A Night Without Gatsby

Chapter 9- Truth Revealed?

I walked outside and awaited for a ring at my door. I had offered to drive to Jordan's, but she had refused I do so.

Bradley came up next to me, already mastering the art of walking on four legs. I sat on the metal patio chair I had and leaned back.

The atmosphere was thick with humidity, the sky blanketed with gray clouds as a light drizzle came down upon the Earth. I closed my eyes, enjoying the quiet, serene sound of nature.

Gatsby had decided to keep the parties at a stand still this week, which gave me a break from all the noise. Relief at last. After about 30 minutes, I heard wheels crunch small pebbles down into the Earth, the rumble of an engine quieting and turning off.

Jordan was here.

I opened my eyes and stood up, going to help Ms. Baker in. We entered the house.

"Such a cramped space, Nicky... How do you live like this?" She walked to the dining area, taking her own seat.

"You get used to it after a bit." I gently grabbed the tea kettle and poured her a cup before sitting down myself. She helped herself to the sugar. We stayed in silence for a bit, calmly sipping from the dainty glass cups as the drizzle changed to actual rain.

"I assume you already want me to start talking." The silence was broken. I turned my attention toward her. "It really is no concern of mine on what you want to do." Jordan leaned back in her chair and took out a cigarette.

"I don't allow that inside. If you want to smoke I suggest you take it outside." "Calm down, Nicky, I didn't even light it." "You didn't even ask." Jordan, visibly irritated, put the cigarette away.

"It's about Gatsby."

"Isn't everything always about him."

Jordan rolled her eyes. "He told me everything. About how he got his money, and why he lives here in this exact place."

"... Alright... What does this have to do with me?"

"You are Daisy's cousin, regardless of however many times she is removed."

"Jordan, slow down, you aren't making any sense. What does Daisy have to do with Gatsby?"

"They were once lovers, Nick. The house... He got it to where he could see her. He built up all this money and saved to get that exact house just so he could be near her."

"... I'm... confused. How did they meet?"

"You see, they had met at a party. Daisy's father had hosted it for the new recruits in the army. They met and instantly fell in love. However, the Great War happened. He was taken away to the battlefield while she waited for him. They wrote to each other, sure... but... She began to lose hope when he didn't come back... and.... Tom stole her heart. On their wedding day, a letter arrived that Gatsby had come back. But it was too late. The rest is history..."

Shocked? Sure. Lost? Absolutely.

"... That's... I respect whatever happened. But... Why does this matter now?"

"You see, he needs your help. He wants to get back with her."

"Why don't you help? You two are childhood friends. You two go way farther back than I."

"She trusts you more, Nicky."

I sipped my tea again. How was I supposed to help a man I barely even knew about? How was I supposed to get two lovers, one who was a playboy and the other married and with a child, back together again? "I still say you should help..."

Bradley gave a quiet howl. I looked down at him. "Right. I haven't fed you yet..." I got up and went to the kitchen.

Jordan sipped the rest off and followed. "Where did you get the dog?"

"I... Well, he followed me home." I poured some soft biscuits into his bowl, letting him eat.

"He doesn't look like a mutt."

"He wasn't." I mumbled softly, getting slightly irritated with her.

She merely huffed. "I really need that cigarette." She left. I let out a breath of relief I didn't know I was holding.

Why did I need to help? Why couldn't they get someone else? Besides, Jordan was fully capable of helping them on her own. "Why are people so.... Stupid sometimes?"

Bradley tilted his head up to me. I sighed softly and sat back down, sipping at more tea I had poured for myself. This was... Something out of a story. A really bad written story.

Jordan came back in. "...." Gatsby seemed like a good enough fellow. And if it meant Jordan would get off my case.... Daisy... She was so miserable with Tom... And her child. What must they be feeling?

"... I'll help."

Author's Note: WWWWWWHOA!! Ninth chapter!! Sorry, I was having a bit of a writer's block. 😞 But I am back! Tenth part is sure to come soon! All credit to Scott Fitzgerald!! Love you all!!