Smoke & Lightning, Heavy Metal Thunder [2/?]
Title: Smoke And Lightning, Heavy Metal Thunder (2/?)
Authors: bloody_adorable and eviltwin
Fandoms: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jensen Ackles / Jared Padalecki.
Rating: PG all the way to NC-17 in future chapters.
Wordcount: 2,833
Summary: AU. Jared's a classic case of rich kid gone wrong, whose only sense of family comes from his motorbike, the guy he rents a garage from to live in and the precinct cops who know his face better than most already. Jensen's a hard-working student whose family are helping push him towards great things. What happens when their two worlds collide, and will Jared's troublesome nature be too much for Jensen to handle?
Disclaimer: None of the following is true in any way, and no profit is made from this work of fiction.
CHAPTER TWO
Jensen returned to school the following day, still sore, but determined to catch up with his schoolwork. His father had started in on him, as predicted, but Jensen's mom had somehow calmed him down. Jensen promised that he would work extra hard to make up for the loss of his books and adamantly refused to identify the men that had mugged him. He told them that he'd been at the library all day, too, thinking that admitting to being over at Jared's place for all that time was maybe not a great idea. Jared's lesson had been fascinating and he had only just remembered to extend his mom's invitation to dinner when Jeffrey had returned home from work. However, what he had learned about the bikes Jared was working on now had to be replaced by names and figures and theories. He met with Chris at lunch, gave his friend the bullshit story about being mugged and hoped he'd leave it at that. Chris didn't.
He simply waited until Jensen had finished and then said, "Doug, right?"
Jensen couldn't even find it in himself to argue. He just nodded, defeated. "How did you know?"
"'Cause I know a mugging don't leave you looking like you look right now. That and my girl heard Doug talking about it on the football field. He's a real son of a bitch, and the next time I see him-"
"You'll do nothing," Jensen interrupted. "There's no point in sinking to his level. But thanks for offering anyway."
"Don't mention it. But you can't just keep ignoring it and pretend it ain't happening. If he keeps getting away with this shit, he's gonna keep doing it."
"Thanks, Chris. I got it." Jensen turned all his attention to his lunch then, hearing Chris sigh and start on his own. "I think this whole episode persuaded my mom that I need my own car. That I can't keep relying on Josh all the time. My dad gave him hell when he found out that I'd been waiting for him."
"I was wondering why he looked so pissed off this morning."
"Who, Josh?"
"No, your dad. 'Cause it means he has to break Ackles tradition and buy you a car before you hit twenty-one."
Jensen tilted his head, conceding that Chris had a good point. Alan Ackles was not a fan of parting with his dubiously-earned money, unless it had something to do with his sons' future careers. Jensen's mother didn't mind spending it quite so much, but he knew she'd have to convince his father. "I doubt he will. Mom might argue with him, but he'll stick to his guns. He doesn't want me to have any freedom that might jeopardise my studying."
"Oh, yeah, that's right." Chris grimaced. "What the hell are you going to do come graduation? Is he going to allow you to celebrate?"
Jensen laughed. "Of course, but it'll be a strictly formal affair. Black ties and plenty of his golf buddies telling me all about their day's surgeries. And dad'll remind me about how I can't screw around over the summer since he's paying for me to go to med school and all."
"Cool, am I invited?"
"I'm counting on you to save me, man!"
"No problem, Jen. No problem. So, what're you doing tonight? After, y'know...Studying. Steve said something about a few beers at his place, maybe get the guitars out?"
"I can't tonight, sorry. My mom made me invite a couple of guys over for dinner."
Chris's eyes went wide at that statement. "You told her about-"
"No! Jesus! She doesn't need that on top of everything else to worry about. Besides, she'd tell my dad and he'd murder me. Or castrate me. I don't know what's worse. It's these two guys that helped me out the other night, after Doug..." He waved vaguely at his face. "Anyway, she said I had to thank them properly and her and dad want to thank them in person, so I had to invite them round." Jensen pulled a face at his sandwich. "She made me take them flowers."
"Oh, cause..you know, that's not gay at all."
