Crumbling Walls (Jack and Emily #1)

by Laura Strandt

  She had said it was cheaper than a regular apartment because it was only one room. There was only one kitchen chair at the small table; there was only the one single mattress where they were. The bookshelves were homemade of bricks and boards, the kind that kids make in their closets and the kind that one makes when they can’t afford real shelves. The walls had old milk crates lining them, holding a sparse amount of clothes and a few other possessions while the cracked and extremely wobbly coffee table held piles of pictures, library books, charcoal and pencil nubs.

  He stood, moving painfully slow so as not to make a sound, and headed to the kitchen. Feeling nosy, he looked in the cupboards anyway. They were full of Raman noodles, pasta, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables and fruit, extremely off-brand cereal and plenty of pretzels. The fridge and freezer held lots of hot dogs, cheap hamburger and from the looks of it, enough eggs and blocks of cheese to feed an army.

  Already knowing what he’d find, he checked the small bathroom anyways. One toothbrush, one towel and one bar of soap.

  Coming back to the main room, he sat down once again next to Emily, gently moving the hair from her forehead while he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed, “Dex?”

  “Hey man, what the hell happened?”

  “Did you call my house looking for me or talk to Tim at all?”

  “No. I figured I’d wait until you called. It had to be something important or else you wouldn’t have just up and left class. When I returned the pass, I also told Schettle that you had been puking in the bathroom, so she's not busting you for skipping out early.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief, “Thanks. Um, can I ask you a favor?”

  “Probably.”

  “Can I use you as cover tonight? I’ve gotta stay here, but Mom’ll crack if I tell her where I am.”

  “You at Em's?”

  “Yeah. The no sleep thing kinda finally got to her. From what I can tell, she walked out of her exam and …” Trailing off because he wasn't sure what Dex might know, “Well, she’s here now, asleep and I think she’s sick, but no one’s with her and I hate to leave her alone.”

  Dex, asking cautiously, “Do you know when her mom's getting home?”

  Answering honestly, “I have absolutely no idea.”

  “All right. Well, consider yourself sleeping on my floor tonight. If your mom calls, I’ll cover.”

  “Thanks, man. I hate to do this, but I don’t see any other way around it.”

  “Just let me know if anything changes. We don’t need our stories to be different if somebody corners me.” About to hang up, he suddenly remembered, “Oh, and can you tell Em I grabbed all her books for her. Figured she'd need them over break. I can drop them off whenever.”

  “Yup, I'll tell her and thanks again. Talk to you later.”

  ▪▪▪

  Next he called his mom, “Hey, it’s me.”

  “Hi there. I was expecting you after school. Something happen?”

  Taking a deep breath, “I’m at Dex’s. Is it alright if I stay the night? I came by after school and I figure since it’s now winter break, it might be okay?”

  “That’s fine. I was just about to call and yell at you so nice timing.” Both Sam and Nate were trying to talk to her at this point, “Sorry, honey, I gotta go. Have fun and don’t forget, you start at the diner tomorrow morning, nine o’clock.”

  “I won’t forget and thanks.”

  “Have a good time.”

  Hanging up, he continued to watch Emily's eyes move erratically under her closed lids. She was dreaming of something and he hoped with all his might that they were good dreams.

  ▪▪▪

  A few hours later, Jack finally had to raid her cupboards for something to eat. He cooked several hot dogs over the flame of her stove and supplemented with a couple of granola bars and a few handfuls of pretzels. Washing it all down with a large glass of water, he turned on the small lamp by the couch and, closing the curtains, he perused her bookshelves. Seeing several old favorites of his alongside the new books he’d bought her, he pulled one off and began reading, glancing over at her every so often to make sure she was all right.

  About an hour after that, he was pulled from his book by the sounds of her moaning. Quickly by her side, he watched her hands begin moving and her feet kicking the covers. Her clenched fists began swinging at the air and, before he could get out of the way, one connected with his face, plowing him right in the eye. She woke up instantly once her fist caught him and, panicking, she tried to stand, immediately falling because of the tangle of sheets wrapped around her feet.

  Catching her and ignoring the throbbing of his face, “Hey, slow down.”

  Fresh tears began falling as soon as she looked at herself, his eye and the slow trickle of blood from his nose. Dropping back on the bed, she curled her knees up to her chest and shut her eyes, “I’m sorry. For everything. I should have just told you to go home.”

  He had her in his arms by then and, cradling her face, he kissed the tears from her cheeks. Following the trail to her mouth, he let his lips brush hers before hugging her again, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Shaking her head into his chest, “Not right now, okay?”

  And with a nod, he eased her back down on the mattress and held her close as they both drifted off to sleep.

