My Blue River (37 page)

Jack looked stunned. He looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut and he wasn’t quite recovering nor did he know how to respond. Harrison, however, was extending his hand and offering, “Hello. I am Adelaide’s boyfriend, Harrison Winthorpe.”

Harrison stood with his hand extended for what felt like an eternity but Jack didn’t move. He didn’t raise his hand the slightest bit. It was almost as if his entire body had been frozen by shock.

I finally spoke. “Harrison, this is my friend, Jackson Cooper. Jackson this is Harrison.”

My breathing was uneven while my heart pounded nervously. We were both trying to compose ourselves. Jack finally shook it off and joined the conversation.

“Um…Jack…just call me Jack,” I couldn’t help it. I flash-backed to the day Jack had spoken the very same words to me—to the first time we officially met. My dad introduced us and Jack said, “Just call me Jack.” He was nobody to me back then. Today, he meant everything to me. He was also the person I could not share my life with because life was unfair. I couldn’t allow myself the pleasure because I knew I didn’t deserve Jack’s love. I nervously ran my fingers through my hair.
This is so painful.

“Jack. Well then,
just Jack
,” he chuckled. “How do you know my Adelaide?”

Jack visibly winced at his words then glanced at me to read my expression, which I could only assume I looked scared. He knew at that exact moment I had never told Harrison about him and thankfully, he played along.

“I went to school with Addy. I first met her when I did some work for her parents,” he replied.

“Oh, Yes. I have heard of you. You are the handyman, correct? Adelaide told me about you,” said Harrison.

Jack’s eyebrows shot up. He smirked slightly then said, “Yeah, I’m
Jack the handyman
. I’m just the handyman.” I could hear the hurt and sarcasm culminating into something that would soon explode. “Well, nice to meet you Harry.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. No, it’s
Harrison
, not
Harry
.”

I kept opening my mouth to speak—perhaps to explain—but nothing came out. I looked back and forth between Harrison and Jack, not knowing how to react. We stood in an uncomfortable silence until Jack could no longer stand it. “Well, again, nice to meet you. If you’ll excuse me…” Jack turned and walked away muttering, “Harrison Winthorpe—sounds like a damn law firm.”

Harrison tipped his head and furrowed his brows, wondering if that’s what he had just heard. He then called out, “Nice to meet you, too.” Jack was already off in another direction.

“Excuse me, Adelaide,” said Harrison, “I’ll be right back.” I assumed he needed the restroom.
Where else would he go? It’s not like he knows anyone.

I absently muttered, “Sure, no problem.” I didn’t watch him leave, keeping my eyes on Jack’s departure.
Why am I so stubborn? There were a number of ways I could have let Jack know about Harrison!

I felt someone at my side. “Hey, what’s wrong?” asked Claire.

I replied, “I’m so stupid.”

Claire laughed as if I had just told a joke. “No, you’re not. You’re a girl in love. That’s the part that makes our brains numb. Let’s talk.”

She put her arm around me and guided me over to a table. We took a seat and I talked her ear off about how horrible I felt. I told her how I had never meant for Jack to find out about Harrison this way. I told her I was actually finding Harrison to be a complete turn off, how he’d gotten into my cell phone and how he conspired with my Mom to crash my spring break trip. Everything he did had put the nail in this relationship’s coffin. I carried on and on about the whole sordid affair until finally she smiled and stated, “You love him.”

“No, I don’t. Didn’t you hear me? I am totally turned off by him. We haven’t even dated for very long so seriously, there’s no way I love him,” I insisted.

“I don’t mean
Harrison
, you silly girl,” she added a snobbish flare to his name. “I mean, Jack. It’s written all over your face. You still love him.” She was beaming because she knew she was right.

She was right but I didn’t have a chance to respond to her because Harrison had come back from what seemed like an extremely long restroom break. I was suddenly curious as to where he had been.

“Where did you go?” I asked.

“I was with your brother. He wanted a six pack of beer so I hooked him up,” he replied.

“WHAT?!” I exclaimed as I stood to face him. “Why would you do that? I told you he’s an addict!”

“Relax, Adelaide. It is just a beer…or two…maybe three,” he snickered which further infuriated me.

“I won’t relax, Harrison, and it’s not just beer. Anything—beer, whiskey, pot—it doesn’t matter. It’s a problem for Aaron. His mind and body don’t know how to control drinking or smoking!” I knew I was drawing the attention of those around us but I didn’t care.

Harrison’s eyes flashed sparks of anger. For the second time today, his eyes turned dark and scary only in this moment, it was even more frightening. He grabbed me by the arm—he grabbed me hard. My eyes flickered to Claire, who had one eyebrow raised and was looking straight at Harrison’s firm grasp. He changed personalities in a fraction of a second and honestly, I felt frightened.

Harrison met Claire’s glare. “Would you please excuse us, Connie?”

I was trying to resist Harrison’s tug as he pulled me outside and around the side of The Barn.

“Do not ever embarrass me like that again, Adelaide,” he warned.

“Excuse me?” I was shocked at his words; shocked by his actions. The tone of his voice was mean and nasty.

His personality had changed in the blink of an eye and in this moment, I had no idea who he was and what he was capable of doing. As he leaned into my face, I smelled liquor on his breath. He didn’t just buy beer for Aaron, he sat and had a beer or two
with
Aaron.

