Losing Jack

Chapter 9

As Michael made his way out of the machinery shed and into his car, he felt exhilarated. He couldn't believe he and Sandy had actually shared their first kiss. He wanted to scream out with joy, yell from the roof tops. No, what he really wanted to do was march right back in there, grab her tightly around the waist, drawing her closer to him and kiss her again!

But he decided against it, because he was afraid that she might hit him.

Once the adrenaline subsided he found himself in a quandary. If he openly went against Sandy he would lose her forever, before he even had the chance to win her over. Then if he went against Beth, she would still continue regardless, and maybe even tell Sandy the real reason he stayed on to take care of Jack.

As for what was best for Jack? He still didn't know.

Sandy wasn't very helpful, she had practically dismissed the whole thing with a stern warning that he should stay out of this. Or end up sharing Beth's enemy number one status too.

Michael found himself feeling as though he was being pulled in every direction. It was times like this that he was grateful for the advice of friends. He didn't have many these days, but Andy Stevens was one of them and thankfully he was going out to Andy's place for a BBQ that night.

At school Michael had been the one that everyone was envious of. He was the one who had a shining bright future, and Andy had always been the third wheel, wanting a little piece of the action that was Jack and Michael. Now look how things had changed.

Andy had it all, beautiful wife, great career, two little munchkins....wasn't it ironic, gangly gawky unpopular Andy had the perfect life and here he was having achieved none of the things that he had aspired to. He was in limbo grasping at straws only to have them pulled out of his hands as quickly as he grabbed them.

Although Michael was a little envious of Andy's good fortune, he didn't let it affect their friendship, they were good friends. They had been ever since Jacks accident. Andy was a nice guy and someone he could talk to. Someone who never judged him.

Pulling up into Andy's driveway he looked over to the house. It was gorgeous, perfectly manicured gardens, lawn that resembled plush carpet. Andy had renovated the place a few years ago it had an old yet modernised appearance. With large sweeping verandas, ficus trees in large ceramic pots at the entrance and mahogany balustrades starting at the entrance steps following all around the front of the house. It was easily one of the nicest houses in the whole town.

Michael was greeted by Andy's twin boys Matty and Luke, who raced up to the car.
"It's uncle Michael, Mum, Dad quick it's uncle Michael here."
"Well, well if it isn't Beavis and Butthead," joked Michael as he patted both of their heads affectionately.
The twins looked up at him very seriously, "what did you bring for us."
"Oh snap, I knew I forgot something...." said Michael clicking his fingers and acting disappointed.

The boys pouted looking at Michael with big blue puppy dog eyes.
"Oh well, let me see if I can find anything lurking in the bottom of the back seat floor for you. If you're lucky there may be a few dust bunnies," said Michael as he pretended to rummage around in the back of his car. Then he smiled and produced two wrapped up gifts that he had hidden under a blanket. The boys faces lit up as they snatched the gifts excitedly and began unwrapping them on the lawn.

Looking at each other the two boys squealed at the same time, "Spider Man," then turning to show their parents they cried, "look what uncle Michael got us."

Mel and Andy stood on the front porch arm in arm watching their boys jump about with delight at their new gifts. Then they motioned for all of them to all come inside.

Once inside Mel said, "I still have to finish off the salads and defrost the meat for tea. Since the little boys are now preoccupied with fighting off villains with their new Spiderman toys, why don't the big boys relax out on the patio and have a coldie?"

Andy hugged his wife and said to Michael, "she always has the best ideas, she is the brains of the operation, you know. Don't be fooled by her housewife facade."

"Get out, both of you," said Mel playfully pushing Andy in the direction of the back patio.

It was late afternoon and a cool breeze gently flowed through the patio as Andy and Michael cracked a beer and sat at the outdoor table.
"So how have things been buddy," said Andy.
"I can't complain, you wouldn't listen anyway," teased Michael.
"True, so I hear there was a little bit of trouble at the Harpers place the other day. That old battle-axe Mrs Gribble gave me, the girls at work and anyone else at the bank who would listen a running commentary about it all."
"Yeah," smiled Michael fondly, "that's Sandy for you."
"You will have to bring her around one day for a Barbie, I think everyone probably exaggerates about her a bit. She has always been polite when I have spoken with her."
"Yeah, I will invite her next time, she isn't as scary as they make her out to be. Just don't get on the wrong side of her that's all."
"So how is Jack doing?
"Fine, but we are having a few dramas. Sandy promised Jude she would make sure he went to a nice Christian home. And one of Jude's friends, who has moved in to help care for Jack wants him to stay, needless to say that pissed Sandy right off. So they are fighting..."
"And you are the meat in the sandwich..."
"You know me too well," said Michael shaking his head.
"Just do what you think is right buddy, don't let either of them bully you into anything."
"I wish it was that simple."
"Nothing ever is though. So what's so difficult about it?
"I just don't know if Jack leaving is a good or bad idea. On the one hand if he left and was put into full time care then I could go do my own thing for a while. Which would be good, but then I feel like a jerk about it because it would feel as though I was abandoning him?," he said shrugging helplessley.
"Why do you always sell yourself so short mate, you are a good bloke and have been a really good friend to Jack. When are you going to stop punishing yourself over what happened. I don't mean to be harsh, but I gotta say this because I wouldn't be any type of friend if I didn't. Get over it mate, get on with your life," said Andy slapping him on the back.

"Maybe you're right, cheers for always being so honest, I can always count on you."

Dinner was delicious as it always was at the Steven's place and after some friendly after dinner chatter and seeing the two boys off to bed with one of his famous bedtime stories Michael left for home . On the way he reflected on his conversation with Andy, maybe he was right, maybe it was time that he moved on? Maybe if Jack did go to Perth it wouldn't be such a bad thing after all?
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Thanks for reading. I hope you are enjoying Losing Jack so far. Don't forget to comment and vote if you think my work deserves it. :)