"Not really. But they're not really flowers and dinner kind of guys. I think he just said yes out of politeness."
"Or maybe he fancies your mom."
Jensen groaned. "Don't, please. Don't make this worse. The other guy, the one that found me? He's really hot. I have to sit at dinner with him and pretend like everything's normal. Chris, he's got these tattoos and these nipple rings-"
"Wait, when did you see his nipple rings?"
"Yesterday, when I took those stupid flowers. He's working on his bike and he's got his shirt off and he turns to me, and the next thing you know I'm staring at his damned chest and he's just standing there and letting me. I almost expected him to say something, but he pretty much ignored me. Until he got to decide that he was going to teach me everything he knows about bikes. The point is, I don't think I'll be able to stand it. Not sitting there and pretending I don't just want to jump him. Which I kind of better not do, because he's got to be straight and he'd probably kick my ass even if he wasn't."
"Do you want me to come over and rescue you?"
"Tempting as that idea is, I'd really better say no. My mom wouldn't like it."
Chris shrugged. "Sure. Call me after, yeah?"
Jeffrey straightened his tie, glancing in the mirror to where Jared was sprawled on his couch, flicking a coin between his fingers. "Are you going to get ready or do I have to drag your sorry ass up to that bathroom and wash you myself? You ain't too old, Jay."
"Why are you even going to this rich kid's stupid-ass dinner party?" Jared asked, not moving his attention from the coin. Jeffrey strode over and grabbed it out of his hand, ignoring his protests.
"It's not a dinner party. It's just dinner. And we are both going."
"Like hell I am," Jared huffed, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Like hell you're not. We were both invited."
"Doesn't mean we both have to go."
"You know, you're right. You don't have to go. Matter of fact, they'd probably be pretty relieved to know that you're not going."
Now he looked indignant. "Why?"
"Well, Jay, I mean...Look at you."
"What's wrong with me?"
Jeffrey shook his head, indicating Jared's torn jeans and oil-stained teeshirt. "You're a mess. It's probably better that you just stay here. Maybe I can bring you back a piece of pie or something."
Jared considered this. "What kinda pie they got?"
"Hell, I don't know. It's the Ackles family. Probably every damn kind. Don't you want to see how Jensen's doing, anyway? Maybe he has a cute brother."
"Oh, yeah, the mythical Josh who never came to pick him up. I don't need to find my sex-life out of that family, thanks. I remember Ackles's involvement the last time I went to jail."
Jeff frowned, gritting his teeth for a second. "Juvie, not jail. It's different. And you ain't going back there if I can help it. Just go and find a shirt and some decent pants...You do own some, I bought you the damned things, so I should know. Go get dressed. We're leaving in a half hour."
"But, the bike-"
"Jay."
"I'm not done with-"
"Shut up. Go get ready."
Jared sighed heavily and got to his feet. "Fine. Whatever. Just remember I'm doing this for you."
Jeffrey clouted the back of his head as he went past, telling him it wasn't a favour and he'd better hurry up.
When Jared returned from the bathroom Jeffrey breathed a sigh of relief. Yes, the shirt could be a little less tight and a little more respectable, but at least it had buttons and it was clean and ironed. And the pants weren't denim, which was an improvement. He knew he wouldn't get him to wear a tie, but at least the boy looked semi-decent. Good enough to eat with the Ackles family, anyway. He just hoped Alan wouldn't recognise the kid and say something. Unlikely, he knew. Jared had been fourteen the last time their paths had crossed, and he had grown up a hell of a lot since then.
Jared followed him outside, then quickly ran back into the garage to grab his leather jacket. Jeffrey shook his head, but Jared threw the jacket on anyway. He gave in, growling at the boy to get in the damn car.
The only thing Jeffrey said to Jared before he rang the doorbell of the Ackles house was to be polite and mind his manners. He promised he would, to Jeffrey's relief, and then the door was pulled open and a petite girl stood there, not much older than twelve by the look of her.
"Uh..Sorry, do we have the right.."
