Crumbling Walls (Jack and Emily #1) (7 page)

▪▪▪

The rest of the week passed quietly, Jack still having a stray thought every now and then about what had happened with Emily the previous Saturday, but by Wednesday, those thoughts were crowded out by their upcoming Friday night date.

He showed up on time and, ringing her doorbell, it occurred to him he had never had to do that before. Usually she was waiting outside already, either leaning on the porch post or sitting on the steps. Feeling suddenly rather grown up, he stood a little straighter and made sure the flowers in his hands weren’t falling out of their tie. But, as usual, when the door opened, he forgot the world completely.

Now, usually boys get bowled over by the appearance of their dates in gorgeous dresses and heels, their hair done perfectly, make-up flawless and jewelry sparkling. Jack was done completely in by Emily opening the door dressed in a pair of jeans, her black boots, remarkably scuff free for the first time ever, and a simple burgundy sweater that nearly matched her hair.

Holding out the flowers to her, he opened his mouth like a fish a few times before the words came, “Hi.”

She took them with a smile, “Hi.” Aiming those sparkling green eyes of hers at him, “Let me just run these upstairs.” Back next to him before he could get his brain working again, she pulled her coat on, “Thanks for the flowers. They smell wonderful.”

Since it was a date, he decided he'd better get in as much hand holding as possible and sliding his fingers into hers, “Hungry?”

“Starving, but I’ve only got ten dollars on me, so we’re gonna have to go real cheap.”

Waving his wallet in the air for a second, “Dad took pity on my allowance and slipped me another 20, so tonight, everything’s on me.”

“I said I could pay for myself Jack.”

“I know you can. And I recall saying that I wasn’t going to let you, not tonight.” And with a smile that made her melt, “But I might let you buy the popcorn … maybe … if you’re nice to me.”

“Define nice.”

Squeezing her thumb, “Right now.”

▪▪▪

Dinner was eaten at an extraordinary place called Fred’s Diner. And, unlike most girls Jack had heard Tim and other guys talk about, Emily ate like a horse. Yes, there was salad involved, but also a hot dog, fries, a chocolate shake and Opa cheese.

As he watched her pack all this into her remarkably small body, “Are you sure they feed you at home?”

Looking across her plate at him, she wiggled her eyebrows, “I offered to pay, remember?”

He laughed, “Eat some more if you must. We’re still working on my dad’s cash.”

After slurping the last of her ice cream, she sat back and stared around the mostly empty diner, “Is it wrong I kind of like it in here without all the people?”

“It's a lot quieter if nothing else. Nice not to have some three-year-old bouncing on the booth behind me.”

“We could just stay here all night if you’d like?”

Pulling out his wallet, “No way. You’re not getting out of buying me that industrial size tub of popcorn.”

▪▪▪

Making it to the dollar show by nine, they found two movies starting at the same time, both of which Jack wanted to see. “Which sounds better to you?”

Emily, to be honest, had never heard of either one and told him this. He then explained a bit of each plot, and asked again, “Which one would you prefer?”

“Well, what time do you have to be home tonight? We could always just stay for both?” Pointing to the schedule, “We could watch this one, then head right into the other theater to catch the replay of the other.”

“I love how your mind works.” Pulling out his phone after paying for the first round of tickets, he called his mom, “Is it okay if I’m probably not back until around one or so? There’re two movies playing that we want to see.” After listening for a second, “Yeah, I’ll make sure she gets home safe, promise. I’ll even wait until she locks the door.”

Hanging up a minute later, he turned to her, “I honestly think she could care less about me, but she was all about making sure you were gonna get home okay.”

“You know she loves you.”

“Oh, I know. I’m just amused, that’s all.” Motioning ahead of him and holding the door, “After you.”

▪▪▪

Movies watched and popcorn consumed, they found themselves back on her porch a little before one o’clock on Saturday morning. “I think we may actually be out later than some of the people at the dance.”

“And we did it cheaper and in more comfortable clothes.”

