Chapter 8 #2
No matter his decision, he needed to talk to Jenna. The library opened in a half hour, which meant she was probably getting ready to meet him and Lilly.
As Jack packed up the cardboard box, he wondered what it would be like to be packing up for a different reason. Maybe going to college or getting his own apartment. Even on a less permanent basis like going to a relative’s or on vacation.
If Jack was lucky enough to ever have kids, he knew down to the marrow of his bones he’d spoil them. In that, he understood Mr. Zarin.
At the last minute, he caught sight of the lion Jenna had given Lilly with her books.
Since they’d gone straight to the Zarins’ after school the day before, both their book bags were already at the house.
With the cardboard box under his arm and his hand around the stuffed lion, Jack climbed back out the window without a backward glance.
Christ, was it wrong of him to hope he never saw his bedroom again?
Mr. Zarin didn’t comment about the cardboard box. Nor did he ask Jack if he had more to go back and get if they chose to stay.
As they headed towards the heart of town, Jack asked, “Do you mind dropping me off at the library? Jenna usually meets us there on Saturday mornings.”
“Do you want to go back and pick up Lilly first?”
Jack hesitated. After he dropped Jack off at the library, he would most likely be heading back to his house.
Jack wanted to be alone with Jenna, to talk with her and to simply be, but did he trust the Zarins enough to leave Lilly alone with them?
He was deeply considering moving his sister and himself into their house.
If he didn’t trust them, then obviously he shouldn’t be.
But it still went against the grain to leave Lilly behind.
But it wasn’t like he was leaving her on the side of the road somewhere. He wouldn’t be gone long. A few hours at most.
“Do you mind if she stays with you for a bit?” he asked, needing to get a feel for what Mr. Zarin expected of them. After all, he couldn’t just drop sole responsibility of Lilly onto the couple, even if that was their end intention.
“Not at all,” Mr. Zarin replied sincerely. “We’re probably headed to the grocery store at some point. Do you want anything specific for the week?”
He said it so casually, like he wasn’t offering to feed two additional mouths.
Jack shook his head, not wanting to push his luck.
“Lilly likes pizza. Can you get her fresh veggies? She hasn’t had fresh veggies in a long time.
Well, except last night. Milk too. She hates the powdered stuff but that’s usually all I can afford. ”
Mr. Zarin took the road towards the library. “Lilly will come with us, so she can pick out what she wants. I’m asking you, Jack, if there’s anything specific you want.”
Jack was quiet as Mr. Zarin pulled over on the side of the road in front of the library. “No, I’m good. I—” he paused. “I’ll eat anything.”
Because he knew what it was like to feel hungry and any food was better than no food.
Mr. Zarin put the truck into park. He turned, and for a moment Jack thought he was going to push. Instead, he nodded. “All right. Do you want me to pick you up at a certain time?”
Jack shook his head. The Zarins’ house was only a few miles. “I can walk.”
Mr. Zarin did argue that time. “We’re six miles from home and it’s fucking cold out. Either Jenna’s sister comes and gets you, or I will. Choose.”
Jack didn’t know what Jenna’s plans were or if her sister was even available. “Let me figure out what we’re doing and I’ll call you.”
“That’s fine but call before twelve-thirty. Mrs. Zarin and I usually go grocery shopping after lunch. I assume today is going to be no different. Do you have our number?”
Jack nodded. “Mrs. Zarin gave it to me on our first day of school. I memorized it.” Then added more quietly, “Just in case.”
Mr. Zarin clasped him on the shoulder. “Good lad.”
The man’s praise made Jack feel lighter inside. Jack got out and then reached for the cardboard box that had been at his feet.
“You can leave that unless you need something. I can put it in your room or give it to Lilly.”
Jack hesitated. It would be nice not to carry it around, but he also didn’t want to leave his money inside it. Not that he thought Mr. Zarin would take it. Not intentionally, that is. More of, he just felt better if he kept it on him. “Would you… Can you close your eyes for a second?”
Mr. Zarin raised an eyebrow. “Depends. Is what you’re going to pull out of there in any way illegal?”
Jack’s back straightened. “No, sir.”
Mr. Zarin studied him another moment before closing his eyes and facing forward.
