Run Away With Me

Chapter 26 (Jack)

Dear Jack,

I have 8 letters to write, so I'm going to make this brief.

But what to say? I aspire to be a writer, and yet I have no idea what to write. Maybe that's a place to start.

You baffle me, Jack Kelly. You are sarcastic, annoying, and frankly, a little full of yourself. And yet, I find myself falling for this charismatic facade you put on. But maybe it's not all untrue. Though you may deny it, you are soft. I see you interacting with the boys. I know how much you love and care for them, even when your own situation has been less than ideal.

I think perhaps I'll miss you the most. Because we were on the verge of something truly spectacular, I think. But do not dwell on what could have been. If I know you like I think I do, you'll spend far too much time being sad about my absence. I simply cannot allow this. Move on, Jack. You have a job that you love. You have boys who need you. Find a lovely girl to settle down with. It shouldn't take you too long. Though I'd like to keep you for myself, I know this isn't possible.

And now, if you'll indulge me, I think maybe I'll reminisce about what might have been. I know that I've avoided your blatant flirting for months now. At first because it was annoying, but then because I could feel myself falling, and I couldn't have that. But that song Jack, that we danced to. It was lovely, and it was my breaking point. If that song was your question, then my answer is yes.

But, alas, my recent predicament has made this quite impossible. So, it is with this I'll leave you.

You are a strange man, Jack Kelly. But don't shy away from your soft side. It suits you.

All my love,

Katherine

I run a hand through my hair, trying to take in what I just read. I read through it a couple times before I set it down on the desk. Crutchie stares at me all the while, his expression unreadable. Finally, I turn to him.

"How did she sign yours?" He looks confused, but pulls his letter out of the side table drawer.

"Um, 'Lots of Love, Katherine.' Why?" I shake my head.

"Just wondering." A smirk creeps up on Crutchie's features.

"Why, how'd she sign yours?" I reach for the letter, but Crutchie's quicker. Thankfully, he skips right to the signature. "'All my love, Katherine.' How cute!" I take the letter back, but I can't take back the blush that's found it's way up my neck and has settled on my cheeks.

"It's probably nothing," I say, thinking that it is definitely not nothing. Crutchie seems to be thinking the same thing, but says nothing. He just crawls back under his covers, and switches off the lamp.

"Goodnight, Jack. Try to get some sleep, you've got work tomorrow." I nod, though he probably can't see it in the dark.

"Goodnight, Crutchie."

My alarm goes off far too early the next morning. I hit the snooze button, but end up getting out of bed before it goes off again. I get dressed and grab a bagel before heading out. The world waits for no one.

Work is same old, same old. I churn out a couple of cartoons, ones that I'm actually quite proud of. I snap a quick picture to send to Katherine later. And just like that my mind trails back to the letter. It frustrates me that it bothers me so much. But I need to know what it means. Eventually I resolve to call Kathy later and ask her about it. It'll be awkward, but at least it'll be straightforward.

~~~

Needless to say, I did not call Katherine. I did send her the pic, and she responded with a thumbs up. I tried not to read too much into it. She was probably just busy. So I turned off my screen and tried to get some rest.

~~~

The next day was a Saturday, and I relished the wonderful feeling of being well-rested the next day. I woke up with the sun already high in the sky, and the lovely smell of pancakes drifting through my bedroom door. Still a little groggy, I stumble my way into the kitchen, where Race and Davey are preparing an elaborate breakfast.

"Mm, what's the occasion?" Davey turns to me with wide eyes, and it dawns on me that this was the wrong question to ask.

"Seriously Jack?" Davey asks. Race looks at me like I'm crazy. I shrug, and they both turn back toward what they're doing. Spot comes over, seeing the commotion.

"What's up?" Race turns to him.

"Jack doesn't know what today is." Spot laughs, and I'm starting to wonder what was so important.

"You're too far gone. There's no saving you now," he says, still laughing as he walks away. I blink, and decide to ask Crutchie. He'll tell me.

I find him sitting on the couch watching cartoons with Jojo.

"Hey Crutchie, what's today?" He shakes his head.

"Jack, are you for real?" Jojo asks.

"It's September 25th. Your birthday." Oh. That. I take a seat at the table and Davey places a plate in front of me. I honest to goodness can't believe I forgot. Spot sits across from me with a plate of his own.

"So, what're we doing today, birthday boy?" I shrug noncommittally.

"Helpful." I set down my fork.

"Fine. I think we should go skinny dipping in the Hudson." Race chokes on the orange juice he'd just taken a sip of. Spot crosses his arms.

"Well if that's what you want, th-"

"No! We are not skinny dipping in the Hudson!" Davey points his spatula at the both of us before turning back to his pancakes.

"Aw, Davey, way to spoil the fun!" I can't see his face, but I can feel his eye-roll. "Seriously, though, I don't know. Maybe we can go to that art museum?" Davey nods, conveying that this is an acceptable choice.

"Sounds like a good idea. Now, eat up. We'll have to get going soon." I just nod, knowing full well that I have all the time in the world.