Jack took a step closer to her, “That reminds me, did I tell you just how beautiful you look tonight?”

Wanting so badly to stand that close to him, her panic still overtook her, and she stepped back, “No you didn’t.”

Fighting the urge to follow, he stayed where he was, “Well, you look absolutely perfect tonight and I’m not just saying that ‘cause you bought me junk food.”

With a smile, “But if it helped, I may buy you some more.”

“Then would it be alright if I asked you out next Friday? Maybe we can watch a few more X-Files or something?”

Hoping the darkness would keep him from noticing her blanch, “At your house?”

“Well, that is where we keep the TV. The kids’ll probably watch with us if that’s okay?”

She breathed out slowly, “Your parents won’t mind?”

“Nah. Dad’s out of town anyway and Mom’ll watch with us, too.”

The world suddenly righted itself again, “Your mom watches?”

“Who do you think showed us our first episodes?”

▪▪▪

Fridays in Jack’s living room became the norm for Emily. She enjoyed having the younger boys around her and Elizabeth made it even more fun by really getting into the episodes, turning off all the lights and grabbing her children at just the right scary moment to make them yelp in terrified glee. Mr. Callaghan never joined them though, choosing instead to read upstairs.

Elizabeth said he didn’t get much time to get through his books, but Jack just laughed, “Come on, Mom. You know the show gives him the willies.”

She gave her son a serious-eyed stare, “Just make sure not to rib him about it, okay?”

“’Course. I’m not that evil.”

Emily was about to ask what exactly gave him the willies, but Jack gave her a look that plainly said, ‘I’ll tell you later.’

One night, after everyone had trooped upstairs for bed and Jack was about to walk Emily home, she stopped him while still on the couch, “What scares your dad?”

Jack could only shrug, “Not really sure. He watched the first few episodes, but once Skinner showed up, he stopped watching. Said he'd rather read. I guess maybe the guy who plays him reminds him of somebody. I asked once and he just told me the show was a little too disgusting for him.”

Mr. Callaghan’s voice drifted in from the kitchen, “Are you telling lies about me again, boy?”

Calling back to him, “Of course I am. What else are dads there for?”

He came into the living room, cup of tea in his hand and looked at Emily, “Don’t listen to a word he says. I’m perfect and it just kills him.”

This was the first time since the kitchen, weeks ago, that Emily had actually seen Jack’s dad. On Fridays, he was usually at work until after they had started the shows and he always yelled hello from the front hall, going immediately upstairs. Now he was approximately six feet from them and Emily felt as if she had a vice wrapped around her throat. Air wouldn’t move into her lungs and she thought they were going to explode. He looked just like he did in her nightmares and forcing herself with every ounce of strength, she sat stock still, nodding in the proper places but never looking him in the eye.

Finally, he left and Emily stood quickly, “I should probably get going.”

“Let me just find my shoes and I’ll walk you home.”

She couldn’t get out of the house fast enough but, once again, the fresh, crisp air outside brought her back down to reality and the concrete fact that she would not be sleeping that night.

Chapter 6

Tim’s birthday fell on October 16 and Jack’s on the 19th, so they always had a joint birthday party. Well, more like the immediate family got out the confetti and poppers and plenty of silly string and had a very loud and entertaining celebration for the pair, which didn’t really deviate much from a normal family dinner but at least this time there was cake … and presents.

Anyway, this year’s party took place on the 19th and Jack had asked Emily to come celebrate with them. She accepted gladly, never one to pass up cake or an evening with the family, but she also had an ulterior motive … it was her birthday as well.

She just opted not to mention it to anyone.

Waking up the morning of the 19th, she stared up at the cracked ceiling, grinning to herself. Today, she was 16. Honest-to-goodness 16.

She had made it to her 16th birthday, scarred, but still kicking.

She also wondered if he was somewhere knowing it was her birthday as well. She hoped he wasn’t. She hoped that if he was indeed still alive, he’d forgotten all about her.

But of course, she buried the possibility of his being alive at all deep down in the hidden parts of her brain.

