Companionship

Chapter 5

Jake's eyes widened when Puck explained his past. The elder just wanted his little brother to know he'd protect him and if anything happened to him like that, he'd be there for him and understand.

Jake was blown away. "Are you okay? I mean- Are you okay?"

Puck shook his head slowly. "No."

Jake felt like crying and he hadn't cried since he was five.

"Hey, man. I'll get better." Puck retreated at his brother's shattered look.

Jake knew he was pulling back but didn't know how to help. "Does your mom know?"

"Yeah." Puck looked away.

"Does Nic?"

"No."

"Anybody else?"

Puck sagged in defeat. "Yeah."

"Is that what last week was about?"

"It wasn't about me but yeah."

"Who else-?!"

"Jake." Puck made eye contact. "I only told you so you-"

"Would know there's some filthy women out there!" Jake shook. "You don't do that to a kid! There's too many grown men out there!"

Puck was shocked at Jake's ire.

Jake went to a refrigerator and got a bottle of water to drink down to the bubbles. He was so upset, he didn't know how to go on.

"I'm sorry if I let you down-"

"You're sorry?!" Jake was riled back up. "They should be sorry!"

"I don't know what to do here." Puck admitted.

"You don't have to do anything." Jake stalked out.

Puck bowed his head. That couldn't have gone worse.

M-A-P

Marcy sung Lisa awake. "Happy birthday, Bug."

Lisa hugged her, crying.

"Why are you crying, Bug?"

"Because you were hurt." The newly turned nine year old wiped at her face.

"Yeah." Marcy had nothing else to say to that.

"Am I gonna be hurt like that?"

"Not if I can help it."

Lisa hugged her tight. "I don't want to go to school."

"Baby, you've missed a week and a half already. You need your education."

"Is it because they used to make you skip school to hurt you?"

Marcy nodded. "Never let anyone take your choices from you."

Lisa scrubbed at her face. "Okay."

"Come on. Let's go. When you come home, you'll have ice cream and presents."

Lisa didn't care about ice cream nor presents but she got up anyway.

M-A-P

Lisa had fun anyway. Marcy made sure they didn't talk about anything bad or hurtful and they had a dance party.

It really lifted the little girl's heart.

It even made the rest of them feel better. They tried to pretend they weren't still sad and it worked if only for one day.

M-A-P