Jacob makes a right hand turn and says to DK, “You know DK, your sister has really helped me with things and made me see things in a whole new way.”
“Is that so?” asks DK.
“Yeah, with her help and of course you, we can do it all,” answers Jacob.
DK thinks about Jacob and how complicated of a person he is in his life. Jacob has done some horrible things to DK’s sister Beth, and DK remembers wanting to kill Jacob after he saw the terrible bruises that Jacob did to Beth’s arms, body, and face, but Beth told him not to hurt Jacob.
DK is torn on who Jacob really is and has been ever since Jacob married Beth many years ago. On one hand, Jacob can be a very abusive person to Beth and Brandon, and on the other hand, he can be an amazing caring and loving husband and father.
As Jacob drives back to their neighborhood in Sarasota, DK remembers the good and bad memories he has with Jacob, Beth, and Brandon and DK wonders what he should do about Jacob, Brad, and Sal moving forward.
CHAPTER 7
IT WASN’T YOUR FAULT
I awake the next morning, exit my master bedroom, and enter my man cave. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what happened with Lauren and those two criminals.
I sit down on my black yoga mat and I try to relax, but I can’t stop thinking about what could have happened to Lauren and what my life would be like if I lost her.
After a couple deep breaths, I try to relax and meditate. My body and mind are still racing, and I can’t relax. I decide to give up on my meditation this morning and go for a run instead.
I exit my house after putting on my running pants, long sleeved shirt, and running shoes.
A breeze of cold air hits my face as I exit my house. The cold air feels good as I walk onto my driveway and then I start jogging down the sidewalk and pass Buck’s house.
As I run down the sidewalk, I start to relax and my anxiety calms down as I focus on my run and I pass the Armory house and then the Medical house.
I wave to the guards that are at the West entrance platform and then turn the corner and head towards the cul-de-sac where Jon, Kelly, Deb, Jordan, Jaws Junior, and Darlene live.
Someone exits from JJ’s house through the front door as I enter the cul-de-sac.
It’s Jaws Junior and he shouts to me, “Ryan!”
I run over to Jaws Junior and ask, “What’s up JJ?”
“Do you have a second?” asks Jaws Junior.
I stop running and look at Jaws Junior.
“I just wanted to apologize for what happened at my house,” says Jaws Junior to me.
I see the sad expression Jaws Junior has on his face and I feel like he really feels bad for what happened.
“It wasn’t your fault,” I say to Jaws Junior.
“I know, but I feel bad that it happened because of me wanting to get my motorcycle,” replies Jaws Junior.
I look at Jaws Junior and I’m not sure what to say. I feel like it kind of was his fault just because he wanted to go to his house, even though he had nothing to do with the two guys attacking us.
“I understand if we can’t go back for my bike,” says Jaws Junior.
“I just wish your house wasn’t in such a bad area. You had crazy cult people around there and now you have criminals causing problems,” I reply in a joking tone.
“I’m just glad Lauren and you are okay. Lauren is okay right?” says Jaws Junior.
“Yeah, she’s a little shaken up still, but she’ll be okay,” I answer.
“I’ll let you get back to your run, I just wanted to apologize,” says Jaws Junior.
“You hit that Tyler guy pretty hard with that wrench. I was surprised he was able to get up,” I say to Jaws Junior to try to ease the awkwardness between us.
“Guess I didn’t hit him hard enough though. It was pretty terrible and awesome at the same time when he chopped your sword into that fat guys dome,” replies Jaws Junior.
“I’m just glad my sword blade didn’t chip after getting stuck in his big ass head,” I joke.
Jaws Junior and I smile and laugh.
“Maybe things will calm down around my old house,” says Jaws Junior.
“I wonder if you could find a motorcycle around here or at one of the car lots,” I say to Jaws Junior.
Jaws Junior looks at me and replies, “I’m sure there are. I just wanted to bring my bike back here... It was the last thing I wanted to bring from our old house.”
I feel Jaws Junior get sentimental about his bike and I understand how it must be to be living in a new house after being forced to leave the home you bought, fixed up, and made your own. I haven’t had to leave the first and only house I bought, and I don’t know how I would feel if I had to leave it.
“When it settles down around here, we’ll get a group together to clear out your neighborhood and bring back your bike,” I say to Jaws Junior.
Jaws Junior smiles and replies, “That would be awesome, but I know it’s not a risk worth taking right now.”
I exchange a pound with Jaws Junior with our right knuckles and say, “I’ll see you later.”
I start jogging down the sidewalk and exit the
