Page 67 of Jackson
“They fought over you. Dane tried to punch Jackson but he was drunk, they fought and he lost his balance. He fell back onto the wall. Jack tried to grab him before he toppled over. It was an accident. An accident Jack holds himself entirely responsible for. He believes if they hadn’t argued, if Jackson hadn’t confessed he was in love with you, the fight wouldn’t havestarted.”
“You fucking knew!” I screamed from the top of my lungs. “Accident or not, Jackson knew exactly what happened that night. I questioned and questioned, I drove myself fucking mad with wanting to know, Dex. All the time heknew.”
I was shocked to the core. My body started to tremble again. Dexter took a step towards me, and I welcomed his arms around me as I gave into the sobs that overwhelmed me. I was glad for his strength; my legs were about to give out. I’d seen and learned way too much for me to take in, and I hurt. I physicallyhurt.
“I’m calling Alfie to take youhome.”
“I…I can’t dothis…”
“I know. I know. Go home, Summer. Let me fixhim.”
* * *
“Ma’am, can I helpyou?”
I stood in the middle of the airport with tears streaming down my face and no idea of where togo.
“I need to get home,” Iwhispered.
“Let me help you. Home iswhere?”
“I’m notsure.”
I turned, finally, to look at a woman in a uniform. I guessed she was some sort of walking information service for the airport. She had a kind face and a gentle smile forme.
“Why don’t we sit for amoment?”
She led me to a row of plasticchairs.
“Now, where do you need to get to?” sheasked.
“England. I need to get to Heathrow or Gatwick. My heart is herethough.”
“Aboy?”
“A man, a damaged man. I’m sorry, I just need pointing into the direction of the ticket salesdesks.”
“Do you have a preference ofairline?”
“No, the first one leaving Iguess.”
We stood and walked through the vast airport to the ticket desks. She went from one to the other speaking on my behalf until she waved meover.
“Cheapest, and soonest,” shesaid.
I purchased a ticket, praying I had enough limit on my credit card and collected the document. She then placed her hand on my back and walked me through to check-in. She waited for me before showing me through passportcontrol.
“I’m sorry about your man,” she said as I smiled mythanks.
“So am I. Thankyou.”
I wandered aimlessly until I found a seat near my gate and waited. I had purposely turned off my phone but my hand itched to see if Dexter had called. No matter what I did, the tears would not stop rolling down my cheeks. People looked at me but everyone smiled, offering some comfort withoutwords.
Eventually my flight was called. As I walked to the desk, I hesitated. At that moment I could have easily turned around and gone back, but I didn’t. I boarded the plane, took my seat, and I buckled myselfin.
I watched California fall beneath me as the plane climbed. I mentally said goodbye to the most intense couple of weeks of my life. I placed my palm on the window and whispered tohim.
“I love you,Jack.”
