Sorry Dude, Wrong Number pt. 2

Dead

The mostly empty sandwich shop is dead silent as the two men stare at either side of the table in front of them. Their sitting across from each other, unsure of what to say, or if there's anything to be said.

Jack knows Alex wants to talk, but he's not sure if he's ready to listen. He has so many questions about everything that happened in the past few months.

Alex isn't even sure where to start. So when it's obvious Jack isn't going to speak first, Alex puts it in the bluntest of statements.

"I have a kid."

That catches Jack's attention. They both knew Alex had a child before they were even married. They just didn't think it would ever really effect them at all.
So now that they've since gotten a divorce, it seems strange that the kid would suddenly need to be involved in their lives.

"D-do you mean her kid?" Jack doesn't know how to phrase, and Alex doesn't miss the way his voice wavers.
"Yeah," Alex sighs. "Her whole family was murdered or something. Kid was at daycare."
"So why do you have the kid?"
"She doesn't have any other family. I had to- to either leave you and raise her on my own with my parents or- or leave her in foster care."

The silence falls over them once more as Alex's words weigh over them. Jack has more questions now than he did before.

"Why did you have to leave me?" Jack's voice sounds small, like he's afraid of the answer.
Alex is just as afraid of Jack's reaction. He gulps before responding. "My parents said since I filed the restraining order against her, they got custody. But they didn't want to raise her, so they called me and said- they said I had to chose between her or you."
"So you chose your rapists kid?" Jack doesn't mean for the words to sound so harsh, he's just frustrated by all this. "Are you kidding me?"

Alex closes his eyes tightly, trying to keep himself from bursting into tears. "I- I couldn't abandon her. My parents basically disowned me when they found out I was gay and then- and I can't let an innocent little kid go through something like that!"

Jack shakes his head. He doesn't know what to say or think. Some kid Alex had just met was more important than the love of his life? Seriously?
Then again, his reasoning makes sense. At least Jack thinks so, anyway.

"So why come back now?" Jack spits. "Why not before the divorce? Why not just tell me everything from the beginning so I could least know you weren't fucking suicidal?"

Alex didn't know the answer himself. Well... he kinda did. He didn't want to lose the kid, and his parents wouldn't give him full custody until the divorce was finalized. Plus, Alex knew Jack would have done anything he could to convince him to stay, and this was a decision Alex had to make. As to why he didn't come back after it all? Well... he just didn't have the heart. And it all sounds so far fetched and unbelievable that Alex was almost positive Jack wouldn't believe him. As to why Alex is back now? Well... that's simple. He panicked.

"My parents are dead," he barely squeaks. And it's then that Jack realizes Alex wasn't lying when he said he needed help. "A-and I can't raise a kid on my own." Tears are starting to pour from his eyes as he rambles on. "I mean. I've been doing a good job for the past few months, but she's either at daycare or with my parents and I barely have time off! I- I mean I guess I got everything my parents had, so money isn't so much of an issue now, but... but I can't just quit my shitty job or- or ask for less hours or anything. I-"

Alex hadn't noticed Jack had gotten up from the seat across from as he covered his face with his hands. But when he felt the seat next to him move and familiar arms wrap around him, Alex couldn't help but look up with a tear stained and snotty expression as Jack pulled him tighter into a hug.
That just made Alex cry even more.

After all that bullshit and heartache Jack still comforts him? For what? What has Alex done to deserve this? All he's done in the last five months is fuck over their marriage and future and turn Jack's entire life upside down.
And yet here Jack is, hugging Alex as if nothing had even happened.

But eventually Jack does pull away, only to hand Alex a napkin with a smile. "You know your story sounds really stupid?"
Alex laughs a little as he wipes away snot and tears. "Yeah. Yeah, it really does."
"These past few months must've been hell for you, huh?"
Alex snorts. "Don't think I didn't notice how thin you are." Jack rolls his eyes, though his expression turns dark, despite his small smile.

"I'm sorry," Alex says after a few minutes of quiet. "That doesn't erase anything at all, but right now it's all I can say. And I really, really mean it."
"I know you do. It's just... a lot," Jack explains. "I just wish you could have told me sooner."
"Me too."