Twist of Fate

I Can't Fall For You

The car ride home was silent. Jackie sat there feeling  embarrassed . Every now and then she would turn her head to look at Jack to see if had calmed down. He was still very angry with his hands gripped tight on the wheel. 

"Jack...?" asked concern now that he was picking up speed. Jack said nothing. Now picking up more speed. "JACK!" She yelled putting her hand on his shoulder. He slowed down and was now breathing hard. "Jack plea-"

"Jacqueline" he said sternly. Jackie sat back with tears in her eyes. They got home and Jack went in by himself not waiting for Jackie. She was worried that he might start a fight with Joe. 

"Everything went as planned" Joe said to Jack. 

"Did she cry a lot ?" 

"No, We were just watching some cartoons" he said rubbing Caroline's Hand with his thumb. Caroline yawned and the cuteness was too much to handle, Jack and Joe smiled in unison. Jackie walked in and saw nothing but calmness. Jack just glanced at her and grabbed Caroline. 

"Im going to bed" he said blankly. "Thanks" he said patting Joe on the shoulder. "Goodnight" 

"Goodnight" Joe replied. 

"Goodnight dear" Jackie added. Jack just kept walking. Jackie sighed and looked at Joe. He mouthed 

"What happened?"  

Jackie pointed to the Patio. Joe understood and went with her. When Jackie sat down she rested her head on the chair and sighed. "Joe, i messed up" 

"What do you mean?"

She lifted up her head and looked at him then gave a small smile. He smiled back and asked again. 

"Jackie, what do you mean?" 

By this point Jackie had both her hands on her face and was laughing gently.

"When... when we were at the restaurant I got a little ketchup on my face and" she couldnt stop laughing. "I didn't know, and Jack cleaned it off" her laugh fading. "I said your name" 

"My name? what?" 

"I said 'Oh Joe you're a fool' because of when you took me to the diner that one night and i had "

"Ketchup on your face" he said finishing her sentence.

"Joe, now i'm the fool" 

"Jackie, your not a fool, you just got confused" 

"Maybe it was meant to happen" he added

Jackie looked up at him and saw him smiling. "Stop it" she laughed.

"He's pretty mad isn't he"

"He didnt say anything after that" 

"Jack didnt talk the rest of the time you were eating?" Joe asked concerned.

"Nothing at all" Jackie weeped.

"He'll get over it, by tomorrow morning he'll be" Joe paused "Kissing all over you".

"I hope so" she said staring into the night sky. 

"Jackie I-"

"I'm headed off to bed" she interrupted unintentionally.

"Goodnight" he said quietly. Jackie kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear.

"Thank you for being such a great uncle"