Page 54 of We Thought We Were Invincible
Jamie shifted in the backseat of Kat's car, unable to sit still.
“What is wrong with you?” I whispered.
He hesitated a moment, looking out the window, before turning to pin me with darkened eyes. “I haven't been to church since the last time I saw my dad.”
Understanding dawned, and I longed to reach out to him. My eyes flicked to Kat and Colby in the front seats and I thought better of it.
“Are you scared to see him?” I asked.
“A little,” he admitted. “I don't know if I'm more nervous that he'll talk to me or that he won't.”
That was all I got from him, but it was enough for my heart to break. My mom was gone forever, but if she was here, there'd be no question that she wanted me - that she loved me. My dad was another story. Had he walked away?
Jamie wanted the same thing I'd always dreamed of from my own father. To know he loved him.
We parked and got out of the car. Mr.Chase met us outside the building in a sport coat and slacks. He bent to give Kat a kiss then turned to us.
“If it isn't some of my most promising writers.” He looked between me and Jamie as if he meant both of us. I hadn't gotten to read Jamie's story, but suddenly couldn't wait.
“Hi, Mr.Chase,” I said. When he gave me a stern look, I amended that. “Sorry… Noah.” Wow, that felt weird.
Aunt Kat and Mr.Chase… er… Noah walked in first, followed by the three of us. The service was nothing out of the ordinary, spotlighting a sermon of doing good works with simple acts of kindness. I felt Jamie tense up beside me toward the end when his father stepped up to the lectern to say the prayer.
I reached down between us, twining my fingers with his. He didn't respond at first, then I felt the pressure as he squeezed my hand as if it could hold him together. We bowed our heads in prayer, Mr.Daniels' voice echoing through the room. Jamie didn't relax until the service ended. Our hands were still clasped together when Colby glanced toward us. His brow scrunched, and I dropped Jamie's hand.
“Anybody seeing the news?” Someone ran through the crowd that was exiting the building. He waved his phone toward the pastor.
Noah took out his phone and typed.
“Crap.” As soon as he said it, he looked to us apologetically - ever the teacher.
“What's up?” Kat asked.
“Storm is turning. Looks like a forty percent chance it could be a direct hit.”
“When?” Jamie asked. I knew what the excitement in his voice meant.
“They're saying tomorrow.”
His grin widened, fading only when a voice spoke behind us.
“Son.” Mr.Daniels voice held an authority that left little room to question it. Maybe that was why he was rising politically.
Jamie turned on his heel and marched away. I went after him, but I wasn't the only one.
“James Daniels.” His father's tone stopped him in his tracks. “I think it's about time you quit this charade and come home.”
I watched Jamie as his jaw clenched. He cracked his knuckles down by his sides, trying not to explode.
“Speak,” his father commanded.
“I have nothing to say,” Jamie answered.
When Mr.Daniels' hard eyes turned on me, I fought the urge to shrink back. “Young lady, I'd like to speak to my son. Alone.”
“She stays.” Jamie grabbed my arm to make sure I didn't leave him.
“Son.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.
