Chapter 104: JD
*When someone is going through a storm, your silent presence is more powerful than a million empty words. – Thelma Davis*
JD wasn’t sure where to go, but he knew he had to leave the house. He needed to get out and he needed to give Dean some space. He texted his coach and told her the basics of what was going on. She texted back with the code to the pool. And her regular sarcastic comment.
*Don’t drown yourself. You wouldn’t believe the paperwork involved in that.*
Smirking, he headed to the pool and let himself in. He changed into his practice suit and then dove into the pool. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been doing laps, but as he came up for air at the end of the pool, he saw coach Jenkins standing at the edge of the pool.
“I haven’t drowned myself yet.” He said as he pulled his goggles and swim cap off.
“Good.” She dropped a towel on the diving block. “I brought you some lunch.”
“Thanks.” JD said pulling himself out of the pool.
‘Don’t get too excited.” She warned as she walked over to the table that had the fast-food bag and drinks on it. “I was dying for some fries.”
“I’m a teenaged boy, I’ll take any food.” He admitted drying off on his way over to the table. He tossed his goggles and cap on the table before sitting down.
“How are you doing?” she asked, handing over a Big Mac and a large fry.
“I … I don’t know what to do, what to say.”
“Just be there.” She said, looking at the drinks and then handing him the tea. “But that’s not what I asked.”
“Lost.” He let out a sigh. “What if something happens to mom? She’s just finally finding herself and happiness.”
“Is she sick?”
Shaking his head, he grabbed some fries. “She’s pregnant.”
“That’s cool. Not your dad?”
“No. Her new boyfriend. What if it doesn’t work out?”
She grinned at her student. “I’ll tell you a secret. I met my husband on a weekend girls’ trip and married him.”
“The same weekend?” he laughed.
“We met on Friday and Sunday morning; I woke up with a hangover and a husband.”
“Rock on, coach.” He offered her a grin and she smiled back as they bumped fists.
“You don’t need to be telling anyone else about that.” She told him. “But facing mortality is something that we all have to do at some point. How are your group sessions going?”
“Good. I didn’t go this week. I thought that I’d go talk to Olivia after here.”
“Needed to burn some energy?”
“Yeah.”
She nodded and they finished their lunch in a comfortable silence. When they were done, she gathered their trash and then told him that his pool time was up. JD showered and changed and when he left the locker room, he was the only one there again.
Stopping by the Family Advocacy Center, he talked to Olivia for a few minutes between her scheduled appointments.
“The best thing that you can do, is let her know that you’re there for her.” Olivia had advised. She handed him a card with her work cell phone number on it. “Call me anytime that you need me.”
That night, Dean stayed in her room and refused to come out for dinner. Helen made a plate and placed it in the fridge in case she got hungry. JD watched as Reese tried to get her to come out. They talked through the door for a few minutes and then she opened the door and Monster came out.
By ten o’clock, Reese and Helen were back over in their house and JD was watching a movie in his room. Monster lay on the bed with his head on JD’s legs. He was gently massaging the dog’s head as they both watched the TV.
Down the hall, a door opened, and then bare feet shuffled down the hall. Monster’s ears perked up and his cropped tail began to move, and his rump soon followed. Dean walked into the room and went to the far side of the bed. JD flipped the covers back and she crawled up into the bed. Placing an arm around her shoulders, he covered her up with the blanket.
“I’m sorry.” Dean whispered and her lips were trembling.
“It’s okay.” He said pulling her close.
“No, it’s not.” The tears started coming again and he wrapped her up in his arms. Monster crawled across his leg to get to Dean. “Hey, baby.” She reached over and scratched his cheek.
“Baby, I know you’re hurting.”
“But I’m not a bitch.”
JD kissed her temple and let out a deep breath. “I know you’re not. I never thought that you were.”
“Can I stay here tonight?”
“Always, baby.”
“Will you go with me tomorrow?” she asked as she laid her head on his chest.
“Of course.” He told her.
They sat in the bed with the only light coming from the movie on the TV. JD held her and let her cry. He rested his chin on her head and was only vaguely aware of Tony Stark flying across the screen.
“I miss her.” Dean whispered after a while.
“I’m sorry that I won’t get to know her.” He admitted as he reached for the remote and turned the TV off. “Monster, you have to move.”
The gray dog went and curled up at the foot of the bed. Giving a loud sigh to let the humans know he was not happy. Neither of them could help the small laugh at his expense.
“I’m never going to get him to sleep in his room again.”
“That’s okay.” JD said as they moved into a spooning position. “The bed is big enough for all three of us.”
“Thank you.” She whispered, linking their fingers together.
“For what?”
“Just being here. Even when I was a bitch.”
“Just promise me that you’ll be here when I go to the Navy.” He said softly into her hair.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
