Dirty Visual

At home Zack put the sleeping Bentley in his crib, tucked Jared into bed and went into his and Brian’s room. Zack cried himself to sleep for the first time in a long while. In the middle of the night Jared climbed into his bed and cuddled up against Zack.

The next day Zack met with Matt and Mattie at a local restaurant. Matt’s mom had taken the babies for the day so they just had Jared. The little boy looked even worse than he had before the accident. He wouldn’t say a word now no matter how much you tried to get him to talk. He just wouldn’t; Jared stuck to nods and shakes of the head. The little boy didn’t play with the other kids on the playground just outside either. The adults chalked his actions up to Brian’s accident.

Jared pointed to the bathroom letting Zack know he had to go. The older man nodded to the little boy and watched as he made his way into the bathroom. He hadn’t seen anyone go in or out of the bathroom in a while but he still watched the door a few feet away as he talked to his brother and friend.

“What should I do?” Zack spoke quietly not paying attention to the two men in front of him. If he had been watching them he would have seen the look the two had shared; a look of pity.

“I don’t know Zack.” Mattie grabbed his hand from across the table and held it in his own.

“The Doc says not to tell him about the past, we all know Brian and we have to agree with the old man. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t hint at it or even show him what’s changed. I am the only one he knows so I can slip in and show him things of yours Zack or even tell him how my life has changed to maybe get the juices flowing.” Matt suggested before taking a gulp of his drink.

“And what am I supposed to do in the mean time?” Zack turned his eyes away from the bathroom for just a minute to look at the Matt’s.

“You take care of your kids. Let me smooth things over a bit with him and get him to at least believe that he has memory loss. Then he may be open to suggestions about his life. When he accepts it I can show him things like his divorce papers, and the deed to your house.” Zack nodded with glazed over eyes, turning his attention back to the bathroom.

“I don’t know about you guys but I’m done with my lunch.” The two men agreed. Zack looked down at their table to see all empty plates, except Jared’s. With a sigh Zack stood, paid his and Jared’s portion of lunch and headed towards the bathroom. He pushed the door open. His heart nearly stopped at the site he saw.

Stewart Kale had Jared pressed up against the bathroom counter, leaned over and speaking directly in the little boy’s face. Jared was shaking, hard. Zack didn’t take the time to process the scene anymore because he was across the bathroom in seconds; he threw the older man against one of the bathroom stalls. “Stewart Kale if I ever see you near my kid again I will tear you from limb to limb. Do you hear me? I don’t know what the fuck you were just doing but I will find out and if you’ve been doing anything illegal to my boy I swear I will have your ass in a cell as soon as I find out.”

“Oh no need to worry Mr. Vengeance,” The old man sneered. “I was just talking to the brat. There’s nothing illegal in that.”

Kale pushed away from Zack who had his hands clenching the older mans shirt. He walked from the bathroom; Zack watched as he went. Matt and Mattie had been standing at the entrance. They blocked his way, each giving him a glare and a snarl of their own before letting him pass. In that time Zack made his way towards Jared; he pulled the little boy in for a tight hug. “Are you okay?” The little boy just nodded.

Matt had dropped them off at home. Jared immediately ran into Zack and Brian’s room; he stopped in the doorway. A pang of sadness ran through his little body. Why would Mr. Kale lie to him? His daddy wasn’t home or in bed getting better. Tears began to form in his eyes as he ran to their bed and curled up under the covers on his dad’s side.

Zack watched the scene from afar. A set of tears had started to fall as he watched his son get so hopeful and then just crash. He didn’t understand why either. Why would Jared think his dad would be at home, in his bed? Then it clicked. God damn you Stewart Kale.

Zack took his shoes off and followed the little boy to his bedroom. Looking around he could see evidence of Brian living here. His clothes were strewn over the bed side chair; his leather jacket clung to the closet door, hanger. Brian’s favorite arm bands and watches were in an open top jewelry holder on the dresser.

Zack found his way under the blankets and wrapped his arms around the little boy; shushing him, trying to calm Jared, while he himself cried silently. Jared flipped around, putting his head on Zack’s chest. The sob that broke from the boys lips crushed Zack, causing the older man to fully break down.

“Everything will be okay daddy.” Zack barely heard it as the little boy slipped into sleep. He wished he could say the same to the little boy but what good would it do giving the little boy false hope?

Notes