Damaged Souls (Broken Man)

by Scott, Christopher

  “No problem,” he said as they shook hands and he turned to go.

  “And Jack,” Mike had some final words as he opened the screened door. “Don’t worry, Greg and Delaney are going to be okay.”

  “Thanks, Mike,” Jack replied as he watched him exit down the walkway and he returned to his thoughts.

  * * *

  “I think I understand what you meant now when you said I’ll know when it’s time,” Delaney surprised Amanda with her choice of topic as they pulled out of the hospital parking lot.

  “How do you mean,” Amanda expressed concern.

  “When Greg finally woke up today, we were able to talk, and we talked about things we had never spoken about before,” she paused and seemed to relive the moment. “Something happened, and I felt something I have never felt before. It’s kind of hard to describe.”

  “It’s called love, Delaney,” Amanda replied as she smiled and remembered finding them together in bed sleeping. “I’m glad you two finally figured it out.”

  “Me too, it was amazing,” Delaney said as Amanda sensed her need to talk about it. “When we kissed for the first time, it was different than ever before. I mean, I’ve kissed other boys, but it never felt like this. My entire body responded to him and I just knew I had to be with him. Do you know what I mean.”

  “I do know what you mean,” Amanda grew cautious as she wondered what they did. “Do you want to talk about what happened.”

  “Don’t worry, Amanda, it’s not what you’re thinking,” Delaney calmed her fears as she smiled. “But we came close.”

  “Delaney, in the middle of a hospital room when Greg is half conscious,” Amanda questioned her decisions.

  “I couldn’t help it, don’t worry, we stopped,” Delaney defended her actions and clammed up.

  “It’s okay, honey, I understand,” Amanda reassured her as she touched her arm and reopened the conversation. “It’s just that I worry about you. You are very emotionally vulnerable right now, and I want you to be sure you are ready like we talked about so many times.”

  “It’s okay, Amanda, you are right,” Delaney accepted her apology. “Believe it or not, Greg said the same thing when he stopped me.”

  Thank God for Greg, Amanda thought to herself as she considered what to say. Delaney has been through so much this weekend, of course she is vulnerable to her emotions, of course she needs an outlet to express herself. I felt the same way at her age with what I was going through.

  “Delaney, I’m not saying the two of you aren’t ready, I actually think you are. It’s just that the first time should be special and it should be with someone you love, but not in a hospital bed after what the two of you have been through.”

  “I understand, but it just kind of happened. Don’t you remember your first time.”

  “Of course I do,” Amanda replied, unsure of where this conversation was going. “I was also at a very vulnerable time in my life, kind of like you are now, and it was scary. I was just very fortunate the boy I chose loved me and cared about me, just as Greg loves you.”

  “Were you nervous.”

  “Of course I was. But, I also think I was ready, and he was sweet and he was careful,” Amanda looked at Delaney to be sure she understood.

  “I get it Amanda,” Delaney couldn’t help to take a shot at her. “But, you weren’t exactly careful with Jack.”

  “That was different,” Amanda explained as she remembered her first time with Jack. “We both knew we were in love, and I think we both knew exactly what we were doing, exactly what we wanted.”

  “I know Greg and I feel the same way.”

  “I think you do too,” Amanda agreed with her before pointing out the differences. “But I was twenty six and had already finished school and Jack was forty two and ready for fatherhood. You and Greg are just getting started. Trust me, Delaney, the two of you will have plenty of time.”

  “I know we will,” Delaney replied with a smile as Amanda realized she had just been testing her. “And I know it’s going to be special.”

  * * *

  Jack was angry.

  Not just a little bit angry, but really pissed off. Sure, he had managed to put his best face forward when Amanda, Delaney, and Logan arrived home, but now that they were sleeping, he had nothing left to hide. I really could kill him, he remembered his threats and pictured the fat, bloated face of J. Mitchell Caldwell as he poured himself another drink.

  How dare he even suggest that the encounter between his son and Delaney had been consensual. How do you explain the bruise on her arm, the cuts on her feet, the tear in her dress. How do you explain her endless tears the night before.

