Chapter 7 #4
Jack leapt out of his seat. “No! You can’t—”
Mr. Zarin calmly put a palm up to stop Jack’s outburst. “I know.” His voice was stern as he repeated, “I know.”
His heart still racing, Jack slowly sank back down onto the stool.
There was something there, something in Mr. Zarin’s eyes that told Jack that maybe he did know.
Sometimes it was hard to remember that adults had once been kids too.
He didn’t know a thing about Mr. Zarin’s childhood or what he’d been through to shape him into the man he was today.
But…something told Jack that their situations might not be all that different.
“It’s sad and unfortunate, but there are men in this world who will never change, never see the harm they are doing.
Or worse, they do see it and they choose to ignore it.
” Mr. Zarin crossed his arms over his chest. “My father was one of those men. I was lucky, though, because I had a grandfather who saw and stepped in to rescue my mom and me. Do you have other family, Jack? Anyone else you can go to?”
Jack wanted to deny the truth, but the words got caught in his throat. Just like the first day of school when Mrs. Zarin had confronted Jack, he felt like he owed this man his honesty. After all, he’d confided in Jack what Jack was sure not many people knew or guessed about his childhood.
Slowly, Jack shook his head. “I tried. They… They don’t want anything to do with us.”
The expression on Mr. Zarin’s face was sad, but not surprised. “I’m sorry to hear that. Now, will you tell me about your father? I know your mom abandoned you, even though there are many in town who believe her to be dead.”
“She walked out on us.” Hatred for his mom that he tried to keep buried started to rise up. The word ‘abandoned’ struck a chord inside him. “I begged her to take Lilly away, but she just…” His voice cracked. “She left us.”
“Have you heard from her since?”
Jack shook his head. “I don’t know where she is or what she’s doing. If I did, I might risk tracking her down and taking Lilly to her.” He’d never told anyone that before, not even Jenna. Maybe if their mom saw how badly Lilly needed her, she might change her mind.
“What’s your dad’s relationship like with Lilly?”
Jack had a feeling he knew what Mr. Zarin was really asking. It was the same question Jenna had asked in a roundabout way. His answer was the same. “Nonexistent. He refuses to have anything to do with her.”
“Is she in danger with him?”
As much as Jack hated to admit it, he nodded.
“Are you?”
Jack stiffened, straightening on the stool. That was not something anyone had ever asked him before. “Lilly’s the one who needs looking after,” he said defensively.
“Oh, of that, I have no doubt,” Mr. Zarin agreed. “But that doesn’t answer my question. Are you in danger?”
Jack tried to swallow around the lump in his throat. He didn’t know what it was Mr. Zarin was after. Truth or lie, it changed nothing. “I’m…careful,” Jack finally said. “I’ve learned how to avoid him.”
“And what would happen on a day when you aren’t so careful?” Mr. Zarin pressed.
That lump in his throat got bigger. “I guess it would depend on how much he’s had to drink.”
Mr. Zarin scratched at his jaw where a five o’clock shadow was forming. “I appreciate your honesty, Jack. I know admitting any of this can’t be easy.”
It had certainly felt easier when he’d told Jenna. Jack just nodded in response.
“I want to ask you a question, Jack. I mean no offense when I do, so please consider your answer before you give it. If you could get Lilly safely out of your home, what would you be willing to give up?” Jack’s eyebrows drew down.
Give up? What did he mean by that? But Mr. Zarin continued without Jack having to voice his question.
“Would you, say, stop seeing Ms. Scanlon?”
Jack’s heart started beating erratically in his chest. He felt the delicious brisket he’d eaten only hours before turn uncomfortably in his stomach. “Are you asking me if I would break up with Jenna if it meant Lilly’s safety?”
Mr. Zarin nodded. “I am asking what you are willing to sacrifice for your sister. If it meant she had a safe home, food on the table, new clothes, and a loving household?”
Though his heart hurt, he answered honestly, “Anything.”
“Even if it meant you couldn’t see Ms. Scanlon again?”
Jack closed his eyes and nodded. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep his dinner down if he opened his mouth. It would kill him, an impossible choice, but he wouldn’t sacrifice his sister’s safety for his own happiness.
“And what if I told you that Lilly would have such a home, but you would have to stay with your father? That you couldn’t see her again? Would your answer still be the same?”
Bile rose up. Jack clamped his mouth shut in an effort to keep it down. But, again, he nodded.
Silence fell for a long minute before Jack felt a strong hand on his shoulder.
He looked up to see Mr. Zarin standing over him.
“You have a good heart, Jack. One day, you’re going to be an honorable, formidable man.
I’m sorry I upset you with my questions.
” He held out a bottle of water to Jack. “Here, drink this and I’ll explain.”
Jack accepted the plastic bottle. Cracking it open, he immediately felt parched. Several sips later, he still wasn’t sure he felt any better.
