Chapter 100: The Girl

Jack’s face dropped for just a millisecond before he put on a forced smile. “I’m not sure. We parted ways a while ago, before I left the clubhouse.”

Stacy caught on quickly. Her eyes landed on the takeaway packets on the counter. “That’s so much. Have you develop an appetite of a whale after the drunken cooking?” She teased, trying to make him relax.

The tension from his shoulders lifted visibly. “I’m buying for three,” he said, not specifying the people involved. “Aww! We have our own food but that’s so sweet,” Stacy reached for the food, saying, “if you insist.”

Jack stopped her quickly. “That’s for Neil and Nelly,” he said as he took the bags from the counter. “I’ll send these over,” his voice was quiet as he left.

Chad studied her expression intently. “What?” “Why do I feel like both of your roles are reversed? He’s usually so talkative and playful,” Chad commented.

“Are you saying that I’m always too serious?” She narrowed her eyes dangerously at him. Chad held up both arms in a surrender motion before feigning a wince. “My arm.. my poor arm..” Stacy rolled her eyes. “Eat with your left hand,” she deadpanned. “You’re heartless!”

Meanwhile, Jack was walking into Neil’s room. A few men who came to visit him were just leaving. Neil strained his neck to look behind Jack. “Where’s Nelly?”

“She said she didn’t want to eat,” he kept his tone carefully neutral. Neil nodded slowly. “Guess she’s tired. My condition had kept her up all night.”

Jack was quiet as he set the food up at the table beside his bed. “I hope that she will have something to eat when she wakes,” he was mumbling, putting on his former fussy brother behavior just like when she first came to town.

“I bought her portion,” Jack assured. Neil gave him two thumbs up. “We are lucky to have a friend like you!” Jack narrowed his eyes. “You are especially cheesy today.”

“I almost died,” he said. Jack shrugged. “Makes sense.”

“I think I aged a few decades after this near-death incident,” Neil continued on. “You’re overthinking,” Jack chuckled. Neil’s eyes widened. He became invested in proving Jack the truth. “I even keep my sister’s childhood picture with me. It’s just under my pillow.. I’ll show you,” he turned to lift his pillow but Jack stopped him.

“Alright, alright! I know you get all sentimental after waking up. I don’t want to see your sister’s picture. Just eat,” he shoved the spoon in his hand.

Neil was barely a few mouthfuls in before he started speaking again. “When our parents split up, we only had one of them in our lives. Living with our mom, she didn’t have a father beside her as she grew up. Not that I have one either. You know how he was.” Jack nodded, seemingly to be deep in thought.

“Having her here is very new to me. I don’t know how to interact with girls but sometimes, I kind of think of her like a mother figure. I was older when our parents parted. I remember how our mother used to act. She’s exactly like that,” a small smile graced his lips. Jack shrugged. “I grew up with a bunch of girls. They are noisy.” Neil gave him the side eye. “So are you.”

“I’m a quick learner,” Jack flashed his teeth. “No matter what, you grew up well, both of you,” Neil nodded in his direction. He didn’t have the luxury but he was glad his sister had it. He was proud when he looked at his sister. Their mother raised her well and unlike him, she’s really smart. She even saved his life.

Neil placed the bowl he had been holding on the table. Jack’s eyes fell on the contents in it. “I need to relieve myself,” Neil said. Jack walked over and held his hand out to him. Neil stared at it before waving his hand.

“I’m injured, not paralyzed. I can manage myself.” Jack took a step to the side as he watched Neil’s every movement. His brows furrowed, showing the uncertainty he was feeling. “Are you sure?” Neil looked confident.

“Of course! I got up when Wayne and the gang visited,” he sounded proud. Jack shrugged. “Suit yourself. If your sister comes with a blade, I’ll say it’s all on you.”

“No problem. Don’t worry, nothing will happen. I’ll just go relieve myself real quick and come back. You won’t even notice me gone.”

Jack’s eyes followed Neil as he propped himself up with the help of the table and dragged himself in the small space to the door. “Stay put! I’ll be back,” he sounded too happy for someone who’s been opened up and stitched back by his own sister.

Jack was still looking after the door closed behind him. He shook his head. “This one is stubborn,” he mumbled. ‘Let’s see how fast is your “real quick”,’ he thought as he laid on his bed, even crossing his legs to exaggerate the wait, placing one ankle on the other knee and shaking it really leisurely.

When he placed his head on the pillow, he felt something underneath it. Out of curiosity, he lifted the pillow only to find a picture. A little girl with two ponytails was seen posing for the picture. She was wearing a white blouse and a red skirt. She’s Nelly, no doubt. Jack stared at the figure. “Have I seen her somewhere?”

The little girl years back popped up in his mind. They looked almost similar. She had the same double ponytails with a white blouse and a blue skirt. “Brother, why are you crying?” He remembered looking up to see this girl. She took the lollipop out of her mouth. “Have some. It’s sweet. It can make you happy.”

His heart skipped a beat. There’s no way it’s the same person. But if he really thought about it, Nelly lived in the city. He should ask Neil which city they used to live in. Could it be that she’s the girl? The one he had been missing, could she be beside him all along?

Someone opened the door to the room. Jack had been expecting Neil. He couldn’t wait to ask him about the picture.

Only, it was someone else who was at the door.