  There was nothing consensual about it. That would be like Mitch Jr. saying that Greg hitting him in the face was consensual, that he had agreed to the beating he apparently took. I can’t let him get away with it, Jack decided as he found some pleasure in the bruises and black eye on Mitch Jr.’s face.

  But, the cards are all stacked against me, Jack realized as he sat down on the sun chair and put his feet up to try and relax. The law is on his side, he’s got the sheriff in his pocket. I just have a bruised girl, a concussed boy, and an overmatched attorney. I’ve got to figure this thing out, I have to find some answers. Maybe Greg will be able to help when we talk to him tomorrow, but I’m not even sure he remembers anything. I’m not even sure my brain is working anymore, Jack realized he hadn’t slept in nearly forty eight hours.

  I need to sleep, Jack closed his eyes and planned his strategy as his exhaustion finally trumped his anger. Tomorrow, I will figure something out, tomorrow will be better.

  Tomorrow, I will know all the answers.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Hey bud,” Greg tried to be enthusiastic as they arrived home and Logan ran to greet him.

  “Greg, how are you feeling,” Logan asked as he hugged him around his waist. “What happened to your hair.”

  “Take it easy, Logan,” Amanda rescued Greg as she picked up her son. “Remember what I told you about his accident.”

  “It’s okay,” Greg tried to smile as he reassured him. “They had to give me a crew cut and a couple stitches, but I’m doing good.” Good meaning a splitting headache and an aversion to light, Greg thought to himself as he squinted through the pain.

  “Can I feel,” Logan asked as he reached for Greg’s head and made a funny face. “It feels weird.”

  “It feels weird to me too,” Greg enjoyed his conversation with Logan while at the same time missing his hair. “But it will grow back soon.”

  “Let me show you your room, Greg,” Delaney interrupted Logan’s interrogation and made him feel like the guest of honor as she took his hand. “Jack’s getting your stuff and Amanda made up the guest bedroom for you,” she said as she led him down the hallway and then entered his room.

  “Thanks, Delaney,” he sighed as he collapsed on the bed, exhausted by the trip from the hospital back to the house. “I’m beat.”

  “Why don’t you get into bed,” Delaney suggested with a concerned look on her face. “The doctor said you should get plenty of rest.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m going to,” he replied as he sat up and considered his next question. “Delaney, is Jack okay. He barely talked on the way home. He’s not mad at me, is he.”

  “He’s not mad at you at all,” Delaney responded as she sat down next to him. “I think you did exactly what he would have done if he wasn’t an adult.”

  “So, what’s wrong with him.”

  “I’m not quite sure, but I think something happened when he went to pick up your truck yesterday. But, he won’t talk about it, not even with Amanda.”

  “You going to be okay in here, Greg,” Jack interrupted their conversation as he entered the room with his bags.

  “It’s perfect,” Greg replied as he again felt a sharp pain shoot through his head. “Thanks for everything, Jack.”

  “Anytime,” Jack replied as he seemed to perk up a little. �
�Let me know if you need anything, okay.”

  “You’ve got it,” Greg answered as he watched Jack exit the room and his hand found Delaney’s leg. Alone at last, he smiled as he turned to Delaney and immediately knew she had read his mind.

  “Don’t even think about it,” she laughed and pushed his hand away. “You had your chance last night, now you are going to have to wait until you are all better. Sorry.”

  “Very funny,” he replied to her teasing and then suddenly felt serious. “Delaney, I’m glad you are alright.”

  “I’m fine, Greg, please stop worrying about me. If one more person asks if I’m okay, I’ll going to kill them.”

  “Trust me, I understand. I won’t worry about you anymore, I promise.”

  “Okay, that’s settled then,” Delaney responded as she stole a quick kiss and stood up from the bed. “Now get some rest, and if you are lucky, maybe I will visit later.”

  “Sounds good,” he replied as he laid down and closed his eyes as his thoughts turned to her visit.

