A Condemned Haven

Chapter 18

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"Trying to sneak out?" When Clarke turned to see Jacks mom, she almost had a heart attack.

"No Jack just needed a ride home from James' and I live across the street so."

"I'm just kidding I know he was at the cemetery with James. He's drunk, isn't he?" She didn't seem shocked, as if it were normal for Jack to come home drunk on a weekend.

"Yeah he called me to pick him up."

"He always gets drunk this time of year. I think it's mostly with the encouragement of James, but considering its only one day a year, I guess as a mom I can't complain. When Amy died, he took it really hard because they were so close. I know I work too much, and he is more of an adult than he is supposed to be, but I do it, so he has everything he needs, you know. He grew up too fast after his dad left. He insists working at that diner to help me with the bills and I know I shouldn't let him do that, but it's hard being a single mom. He works so hard to be the perfect kid with good grades, no parties, and working all the time. I worry he's wasting away some of the most fun years of his life because he holds all this responsibility. I just wish he would be a kid. And then Amy died and it's like he's been punishing himself. He won't talk about it, not even with me, and I doubt him and James talk about it. After all they are still just kids who haven't learned how to deal with grief yet."

"Don't blame that on yourself. He turned out good because you raised him that way not because he feels like he has to be. You're a good mom. Hell, I wish my mom was more like you. You care and you do everything you can to take care of him."

"Sometimes I wish there was more that I could do. I barely even get to see him because I'm always working."

"You work because you have to and there is nothing wrong with that. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure honey."

"What happened to Amy?" It was a question that had been burning in the back of Clarkes mind since she had heard the name.

"I think you should talk to Jack about that, it wouldn't be the same coming from me." It wasn't exactly what Clarke wanted to hear, but she knew his mom was right.

"Okay, but can I ask you one more thing?" His mom nodded and Clarke knew she wanted to know everything she could about Amy.

"Amy was James' sister, right?"

"Yeah, twin actually. Her, Jack, and James were always together when they were kids and it was no different when they got to high school." This new piece of information was something she already knew, but the confirmation helped a bit.

"Thanks, I'm gonna head on home."

"You're welcome to stay here tonight. I'm sure Jack would appreciate you being here in the morning."

"I think I should go home, thank you for the offer though."

"Of course, get home safe."

As soon as Clarke got in the car her mind went rampant with thoughts. Jack had kissed her. Freaking kissed her. It wasn't like she was against it, but she hadn't been prepared for it. He didn't even think that he liked her let alone wanted to kiss her. She thought they were just friends. With everything that was going on for him right now, he didn't need her drama. She needed to leave him alone. Keep him away from everything she was getting herself into. She was looking for a murderer not someone who just stole her bike. They had stolen part of her life and while she would never let that go, it didn't mean he had to follow her. She needed to stay away, for his own good. The last thing he needed was more emotional baggage. It was final, she would avoid him, and she would do it for the very reason that he kissed her, because she cared about him.

She prayed that her parents were already asleep so she wouldn't get grilled about where she was, but when she saw her father's office light on, she knew she wasn't so lucky. As soon as she walked in the door her father was out of his office and staring at her with disapproval. He didn't need to say anything to her, she already knew she was in trouble.

"Where have you been?" She half-expected the accusation in his tone, but at the end of the day it still stung a little.

"I picked a friend up and took him home. He doesn't have a car and he was right across the street."

"He can't be much of a friend if he can't even responsibly plan to get home by himself." Clarke couldn't help but be a little frustrated at the total lack of relation those two statements had.

"Are you serious right now?" Clarke saw the anger in his eyes flare up before he pounded on the wall.

"Do not speak to me that way I am your father."

"Some father you are."

"How dare you." His eyes were wild and for a moment it looked like he was going to hit her, something she had never seen before. Then she noticed the faint smell of whiskey. What was with her and running into drunk people today?

"How dare I what? Be a good friend and take someone home safely. Or how dare I ruin your campaign? Now you're all washed up with no future boo hoo, fucking get over it. I went to juvie. People around this town think I murdered one of my friends and you were nowhere to defend me. You threw me to the wolves, didn't even hire me an attorney. I had to use a public defender who tried to get me to plead guilty even though I told him I was innocent. So how dare you. You can take your drunk ass and go fuck yourself." At this point Clarke was crying and full on yelling and her father just stood there even angrier than before.

"You little piece of shit. You aren't my daughter and if it weren't for your mother you wouldn't be living here right now."

"It's a good thing I don't consider you a father then." With that Clarke just walked away with no remorse. When she got to the stairs, she saw her sister sitting there with her eyes wide open.

"You wanna say something too?" She just shook her head and hugged her.

"I'm sorry sis."

"Me too," and then she released her and walked to her room.