Part 2
By Joanna ([email protected])
Summary: This takes place right after the first one. Mr. McPhee admits his feelings, but not to Jack.
Jack couldn�t believe he had let Jen talk him in to this! The house was now in view. Jen and Jack�s arms were linked; it was a representation on their lives. There lives were so intertwined now; Jack knew that Jen would make sure that he was okay, protect him. He was closer to her now than he had ever been with his own twin, Andie. He felt safer with her. She would never judge him, or turn her back on him. She was the opposite of his family.
No matter how much Jen was there for him, he knew he wouldn�t be able to cope with facing his dad; the man that gave the word �cold� a new meaning. The man that had practically disowned him, the one who just couldn�t come to terms with his son�s sexuality.
Jack and Jen stood just inside the porch door, through the kitchen window Jack could see grams on his dad sitting at the kitchen table. He could only see the back of his dad�s head, but he knew he was frowning. �You can do this Jack� Jen whispered
�I don�t know if I can� Jack sighed �But I am about to find out�
Before Jen could get in another reassuring word Jack walked through the front door and entered the kitchen. Jen was right behind him. Jack knew from the look on grams� face that his eyes must still be red from crying. He also knew that his dad probably wouldn�t
notice.
�So, you�re back� Mr. McPhee said coldly, his face was expressionless.
�I am back because you said that you wanted to talk and I figured the sooner I talk to you, the sooner you will get the hell out of here!� Jack wasn�t going to let the man beat him, he has come too far for that. Grams got up from the table and left the room.
�Jen, if you don�t mind I would like to talk to my son�
�No, she isn�t going anywhere. If you have something to say, you can say it infront of Jen. It will save me telling her later�
�Jack, This is family business� Mr. McPhee snapped.
�We have hardly spoken in months, but since you have been here you have already referred to me as �son� and want to talk to me about �family business�!� Jack stared him in the eyes as he took Jen�s hand, partly for comfort, partly for confidence and partly to prove his next point. �The only family I have is Jen and grams� Jack sighed. �I used to have a different family, but my brother died. My dad walked out and when he came back he took my mum and sister miles away, pumped so many drugs into them, that they hardly recognise me!� Jack sat down. �Don�t talk to me about family, because I know you couldn�t care less. Hide them from sight and everything is okay. Don�t talk to them and everything is fine!� Jen was now seated beside him.
�Jack, you know that�s not true. I am trying to help�
�Help! You thought that it would help me to take away my family, leave me alone. Not talk to me. Make me feel like I was so worthless? You have treated me like I have committed the ultimate sin. I haven�t. I told you the truth, I bared my sole and you rejected me� Jack was once again fighting the tears.
�What did you expect me to do? Say �oh well, my son�s gay� I couldn�t. I can�t. I don�t understand why you would choose that kind of life�
�In all due respect, he didn�t �choose� anything. Do you really think he would have chosen this? If you can�t see what a great guy your son is you must be blind. Just forget the fact that he is gay for a minute and really look at him. He is so kind and caring, he is the best friend I could ask for. The way you have been treating him has been killing him. His life is hard enough without you treating like this!� Jen was almost out of breath. Mr. McPhee was in shock.
�Jen, don�t bother he doesn�t care� Jack whispered.
�I do care!�
�You have a funny way of showing it!� Jack snapped
�Jack, I know I haven�t been the best father, even a good one when it comes to you. But I do care about you, I really do. Your well being means a lot to me�
�Just as long as you don�t have to be around me?�
�Cause not. I have to admit that you coming out wasn�t that much of a shock to me. But as long as you didn�t say anything I could pretend it wasn�t true. When Tim died, the family fell apart. I couldn�t face another problem�
�You think I don�t know that? You think that coming out wasn�t the biggest decision I ever had to make. I knew that you would resent me for it. I knew that I would be the cause of more problems. I knew that I wasn�t the son you wanted. I used to lie awake at night wishing it had been me who dies in the car crash. At least then you would be ridded of me� Jack was now crying.
�Jack don�t say that. Never say that again!� Jen was crying too.
�Maybe if it had been me mum and Andie wouldn�t be in the state they are in. You wouldn�t have walked out and Tim would be able to support the family and not disappoint it!�
�Your mother and your sister love you. They would be just as upset. Your mum thinks the world of you, she asks about you everyday. She keeps your picture next to her bed. And Tim, he wouldn�t have coped with you gone. I notice the way he was around you. You were so precious to him� Mr McPhee couldn�t believe what Jack had just told him.
�And what about you? You have conveniently missed out how you would feel� Jen prompted.
�Obviously I would be upset, Jack�s my son�
�What�s obvious about it? Have you not acknowledged how you have been treating me?� Jack snapped.
�Jack I am sorry�
�No you�re not. I know when you are lying!� Jack got up �I am going to have a shower. I don�t want to talk anymore. Come back when you have learnt to except me� Jack left Jen and his dad sitting at the table.
�Look, If you don�t just get over this, you are going to lose him or good. You don�t know how lucky you are to be part of his life. Anything could happen, you could lose him any second� Jen spoke seriously
�I know, why do you think I am here? Jen, If I tell you something, you must promise not to tell Jack. I will tell him when I am ready� Jen nodded �I came today because I have cancer, I have about two months to live. I want to tell Jack how important he is to me. I need him to know that I love him�
To be continued