The girl ignored him, turning to yell back into the house. "Mom! Jen's friends are here!" Then she looked back at them, eyes lingering on Jared, before stepping aside and asking them in as her mother appeared in the hallway.
Donna shook Jeffrey's hand and tried to shake Jared's, but he took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles gently. "A real pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
Her cheeks flushed slightly and she drew her hand away, slowly. "You must be Jared. Jensen's very thankful to you for helping him out."
Jared nodded and thanked her, wondering why Jensen would neglect to tell his mother the whole story. Jared pretty much kidnapped her son to get himself out of trouble and apparently that made him some kind of hero. "It was no trouble, Mrs. Ackles. And it was real nice of you to invite us both over."
"It's the least we could do. My husband wanted to meet the men who helped Jen." Her face clouded, just a little. "He's not exactly the most trusting of men, but that's more to do with his job than anything else. Anyway, enough standing around in the hallway. Come on through, we're about ready to eat."
In the dining room, Jared waited patiently while Mrs Ackles went round the table introducing them to Jensen's father, his brother and his little sister - the girl who'd opened the door. When she went to sit down, Jared held her chair for her and then took his own with a quick grin toward Jeffrey. Jensen simply sat there and looked mostly like he wanted to be anywhere but at the dinner table. Mackenzie kept looking furtively at Jared while eating her dinner, Joshua asked questions about Jared's job which he answered most graciously without ever revealing that he wasn't technically employed and Alan said very little while his wife talked to Jeffrey about Jensen's school work and their hope that he would become a surgeon.
All the while, Jared kept true to his word. He was polite. Overly polite. Jeffrey realised halfway through the main course that Jared was doing it on purpose, because he sounded more fake with every sentence he said. Nobody else seemed to notice, or perhaps they just thought this was exactly what Jared was like.
Finally the course was over and Donna and Alan both picked up dishes and headed out of the dining room, at which point Jeffrey kicked Jared under the table.
"What the hell was that for?"
"You know what you're doing. Cut it out. I will gut you if you don't."
"Jeff, we have company." Jared nodded towards Jensen and his siblings, but Jeffrey just lowered his voice and leaned in closer.
"I'm serious, Jared. I know what you're doing and you damn well better stop it now."
"You told me to be polite. I'm being polite."
"Yes, exactly. I said polite. Not patronising."
Jared narrowed his eyes. "Fine."
"Fine." Then Jeffrey turned to the other three and apologised, though he wasn't sure anyone but Jensen noticed, since his brother and sister were both trying not to crack up too loudly at the exchange. Jensen, however, was just staring at them and looking vaguely worried. He practically jumped in his seat when his mother came back in, carrying a large dish piled with cheeses and crackers.
"Here we go! Help yourselves, everyone!"
Jared watched Donna get the dish situated on the table and then slowly turned to Jeffrey. "You said there'd be pie."
Mackenzie gulped loudly, swallowing down a laugh at Jared's emphasis, and quickly took a drink of water so she could calm down. Jeffrey felt like putting his head in his hands and willing himself elsewhere. Instead he just kicked Jared again, out of sight, and said, "I'll get you some pie on the way home."
He was glad when dinner was over. Gladder still that Alan had retreated to his study. Mackenzie went to her room to study and Jensen and his brother - mostly his brother - insisted that Jared come check out their game system. He followed them, happy to leave Jeffrey alone with Donna.
Jeffrey was not so happy about that. It wasn't that he didn't like Donna, it was just that women made him a little nervous. Married women more so. He could never be sure what they were thinking and it had been, well, a very long time since he had tried to talk to a woman on his own without some kind of dutch courage. He found it difficult to know what to say. Donna, however, started the conversation without any preamble. She poured him a coffee and said,
"So, your son is kind of... Is it hard work looking after him?"
"I'm sorry?"
"I just admire families that don't let things like...like that get in the way. He's a lovely boy. Lovely manners. You've raised him well."
Jeffrey's eyes widened in understanding. He had to try not to laugh. She'd mistakenly interpreted his open politeness as him being a little slow. He had no idea why one thing would equate to the other, but he didn't correct her. Instead he just thanked her and gently told her that Jared wasn't his son.
