*****

Jack woke up feeling awful. His stomach felt unstable and he ached all over.

He opened his eyes to a roomful of people.

�How are you feeling?� Jen asked.

�Like crap,� Jack moaned.

�You�ll feel better after breakfast,� Mrs McPhee said as she walked in with a tray full of food.

�I really can�t eat anything.�

�Jack, you have to - you ate hardly anything yesterday,� Mitch said.

�Are you keeping track of my food intake?�

�Honestly, yes. And your fluids, you�re not drinking enough either,� Mitch answered.

�Oh my God,� Jack sighed, putting his head in his hands.

�I want you to eat all of this. I won�t take it away until you do. You�re getting too slim. You won�t get any better if you don�t eat,� Mrs. McPhee said as she put the tray down on Jack�s lap after Jen pulled him in to a seated position.

�I really can�t eat anything, I feel sick.�

�You feel sick because you�re hungry,� Andie replied.

�I can�t.�

�Please, sweetie. Just at least have some,� Mrs. McPhee spoke softly.

Jack looked at Mitch and remembered the promise he made in the hospital.

�Go on,� Mitch encouraged.

He ate. After the third mouthful it became very hard to persuade himself to swallow and even harder to keep it in his stomach. It took a long time with everyone watching, but he finally finished.

�See, that must feel better,� Mrs. McPhee smiled.

�Yeah,� Jack lied �I�m just going to the bathroom.�

�I�ll take you.� Joey stood up

�I�m okay, I can go by myself,� Jack said. Joey looked at Mitch before sitting back down. �I�ll only be a minute,� Jack said as he left the room.

-----

Jack shut the door behind him, holding his stomach. He felt much worse since eating.

Suddenly, without warning, he began to gag. He dashed to the toilet just in time. He began to heave.

The panic of not being able to breathe while being sick kicked in. He noticed how hot he was. Sweat dripped from his forehead.

He finally emptied his stomach and could finally breathe again. His throat was sore, but his stomach felt considerably better. He stood up and flushed the toilet before rinsing his mouth out.

As he was leaving the bathroom he bumped in to Mitch.

�I was just coming to see where you were, you were taking a while.�

�I didn�t feel very well.�

�Are you feeling any better now?�

�Yes, actually. I�m a lot better.�

�See, eating does help. Lets get you back to bed, you still look a bit pale, you�re very warm too,� Mitch said putting his hand on Jack�s forehead. �Thank you for eating. You�ll be better in no time.�

-----

Jack, Andie and Mrs. McPhee sat in the bedroom. They all sat on the bed - Jack in the middle.

�Why does Dad do that? Why can�t he just be nice? Is he incapable of doing so?� Andie said quietly, almost to herself.

�I honestly don�t know, Andie.� Mrs. McPhee turned to Jack. �You shouldn�t pay any attention to any of it. It�s not true.�

�How can I not pay any attention to it? Since Tim died, he has made it more than obvious that he would have preferred it to have been me who died. And since I told him that�I am gay I don�t think he has said one nice thing to me, infact he has gone out of his way to be mean. How can I not pay attention to my dad who wants me dead?!�

�He didn�t mean it,� Andie replied

�Why did he say it then? It sure sounded like he meant it to me!� Jack got up from the bed. �I need to get out of this house. I need some fresh air.� Jack left the room.

�What�s happened to him, he never used to be such a defeatist?� Mrs. McPhee asked.

�A lot has changed in the last year. Did dad even tell you that Jack moved out last summer?�

�No, he didn�t.�

�Well, he did. He stayed here for the summer and some of the school year. Dad told him that he didn�t want him to move back in. Then, when Jack made the football team, dad invited him back, but Jack refused. He only came back because I asked him to, I begged him. Since then dad spends all his time at work.�

�I didn�t realise.�

�I don�t think anyone realises how much it is effecting Jack. He hides it away. He doesn�t want people to know how much he�s hurting. I guess that�s kind of my fault. He�s been trying to protect me. He was happy living here, but he moved back because of me. I sometimes hear him. I hear him crying when he thinks I�m not around. I�ll bet anything that that�s what he�s doing right now. But since Mitch, he�s been a lot happier, well, until all of this. Mitch really likes him,� Andie explained.

