Newsies One-Shots

Chapter 98 - Jack and Medda

Father Drama
Ship - Jack and Medda (mother-son)
Era - Modern
Triggers - Mentions of abuse, drug use and death, and panic attacks.

Jack stumbled into the kitchen, as he did every morning. It was one thing Jack lacked the ability to do, function before ten in the morning, at least.

"Who's car's outside?" he asked, his words slightly slurred. "It's too early for people-ing."

"Baby," Medda started. "Come sit down."

Jack looked at her confused but sat down nonetheless. "What's going on?"

"Jack, it's about you father," Medda explained.

Jack's face lit up, a hopeful expression overtaking it. "Really? Is he allowed visitors? Can I see him?"

Medda frowned and took Jack's hand. "Are you sure you want to see him?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I? He's my dad and I've been waiting to see him for years."

Medda looked over to the person sitting beside her.

"What's she doing here?" Jack asked, his distaste for his social worker not exactly unknown.

"They're considering letting your father out early," Maria explained. "And they want you to testify at the trial."

"Can I see him before then?" Jack looked at Medda and Maria pleadingly. "Please, he's my dad."

Medda sighed and moved so she was sitting closer to Jack. "We'll see if you can but you might not be allowed, okay?"

"Yeah. I just wanna see him."

~~~

A few days later, Jack was sitting and watching television with Crutchie and Race when Medda gave him the news.

"Jack, sweetie. Maria just rang me."

Jack looked up at her hopefully. "Can I see him?"

"They made an exception so you can see him before the trial."

"Really?" Jack leapt up from where he was sitting to hug Medda. "Thank you so much."

Medda smiled at Jack. "Of course, baby. But it's today so we need to leave soon."

"Okay." Jack stood for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts. "I'm gonna go change into something nicer."

Medda nodded as Jack rushed upstairs to his bedroom. Around twenty minutes later he came back down wearing a blue button-down shirt and a pair of dress trousers Medda bought him for the time they had to attend a wedding.

"You ready to go, honey?"

Jack nodded and smiled. "Yeah. I've got my phone."

"Alright. Let's go."

The drive to the prison was quiet for the most part, except for when Jack would occasionally comment on random things they passed.

"Do you think he's gonna be released?" he asked as they neared the prison.

"I don't know. It'll depend on the trial."