Our Relationship

Chapter 4

I walked inside after my dad asked me to go inside. Jack and he were outside. I could hear faint mumbles from my dad. It sounded as if he was scolding Jack.

The door handle twisted so I ran to the kitchen. Jack walked in with my dad. Surprisingly, my dad didn't look pissed, but rather he looked pleasant.

Jack went to his bedroom.

What did dad tell Jack? What if Jack has to leave. He didn't do anything to the girls.

"Anna?"

I peaked out of my room to see my dad sitting at the table.

"Yes?"

"Come here." He shook his hand directing me to come towards him.

I took a seat next to him at the table.

"It's been a long time since I've been home and I wasn't.... Informed of a lot of the things that happened while I was gone. I'm asking you some questions, no pressure, but just to be informed. OK?"

I nodded my head gently.

"When did Jack come here?"

"About right after you left. Mom basically took him in. We're really good friends."

"Has he done anything to You or the other girls."

"No. Is there a problem with Jack?"

"No, no, I just want to know what's going on around here."
I slowly stood out of my chair,

"Is that all you need Dad?"

He stared at the dying fire in the fireplace while he thought.

"Could you check on the horses, I don't want them to be cold."

"Sure" I stood up and walked outside to the barn.

As I reached the barn, the light was already on.

I walked in and grabbed some large blankets from the high shelf. I started at the first horse stall. I walked in and rubbed the horse's back.

"Hey. You cold?" I pulled a blanket over his back. I grabbed the stack of blankets and went onto the next stall.
As I entered the last stall,

"You know, Its cold out. You might want to where a coat" I slightly jumped from unexpectedly hearing Jack's voice. I turned around, somewhat frightened

"And, you didn't bother to tell me you were in here?" I started walking towards him.

"Well, I wanted to see how long I could get away with it."

"What did my dad say to you?"

"He asked me where we were. He really doesn't want us to be around each other."

"Well, you're more than welcome to still tag along with me to the field."

"What will your dad say? He was barking at me just now."

Jack started to get frustrated and slightly yelling.

"I don't know."

"This my only home. If I don't get paid, I can't get the things I need. If I'm kicked out, where will I live?!"

I started at him.

"Never mind, I shouldn't have told you."

He started walking out of the barn.

"No, Jack!"
I grabbed his shirt sleeve, making him stop. He turned his head.

"Trust me, It will be ok. My Dad will learn to accept you. But, like you said, It will take time. I still need to get to know my dad. For almost half my life, I didn't see him once. Don't you think that affects my relationship with him? And he's my father. I think we could both get to know him together."

He sighed and I released his sleeve.

"Anna, I can't."

I grabbed him again.

"Jack, yes you can. You are the only kid around here that is even close to my age. I still need you as a friend. Please. I know you can do it. We both can."

He nodded.

"I'm going in side." Jack said

I walked back to the last horse and finished putting his blanket over his back. After I put the extra blanket back on the shelf, I turned the lights off and walked inside.

As I walked inside I saw dad talking to Jack. I ignored them and walked to my bedroom. It was very dark out, and I needed sleep. I laid down and closed my eyes.

(Morning)

I woke up and got dressed in my school clothes.

"Anna?"

'What?"

"Please hurry! We're late. The bus will be here soon."

I know it may seem weird still going to school at seventeen, but living on a farm has some disadvantages.

I rushed down the stairs to my breakfast sitting at the table. I grabbed my bowl and started shoving down the cereal in large bites.

"Oh... Anna, don't lob it down like a pig!"
"Mfffm mfmf."

"Please tell me once you're done eating. I would like to hear you, not you chewing your food."

I nodded and chewed the rest of my cereal.

BEEP BEEP

I left my bowl of milk on the table and ran out to the bus, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

I got in and chose a seat in the back Sarah and Charlotte followed in just a little after me.

Where's Jack? Did he get up?

We waited for about a minute or two before the bus driver closed the bus doors.

"Wait stop."

I rushed out of the bus and ran in the house.

"Mom, where's Jack?"

"I didn't see him since last night."

I ran to his bedroom. He wasn't in his bed or in his bathroom.

Crap!

I ran outside to the barn. Still, I couldn't find him.

I ran back to the bus and told the driver to just leave. I walked back to my seat and sat down. I looked out the window expecting Jack to come running to the bus.

I glanced back at the seats and noticed Jack on a seat alone, looking out the window. I stood up with my bag and walked over to the seat and sat next to him.

"Jack?"

"Oh hey." 

"You ok?"

"Yeah, just thinking."

"About what? Clearly it's very secret that you couldn't bother to sit by me."

He looks at me with a grin.

"What?"

He shrugs. 

"Are you sure you're dad will eventually come to like me?"

"Jack I promise. Maybe he had some bad past with your mom or something but I'm sure he get used to it. Plus my mom is pretty convincing and will keep you at the barn. You do so much for us."

"I'd just feel better if you're dad wasn't mad at me all the time."

I sighed.