�I know, I see the way he looks at him. I know I should be worried about the age difference, but I�m not. I think it will do Jack some good to have an older man in his life, one that isn�t afraid to show him affection. I really hope things work out for them, God know Jack deserves it.�

�I missed you, mum.�

�I missed you too, both of you.�

-----

Jack sat on the swing in the garden. He was curled up tightly. His arms were wrapped around his legs, pulling them in to his chest. His chin rested on his knees as tears fell form his eyes.

He didn�t want to be crying, but what his dad had said to him really hurt him. It had really got to him, more than it ought to. He felt guilty that his friends were spending their holidays caring for him, when he knew that they had better and more important things to do.

He felt guilty that he had ruined the relationship between Mitch and Dawson, especially because he had always envied it. He felt bad that he allowed Mitch to believe that he had eaten when really he had thrown up. He felt bad about stupid things that he had no control over. He felt awful that he hadn�t died in the crash and Tim had.

�Jack?� came a whisper. He wiped his eyes trying to hide the fact that he was crying. �Jack, are you crying?� Joey asked.

�No�no the wind makes my eyes water, that�s all.�

�Sure, whatever,� Jen said as both her and Joey sat either side of Jack.

�So, do dads suck or what?� Joey smiled.

�You can say that again.�

�I don�t think I need to.� she paused �We have quite a set here don�t we? My dad is in prison for dealing drugs.�

�Mine sent me away to live with my grandmother, who the kids round here called �The witch of Capeside�.� they looked at Jack encouraging him to join in.

�Okay. Well my dad is a homophobic bastard, who wishes I was dead.�

Jen looked at Joey. �I think he wins.� Jen paused �I guess my dad did me a favour sending me here. Grams isn�t that bad, if you forget the God bit. And I have made some brilliant friends.�

�Yeah, and at least my dad was trying to help the family.� Joey smiled. �So shall we give him his prize for winning?� Joey asked Jen.

�Sure.� They both leant in and hugged Jack before simultaneously kissing his cheeks. �See, something good always comes out of something bad.� Jen smiled at Jack.

�No offence, but if that�s the only good thing that�s going to come out of all this then I haven�t really got a lot to look forward to, have I? Anyway, I think Pacey would be more appreciative,� Jack half laughed.

�Well, you have dinner to look forward to, Mitch is cooking. Gale trained him well,� Jen said.

�Gee, Jen, that�s going to make me feel better isn�t it, mentioning my forty year old boyfriend�s ex-wife,� Jack laughed.

�No, what�s going to make you feel better is that he washes up and cleans too!� Joey laughed back.

�That�s good, because I refuse to. That�s one of the drawbacks of being gay. I�ll never have a wife to do all of the housework!� Jack�s smile widened.

�You know what? I�m going to let that one slide, the last thing you need is another bruise on that pretty, little face of yours.� Jen grinned. �Anyway, I�m sure you could convince Andie to clean when she visits.�

�Probably,� Jack sighed. �Joey, can I ask you a question?�

�Of course, what is it?�

�Well, I�m guessing that you know Mitch better than most. I was sort of wondering� Joey, how do you feel about me and Mitch?�

�Honestly? At first I found it a bit weird, well, very weird. Mitch is sort of like a father to me, you know? But then I thought about it and it�s kind of cool.� she smiled �I would never have acted like Dawson. I�ve seen how happy you two are together and that just confirms that you two are perfect for each other. I don�t think I�ve seen Mitch so happy and relaxed, even during his and Gale�s best patches in the marriage. Jack, you really have nothing to worry about, when people see you together they will see what a great couple you make and how much Mitch loves you. Mitch doesn�t use the word �love� lightly and if he has already used it towards you, then that really means something.�

�Thank, Joey. I just find all of this really hard, you know? I mean I hardy know anything about him, I know the basics, but not much else.�

�You have plenty of time to find it all out,� Jen added.

�Yeah, I guess.� Jack half smiled.

�Come on, dinners ready.� Joey pointed to Mitch getting out of the car holding numerous pizza boxes.

�He has been well trained,� Jack laughed.

He stood, linking arms with Jen and Joey as they walked back to the house. His friends had a special way about them - even if it was only for a few minutes, they were capable of cheering him up, making him forget his problems. That was priceless - they were priceless. They were his; no one could change that.

-----

�Thanks, Mitch. This is great!� Andie smiled, picking up another slice of pizza.

�It�s kind of a thank you, to all of you. You have been really great and understanding.� Mitch smiled

�So, how does it feel to be the second person to �come out� in the whole of Capeside history?� Pacey asked.