  * * *

  “Jack, there is nothing you can do right now,” Amanda tried to convince him as she cleared the last lunch plates off the table. “Why don’t you come back to the bedroom and take a nap with me. You could use the rest.”

  “I’m okay,” he replied, still distracted by his thoughts and the papers he was studying.

  “I’ll make it worth your while,” she offered a bribe as she brushed his shoulder with her hand.

  “What was that.”

  “Nothing Jack,” Amanda gave up as she took the dishes into the kitchen and realized talking to him right now was useless.

  What is wrong with him? Why can’t he just talk to me? The lack of sleep certainly can’t be helping. It just adds to his stubbornness, Amanda washed the dishes as she thought about what to say.

  We need to get back to normal as soon as possible, she thought to herself as she dried her hands with a towel. Delaney and Greg are going to be okay. Let’s just leave it at that and let the rest of the problem fade away.

  But, we can’t do that. Jack is right. Mitch needs to be held accountable for what he did, Amanda understood the need to take a different approach as she reentered the dining room.

  “Jack,” Amanda was careful to get his full attention as she sat back down at the table. “I need you to talk to me about this.”

  He paused as he took off his reading glasses and put down the papers. “Amanda, I really don’t want to burden you. I’d rather just handle it myself and not involve you, Delaney, and Greg. It’s bad enough that they have to relive the entire night when they talk to Mike tonight.”

  “I understand,” she carefully considered what to say. “But, you can’t keep it all bottled up and let it eat you up inside. You need to talk about it, at least tell me what’s going on.”

  “I don’t want to worry you,” he said as he stood up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Right now, I just need you to keep your eye on Delaney and Greg and let me handle this. Is that okay.”

  At least we can talk about something, Amanda found some comfort as she leaned her head against his arm and enjoyed him massaging her shoulders. “It’s okay, Jack,” she gave him his space. “And don’t worry about Delaney and Greg. They are doing fine.”

  “Are you sure it’s a good idea, them taking a nap together.”

  “I think it’s perfect,” Amanda replied and felt a tinge of jealousy at their quiet time together. “They are just protecting one another, helping each other heal. We also have to understand they aren’t children anymore,” Amanda looked up at Jack to see if he understood.

  “They still are to me. I’d rather they didn’t nap together, at least not in the same bedroom.”

  “Jack, we aren’t going to be able to stop them,” Amanda reminded him of how love works and wished he would remember. “I talked to Delaney about it, and I reminded her to be careful, to wait until she is ready. She understands, and I actually think both of them are ready. I really can’t believe they waited this long.”

  “Well, don’t encourage them,” Jack protested but seemed to accept the inevitable.

  “I don’t think I need to,” Amanda replied as she took his hand and moved it to her breast as she closed her eyes. “It just happens.”

  * * *

  “Do you wish we were at the beach with all the other kids,” Delaney asked Greg as she laid her head on his chest and enjoyed the quiet peacefulness of his darkened room.

  “No, I’m happy right here,” he said as he kissed her forehead and she could sense him going to sleep. “How about you.”

  “This is perfect,” she replied as she put her hand on his chest. “We’ll see everyone at graduation Friday.”

  “Yep,” he kept his answer short as he fell asleep.

  I wish he would do something, Delaney wondered why Greg was keeping his hands to himself as she shifted her hand to his stomach and tried to give him a hint. Maybe he just isn’t feeling well, she thought as she moved her hand ever so slightly lower. What happened to the guy who couldn’t keep his hands off me last night?

  That felt really good, Delaney settled for the thoughts running through her head as Greg’s breathing deepened and she knew he was asleep. I wish we would have had done it then, I was definitely ready. Maybe we would have if we had protection, she remembered one of the reasons they stopped and reminded herself to take care of that errand.

  I wonder what he thought of me. I hope I didn’t do something wrong, Delaney suddenly felt insecure as she remembered Greg stopping her. He’s probably been with lots of other girls, girls who knew what they were doing. He must know I’ve never done it, that must be why he isn’t doing anything.