  ▪▪▪

  He woke up when she moved to get off the bed. Watching her shuffle to the bathroom, he sat up rubbing his eyes, forgetting momentarily that he’d been punched just a few hours before. After swearing silently, he waited until the pain subsided then, checking his watch, found it was almost midnight.

  She came back from the bathroom a minute later, pulling an afghan from one of the crates and wrapping it around herself, “You should probably go home.”

  “I’m fine.”

  After turning on the hall light and crouching in front of him, she touched the crust of dried blood near his nose and his already dark purple eye, telling him again, “You need to go home. Your mom’s probably worried.”

  “I called her and told her I was at Dex’s for the night. Then I called Dex to ask him to cover for me. I’m good.”

  For the third time, “I don’t want you to lie for me. Go home Jack. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

  Remaining where he was, “How long have you been on your own?”

  She brushed her fingers across his cheek, “This needs to stay between us.”

  He nodded, “I know.”

  Pulling the blanket closer around her, “There’s not much to tell. I’ve been by myself since I was 13. I got myself this far, decided to stay, eventually found this place and here I am.”

  Still stuck on, “13?”

  “It was either this or social services. Which would you have chosen?”

  “But Em, 13?” Scooting closer, “What happened to you?” The minute the question left his lips, he knew he shouldn't have asked and retracted it immediately, “Sorry, I didn't mean to ask.” Realizing he might not want to know what would be bad enough to force a 13-year-old to choose independence over family, he apologized again, “I'm … I'm sorry.”

  Her eyes closed slightly, the weight of her response bearing down on her, “I couldn't tell you right now, even if you demanded an answer.” Taking a deep breath in, trying to force her muscles to relax some, “All I can say is it was enough to make me realize that, right now, I live in total paradise.”

  Even through the exhaustion that crept back across her face, he could clearly see her fear and reaching out to wrap his fingers around hers, “I won't tell anyone. I promise.”

  “I know you won't.”

  With that, she got a look on her face that mirrored his mom’s, stating clearly this line of discussion was closed for the moment. Knowing he couldn’t fight that look, he moved on, “Just for future arguments sake, I’m still staying tonight so you might as well stop trying to get rid of me.” With a small smile, “So, you awake now or ready to go back to sle
ep?”

  She yawned her reply and crawling over him, slid back under the covers. Jack moved to sleep on the couch but she caught his arm, “You can stay here if you want. I’ve slept on that couch and it’s horrific.”

  Not sure if this was such a good idea, “I’ve slept in some horrific places before. I think it’ll be okay.”

  “Please? Except for the whole hitting you thing, I haven’t slept this good in months.”

  Seeing the terror of nightmares looming on her face, he nodded, “Okay. Move over though ‘cause I need more than a foot of space here.”

  Pulling off the long sleeve thermal he was wearing, he revealed his Grinch t-shirt, which made her laugh, “Grinch?”

  “Hey now, don’t be messing with the Grinch. Best Dr. Seuss character ever.” After jumping up to turn off the lights, he made his way back to the bed guided only by the glow of the nightlights on the wall, “Do you have an alarm?”

  Nodding, “Yeah. What time do you need to leave?”

  “I start my job tomorrow … today ... whatever … at nine and I should go home and shower first.”

  “Will six-thirty be okay?” Once he nodded, she settled in on her back next to him, waiting a minute before she spoke, “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cause so much trouble.”

  Shifting, he placed his head beside hers and whispered in her ear, “I just wish you’d have let me know sooner.”

  “You shouldn’t even know now.”

  “But I do and that’s a good thing. Trust me.”

  Emily rolled her head in his direction, asking quietly, “Did you tell Dex anything?”

  “No. I just said I didn’t know when your mom would be home. I wasn’t sure what he knew, so I played dumb basically.”

  Whispering a ‘thank you’ in his direction, she curled on her side facing the wall, “G’night.”

  “G’night.”

  ▪▪▪

  He woke up on his own at six. It had been a fairly rough night after they had lain down. She hadn’t woken back up, but she remained twitchy beside him, hands flexing and jaw grinding, occasionally whimpering before settling down for a few minutes.

  If this was the best she’d slept in weeks, no wonder she was beyond exhausted. He lay watching her finally peaceful face for a few minutes before slipping out of bed and going to the bathroom. Then, after silently getting his shoes and coat on, he leaned over, “Hey Em, I’ve gotta go.”

  Stirring at the sound of his voice, “Hmm?”

  “I gotta get going. You gonna be alright?”

  She finally opened her eyes as she nodded, “Do you think we can just forget that yesterday ever happened?”

  Kissing her forehead, “I don’t really think that’s an option.”