�Well, technically, I haven�t. But if everyone is as great as you guys, it�ll be fine.�

Everyone carried on eating.

Mitch looked up at Jack who was silently staring at his piece of pizza on his plate, not eating. Mrs. McPhee also noticed, then Jen. Before long everyone around the table was silently looking at Jack. He looked pale and tired. He hadn�t noticed everyone looking or even that all conversations had died down.

�Jack, you can�t eat it by staring at it, you have to actually lift it to your mouth,� Pacey joked.

Jack looked up finally noticing everyone.

�Oh right, yeah,� he said blushing. Everyone was still looking. He lifted it to his lips. �You know, I�m quite full� Jack said putting it back on the plate.

�Jack, you haven�t eaten since breakfast. You said you felt better then, so please eat now.�

�Jack, you must try,� Grams added.

Jack slowly picked up the pizza and took a tiny bite. With in seconds he began to feel sick. Everyone was still watching him so he had no choice but to eat it all. He felt awful, luckily there was no more pizza left that anyone could force down him.

�I�ve had an idea. Tomorrow night, why don�t we all go out and watch a movie, my treat,� Mitch suggested.

�Sounds great,� Joey said, everyone agreed.

�Jack?� Mitch asked. Jack looked up from the table.

�Yeah, sure.� Jack stood up �I�m just going to the bathroom,� he said as he walked out.

�We have to watch him. If we hadn�t notice, he wouldn�t have eaten anything,� Jen sighed.

�Yeah, but he is eating, so it�s not too bad,� Andie answered. �He will get better,� she reassured. Everyone knew that it was herself that she was reassuring.

-----

Jack walked in to the bathroom. He went to lock the door but realised that the lock was still gone.

He held his stomach, feeling awful. He wanted to empty himself and feel the relief that he had experienced that morning.

He hesitantly kneeled down infront of the toilet, waiting, hoping that the morning�s occurrences would happen again.

Nothing. Nothing was happening.

Jack raised his hand to his mouth and hesitantly pushed two fingers to the back of his throat, making himself gag and heave. The contents of his stomach were quickly drained in to the toilet.

As his breathing began to steady again, his stomach returned to that morning�s feeling of relief and satisfaction. He felt one hundred times better.

He had pleased his friends by eating, but pleased his body too. He was no longer hungry, and also didn�t have the bloated, nauseous feeling either. He had found the best of both worlds. The satisfaction over clouded the reality and seriousness of what he was doing to his body and mind.

He cleaned up and left the room.

-----

�Jack, I think you should go to bed. You look very pale,� Andie suggested. �It�s going to be a long day tomorrow if we go to the cinema.�

Everyone was seated in the living room.

�Jack?�

Jack�s head was back against the head of the chair, his eyes were closed, legs shaking, face pale. �Jack?�

He was oblivious to what was going on around him and what was being said.

Mitch placed a hand on his shoulder, causing him to nearly jump out of the chair in shock.

�It�s okay. It�s me,� Mitch said taking Jack�s shaky hand.

Jack was breathing heavily. His whole body was wet and clammy with sweat. His eyes were wide and scanned around the room as if trying to work out where he was.

�Sweetie, are you okay?� Mrs. McPhee asked.

Jack didn�t answer.

�Jack?� Jen�s voice was filled with worry.

�I don�t feel so good,� Jack spoke quietly. �I�I think I�m going to go to bed.�

Jack stood slowly on his shaky legs. He managed one small step before falling back in to the chair.

�Jack, what�s wrong?� Grams asked.

�Nothing. I�I just feel�a little dizzy,� Jack answered slowly, taking a deep breath.

�I�ll take you up,� Mitch said, already helping Jack to stand and steadying him.

�You should still be in the hospital,� Mitch sighed.

�I�m fine. Just a little tired,� Jack said as he was being led out the door.

-----

Mitch led Jack in to the bedroom and sat him down on the bed. He gave him a worried look.

�Mitch, I�m fine. I�m just a little tired,� Jack sighed.

�I know. I just worry about you,� Mitch sighed back.

�I know�� Jack stood back up and leaned in to Mitch, kissing him lightly on the lips. ��But you don�t have to.� Mitch pulled him in to a proper kiss.

�Some on has to.� Mitch breathed out. Mitch kissed him again. �Right, you need to get to bed.� Mitch pulled back the covers. �If you still feel rough tomorrow, let me know. We can go to the cinema another evening.�

�Mitch, I�ll be fine.�

�I hope so.�

-----

Joey walked out in to the porch wanting some privacy and a chance to think about everything that had been going on. The last few days had been very fast paced � she was finding it hard to get her head around it all.