"He's not? So you foster him then? I have a friend who fosters difficult children. She said it can be pretty challenging, especially when they have some kind of learning difficulty and, oh, that isn't what Jared has, is it?"
"No, he's pretty sharp. Just a bit too literal now and again. But I don't foster him. His mother and I started seeing each other as she was coming out of the relationship with his father. When she left her husband and got custody of Jared, she allowed me into his life as well. She divorced, though we never married ourselves. Her wishes were clear though, she made sure of that."
"What happened to her?" Donna asked, although it was clear from her face that she already expected the answer.
"She died. Not really unexpected, but it still kind of threw us for a loop. She'd made sure that Jared would be able to stay with me and I've been taking care of him ever since." Jeffrey decided that leaving out the whole part about Jared being taken away from him and put in other foster homes until he ended up in a Juvenile Detention Center was probably for the best. He didn't really want her mentioning it to her husband and having him make the connection, because he obviously hadn't recognised either of them over dinner. Jeffrey supposed he shouldn't be surprised. The man probably dealt with hundreds of cases just like Jared's every year. He couldn't be expected to remember every face he ever set eyes on. He was grateful for that, too.
"I'm very sorry. She must have been a wonderful lady to have a son like Jared."
Jeffrey chuckled, breaking the somber mood. "Oh, you don't know the half of it, ma'am."
Donna smiled, then looked in the direction of the den where the boys were playing a video game rather noisily. "Seems like they're having fun. I hope Jensen stays friends with Jared. He doesn't really have many, and the ones he does have are, well, musicians. Not a great influence on a boy studying to become a doctor."
Jeffrey had to bite his tongue and just nod in agreement. "No, I guess not. Anyway, dinner was great and I'd like to thank you for having us over-"
"Oh, no! This evening was all about thanking you, Jeffrey. There aren't many good samaritans left out there any more and for you to clean him up and drive him halfway across town? That's a real act of kindness."
"Well, you're welcome in that case. But we really should get going. I have an early start tomorrow and all. Thanks again."
--TBC--
Authors: bloody_adorable and eviltwin
Fandoms: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jensen Ackles / Jared Padalecki.
Rating: PG all the way to NC-17 in future chapters.
Wordcount: 2,833
Summary: AU. Jared's a classic case of rich kid gone wrong, whose only sense of family comes from his motorbike, the guy he rents a garage from to live in and the precinct cops who know his face better than most already. Jensen's a hard-working student whose family are helping push him towards great things. What happens when their two worlds collide, and will Jared's troublesome nature be too much for Jensen to handle?
Disclaimer: None of the following is true in any way, and no profit is made from this work of fiction.
CHAPTER TWO
Jensen returned to school the following day, still sore, but determined to catch up with his schoolwork. His father had started in on him, as predicted, but Jensen's mom had somehow calmed him down. Jensen promised that he would work extra hard to make up for the loss of his books and adamantly refused to identify the men that had mugged him. He told them that he'd been at the library all day, too, thinking that admitting to being over at Jared's place for all that time was maybe not a great idea. Jared's lesson had been fascinating and he had only just remembered to extend his mom's invitation to dinner when Jeffrey had returned home from work. However, what he had learned about the bikes Jared was working on now had to be replaced by names and figures and theories. He met with Chris at lunch, gave his friend the bullshit story about being mugged and hoped he'd leave it at that. Chris didn't.
He simply waited until Jensen had finished and then said, "Doug, right?"
Jensen couldn't even find it in himself to argue. He just nodded, defeated. "How did you know?"
"'Cause I know a mugging don't leave you looking like you look right now. That and my girl heard Doug talking about it on the football field. He's a real son of a bitch, and the next time I see him-"
"You'll do nothing," Jensen interrupted. "There's no point in sinking to his level. But thanks for offering anyway."
"Don't mention it. But you can't just keep ignoring it and pretend it ain't happening. If he keeps getting away with this shit, he's gonna keep doing it."
