TJ's Journey to Recovery - 4. Chapter 4

“What do you mean?” I asked

“TJ, I didn’t die; I faked my death.” Bob said

“How do I know you are for real?” I asked

“Ok, I used to tip you in $100 bills when you worked at buff boys.” Bob said

“shhh. I don’t want my dad to know I did that.” I said

“TJ, he knows already. There are a few things with this reality I need to fix; never leave things to kids.” Bob said

“So me and JC?” I asked hopefully

“That will happen but it needs to run its course.” Bob said and smirked

“You are so rude.” I said and he laughed

“TJ, we can fix things and I have another confession but that will wait until later. Just enjoy being here for now.” Bob said and walked away

“Hey bro, want to watch us play basketball? Grayson asked

“Yeah, bet you’ll enjoy those hot shirtless men.” Beau said

“Oh there are hot guys playing?” I said laughing

“Haha funny man” Lucas said and blew a raspberry

We walked over to the court that dad and I had put in ourselves. He wanted us to be athletic but none of us were experts and did ok. Beau and I played many pick-up games of basketball and I would sometimes watch him and Lucas play.

“You know the only reason he’s here is because his dad made him come.” Seymour said

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be? I asked

“No and if you think you can waltz back into JC life and steal my man, you ain’t seen nothing.” Seymour said

“Well, I hope a house falls on you and your little dog of a sister.” I said and was able to get up and hobbled away; I didn’t need his bullshit. Time stood still and suddenly Tristan, Damian and Nicky were there.

“Sorry we messed things up” Damin said

“We need to fix this and put in the changes but it will take some time.” Nicky said

“Well I am not putting up with Seymour and his crappy attitude.” I said

“You three, I told you we had fixes to make.” Bob said

“We wanted to apologize.” Damian said

“I get that but you can’t risk being seen even though you stopped time.” Bob said.

“We fix dis brudder” Tristan said and then time resumed

I noticed JC staring at me quite a bit as I sat under the oak tree. After this last round of basketball JC said he need a break and came and sat in the shade next to me. Seymour made a move to follow but JC held up his hand asking him to wait.

“Hey TJ, you ok?” He asked taking a seat

“I’m ok trying to figure things out; being in a coma sucked.” I said

“When I heard about the accident I did come and visit you weekly.” He said

“Why did you stop?” I asked

“I met Seymour and he didn’t like me visiting you.” He said ashamed

“If we weren’t dating why did it matter?” I asked

“That’s what I asked him and we had a bit of a fight at school.” He said

“Well bros before hoes” I said giggling

“I can’t believe you just said that.” He said laughing

“I’ve missed you more than you know.” I said

“I’ve missed you too. Did you two have a disagreement?” JC asked pointing at Seymour

“Yeah, he wanted me to leave you alone and he said if I steal you…” I said trailing off

“His jealousy has been a major problem.” JC said

“Oh, he gets jealous” I said laughing and saw Seymour shooting daggers at us.

“Yeah, some girl looked at me and he punched her out; he was even arrested.” He said

“That’s crazy; could you help me up? I need to go to the bathroom.” I said

“Oh you want me to help you up? I that a double entendre?” he said with a smirk

“You and your dirty mind Jackson.” I said as he helped me up

“Shhh. I haven’t told Seymour what my real name is.” He said

“Now that’s quite curious.” I said and started hobbling into the house.

“You are going to get me in trouble” JC said trailing behind me

“Me get you into trouble? Never.” I said

“Where are you going son?” Dad asked

“To the bathroom” I replied and went into the house

“You know I don’t need your help.” I said to JC

“I know but what if you fall.” He said and followed me into the bathroom

“You could wait outside.” I said and he closed the door

“Then I couldn’t do this.” He said and then kissed me.

“Wow” I said

“TJ, where are we?” JC asked

“The bathroom?” I said

“No we were at our wedding and now in a bathroom?” He said panicking

“Hey calm down. Let me pee then we can talk.” I said. Once I finished I had him follow me so I knew no one could hear us talking. We went into dad’s study and I closed the door. I knew Seymour was following us; so once we were inside I took JC into the secret man cave hidden within the office.

