Life

Chapter 2

Jacks POV:

It's been a week since the show. I'm going back today to go see her. She texted me when and where to be. I talked to Sullivan and got off early.

When I got there she was doing her hair.

Jaclyn: hey.
Jack: hey.
Jaclyn: give me like 5 minutes and I'll be done.
Jack: take your time.

She finished her hair up and I couldn't help but watch her the whole time. After she finished a security guy came in and said someone was here for her.

Jaclyn: do you mind if we go see someone real quick? I want you to come with.
Jack: of course

She smiled and handed me a pass to put on. We walked out and followed the security guard.

Jack: so who is it?
Jaclyn: it's a little girl named Abigail. She has been to almost every single show I've done here. Tonight's her 25 show so her mom and I got together so I could surprise her.

I nodded and kept walking with her. We got to this room and Jaclyn knocked on the door then slowly opened it.

Jaclyn: Hi!!!

Abigail had this shocked look on her face with her mouth wide open.

Jaclyn: what are you doing!? Come give me a hug!

Abigail ran over to her and body slammed her.

Jaclyn: hi sweet girl.
Abigail: hi
Jaclyn: how are you tonight?
Abigail: good
Jaclyn: your mommy and I surprised you good didn't we?
Abigail: yeah

Jaclyn laughed and hugged Abigail. Abigail turned and looked at me.

Abigail: who's that?
Jaclyn: that's my friend Jack. Can you tell him hi?
Abigail: hi
Jack: hi

I waved at her and she stood behind Jaclyn's leg.

Jaclyn: hey guess what?
Abigail: what?
Jaclyn: I've got a surprise for you.
Abigail: no way
Jaclyn: yes way. You and your mommy are gonna sit front row tonight!
Abigail: (high pitched squeal)
Jaclyn: does that sound good?
Abigail: uhm yeah!

They finished chatting then we went back to the dressing room so she could get her stuff. I followed her side stage and watched her perform.

After Jaclyn's performance

Jaclyn's POV:

After I was finished I handed my guitar off to Matt and went back to my dressing room with Jack. When we got back I changed quickly and we sat and talked.

Jack: I don't know where to start.
Jaclyn: me either. Uhm. I quit going to in seat schooling when I was 9. I've done online schooling since then.
Jack: why online?
Jaclyn: the foster parents I was with when I was 9 said going to school was a waste of time so they set me up for online schooling so I could work. I started singing when I was 6 but getting paid for it when I was 9. I started out singing in bars then moved up to small fairs and then got to here.
Jack: how many foster parents have you been with?
Jaclyn: probably 11 or 12. I lost count a long time ago. Most of the parents only did foster care for the extra pay check then got busted so I got sent to a new home.
Jack: were they mean to you?
Jaclyn: for the most part. I had some that were okay.
Jack: I grew up in foster care too. You can tell me.
Jaclyn: the first set of foster parents I can remember were absolutely horrible. They'd beat me for crying. I went a week without eating once. CPS caught on and took me away. I went to a new home that was okay. I've been beat. I've been locked in basements. I've been locked outside in 5° weather. Yeah. Life hasn't been to best.
Jack: (with tears in his eyes) I'm so sorry.
Jaclyn: don't apologize. It's not your fault.
Jack: I know but still. You're 14 and had to go through that.
Jaclyn: that's not even the worst. That's mild.
Jack: what else did they do?
Jaclyn: (starting to chock up) I was sold for sex when I was like 8. I've been raped. I've been beat so hard I had broken ribs and shoulders. I was sexually assaulted so bad I had a fractured pelvis and hip.

He just sat there with his hand over his mouth and tears going down his face.

Jaclyn: I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything.
Jack: no. I wanted to know.

I curled my legs up and started to cry.

Jack: come here.

I scooted in closer and he held me while I cried.

Jack: I'm so sorry.

All I could do was cry. That was it. I couldn't say anything. I tried to form words but they didn't come out.

Jack: (crying) I'm so sorry sweet heart.

He held me tight in his arms and laid his head against the back of mine. After we both calmed down we let go of each other.

Jack: I'm so sorry.

I kinda shrugged and wiped my eyes.

Jaclyn: tell me about you. I don't like being all sad.
Jack: I work at Station 19 here in town. I also grew up in foster care and yeah that's about it. I don't do much outside of the station.

I nodded and then heard someone at the door. I got up and saw Tico.

Tico: bad timing?
Jaclyn: yeah
Tico: Jana cancelled collab song. She's debuting her new one
Jaclyn: okay. Tell everyone to go home.
Tico: alright.
Jaclyn: bye. Love you
Tico: love you too.

I shut the door and sat back down.

Jack: who was that?
Jaclyn: Tico. He's my band leader and he's like my big brother. He aged out of foster care and we started playing music together. His friends come in and play for free. Tico doesn't take any cent so I can give 50% to my foster parents and hide the rest.

He nodded and sat there. We talked for awhile. He was telling me about work and just life in general. I had my head leaning against the back of the couch and started to fall asleep.

Jacks POV:

I look over and she's asleep. I cover her up with a blanket and sit there on my phone while she sleeps. About 30 minutes later she kinda moves/scoots over. She laid her head on my arm and kept sleeping. Another 20 minutes passed and she finally woke up.

Jack: mornin sleepy head
Jaclyn: did I really fall asleep?
Jack: yeah.
Jaclyn: I'm sorry.
Jack: you're fine.

She sat up and moved the blanket.

Jack: you hungry? I could dig some food.
Jaclyn: sure.
Jack: let's go eat and after I'll take you home.
Jaclyn: okay.

We got up and she slid on some shoes, I grabbed her bag and we headed to a diner. While at dinner she told me more about her music. Why she does it, what's inspired her, and what she wants to do in life.

Jaclyn: I want to do music. Anything with music. I'd prefer singing but it's all I've ever done and it's all I know. I make decent money now with it but still. I like the connection with people. Seeing people sing the words to my songs, seeing people come back again and again. Helping people take a break from life so they can relax and be happy for a few hours is worth it all to me.
Jack: that's honestly awesome.
Jaclyn: so why did you get into firefighting?
Jack: I obviously didn't have the money for college. Fire academy would pay for me to go through since I was a foster kid if I was in the top 10% of my class.
Jaclyn: did they?
Jack: yep. I was top 5%. From there on I did it because I liked helping people. People are so vulnerable and helpless. I like being able to go in and help them.
Jaclyn: that's awesome.

We talked for awhile more then I took her home. When I dropped her off she said bye and thanked me for everything. She went inside and I went home.

When I got inside Dean was putting groceries away.

Dean: what's up man?
Jack: nothing much. You?
Dean: nothing much. Went grocery shopping after work. Oh that remind me. Why did you cut out early?
Jack: I didn't cut out early. I had some things I needed to take care of.
Dean: mhhmm.
Jack: I'm gonna showeerrrr
Dean: good. You smell gross.
Jack: ouch. That one hurt.
Dean: good

I chuckled and went to take a shower.