Searching for Swimmers

75

Over the next week, Jason slowly started to rejoin society and give the semblance of being an actual semi-well-adjusted human being. Despite no practical need for one, he began setting an alarm and waking up at the same time each day. He made the effort to leave his house at least once a day and, more often than not, chose books as his means of escape instead of movies and television. He bathed daily, mostly, and cleaned at least one item in his house each day even if it was only the dishes in his sink. The bong only made occasional appearances and he only allowed himself to drink at the bar after 6:00 p.m.

As much as he wanted to see Jessie and John, he still avoided contact. He wasn't sure exactly why, but he figured it probably had something to do with seeing a couple in a relationship that actually worked. Jason couldn't handle what he could've had being shoved in his face. Eventually, he took Jessie's calls and explained that he was still getting his shit together and that he would see her in due time. Gabby had conveniently stopped calling.

Jason watched the clock, waiting for it to tick over to six o'clock. He was about fifteen minutes shy so he went back to the Vonnegut book in his hands until his attention was interrupted by a knock at his door.

Jason had told Ross he'd meet him at the bar but figured he was stopping by for a pre-drink puff from the bong. He opened the door to Jessie and she looked a lot different from when he'd left on his trip.

"Holy shit." Jason said.

"What?"

"You are very pregnant."

"Okay, so this is how it works. When a man and woman really love each other—"

"They don't know it but the woman mistakenly gets his sperm and decides to have a baby with it. Then they meet and fall in love. He finds out the baby's not his and— "

"He becomes a raving jackass and leaves town. Yeah. Yeah. I know the story and to be honest, it's a little overplayed. I've seen two movies on Lifetime with the same plot this week alone."

"So that's what happens when you get pregnant?"

"Yep, Lifetime 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The baby just doesn't develop properly without it."

Jason hugged Jessie and invited her inside. The two went into the living room and sat down.

"I couldn't take your bullshit excuses for avoiding me any longer."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Jason said.

Jessie leaned over and smelled Jason. "Well you don't smell bad." She looked around the living room. "No more a shit hole than normal." She leaned in and looked at his eyes. "Appear to be sober. So what's up? According to Ross you were over here wallowing in your own feces."

"That doesn't begin until after six." Jason looked over at the clock. "Looks like you're just a little early. The show will begin soon."

"Your humor is definitely intact, not good, but it never was."

"The jokes are to hide the pain."

"Is that why they're always so bad? I never realized how much pain you were actually in all of these years."

"Should've talked to my doctor. There's a reason I have a prescription for weed."

"Because you're a stoner loser?"

"There's that. Oh, and the pain."

"Okay, all bullshit aside, why are you back in Denver? Word on the street is our little Mr. Purdue fell in love in Texas of all places."

"Yeah, there was this cow, Bessie. Wow, what a beauty."

Jessie smacked Jason on the shoulder. "I said all bullshit aside."

"Hey, it didn't work and now I'm back home where I belong."

"Why? Because the kid wasn't yours?"

"No, because she lied to me."

"Is that all? I think I lied to John five..." Jessie rolled her eyes up thinking, "...No, six times today alone."

"About what, not eating the last yogurt? Would any of those lies break John's trust in you?"

"Maybe. If he allowed them to break his trust because he was too chicken-shit scared of commitment and just looking for a way to ditch me and our kid."

"Low blow, Jess."

"Seem to be the only blows that land on you. And now I know that what's below your waist is capable of more than relieving your bladder, just seems all the more effective."

"Damn, I knew there was a reason I'd been avoiding you."

"Because you avoid reality and I'm sure my big pregnant stomach is the last thing you want to see right now."

"True." Jason took a deep breath. "Actually, your pregnant stomach's not all that big. Trust me. You've got a ways to go."

"So do you. So do you."

"Yeah, I know."

"I know you do. I forgive you for not keeping in touch while you were on your little adventure, but Ross filled me in on everything, and you know what?"

"What?"

"Even though I knew you'd probably move to Austin and I might hardly see you, I was so proud of you, Jason. Now, I don't know the details of exactly what went down and you don't even have to tell me. For all I know maybe things really weren't right between you and this Gabby chick. And if they weren't, then I'm not going to knock you around too much for leaving. Hell, I'll only give you minimal shit for locking yourself up in your house of misery for over a week. At least that meant you actually felt something for this woman and that's why I'm proud of you."

"What? For being an idiot."

"Yes! Absolutely, yes! You finally let your fucking guard down and really felt something for the first time in like a fucking decade, and that, that is something to be proud of. Look, I love you, Jase, and however this Gabby baby shit turns out, I'm on your side. Regardless of how it all ends up, don't forget what it felt like. Promise me that."

"Fine. If I promise, will you leave me the fuck alone?"

"Only if you mean it."

"Okay, Jessie, I promise."

"Good." Jessie leaned over and hugged Jason. "I know you're meeting Ross at the bar. Fucking asshole who gets to drink. Doesn't matter, I need to get home and check up on my baby daddy."

"And lie to him more?"

Jessie smiled. "If the evening calls for it."

Jason saw Jessie out, then plopped down on the couch. He looked at the clock. It was after six. Then he looked at his phone. He picked it up and dialed Gabby.