by Sheri Duff
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Jack shows up after school. He leans against the railing on the second floor. He looks tired and worn. Even the emerald in his eyes has faded; it’s like someone took out the blue and added more yellow. When he sees me he stands, but his shoulders remain rounded and hunched. I quicken my walk. He holds out his hand. I wrap my fingers around his and squeeze tight. We walk down the stairs together. “Wanna go to the pottery shop tonight?" he asks.
“Yeah, sure, sounds fun.” I lean into him. There’s nothing he could say that would make me walk away. Well, there might be, but I doubt that will be the case.
“I have a lot to tell you, and I’m afraid you’ll leave.”
“No leaving.” I squeeze his hand. “You okay?” We stand outside the athletic wing of the school. He won’t miss any more practice even though he can’t play this week. There are tons of people around. Some of the guys sneer at us as they walk by. Other guys pat him on the back. They need Jack for the game this weekend.
“Yes. No. We bought her bus ticket to Texas. She wanted money, but she settled for the ticket to Texas.” Jack leans against the wall, his right foot steadying him.
“Who’s in Texas?” I ask.
“My granddad. Hopefully he can help her. But, like Granddad always says, when you lay down with the dogs, you’re sure to get up with the fleas.”
I hold on tight to Jack’s hand. Now that he’s back, my world no longer seems to spin. But his seems like it’s a top spinning out of control. I wish I could fix it, but I can’t. All I can do is listen.
“My mama tried to get back together with that asshole Billy, but he drinks. Billy blacks out, and then he kicks the shit out of her.” Jack clenches his fist. His foot hits the floor; then he rocks back and forth. “So she left him again. Then she went out on a date with another guy—some other loser, I’m sure. Anyway, Billy got jealous. He went after the guy and put him in the hospital. The bastard’s finally in jail. They’re not sure the guy’s going to survive. And my mom can’t pay her bills, again. It never ends.”
Jack looks at me, then down the hall, and then at his watch. I let go of his hand. “It’s okay, go. I’ll pick you up after practice.” I kiss him on the cheek, and then climb up the stairs to the library. I’ll wait for him here.