"Thanks, Chris. I got it." Jensen turned all his attention to his lunch then, hearing Chris sigh and start on his own. "I think this whole episode persuaded my mom that I need my own car. That I can't keep relying on Josh all the time. My dad gave him hell when he found out that I'd been waiting for him."
"I was wondering why he looked so pissed off this morning."
"Who, Josh?"
"No, your dad. 'Cause it means he has to break Ackles tradition and buy you a car before you hit twenty-one."
Jensen tilted his head, conceding that Chris had a good point. Alan Ackles was not a fan of parting with his dubiously-earned money, unless it had something to do with his sons' future careers. Jensen's mother didn't mind spending it quite so much, but he knew she'd have to convince his father. "I doubt he will. Mom might argue with him, but he'll stick to his guns. He doesn't want me to have any freedom that might jeopardise my studying."
"Oh, yeah, that's right." Chris grimaced. "What the hell are you going to do come graduation? Is he going to allow you to celebrate?"
Jensen laughed. "Of course, but it'll be a strictly formal affair. Black ties and plenty of his golf buddies telling me all about their day's surgeries. And dad'll remind me about how I can't screw around over the summer since he's paying for me to go to med school and all."
"Cool, am I invited?"
"I'm counting on you to save me, man!"
"No problem, Jen. No problem. So, what're you doing tonight? After, y'know...Studying. Steve said something about a few beers at his place, maybe get the guitars out?"
"I can't tonight, sorry. My mom made me invite a couple of guys over for dinner."
Chris's eyes went wide at that statement. "You told her about-"
"No! Jesus! She doesn't need that on top of everything else to worry about. Besides, she'd tell my dad and he'd murder me. Or castrate me. I don't know what's worse. It's these two guys that helped me out the other night, after Doug..." He waved vaguely at his face. "Anyway, she said I had to thank them properly and her and dad want to thank them in person, so I had to invite them round." Jensen pulled a face at his sandwich. "She made me take them flowers."
"Oh, cause..you know, that's not gay at all."
"Not really. But they're not really flowers and dinner kind of guys. I think he just said yes out of politeness."
"Or maybe he fancies your mom."
Jensen groaned. "Don't, please. Don't make this worse. The other guy, the one that found me? He's really hot. I have to sit at dinner with him and pretend like everything's normal. Chris, he's got these tattoos and these nipple rings-"
"Wait, when did you see his nipple rings?"
"Yesterday, when I took those stupid flowers. He's working on his bike and he's got his shirt off and he turns to me, and the next thing you know I'm staring at his damned chest and he's just standing there and letting me. I almost expected him to say something, but he pretty much ignored me. Until he got to decide that he was going to teach me everything he knows about bikes. The point is, I don't think I'll be able to stand it. Not sitting there and pretending I don't just want to jump him. Which I kind of better not do, because he's got to be straight and he'd probably kick my ass even if he wasn't."
"Do you want me to come over and rescue you?"
"Tempting as that idea is, I'd really better say no. My mom wouldn't like it."
Chris shrugged. "Sure. Call me after, yeah?"
Jeffrey straightened his tie, glancing in the mirror to where Jared was sprawled on his couch, flicking a coin between his fingers. "Are you going to get ready or do I have to drag your sorry ass up to that bathroom and wash you myself? You ain't too old, Jay."
"Why are you even going to this rich kid's stupid-ass dinner party?" Jared asked, not moving his attention from the coin. Jeffrey strode over and grabbed it out of his hand, ignoring his protests.
"It's not a dinner party. It's just dinner. And we are both going."
"Like hell I am," Jared huffed, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Like hell you're not. We were both invited."
"Doesn't mean we both have to go."
"You know, you're right. You don't have to go. Matter of fact, they'd probably be pretty relieved to know that you're not going."
Now he looked indignant. "Why?"
"Well, Jay, I mean...Look at you."
"What's wrong with me?"
Jeffrey shook his head, indicating Jared's torn jeans and oil-stained teeshirt. "You're a mess. It's probably better that you just stay here. Maybe I can bring you back a piece of pie or something."
