Part 8 (1/2)
She'd shown him the picture one night. After too much wine, she suddenly got melancholy.
What had I said? Jack stopped and closed his eyes. I noticed there were no photographs in the apartment. That's when she showed me this.
He looked at the old photo in his hand. It was Marisa when she was about seven. She and a young boy were both hugging an older, short man. Both she and the boy were little chubby kids with huge smiles on their faces. She'd written three names on the back. Angelica, Ilario, and Orsacchiotto.
Orsacchiotto? That can't be a name. Maybe it's like a t.i.tle in Italian? Like Uncle?
He put the photo in his pocket as he walked back into the living room. As he flicked the light switch off, the darkness felt like a punch in the chest.
Jack hurried out of the apartment, and headed for the Impala.
c.r.a.pblizzard When Jack walked into his apartment, all the lights were still on. The chair in front of the computer was empty, and Replacement was asleep on the couch. He glanced at the clock: 4:14 a.m. He gently shook her shoulder.
She opened one eye and grinned. ”Sorry,” she mumbled. ”I tried to stay up. Oh, man. It's after four. What happened? Why are you home so late?”
Jack shook his head. ”Nothing. Go to bed.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. ”You got fired?”
”No. I didn't get fired.”
”Are you okay?”
No.
”Yes. Go to bed.”
Jack walked into the bedroom and closed the door. He stripped off his clothes and took a quick shower. Ten minutes later, he lay awake, staring up at the ceiling. In the darkness, the paint hid the cracks, and Jack stared at the void. He could hear a faint tap at the door, but he didn't answer it. After another tap, the door creaked open.
”Jack?”
”What?”
I sound rude.
”Can I come in?”
No.
”Why? Is something up?” His words were still clipped.
Replacement walked over to hop into bed next to him.
”Stay over on that side.”
”I will. Why?” she asked.
”I'm in my boxers.”
Replacement stuck her tongue out as she started to lift up the blanket to peek.
”Stop.” Jack pulled it down.
”What happened?”
”Nothing, kid. Get out.”
”Is it about Marisa?” Replacement rolled up on her elbow.
Jack closed his eyes. After a moment he asked, ”Did you have any friends when you were little?”
Replacement frowned. Her lip curled up as she shook her head. ”My brothers, but after they died...not until Aunt Haddie's. Not until Mich.e.l.le.”
”What would you do for her?”
Replacement stared at the ceiling. The longer she stared, the more Jack's resolve grew. After a few moments, she whispered, ”Anything.”
Jack inhaled. ”Yeah.”
Replacement nodded and rolled closer to Jack. He listened to her breathing until he finally fell asleep.
”Are you out of your mind?” Chandler asked.
”Shut up,” Jack told him.
Chandler glared back at Jack. ”Seriously, Jack. The CO is ripping everyone. You're not going in there.”
”I know, but...” Jack bit his cheek. ”Did you see him?”
”See him nearly take all of our heads off? Yeah. He was ticked.”
Jack looked at the end of the sea of tents along with the stucco building that served as their command center. A soldier stood guard outside the front door.
As Jack turned to his friend, he started to explain. ”He doesn't drink, but he bought a bottle after mail call.”
”So? Maybe he's going to have some guys over. I heard they have a TV in there.” Chandler gestured toward the building.
”He looked right at me. It was wrong.”
”Wrong?”
”Here.” Jack patted his chest. ”I know something is wrong.”
”You're going to start a c.r.a.pblizzard, and for what? Because you have women's intuition? Maybe it's just cramps.” Chandler smirked.
Jack stood up and started to walk.
”I'm not coming.” Chandler squared his shoulders.