Desmond
We’re on the bus, heading back. Probably still a couple hours, though. Stopping at Macca’s to grease up everyone’s stomachs.
Jack
Very nutritional.
Desmond
Nico is making a case for ordering salads. Not sure this is a rule he’ll be able to enforce, but I suppose stranger things have happened.
Jack
Nate is going to order four hamburgers AND chicken nuggets.
No chance of lettuce.
Desmond
To be fair, I have no intention of eating lettuce, either.
Jesus, will he really order that though? That doesn’t sound like a sound digestive decision.
I laugh out loud, before remembering I’m not alone and that I need to be quiet. I glance up at the dark hallway, listening. No noise from Parker’s room, so, grinning, I get back to my conversation with Desmond.
Jack
His stomach is lined with lead.
Desmond
Must be.
Do you have plans for tomorrow?
Jack
Nope! I never have plans.
Desmond
I’ve got to get some clothes for Parker that actually fit.
You’re welcome to join us, if you want.
Very exciting, I know.
Jack
I’d love to!!
I stare down at the screen, waiting for a reply. He’s texted back immediately thus far, but after a couple minutes, I realize he was probably distracted, or pulled into a conversation with Coach Mackenzie. Locking my phone, I set it to the side, allowing the conversation to sit warm and lovely in my chest. We don’t text a lot, but maybe we could. Maybe he wouldn’t mind if, during the week, I reached out every now and then just to chat.
Riding the high talking to Desmond gave me, I crack open my book, fighting a yawn.
The soundof the front door opening frightens me awake. Heart pounding, I jerk upright, wincing at the sharp pain in my neck. Turning, I watch as Desmond walks in, taking a couple deep breaths and trying to calm down. He catches sight of me in the dim room and smiles tiredly, toeing off his shoes.
“Hey, Jacko,” he whispers, his voice doing more to calm down my rapid pulse than any deep breathing ever could.