She sat down not even noticing Mitch sitting in the corner, staring out of the window � the same blank expression ruling his face as hers.

�I�m guessing the same boy is ruling our thoughts.�

Joey jumped, not expecting to hear anything. She turned to face Mitch.

�Sorry. I didn�t mean to disturb your thoughts. I can go if you want?� Joey forced a smile.

�No. Don�t go. It�s okay.�

The room went silent again.

�You thinking about Jack? I�m sure he�ll be okay,� Joey said, breaking the silence.

�I�m not as confidant as you, but no. Actually I was thinking about Dawson.�

�Me too.�

�I�m so confused. I have never felt so much love and hate towards the same person.�

Joey half laughed, understanding exactly what he meant. �I know just what you mean. Dawson has a way of making me feel this way. First it was the business with my dad last spring and now this. This is the last straw though. I can�t be with him after what he did to Jack � I love Jack just as much as I did Dawson. It�s a matter of choosing,� she explained. �Obviously it�s a lot harder for you.�

�I think of Dawson and my heart breaks. I love him but I really don�t like him right now. I really hope I can get over that one day, but I doubt it will be soon.� Mitch paused. �Then I look at Jack and the state he is in and I feel like I never want to talk to Dawson again � I hate him. This wasn�t Jack�s fault. It wasn�t his doing. It was between Dawson and me but I put him right in the middle of it, and totally ruined any hopes of him and his dad getting on in the future. When I think about it that way I feel guilty for hating Dawson because surely I�m at fault just as much as he is.�

�Wow � when did life become so confusing?�

�When Dawson realised he could think for himself and I fell in love with Jack,� Mitch groaned.

Joey couldn�t help but smile. �You love him.� She was unsure why she said it. She was telling him something that he already knew and just told her. �It�s hard. You�re torn between two guys you love, one you�ve loved all his life but he�s disappointed and caused pain to you in ways that may never heal, and a guy who�s sweet, kind, caring, in desperate need of your help and lets face it, drop dead gorgeous. I seem to remember having to chose between the two of them in the past.�

�Yeah � and I remember who you picked.�

�I don�t want to influence your choice but you�ll never find anyone like Jack again. He�s an original. You�ll hate yourself forever if you throw that away because Dawson threw another strop. He gets his way too often � he�s used to being happy and having everything his own way. Jack isn�t. I think it�s only right that you share your love around. You�re like a dad to me � I just want to see you happy, Jack too.�

�Thank you, Joey. I just wish Dawson were as understanding as you are. How can soul mates be so different?� Mitch laughed.

�Maybe we were wrong. Soul mates don�t really exist. This has proven that.�

�Give it time � you�ll find your soul mate. You�re still young.�

�I guess.� She forced a smile.

�I just don�t understand that boy,� Mitch suddenly blurted out.

�Which one?� Joey joked.

�Both actually, but I was talking about Jack. If he doesn�t hate Dawson for what he did, how can I? Maybe I haven�t been understanding enough towards Dawson?�

�Maybe you�ve been too understanding over the years?� Joey suggested. �Anyway, Jack is angry with him � he probably does hate him but he�ll never admit it. That�s just not the Jack thing to do. He�s upset, Mitch. He�s upset and confused and probably very scared. You�re going to have to start learning the signs because he�ll never tell you.�

Mitch nodded. �Yeah, I know.�

�He hates to be the person coming between you and Dawson.�

�It�s not his fault.�

�Try convincing him of that,� Joey replied.

Silence engulfed the porch.

�I have no idea what I�m supposed to do about Dawson,� Mitch sighed.

�Time. Just give it time. I swear everything will sort itself out.� Joey stood up. �I�ll leave you to it. I should get some sleep. So should you � you look exhausted.�

�Yeah � I�ll be in soon.� Mitch smiled softly, watching her leave the porch. He sighed as his mind once again filled with thought.

-----

Jack submerged from the bathroom after flushing away the second meal of the day.

No matter how much he brushed his teeth and cleaned his hands and face, he was sure he still smelt of sick. He was so scared that that was what would get him caught out. He couldn�t get the smell off his body or the taste out of his mouth.

He crept down the stairs and out of the house, managing to exit with out conversing with anyone.