Jack quickly opened the cardboard box. Mixed in with his clothes, Lilly’s books, and the legal documents that Jack had stumbled upon a few months before was a holey sock filled with his entire life savings.
While he knew it made his jacket bulky, he still zipped it up at his chest. Then he put the box back. “Thank you,” he said to Mr. Zarin. The man opened his eyes and looked down at Jack. “For everything.”
Mr. Zarin gave him a sincere smile. “You asked me last night if there was a catch to coming to live with us.” Jack stiffened when Mr. Zarin said, “There is. One day, Jack, when you’re grown and on your own, you’ll see a kid in need.
It’s a sad fact about the world that there’s no shortage of them.
I hope when you do, you’ll pay it forward.
Give that kid a chance at a better future. ”
Jack felt his chest get heavy. “I promise.”
“That’s all the thanks I’ll ever need. Don’t forget to call when you’re ready for a pickup.”
Jenna’s head picked up when she saw Jack exit the old light blue truck ahead. Carolyn hadn’t even pulled over completely before Jenna had the window rolled down and her head out of it. “Jack!”
He turned—and smiled.
“Yeah, that boy’s got it bad for you.”
Jenna sat back down as Carolyn braked. She put the window up and turned to her sister. “Thank you for the ride.”
“Think about what I said,” Carolyn prompted. They’d stayed up most of the night chatting like they had when Jenna was a little girl. While Carolyn’s appearance was drastically different, it had felt comfortingly familiar.
“I will,” Jenna promised as she unlocked the door. Jack was right there to open it for her.
The cold breeze should have affected her, but her entire body was heated at just the sight of him. Jack held out his hand to help her out of the low car.
He kissed her cheek in greeting before turning to Carolyn. “Good morning.”
“Morning, Jack.” Carolyn lifted two fingers in the universal sign for peace.
“Jenna said this is routine for the two of you, but I gotta say being woken up at seven in the morning on a Saturday to give my little sis a ride to the fucking library is probably one of the lamest reasons I’ve ever gotten up. ”
Jack chuckled. “We’ll try to come up with a different meeting spot in the future.”
“You do that.” She looked to Jenna. “You good?”
Jenna nodded. “Thank you.”
“Mr. Zarin offered to pick us up when we’re ready,” Jack told her. “Unless you have other plans?” His eyes flicked back to Carolyn in the car.
Jenna shook her head. “That works for me.”
“Then close the fucking door!” Carolyn snapped without malice. “It’s cold and past my bedtime!”
Jack moved Jenna back out of the doorway and then slammed the door closed. He patted the hood of the car before Carolyn pulled away.
“Never understood why guys do that,” Jenna mused with a shake of her head.
“Come on.” Jack threw his arm around her shoulders to help block her from the wind. “Let’s get inside. We have a lot to talk about.”
“Where’s Lilly?”
“That’s part of what I want to talk to you about.”
They headed up the slick stairs to the library’s entrance.
Based on the cars in the parking lot, the only people inside were likely the librarian, Mrs. Faulkner, and her assistant, Becky.
Becky was deaf, making it difficult for her to hold down a regular job, but working at the library was perfect for her.
The Port Townsend Carnegie Library was two stories.
If Jenna recalled Port Townsend history, the building was created in 1913 by a group of community ladies.
The large spacious building was actually running out of room and there was talk about adding an addition.
If the town agreed, though, it was still going to be years before the project and funding were underway.
The library sat on a tall hill, making multiple flights of stairs necessary to reach it.
In the chilly morning, heavy frost and ice formed, making the stairs very slick.
Thankfully, someone had had the foresight to put salt down the night before.
The lawn of the library was also a known spot for kids to sled down.
Parents or older kids would stand in the road to block traffic while kids used toboggans, trash can lids, and whatever else they could find to sled down the steep slope.
By the time they reached the main entrance, Jenna was both flushed from exertion and chilled to the bone from the winter breeze. Jack was trying to use his body to shield hers, which she thought was recklessly sweet, because it also made his trek up the stairs more dangerous.
He leapt forward to get the door for her. Hot air wafted into her face, making her cheeks sting.
She shivered as they stepped inside. Jenna took a comforting deep breath at the smell of books, dust, and floor cleaner. Call her weird, but that combination was one of the best smells in the world. Fresh lemonade and cookies still ranked the highest.