“Jack, I need you to understand where I’m coming from. My wife means everything to me. I will do anything to protect her. She has her heart set on helping you and Lilly, and I will not see it broken because of an unruly teenage boy that I don’t know.”
Swallowing more water, Jack risked opening his mouth. “I don’t understand.”
“Mrs. Zarin wants to help you and Lilly, but she wouldn’t be the woman I love if she didn’t also try to help your father.
” Mr. Zarin shook his head. “I know the type and I don’t believe there is help for your father, or that he deserves it even if there was.
And I won’t risk you or Lilly getting caught in the crosshairs.
I needed to see what sort of person you are, Jack, before I invited you into my home. ”
Jack froze. “What?”
“It doesn’t have to be permanent and I am certainly not going to force you.
However, I ask that you hear me out before you reject my offer.
Jack, I want you and Lilly to come live here with Mrs. Zarin and me.
I know we’re not your parents, but we do care.
Both of you would be safe here. You wouldn’t have to work yourself to the bone to survive.
You would have food, your own room, clothes… ”
“What’s the catch?” Jack asked nervously. “I would have to stop seeing Jenna?”
Mr. Zarin shook his head. “No, that was only a hypothetical. As I said, I needed to see what sort of person you are. Not many would sacrifice their own happiness so selflessly, Jack. I know what Mrs. Zarin has told me about you, but I needed to see it for myself. Can you forgive me for testing you so cruelly?”
Jack’s head was spinning. “You want Lilly and me to come live here, with you?”
Mr. Zarin nodded.
“No strings attached?”
“There would be house rules,” Mr. Zarin clarified. “Curfew, homework, chores, and the like. Above all, you will respect Mrs. Zarin. I will not accept any funny business around her.”
Jack nodded, because that would have never happened regardless of the rule. “I just… I’m trying to wrap my head around what it is you’re saying. You want Lilly and me to come live with you? Free of charge?”
Mr. Zarin nodded. “We would not charge you rent if that’s what you’re asking.”
“And our dad?”
“Well, legally, he’s still your dad. Technically, unless we bring the law into it, it wouldn’t change anything. Your parents would still have legal rights to you until you’re eighteen. But you said that he doesn’t claim Lilly. Do you think he would have an issue with you coming to live with us?”
“I don’t see why. It’s not like he gets anything from us living with him. In fact, it would be cheaper for him if we weren’t. I’m not even sure he’d notice if we don’t tell him.”
Was he stupid to even be considering this? His heart was still racing at the consideration.
“Jack, I don’t want you to jump into anything.
How about this? Stay the weekend with us.
I’ll take you in the morning to pick up some things, just in case your dad is there.
I know what I’m proposing is unorthodox, but I’ve also been in your shoes.
I know what it feels like to be without a lifeline.
” He patted Jack on the shoulder. “You’ve done a phenomenal job and I’m not disputing that.
I’m merely offering a way out. You can quit your jobs and live your life. ”
The weekend. Two whole days of food, a roof over their heads, safety…
“Mr. Zarin?”
“Yeah, Jack?”
“Are we a package deal?”
The man shook his head. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, would you take Lilly even if I didn’t come live here too?”
Mr. Zarin tilted his head slightly. “If that’s what you chose to do, I will respect that. But you’re always welcome, Jack. I don’t want you to feel like you’re not.”
Jack nodded. “I get that, I do. It’s just…
” That lump in his throat was back. “I need to know she’s taken care of, no matter what.
I have plans once I turn eighteen. To take her away, I mean.
It’s just… It’s hard to raise that sort of money.
But if she’s here, I can work more. Maybe even drop out of school. I can—”
“Jack!” Mr. Zarin took his shoulders roughly, turning him on the stool so they were nose to nose. “You are not listening to me. You deserve to be a kid! You are not Lilly’s father! It is not your responsibility to sacrifice your life for hers!
“What I am offering you does not come with an expiration date. Lilly is not welcome here only until you turn eighteen. She’s welcome here always.
You are welcome here always. There are no conditions.
You,” Mr. Zarin shook him slightly, “do not have to worry about food, clothing, anything. For either of you. Do you understand what I am saying?”
Before Jack could answer, Mr. Zarin pulled him against his chest. Jack couldn’t remember the last time a grown man had hugged him.
He wasn’t even sure if John Duncan had ever hugged him, even as a young boy.
The bear hug made Jack stiffen, unsure how to react, but it was Mr. Zarin’s next words that broke the dam.
“You have the chance at greatness, Jack. That heart of yours is going to do wonders for this world. But there’s a difference, albeit a fine one, between being selfless and being a martyr.
You’re too young to understand it yet, so trust me on this.
It’s okay to lean on others for help. It’s okay to ask for help.
It does not make you weak. But perhaps I shouldn’t have asked you what you are willing to give up for your sister’s health and safety.
Perhaps the better question is, what are you willing to let go of for yours? ”