Jared considered this. "What kinda pie they got?"
"Hell, I don't know. It's the Ackles family. Probably every damn kind. Don't you want to see how Jensen's doing, anyway? Maybe he has a cute brother."
"Oh, yeah, the mythical Josh who never came to pick him up. I don't need to find my sex-life out of that family, thanks. I remember Ackles's involvement the last time I went to jail."
Jeff frowned, gritting his teeth for a second. "Juvie, not jail. It's different. And you ain't going back there if I can help it. Just go and find a shirt and some decent pants...You do own some, I bought you the damned things, so I should know. Go get dressed. We're leaving in a half hour."
"But, the bike-"
"Jay."
"I'm not done with-"
"Shut up. Go get ready."
Jared sighed heavily and got to his feet. "Fine. Whatever. Just remember I'm doing this for you."
Jeffrey clouted the back of his head as he went past, telling him it wasn't a favour and he'd better hurry up.
When Jared returned from the bathroom Jeffrey breathed a sigh of relief. Yes, the shirt could be a little less tight and a little more respectable, but at least it had buttons and it was clean and ironed. And the pants weren't denim, which was an improvement. He knew he wouldn't get him to wear a tie, but at least the boy looked semi-decent. Good enough to eat with the Ackles family, anyway. He just hoped Alan wouldn't recognise the kid and say something. Unlikely, he knew. Jared had been fourteen the last time their paths had crossed, and he had grown up a hell of a lot since then.
Jared followed him outside, then quickly ran back into the garage to grab his leather jacket. Jeffrey shook his head, but Jared threw the jacket on anyway. He gave in, growling at the boy to get in the damn car.
The only thing Jeffrey said to Jared before he rang the doorbell of the Ackles house was to be polite and mind his manners. He promised he would, to Jeffrey's relief, and then the door was pulled open and a petite girl stood there, not much older than twelve by the look of her.
"Uh..Sorry, do we have the right.."
The girl ignored him, turning to yell back into the house. "Mom! Jen's friends are here!" Then she looked back at them, eyes lingering on Jared, before stepping aside and asking them in as her mother appeared in the hallway.
Donna shook Jeffrey's hand and tried to shake Jared's, but he took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles gently. "A real pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
Her cheeks flushed slightly and she drew her hand away, slowly. "You must be Jared. Jensen's very thankful to you for helping him out."
Jared nodded and thanked her, wondering why Jensen would neglect to tell his mother the whole story. Jared pretty much kidnapped her son to get himself out of trouble and apparently that made him some kind of hero. "It was no trouble, Mrs. Ackles. And it was real nice of you to invite us both over."
"It's the least we could do. My husband wanted to meet the men who helped Jen." Her face clouded, just a little. "He's not exactly the most trusting of men, but that's more to do with his job than anything else. Anyway, enough standing around in the hallway. Come on through, we're about ready to eat."
In the dining room, Jared waited patiently while Mrs Ackles went round the table introducing them to Jensen's father, his brother and his little sister - the girl who'd opened the door. When she went to sit down, Jared held her chair for her and then took his own with a quick grin toward Jeffrey. Jensen simply sat there and looked mostly like he wanted to be anywhere but at the dinner table. Mackenzie kept looking furtively at Jared while eating her dinner, Joshua asked questions about Jared's job which he answered most graciously without ever revealing that he wasn't technically employed and Alan said very little while his wife talked to Jeffrey about Jensen's school work and their hope that he would become a surgeon.
All the while, Jared kept true to his word. He was polite. Overly polite. Jeffrey realised halfway through the main course that Jared was doing it on purpose, because he sounded more fake with every sentence he said. Nobody else seemed to notice, or perhaps they just thought this was exactly what Jared was like.
Finally the course was over and Donna and Alan both picked up dishes and headed out of the dining room, at which point Jeffrey kicked Jared under the table.
"What the hell was that for?"
"You know what you're doing. Cut it out. I will gut you if you don't."
"Jeff, we have company." Jared nodded towards Jensen and his siblings, but Jeffrey just lowered his voice and leaned in closer.
