by Diane Bixler
Jason
I couldn’t be more proud of Jack as I stood next to him watching Allie walk down the aisle. She looked stunning, her dress sleeveless, highlighting her dark tan, gathered tight around her chest and waist, showing off her slender figure. Her hair was swept up casually with blond curls dancing around her face. Her father walked stoically next to her as they made their way in our direction. I looked over to Jack; he was smiling. It wasn’t a nervous smile, but a genuine smile filled with happiness and love. And I was happy for him. He had come a long way since we met and I felt as though I had something to do with his success, even if his life hadn’t followed a more traditional course.
I met Jack in middle school when he joined my drama class a few weeks into the school year. I had seen him around, but really didn’t know him that well. After a few weeks in class, I realized he was a pretty okay kid, but he tended to shy away from others, preferring to be more alone than hanging out with our classmates. As I got to know him, I thought maybe he was an outsider like me. I couldn’t have been more wrong on that point. He was most certainly nothing like me, but he was definitely not like most.
I liked Jack and I knew I could trust him with my own secret, although he wasn’t forthcoming with his. I knew he had one, but was never really sure what it was until we were in high school and he finally confided in me. Our mutual trust sealed a real friendship between us and I tried to keep him on the straight and narrow through high school.
I remember the night he showed up to my house unannounced, blood running down the side of his face. It wasn’t the first time he’d used my place as a sanctuary, but it was the first he was so badly injured. I bandaged him well and he ended up going back home, though I never really understood his loyalty to his mother or father. Neither had done him any real favors, though at least his mother put forth effort. His father was completely useless and I know Jack was pleased when he passed shortly thereafter.
I’d helped Jack navigate middle school and survive high school. By college, he was definitely more independent and I was pleased when he met Frank. Although Jack put forth the effort, I kinda knew school wasn’t his thing. I was right and as soon as Frank got him a few roles in theater and two minor movie gigs, he seemed to just fade from campus, a few credits shy of his associate’s degree. It was a good move for him. He was being successful and well paid to do something he did on a daily basis – act.
I’d known Jack a long time and actually helped him learn to fake his way through life. He just didn’t feel emotions naturally as they occurred with the rest of us. But he learned them well through drama and was quite good at applying what he learned into practice daily. I remember when he fell for the lead in the high school Shakespeare play our freshman year. I was so proud of him – he fell in love. And he did it naturally, without having to think about it or practice it. The feelings just happened naturally and man, did he have good taste in women! Of course, he swore to me he decided never to act upon his feelings as she was two years older than him. I know better. He can act well, but I knew Jack. I’m certain he let his feelings be known and she probably pointed out the fact that he was only a freshman. He dated anyway through high school, but I never saw him fall in love again until he met Allie.
I had heard the story of how they met, involving a funeral and poison ivy, and I couldn’t believe he had been so bold in courting her. After only a few dates, we double-dated together and I finally got to meet her. She was perfect for him and I knew they would be together a very long time. They dated not much more than six months and he proposed. Standing beside Jack, watching him marry Allie, I was proud and sad. He had done it. He had started what I was sure would be a successful, though maybe modest, acting career and was now marrying the love of his life. I knew I had helped him and I was happy to do so. But I also knew he was ready to continue his life without my direction. I had to trust Allie would take good care of my best friend.