  What did he mean when he said he’s been waiting his entire life for this? It must just be a line, but a really good one, Delaney remembered how special it made her feel. But, he has to have done it before, this couldn’t be his first time, could it?

  Has he been waiting for me all this time, saving himself for this moment. That would be too good to be true, Delaney realized boys didn’t have the same self control as girls, at least some girls anyway. No, she decided, this isn’t his first time, although she didn’t really care as she closed her eyes to try to go to sleep.

  It’s his first time with me, and that’s all that really matters.

  * * *

  She is driving me crazy, Greg tried to think about other things as his mind focused on her hand on his stomach and he pretended to sleep.

  We can’t do this here, he panicked as he hoped Delaney couldn’t feel how excited he was. Not with Jack and Amanda in the other room, not without being prepared. I can’t take this, Greg decided to roll over on his side as her hand moved lower.

  That’s a little better, he felt her roll over with him and her breasts press against his back. Maybe not, he shared every movement of her body as he grew even more excited and her hand nearly brushed against him as she reached for his leg. I can’t take this anymore, he thought to himself as his mind drifted to their encounter the night before.

  I am so glad that didn’t happen, he was thankful she had stopped just in time as he remembered how it felt when she touched him, how his body had nearly responded too soon. That would have been embarrassing, Greg cringed as he felt Delaney shift her hips and he realized how close he was to embarrassing himself again.

  Think about something else, Greg, he commanded himself to shift his focus and decided the pain shooting through his head might be a good distraction. Think about the pain, think about the pain, think about the pain, he silently said to himself as his mind disobeyed his words and visions of the night before clouded his focus.

  Her mouth, her breasts, her hips, her legs, her beautiful face. All at the forefront of his mind, all right there pressed up against him ready to share. All I have to do is turn around.

  I can’t do that, Greg resisted temptation and refocused on his pain. Not yet, not now, he reminded himself as he felt everyone one of hi
s senses respond to her presence. It’s going to be a long afternoon, Greg realized as he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

  * * *

  This is so frustrating, Amanda laid in bed with her eyes wide open but her clothes still on.

  At least he is sleeping, she tried to focus on his breathing as his body spooned her’s and her arousal played tricks on her mind. What is wrong with me, Amanda felt tied up in knots, held back by restraints, ready to explode, and all in all in need of being satisfied. This isn’t like him to leave me like this. Especially not on a Sunday.

  Sunday is our day. Our day to forget about the stresses of work and children. Our day to spend some time together alone and to express ourselves physically. Sure, we might get in a quickie every once in a while, but it’s hard to find time during the week with Jack’s long hours and my chasing a four year old around the house. Sunday is supposed to be special.

  But, this Sunday is different. Everyone responds to stress in different ways. I try to get back to normal and find a routine, Jack has to fix things, he has to regain control. And until he does, I’m stuck.

  Maybe he is right, Amanda considered the pettiness of her needs as she felt her breasts about to burst. Making love isn’t going to fix anything, having sex isn’t going to solve our problems. But, it would certainly make me feel better, she closed her eyes and decided to use her imagination.

  That’s it, Jack, Amanda sensed his hand caressing her breast. Oh yeah, she felt his body harden as she welcomed him to join her and he enthusiastically obliged. Don’t you dare stop, they finally started to move as she felt him inside of her and all of her senses heightened.

  What happened?

  Jack suddenly rolled over onto his back as Amanda reopened her eyes. This isn’t working for me, she felt the tension in her legs as she rolled over and rested her head on his chest. I need a release, she selfishly thought about waking him up and trying again. Am I that desperate, Amanda remembered her earlier failed attempts to gain his attention and decided not to embarrass herself again.

  I wish he would let me make him feel better, Amanda moved her hand to his leg but received no response. Who am I kidding, I wish he would make me feel better, she scolded herself for her selfishness. Just rest for now, Jack, Amanda decided to let him sleep as she got out of bed, too worked up to sleep.