In the house Jack felt like a child - he was fussed over and talked about infront of, like he couldn�t hear or was unable to comprehend what was being said. Outside, he felt free, like he could go anywhere. He could run away and not be found.

Jack leant against the front door, quietly closing it. He managed to get to the porch door before he was seen.

�Where are you going?� Jack turned to see Mitch sitting at the other end of the porch.

�Uh�I�Uh�I was going�to get some fresh air,� Jack stammered.

�I�ll come with you.� Mitch stood up and walked over to the door.

�I don�t need twenty-four hour supervision, you know?�

�Look, the last time you were left alone you had to be rushed to hospital because you had cut your wrists.�

�I know but��

�But, nothing. I�m not taking any chances. I care about you too much to risk it.� Mitch paused. �Anyway, how are you feeling?�

�Yeah, I feel fine,� Jack answered though that wasn�t really the case. He was light headed and tired from lack of food and could hardly walk with out falling over.

�Good.� Mitch raised a hand to Jack�s face. �Well, the bruising is going down. I guess that�s a good sign.�

�What are we seeing at the cinema?�

�The others mentioned �Gosford Park�, is that all right with you?�

�Yeah, sure. That�s fine,� Jack smiled. �You do realise that this will be the first time we go out together properly?�

�Yeah, I know,� Mitch smiled back.

�I�m going to look like this on our first date. I wouldn�t be surprised if none follow,� Jack joked.

�Don�t worry, I�m not that shallow. Looks aren�t everything. Anyway, you look great, even bruised.� Mitch leant in for a kiss, but Jack turned away, opening the door.

�So, if you�re coming, lets go.� Jack walked out. Mitch swallowed his hurt and followed Jack out.

-----

Eyes burnt in to Jack as the group entered the cinema. He could only imagine what they were all thinking. He was pale, showered with bruises, his clothes were hanging off of him.

Mitch�s arm was draped across his back, supporting him.

From the first second they had entered, Jack wanted to leave. He felt uncomfortable and unnerved. The noise of people moving around was almost unbearable.

He wanted to run, he wanted to turn around and run out of the door. He wanted to leave everyone and go back to his bed where he could hide, he would be able to sleep and dream, pretending that everything that had happened wasn�t real.

The cinema was crowded, but Jack could only see one person in the crowd.

The cinema was Dawson�s second home - he should have known that he would be there. He was there, staring straight back at Jack.

Dawson�s face was ruled by a half-nervous smirk. Their eyes locked and stayed that way for some time before anyone noticed.

Suddenly Jack turned on his heals. �Maybe, I should go.� Jack went to walk away, but Mitch managed to grip on to the back of his shirt pulling him back towards him.

�You�re not going anywhere. We�re not leaving,� Mitch answered firmly while holding eye contact with Dawson.

Dawson�s face had changed to an unreadable expression, he didn�t move. Jack�s breathing grew heavier and faster.

Joey walked to his side and took his hand, which everyone saw, visibly frustrated Dawson.

�Jack, it�s okay. He is not going to come anywhere near you - he wouldn�t dare. We�re all here, you�re fine,� Joey whispered to him.

Mitch broke eye contact with his son and led Jack to the designated screen.

-----

Mitch left everyone seated in the cinema and went to buy some refreshments. Jen, seated next to Jack reached over and took his hand.

�You really have to stop worrying about Dawson. He won�t come near you. I�ll make sure of it.�

�I know. Thanks, Jen.�

�It�s fine. I�m just looking out for my best friend.�

�I really love you, Jen,� Jack whispered.

�I really love you too,� Jen answered.

Mitch reappeared carrying lots of food, which he passed down the row of people. He then handed a hot-dog and popcorn to Jack.

�We didn�t have time for dinner and you need to eat. So, before you start complaining, these will be the last items of compulsory food that you will have today,� Mitch said quickly, not giving Jack a chance to jump in with his protests.

�Okay,� Jack replied.

Mitch looked at him in disbelief, though he didn�t want to question it. Jack was fine with it.

He had found a way that suited everyone and it seemed to be working. He would eat to please Mitch and what he did after wouldn�t hurt him if he never found out.

All of a sudden Pacey burst out laughing. Everyone turned to look at him. He looked up and down the line.

�What?� Joey questioned.

�I just realised,� Pacey paused looking up and down the line of friends. �I�m the only out of all of us that won�t potentially be perving over Ryan Phillippe tonight.� Jen joined in the laughing.

