux ‘everything’s fine’ smile settling into a genuine (albeit, sad) smile as he reflected on the entirety of his home life. “…You deserve an explanation after jumping in like that. It’s nothing though… been like this for as long as I can remember. It was only me there tonight, so it’s fine.”
“Aight,” Sam responded, taking the necessary turns on the road. His place it was then. He had to feed the boy somehow and didn’t remember the last time they restocked the Sundown pantry; at least he had instant mac-and-cheese or leftovers they could heat up back home. Now that he thought of it, this was probably gonna be Jack’s first time at his house and he was suddenly feeling very self-conscious… Did he clean up before he left??
All thoughts of dirty laundry and scattered clutter was dashed when Jack answered him. He sounded a little defensive, but Sam couldn’t blame him. He listened and picked his words pretty carefully. “I think… ye should be able to feel safe talkin’ about it. But I don’t wanna force you to do anythin’ you’re not comfortable doin’.”
It was a red light. The car stood still. Just the low hum of the engine and muffled sounds of nightlife could be heard in between their conversation. “You know it’s not fine,” Sam said, his voice low. “Look.. I..” He stopped. And sighed. “I.. I know people. Contacts. There’s places you can go, people you can call to help. I know it’s hard to talk about these things but just,” Sam turned to look at Jack, a soft expression in his green eyes. “You don’t ‘ave to explain anything to me. But you can trust me. An’ you can tell me if you need help, all right?”
Sam looked away and rubbed the back of his neck, like he usually did when he felt unsure or less confident. “Sorry, it’s just.. I don’t know how much ducky knows.. I just thought it’d be good for you to know you’ve got someone in your corner.”
