A preview of Heartbroken…

This is from the beginning of Heartbroken. It is part of a chapter and it deals with Jack soon after he learns of what happened to Julie.

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Jack staggered into the hall and tried to make his way back to Stephanie. He slid down to the floor as the air left his body.

(The past)

Jack made his way to the high school to pick Julie up. She had called Tommy to pick her up but he was about to observe a surgery that had the potential to make a difference in his career. He asked Jack if he could go and so he did.

To be honest, Jack loved this part of their little family. He certainly didn’t want Julie to be sick, but to know that she was still needed them was nice. She had turned 16 and both he and Tommy worried she didn’t need them as much.

He pulled up to the school and she came to the car, opening the door and tossing her bag in the back. She sat down and put her belt on before turning to him.

“I thought Tommy was coming,” she said and he saw the flush in her cheeks.

He sighed.

“I’m sorry. He had an opportunity to work with a top surgeon and I was done for the day.”

She smiled.

“I didn’t mean that I was disappointed. I kind of like that you came,” she said and leaned back in the seat.

“Really?” he grinned as they drove.

“Yes, really,” she said.

He pulled up to the house and they got out. She grabbed her bag and they walked in before she sat down on the couch.

“You look feverish. What’s wrong?” he went and grabbed the thermometer.

“I don’t know. I just got really tired during science and I felt a little spacey. I also had no appetite and they had jelly donuts for sale. I knew something was wrong,” she smiled and he put the thermometer under her tongue.

Jack waited and when it beeped, he sighed.

“101,” he said. “I think you have the flu.”

She rubbed her eyes and looked at him.

“I’m going to go lie down,” she said softly.

“Okay. I’ll get you some juice so you stay hydrated.”

A little while later, Jack was sitting in the family room and watching the hockey game while he read some medical books. He looked up as Julie came walking in slowly, carrying her pillow and she had tears in her eyes.

“Hey Julie Bean, what’s wrong?”

She crawled onto the couch next to him and wiped her eyes.

“I was lonely. Can I sit here with you?”

He smiled and grabbed the afghan from the back of the couch.

“I would love some company,” he said and she moved to lie down with her head on her pillow next to him. He covered her with the blanket and smoothed her hair away from her eyes.

“Can you tell me what’s bothering you?” he asked as her tears fell.

She sniffed and shrugged.

“I just miss my mom,” she said. “I don’t feel well and I want my mom, but she isn’t here. I’m also 16 and I think it’s pathetic that I can’t be sick like an adult.”

Jack smiled at her and rubbed her back.

“When I don’t feel well I still want my mom,” he said and she looked up at him. “It’s true. I don’t think you ever outgrow that need. It doesn’t have anything to do with being an adult. It’s the need for someone to take care of you, and comfort you. It’s the knowledge that someone will always be there to soothe you, no matter what.”

She smiled and wiped her eyes.

“Then I hope you don’t feel weird when I say this, but thanks, mom,” she said sincerely.

He laughed and then was choked up.

“You know, father’s can do that, too.”

“Right,” she said. “But I’ll stay with mom because it bothers you.”

He rolled his eyes and she snuggled against him.

“As long as you’re happy.”

“Jack, I hope you know how much it means to me that you’re here,” she said. “I know I tease you, but you have no idea how important you are to me. I mean, I know, no matter what, that you will always be here for me. That just means the world to me.”

“Why are you being so mushy?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I just think these things should be said. We shouldn’t hold anything back.”

Jack nodded and watched her as she fell asleep.

“I feel the same way about you,” he said and sat with her.

*****

Jade walked up and saw Jack sitting there. She didn’t say anything, she just sat next to him and pulled him into her arms.

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Thank you so much for reading! I will have some more things to share later on!