�Ryan who?� Grams and Mrs. McPhee said in unison. No one had the chance to answer as the big screen came to life.

Jack slowly ate his food, encouraging Jen to take fistfuls of popcorn whenever Mitch wasn�t looking.

His unstable stomach reacted violently to the food relatively quickly. Jack tried to ride it out. He tried to watch the film, but while everyone was laughing at Ryan Phillippe�s Scottish accent all he could do was hold his stomach in a high level of discomfort and pain. He finally caved.

�I�m just going to the bathroom,� he whispered to Mitch before standing and leaving.

-----

Jack had been gone about ten minutes and Jen could see that Mitch was worried. Pacey noticed too.

�I�m just going to the bathroom.� Pacey stood up and climbed over Jen and Mitch. �I�ll find Jack,� he said to Mitch on the way out.

-----

Pacey entered the toilets. They were empty except from one stall.

He was just about to call out to Jack when he heard it. It was the unmistakable sound of someone being sick.

He climbed up on to the toilet in the next stall to see Jack kneeled infront of the toilet with his head bent down. He hadn�t seen or heard Pacey come in. Pacey had no idea what to do. He exited the stall and waited for Jack to do the same. When he didn�t, Pacey decided to leave and go back to the film. He would talk to Jack about it later.

-----

Pacey climbed back in to his seat. Mitch looked at him questioningly.

�He�s on his way. There was a big queue.� Pacey smiled in reassurance.

Five minutes later Jack returned, taking both his seat and Mitch�s hand. They settled down to watch the rest of the film.

-----

The group exited then cinema and climbed in to the two cars.

�So, what did you think of the film?� Mitch asked Jack, who was seated in the passenger seat next to him and Joey and Pacey, seated in the back.

�I liked it, it was good,� Joey smiled.

�There wasn�t any blood. How can there be no blood in a murder mystery?� Pacey asked sarcastically.

�Ryan Phillippe was looking very good though, wasn�t he, Jack?�

Jack started to laugh. �I can�t say I noticed.� He smiled at Mitch.

�I�m glad to hear it,� Mitch joked. Mitch started up the car and pulled out of the car park. With in minutes Jack was yawning.

�You okay?� Pacey asked.

�Yeah, just tired.� Jack yawned again.

-----

As Mitch pulled up to Grams� house and turned off the engine, the only noise that could be heard was Jack�s faint snores.

�Should we wake him?� Joey whispered.

�We can�t just leave him here,� Pacey reasoned.

�Just wait until Grams gets here and opens the house, I�ll carry him in,� Mitch answered.

�Are you sure you can?� Joey asked softly.

�I�ve done it before,� Mitch reminded as Grams� car pulled up to the house.

Joey climbed out of the car putting her finger to her lips. Andie, Jen, Mrs. McPhee and Grams all looked at her confused.

�He�s asleep,� Pacey said climbing out of the car. Mitch walked around to the passenger side door and quietly opened it.

He threw his car keys to Pacey indicating for him to lock up once he had removed Jack. Mitch leant down and when returned to an upright position had Jack�s head against his shoulder and legs draped over the opposite arm. Jack looked so peaceful and comfortable in Mitch�s arms.

�Are you okay?� Mrs. McPhee asked as she walked over.

�I�m fine.� Mitch looked at Jack. �I think we should get him to bed.�

Mrs. McPhee smiled as she stroked her sleeping son�s face. �Yes, we better.�

-----

Mitch laid Jack on the bed. He looked up to see Mrs. McPhee in the doorway.

�Do you mind if I have a minute with him?� she asked.

�Not at all.� Mitch smiled as he passed her in the doorway.

Mrs. McPhee walked over to Jack and removed his shoes and socks, before sitting down next to him and stroked his hair. He was still sound asleep.

�You�re very lucky. I know you don�t feel it at the moment, but you are. Mitch really cares about you and so do all your friends.� Mrs. McPhee paused. �I saw the way Mitch looked at you tonight and I wish that your father had looked at me like that, even if it had only been once. He loves you, that�s obvious. I think that everything that has happened has made your bond stronger.� she took at deep breath. �But, I know you, Jack. I know there is something that you�re not telling us. I haven�t worked out what, but it won�t be long before someone does.� She kissed his forehead. �I just want you to get better. I know I haven�t been a very good mum for the last year or so, but I am here now. I�m here and I�m not going anywhere.