"I'm serious, Jared. I know what you're doing and you damn well better stop it now."
"You told me to be polite. I'm being polite."
"Yes, exactly. I said polite. Not patronising."
Jared narrowed his eyes. "Fine."
"Fine." Then Jeffrey turned to the other three and apologised, though he wasn't sure anyone but Jensen noticed, since his brother and sister were both trying not to crack up too loudly at the exchange. Jensen, however, was just staring at them and looking vaguely worried. He practically jumped in his seat when his mother came back in, carrying a large dish piled with cheeses and crackers.
"Here we go! Help yourselves, everyone!"
Jared watched Donna get the dish situated on the table and then slowly turned to Jeffrey. "You said there'd be pie."
Mackenzie gulped loudly, swallowing down a laugh at Jared's emphasis, and quickly took a drink of water so she could calm down. Jeffrey felt like putting his head in his hands and willing himself elsewhere. Instead he just kicked Jared again, out of sight, and said, "I'll get you some pie on the way home."
He was glad when dinner was over. Gladder still that Alan had retreated to his study. Mackenzie went to her room to study and Jensen and his brother - mostly his brother - insisted that Jared come check out their game system. He followed them, happy to leave Jeffrey alone with Donna.
Jeffrey was not so happy about that. It wasn't that he didn't like Donna, it was just that women made him a little nervous. Married women more so. He could never be sure what they were thinking and it had been, well, a very long time since he had tried to talk to a woman on his own without some kind of dutch courage. He found it difficult to know what to say. Donna, however, started the conversation without any preamble. She poured him a coffee and said,
"So, your son is kind of... Is it hard work looking after him?"
"I'm sorry?"
"I just admire families that don't let things like...like that get in the way. He's a lovely boy. Lovely manners. You've raised him well."
Jeffrey's eyes widened in understanding. He had to try not to laugh. She'd mistakenly interpreted his open politeness as him being a little slow. He had no idea why one thing would equate to the other, but he didn't correct her. Instead he just thanked her and gently told her that Jared wasn't his son.
"He's not? So you foster him then? I have a friend who fosters difficult children. She said it can be pretty challenging, especially when they have some kind of learning difficulty and, oh, that isn't what Jared has, is it?"
"No, he's pretty sharp. Just a bit too literal now and again. But I don't foster him. His mother and I started seeing each other as she was coming out of the relationship with his father. When she left her husband and got custody of Jared, she allowed me into his life as well. She divorced, though we never married ourselves. Her wishes were clear though, she made sure of that."
"What happened to her?" Donna asked, although it was clear from her face that she already expected the answer.
"She died. Not really unexpected, but it still kind of threw us for a loop. She'd made sure that Jared would be able to stay with me and I've been taking care of him ever since." Jeffrey decided that leaving out the whole part about Jared being taken away from him and put in other foster homes until he ended up in a Juvenile Detention Center was probably for the best. He didn't really want her mentioning it to her husband and having him make the connection, because he obviously hadn't recognised either of them over dinner. Jeffrey supposed he shouldn't be surprised. The man probably dealt with hundreds of cases just like Jared's every year. He couldn't be expected to remember every face he ever set eyes on. He was grateful for that, too.
"I'm very sorry. She must have been a wonderful lady to have a son like Jared."
Jeffrey chuckled, breaking the somber mood. "Oh, you don't know the half of it, ma'am."
Donna smiled, then looked in the direction of the den where the boys were playing a video game rather noisily. "Seems like they're having fun. I hope Jensen stays friends with Jared. He doesn't really have many, and the ones he does have are, well, musicians. Not a great influence on a boy studying to become a doctor."
Jeffrey had to bite his tongue and just nod in agreement. "No, I guess not. Anyway, dinner was great and I'd like to thank you for having us over-"
"Oh, no! This evening was all about thanking you, Jeffrey. There aren't many good samaritans left out there any more and for you to clean him up and drive him halfway across town? That's a real act of kindness."
"Well, you're welcome in that case. But we really should get going. I have an early start tomorrow and all. Thanks again."
--TBC--