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The door behind me opens, and then Jacob drops into the chair right-angled beside me. “What are you doing out here?”
The tone pulses with attitude, sure, but if my ears don’t deceive, it’s toned down from what I’ve come to expect. Matter of fact, by the end of our chore this morning, the kid had skipped over civil straight to, dare I think it, friendly. He’s regressed a notch since, which, considering the way lunch ended, I suppose I can see why. “Just enjoying the view.”
Jacob snorts. The porch lights are off and there’s no moon, so, yeah, the kid speaks sarcasm, my second language. He leans his elbows onto his knees. “I’m sorry about my mom.”
I let the crickets do the talking for a moment.
Repositioning, Jacob kicks a bare foot onto the table. He’s wearing a light blue t-shirt, or else I’d lose him out here in the dark. His posture is a stereotypical teen slouch. “She freaked out today.”
He’s got that right. And afterward, everyone went to their respective corners and stayed put—with the exception of the single time Hollie emerged from hiding to say she was leaving. It took some doing, but I finally managed to convince her to stay one more night, to check first with the police on Monday and see if they’d at least talked to the kid in question, and hopefully his buddies, too.
“She hasn’t done that in a long time. Not like when I was little.”
I wait until it’s obvious more isn’t coming. “Well, I ticked her off with the money thing.”
“That’s not why, not really.”
I let my silence prompt him.
“I knew she’d be mad about the battery.”
“Yet you chose not to warn me.”
“I didn't figure you'd listen.”
Smart kid.
“Besides, I was hoping she'd let you pay. She’s always stressed about money.”
And I’m certain Hollie would appreciate him telling me so. “You ever think about getting a job, kid?”
“Don’t call me kid.” I swear I hear his molars grind.
“Sorry. Jacob. Ever think about pitching in with the finances, Jacob?”
I hear shuffling and his voice gets closer, sincere. “I tried. She won’t let me. Said I need to focus on school. Enjoy my senior year.” He makes a sound of frustration. “Yeah, right.”
No question things aren’t going great for the kid—and every ounce of his trouble spills onto his mother. If telling him to go ahead and get himself hired somewhere didn’t feel like a betrayal to Hollie, I’d do it. She needs to be realistic.
He flops back. “Guess I’m going to have to get a job soon anyway. I guess after the season’s over.”
Yep. Babies need things and don’t understand stuff like football and senior year.
“A buddy of mine works at a tire store. He makes great money.”
Sounds like a plan. A young guy gets on at a place like that and hustles and the money’s not bad. He could move up to sales or management eventually. But man, Hollie has different plans for her boy, I know she does. She’s mentioned college more than once.
With an abrupt groan, Jacob bends over his knees, running hands through his hair. “I’ve messed up so bad.”
And hence, the newest member of Club Insomnia.
“I don’t know how to be a dad!”
I release a bit of breath. “Been there, done that.”
He looks up. “You have a kid?”
“Yep. Just a few years older than you—and I don’t advise you use my fatherhood strategy.”