She was 16 today and she felt as if she could conquer the world.

But first, of course, she had to conquer another day at school

▪▪▪

The party that night was indeed loud and more fun than Emily had had in a long time. She stayed on the other side of the table from Will and, seeming to sense her wariness, he respected the space. She helped devour the giant chocolate cake and her fair share of the ice cream and when they all sang ‘Happy Birthday’ she joined in, completely off-key, adding her own name silently and smiling all the while.

Eventually, after gifts and cleanup, most everyone disappeared to bed, except for Tim, who was taking Sarah to the movies. Sooner than Jack would have liked, it was quarter to midnight. Turning off the final credits of their second ‘X-Files’ episode of the evening, “I guess I ought to get you home, huh?”

Emily shrugged, not wanting to go just yet, “Maybe. But I want you to do something for me first, okay?”

“Sure. Anything.”

She’d been debating this all day, but decided to plow forward anyway, “Shut your eyes first.”

Doing as instructed, he felt her lean forward and shivered at her breath grazing his ear as she whispered, “Can you wish me a happy birthday?”

It took a second for what she said to register, but when it did, he sat back and opened his eyes, “What?”

Biting her lip, “It’s actually my birthday, too. At 11:56 tonight to be exact.”

“What?!? Why didn’t you tell anybody?”

“Shhh. You don’t want to wake the whole house, do you?”

Bringing his voice down a few notches, “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I just … didn’t.”

He quickly looked at his watch, “Well, why did you wait until there’s 12 minutes left of it before telling me?”

“I wasn’t going to tell you at all at first, but then I realized,” taking a deep breath before continuing, “I really wanted someone to wish me a Happy Birthday ‘cause it’s been the best one I’ve ever had.”

Cocking his head to one side, he shook it slightly as if to clear a few lingering cobwebs, “Well, since you did tell me that means I’ve got, what, 11 minutes now, to celebrate it with you.” Standing up, “Come here.”

After pulling her into the kitchen, he lit the candles from a few hours previous on the stove, then stuck them in the last remains of the cake. It was a rather sad looking birthday cake, but Emily thought it the most beautiful thing in the world. As he presented the plate to her, he whisper-sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and made her blow out the candles, demanding she make a wish on each one before putting out the flame.

Then, together, they finished the cake and each had a glass of milk while they sat on the couch. Her eyes were already shining when he looked at his watch, “I’ve still got five minutes. Hang on a second, I’ll be back.”

Racing upstairs as quietly as possible, he came back down a minute later, clearly holding something behind his back. Making her shut her eyes much as she had done to him minutes earlier, he laid something on her lap. “Okay, you can look. I didn’t have time to wrap it, but I blame that solely on you and your inability to inform me of your birthday.”

On her lap were new copies of the battered and horrible-looking books he’d seen her reading and re-reading over the last few months. Looking up at him, “Where did ... when?”

Going rather sheepish on her, “Well, I’ve been buying ‘em for the last month. I’ve seen the duct taped ones you read and rubber band together, so I thought I’d collect a few for you, let you actually read a book without pages missing. I was gonna give ‘em to you for Christmas, but since it’s your birthday, why wait?”

Quickly moving the books from her lap, she slid forward and wrapped her arms around him, smiling through her tears, “This is the best birthday I’ve ever had.” Hugging him tight, “And given it’s the only birthday I’ve ever had, I don’t know how to thank you.”

Pulling back from her, “What do you mean it’s the only birthday you’ve ever had?”

Heart twisting in her chest, “My mom, um, she doesn’t really do birthdays. Never has.”

With a quizzical look, “Are these your first birthday gifts, too?”

Now more than a little embarrassed, she stood, “I should be getting home. Mind walking me?”

Once again, he obeyed the subject shift, “Never. Just let me find my shoes and get a bag for you.”

“Jack?”

“Yeah?”

“Could you not tell anybody for a little while, okay?”

With a quick nod, he turned, hopefully fast enough not to notice her face crumple for a second, tears rushing to the surface then being blinked back.