  “Well, I’m going to dwell in the land of denial for a while so if you’d like to join me, just knock.”

  With a laugh, “At least I now know where the key is.”

  Giving him his first real smile in days, “You can come in any time.”

  Chapter 9

  His first day of bussing tables and washing dishes was draining and, given the previous night he'd had, Emily took one look at him after he stopped by and sent him home to bed.

  The next day went easier and he wasn’t as tired, so, stopping by her house, he invited her over for dinner and some movies.

  As she stood in her doorway, “I don’t know that I can look your mom in the eye yet. I wish you hadn’t had to lie to her.”

  “Em, what’s done is done. My guilt vanished when I walked in the door yesterday morning and she looked at me and, without even commenting on the black eye, said, and I’m not kidding, 'Oh, I forgot you were gone'.”

  She laughed at this, “I guess I could come over for a little while.”

  “Cool.” Stepping inside out of the blowing wind, “I have got to get me a car or I’m gonna freeze.”

  “Well, come up and get warm for a few minutes while I find my coat and hat.”

  Shivering a little, “And scarf and gloves and boots and ski masks ...”

  “Just shut up and come upstairs.”

  Following her, “You know, in the six months I’ve known you, this is the first time you’ve actually invited me in.”

  She didn’t reply until they reached the top of the steps, “Jack?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Would you like to come in and see my house?”

  He gave her a slow grin, “I think I would love to.”

  ▪▪▪

  They got back to Jack’s a little before six and could smell the wonderful aroma of stew before Jack even unlocked the door, “Mom, I’m home and I’ve bought another stomach with me.”

  Coming into the hall, she smiled warmly at Emily, “Brought your appetite with you too, I hope?”

  She nodded shyly and quietly slid out of her coat, hanging it on one of the many hooks next to the door. Jack touched her arm, “Be back down in a minute. Gotta change.”

  After he thundered up the stairs, Elizabeth beckoned her into the kitchen, “Well, the boys are in the living room causing general mayhem, so you’re welcome to join them or maybe you’d like to hang out here with me?”

  Listening to the din coming from the other room and eyeing the stack of dishes in the sink, “Do you need any help in here? I wash a mean dish.”

  Gladly holding out the dish towel, “Mostly I think I’d just like a girl to talk to. I’ve been trapped in the house with six boys for three days straight. I need some outside information. Any outside information.”

  Emily smiled, “Well, what would you like to know?”

  “Let’s start with the standard, read any good books lately?”

  ▪▪▪

  Jack made it back downstairs about ten minutes later, having decided to shower. Sliding into the kitchen on the socks he’d stolen from Tim’s drawer, he nearly knocked Emily, who was trying to figure out which cupboards held which dishes, over. Catching her before she hit the ground, he held her for a second longer than normal before letting go and pointing out the proper cabinet.

  This was not at all lost on Elizabeth, who contained her grin quite admirably, but, as she would embarrassingly admit to her husband later that night, she was doing all kinds of happy dancing in her head.

  But back to the kitchen. Jack set the table and wrangled the rest of the boys to gather up any and all condiments, napkins and drinks that were still needed. Once everyone was around the table, “Where’s Dad? Shouldn’t he be home by now?”

  With a twinkle in her eye, she glanced over Sam's head, “He’s out doing some shopping.”

  “Ahhh, well, do you want me to make him a plate for the oven or no?”

  Shaking her head, “No. I’ll warm him up something when he gets here.”

  Emily looked slightly confused, so Jack leaned over and whispered, “Mom can’t really go Christmas shopping with Sam because of Santa, so Dad must have had to finish up tonight.”

  Understanding finally, she whispered back, “What about the other kids?”

  “They already know about Santa, but are under strict orders not to ruin it.”

  Her eyes glazed for a second, then returned to reality, “I think I would love to be Sam.”

  Reaching over, he squeezed her hand under the table before beginning to serve out the steaming stew to the boys’ upheld bowls, “All right gentlemen, it's ladies first so you’re gonna have to hang on a minute.”

  ▪▪▪

  After dinner and clean-up, which Jack did with the ordered assistance of Dave and Nate, a nervous-looking Sam came up to Emily, “Emily?”

  Kneeling down in front of him, “Yeah?”

  “Do you want to color with me?”

  Jack, who was standing behind him, went to open his mouth, but Emily shook her head at him then took Sam by the hand, “I’d love to color with you.”

  Sam’s face lit up and he led her importantly into the big back room, “I have lots of crayons.”

  Emily glanced over her shoulder at J
ack and grinned, “See ya.”

  He just shook his head in her direction with a smile and turned around, running directly into his mom, “Oops. Sorry.”

  “You’re just running into everyone today aren’t you?”