“The way you reprimanded me in front of your friend, Connie, was embarrassing,” he spat.

“Okay, first of all, her name is Claire. Secondly, I can’t believe you went off drinking with my brother, the very brother I told you has a drinking problem! You’re twenty-one. He’s seventeen. What were you thinking?” I yelled in his face. The smell of his breath sickened me but the anger in his eyes frightened me enough that I backed off. We stood face-to-face.
I have a feeling he’ll win this stare-down.

Behind me I heard, “Is there a problem?” It was Jack. His voice was calm but firm. When I turned to face him he looked prepared to defend me. I let out a sigh of relief.

“No, Jackson, no problem at all. I am just having…a…
moment
…with my girl.” Harrison’s speech was slurred.

Jack took a few more steps toward us. Harrison forced himself upright to appear more in control of the situation but in all reality, he was beginning to look less upper-class and more like a pitiful drunk.

“Addy?” Jack searched my face. I knew he wouldn’t leave unless I convinced him I was safe.

“We’re fine, Jack, really, everything is fine,” I assured. My voice sounded clear and controlled but inside my stomach was churning.

Jack took a moment to decide if what I said was true or not. Moments later, Aaron was at Jack’s side. He had a goofy look on his face and was probably only here to find Harrison and more liquor. Jack turned and whispered something in Aaron’s ear. Whatever Jack said quickly made Aaron’s ridiculous expression fade and they walked off together. Jack made one last glance back toward us. I waved back, trying to convince him there was no need for concern, but he knew me so well there was no way he believed me.

“I think we need to go home after you sober up, Harrison.”

“I’m fine. You’re being ridiculous, Adelaide.”

I threw my hands in the air and walked back to the front door of The Barn. I felt embarrassed when I walked back inside. We muddled our way through the rest of the night the best we could until I pawned Harrison off on Zeek so I could find Claire. I spent the evening telling Claire how I couldn’t have been more wrong about Harrison. He wasn’t the mature, sophisticated, man I thought he was. He was a party boy dressed us an adult. I had heard this from others when I first met him, but dismissed it, just like everything else I swept under the rug. This couldn’t be ignored any longer. He seemed so completely different and had just come here to poke fun at the “rednecks.” I suddenly felt ashamed, knowing I was to blame. Relief washed over me as I remembered we had only come for the weekend.

********

Jack’s Journal

March 17

Addy’s spring break – my not-so-happy St. Paddy’s Day

I wonder if The Barn will mail me the shattered pieces of my heart that hit the floor tonight. Surely, they must have swept up the shards. I went there because I heard that’s where Addy would be. Her Dad and Claire both told me she would be there which I took as a hint that she wanted to see me, but they obviously didn’t know any more than I did about Addy’s “travel companion.” I went specifically to tell her I wanted to get back together. I was punched in the gut when some arrogant asshole introduced himself as Addy’s boyfriend. Her expression was that of complete discomfort. She looked out of place standing at his side. When he put his arm around her waist I wanted to tear it off and beat him with it. But I refrained. His name is Harry, no, not Harry-Harrison. He made sure I knew he was with her.

I know he isn’t a better match for her than me! He made a really stupid move tonight by buying Aaron some beer. Addy hit the roof! What really worries me is the way he dragged her outside by her arm. I saw her wince in pain and that was it for me…I went looking for them. I guess he felt like she disrespected him but who buys an addict beer? Actually, who buys a minor some beer? She did the right thing by calling him on it. When I found them outside, she said everything was fine and that she didn’t need help, but her eyes told me she was scared. I really wanted to go hold her in my arms and tell her she was safe. I wanted to rescue her from him.

I can’t let her go. I just can’t. I don’t care if there is a Harrison in the picture. I mean, if he was a man I could respect the relationship, then I would do better at letting go, but he’s a jerk. This isn’t over.

********

Jack’s Journal

Monday, March 19

Good news! I saw Addy’s dad at Brody’s today. He said she isn’t serious about Harrison. Bill doesn’t like him at all and he’s certain she is going to call off the relationship—I just gagged on the word relationship. I couldn’t believe he even talked to me about this guy but, I know he cares. Bill is a great man.

She isn’t serious—it’s probably going to end—my one ray of hope. I somehow need to be her knight in shining armor again. I want to be her hero.

********

On the day of our departure, I was rocking back and forth on the front porch swing when Aaron took a seat beside me. We rocked silently until I could no longer resist.

“Why would you do that to me?” I asked, staring straight ahead.

“Do what?” asked Aaron.

“You know what or you wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see that Aaron was looking down at his lap in shame. He felt bad and to my surprise, he offered an apology.

“I’m sorry, Addy. I shouldn’t have done that to you. But he’s twenty one, I couldn’t resist. After you guys were done talking to Jack, Harrison came over to me and said being at The Barn would be more bearable if he had a good buzz. I couldn’t help but jump on that, right?”

“He said that?” The statement reaffirmed my thoughts of Harrison.
Oh, he liked me alright
, but I had set the tone with my own comments about Blue River. I had apparently made him think he had license to come here and be critical of it and of my friends. I couldn’t believe how sad and ashamed I felt.
I’ve made a fine mess of things.