Twist of Fate

Comfort

"Joe" she tapped his shoulder. He was sound asleep. "Joe" she repeated herself. 

"Yes" he said weakly. He turned around to look at the clock. 4:15 am.

"Jackies crying again" Kick said worried.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked

"Go comfort her" she remarked. "I know about you two" she whispered. "She needs you more than anything right now" 

"She hates me" 

"She feels guilty, that all" Kick said reassuring him. "Go" 

He got up, combed through his hair with his fingers, and put on some shorts. 

"Joe" she said before he made it out of the room. "Brush your teeth first." He chuckled and shook his head. 

He stared at himself in the mirror and sighed. 

Silently he opened the door to her room. She was laying there on her right side facing the wall. 

"Jackie" he whispered. She turned around and rolled her puffy strained eyes. "I'll just leave then" he said turning around. Jackie began to cry harder. Joe stood between the door and the hallway thinking for a second, closed the door and went to lay next to her. He put his arms around her and put his chin on her head. Jackie made herself embrace him more and hugged onto his arms. "I'm here" Joe whispered. 

"I'm scared" she said. Jackie held Joe's arms tighter now and shook. She was now like a child in his arms and so naive. 

"It's going to be alright" 

"What if he doesnt make it?" she asked turning to look at him.

"Jack's one tough asshole." he replied, making her laugh. It made his heart jump knowing she was smiling again. Her face had a glow , a sort of light to it. She was beautiful. 

"Kathleen is taking me to see him" she said turning back around to face the wall.  "I'm taking him some of that clam chowder he likes" 

"He does love his chowder" 

"Joe..." she said. "I'm sorry this relationship with you is confusing I just do-"

"Jackie" 

"Yes" 

"I will always love you, but Jack is the man you love" he fought to keep the tears from not being visible. "I will always be here." He turned her around to face him and kissed her. 

"Jackie" Kick said keeping her eyes on the road. Jackie turned to look at Kick and fear overcame her. She didn't know whether Kathleen knew about her affair with Joe. 

"I know" she said. 

"About what?" Jackie rapidly said. 

"Joe" 

"Kathleen I know its wro-"

"Jackie, I just don't want Jack getting hurt, this time emotionally" she said. "I don't want you to get hurt either." Jackie looked out the window and sighed. "I understand Joe is who you always wanted Jack to be, but you have a Caroline. Everything from here on out you have to do for her" They pulled into the Hospital parking lot, Kathleen put her hand on Jackie's lap and smiled at her. "You'll make the right decision"