Her aunt sighed. “I’m sure Dr. Jones loved that. As far as Isabelle is concerned, technically, he isn’t her guardian. His father can say she has to stay with him. Jack could fight it and probably win, but it wouldn’t be a fun process for any of them.”
“I know. We’ve talked about it. A lot. At least they’re out of that house now.” She walked to the window, watching the rain blanket the earth in water.
“He’s missed too much school to graduate. He’ll have to take summer classes to get his diploma. Or get a G.E.D. later.”
Blair poured herself a cup of coffee and blew on it. “How is this Jared guy treating him?”
A half-hearted smiled curved her lips. “He’s wonderful, Blair. You should have seen the way he took care of Jack. He’s bullish and set in his ways, but so sweet too. Jared’s perfect for Jack.
“He’s more of a father to Jack than his real father. He’s rough around the edges, but a nice guy. I’m glad Jack has someone like him in his life.”
“Me too. What are the plans for tonight? Think Jack and Isabelle would like to come over for dinner?”
Lola pursed her lips, not sure how to politely decline.
“I’ll order pizza,” Blair stated, laughing.
Lola smiled. “Sure. I’ll call Jack after school. Speaking of which, I need to go.”
“Take the car. I have stuff to do around here, so I won’t need it.”
“Thanks. See you later.” She spontaneously kissed her aunt on the cheek, smiling when Blair laughed.
***
Sebastian and Rachel flagged Lola down in the hallway at lunchtime. She’d planned on checking up on Jack during her half hour break. Lola shook the car keys in her hand, waiting impatiently for them to catch up.
It smelled like gym socks and sweat in the almost empty corridor, posters on the walls boasting school spirit for the Morgan Creek Wolves in silver and black lettering.
Sebastian and Rachel were a striking couple; attractive, well-dressed. They’d even color coordinated with black shirts and dark jeans. Probably that hadn’t been on purpose.
“Hey, guys. What’s up?” Lola eyed the glass doors that led to Jack.
Sebastian slung an arm around Lola’s shoulders and pulled her to him, his deodorant and cologne enveloping her. She preferred Jack’s. “Where are you going to in such a hurry?”
“I need to check on Jack,” Lola said, shifting her feet. She was posed for flight, itching to be on her way.
“How’s he doing?” Sebastian asked.
“He’s healing.” Physically. Mentally Jack would forever carry the scars of his father’s abuse.
Rachel made a sympathetic sound. “I can’t believe he fell and hit his face. Poor guy.”
“Yeah,” was all Lola would say, aware Sebastian’s knowing eyes were on her. She was sure his mother had filled him in on her suspicions.
“We should hang out tonight; get a pizza and a movie or something. Get our minds off things. Have some fun. What do you say, Lola?” Rachel nudged her boyfriend. “Sebastian?”
“I can’t. I gotta help my dad out at the shop, remember?”
“Oh. That’s right. Another time?”
Lola appreciated the effort, she did, but all she really cared about at that moment was seeing Jack. “Yeah. Sure,” she blurted. “We’ll talk later.”
“You still owe me a sleepover!” Rachel called after her.
Lola smiled and waved, jogging toward the door.
***
Jared Summers’ was a wealthy man. If not in money, then with land. He owned hundreds of sprawling acres of wooded and farmed land. His house was old and brown, three stories, and sparsely furnished. It had a distinct smell to it, a scent Lola was sure most farmhouses acquired through the years, especially ones owned by bachelors. Like hay, or freshly mowed grass.
Early forties, tall and lean, he had light brown hair, tanned skin with lines that fanned out at the corners of his turquoise blue eyes and lips that rarely smiled. Jared was handsome in a hard, unrefined way; like Jack.
He was a quiet man who grunted more than he spoke. Jared was also a decent, fair man. Lola had nothing but respect and gratitude for him. She also had big plans for him; he just didn’t know it.
If not for him, Jack would be an entirely different person. If not for Jared, Jack might have turned into a clone of his father. Jared had quietly intervened during an impressionable age for Jack, offered him work and a place to go to escape his life at home, and changed his life without even knowing it.
Jared was a kind man, though he had a brusque manner and would never admit such a thing. It was in the things he did, not what he said, his true character showed through. Lola had loved him the moment she’d met him and seen his tender handling of Jack. Her aunt would love him too, once Lola finally talked Jared into agreeing to leave his farm long enough to have a meal at her aunt’s house.