Lights On Sixth Street

Chapter Six

The next morning he kissed me good morning and hopped in my bed. It was like he was different. I didn't mind though. It was nice to have the Jack I knew back. It was my day off so I got into my suit and went to swim for a bit. Mother I honestly think that swimming is the only thing that can ever truly calm me down. James decided to join me. I honestly can say that I don't like James. He smiled and I frowned. His hotness didn't affect me. He jumped into the pool making waves. Then he dunked me. I came back up with a pout. He just laughed and whistled. Alright I see how it is. I went under and pulled him under from his feet. He gasped for air when he came back up.

"I didn't see that one coming." He gasped.

Then it occurred to me that I wanted to ask him about the family business. "Hey James what's the family business like for you guys?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Why do you want to know?"

"I'm curious about what Jack does."

"Well..." He said. "It's horrible." He scratched his head trying to come up with something else to say. "You have to deal with all this top notch men with money to spend and waste their lives on. Then you have to hear their wives bicker about what they want. Finally you have to try to convince them to accept your offer. Guess that's why I never really could handle the family business."

"So that's why you became a cop?"

"One of the many reasons yes. Any way the only thing you need to understand about my brother is he's fragile. One thing could turn his day upside down."

That made sense. I'm the same way except I'll yell at people instead of running away like Jack does. It must be hard. James got out of the pool. He told me he'd see me later. I shrugged. I felt like there was something he wasn't telling me. I wanted to know. It was time someone cared enough to tell me the truth. This is hungry work. I took a shower and headed over to John's room. I haven't seen him in a while and since he's the one who told me about the marriage I figured I could get him to squeal. Mother I hope what I'm about to do is right. I walked in and he was on the floor playing the playstation. He didn't even look at me to know I was there. I sat down next to him.

"What's up?" He smiled.

He was such a good kid but I had to break him. "If there were anything at all you needed you know I would go do it for you right?"

"Yeah I know. We're like family already. Why is something wrong?" he hugged a stuffed animal.

"If you are hiding something from me, I need to know. Okay?" I said.

He looked down and swallowed. "If there was anything I suggest asking someone else because I wouldn't have permission to answer."

I bit my lip in frustration. I got up and thanked him. He didn't look at me he just stood there with a frown on his face. I stayed up all night waiting for Jack. Waiting to confront him but he didn't come to my house tonight. I checked John's room and he left too. For dinner it was just my father and me. Mom I honestly don't think asking father would be wise. He's just too straight forward and will probably avoid the question. After dinner I went outside. It was cold now it's October. The trees are turning orange and pink. The street lights were the only thing keeping me from tripping in the darkness. Yes the flat darkness seems so familiar. I have secrets to. Should I really be surprised that Jack has some?

I felt my mouth being covered by cloth and the same with my eyes. Hands pulled me and shoved me into something moving. It was a van probably. The road was bumpy. I bit down on the cloth. People were yelling. I could only make out a few words. "We should kill her." I swallowed. The vehicle stopped. The door opened and they pushed me out. Someone removed the cloth. Max and two others stood in front of me. One of them I recognized as my best friend in freshman year. His name was Nicolas Stern. We dated. He started doing drugs and that's how I met Max because Max was his dealer. The other was Max's dealer. He wore a tux. His hair slid back and he was smoking. Max and Nick were smoking too. It's just Max should be in jail. Was this the big secret they were hiding?