“This is so cool” He said when we stepped through the door behind the bookcase

“No one can hear us in here; nor can they spy.” I said

“So what’s going on?” he asked

“Someone was going to kill me and we were transported to an alternate dimension.” I said

“Uhh this is crazy” he said

“Not as crazy as you dating Seymour.” I said

“No way… he’s a creep. I never really liked him.” JC said

“Well buckle up babe because you’re dating him.” I said

“Well I will just go break up with him.” He said

“No, then he will know something is up. Do it when you get back to New York.” I said

“I guess I can wait.” He said

“You have too. Listen things are different now; my dad never “died”, my mom is alive and so is bob.” I said

“Well what about me” CC said as she appeared

“CC” I shouted and hugged her

“You died in an explosion.” JC said

“Not quite dear, I got home and Bob appeared in the garage and told me about the bomb. He said that I needed to go into hiding. They thought they found my body but it was a skeleton that had my clothes on.” CC said

“This is crazy talk” JC said

“No sweetie, you and TJ are meant to be but other people are trying to stop you.” CC said

“So what do we do?” he asked

“You stay in this dimension and do what’s expected until we can safely move you.” CC said

“So are the other’s here real?” he asked

“No, the others are safe in the real world and are being protected.” CC said

“I forgot about this room.” Bob said as he appeared

“So what do we do?” I asked

“You two need to be together and I will take care of Seymour” Bob said

“Could he really hurt me?” I asked

“Yes, he could but we can heal you.” CC said

“I just need to figure out why your complete powers haven’t activated.” Bob said

“I can tell you they may have to consummate their marriage for it to work” CC said

“Oh that sounds like some fun” I said wiggling my eyebrows at JC

“We’d have to take you back to the real world and it’s too dangerous right now.” CC said

“We need you both to lay low and go with the flow” Bob said

“Brudder?” Tristan said

“Yeah, Tristan” I said and he appeared

“Goodie, the fix worked.” He said when he saw JC

“Yes, Tristan it worked but Seymour is still a problem” Bob said

“What if he was a problem in the real world too?” I asked

“You could be right TJ, I’ll look into that.” Bob said

“You need to get back out there. TJ, you are going to meet me later just pretend not to know me please” CC said

“Who are you again?” I said laughing

“I’m serious.” She said

“Hi Serious, I’m TJ” I said sticking out my hand and laughing

“Ok Mister Funny man” CC said

“Now back outside. I need to distract Seymour first” Bob said and disappeared

We waited in the room until I heard Bob telepathically say the coast was clear. I kissed JC and then he walked out of the office and I hobbled out.

“What took you so long?” Dad asked

“I decided to sit in the air conditioning.” I replied

“Well everyone here came to see you; so don’t go hiding.” Dad said

“Ok dad.” I said and hobbled over to a chair

“How are you doing?” Grandpa Ron asked

“I am getting by I guess; they said it will be a long road to recovery.” I said

“I bet, they did so many surgeries to fix your legs; you dad said they had to make sure you could walk again.” Grandpa Ron replied

“You mean there was a possibility I couldn’t?” I said

“Yep, they said there was a lot of damage and they were really sure you wouldn’t. You are your father’s child and overcame every obstacle.” Grandpa said fondly

“Yeah, I just hope I can dance” I said

“You will, I believe Tracy will be able to help you” Grandpa said

“Hey TJ.” Grandpa Joe said

“Hi Grandpa, how was the trip down?” I asked

“We flew because your grandmother wanted to get her fast but I think it took just as long as she wanted to be at the airport super early.” Grandpa said laughing

“Yeah grandma does like to be early; she likes to be first.” I said

“First is an understatement; once we arrived so early we landed up helping set-up for a party. Your grandmother likes to control things and so does your mother.” Grandpa said

“Yeah tell me about; she wants everything her way.” I said

“TJ, you need to understand the women in our family always want control and will do anything.” Grandpa said with a wink.

“TJ! Come here!” Mom shouted

“Easier if you come to me” I said holding up my crutches

“TJ, I’d like you to meet Dylan’s mother Caroline.” Mom said

“Hello Ms. Carmine.” I said holding out my hand which she shook

“Call me CC, and it’s nice to finally meet you.” She said

“Dylan and I never really were friends, so it’s understandable I never met you.” I replied

“Well, we can chat later about how I would like to help you overcome everything.” CC said and smiled

“We can talk later in a more private setting.” I said and returned the smile

“Hey Teej.” Lucas said sitting down next to me

“Have was basketball?” I asked

“It was fun until Seymour came over and started to argue with JC.” Lucas replied

“That boy is a nutcase” Trace said sitting down

“Well Trace, you are dating his sister.” I said

“Yeah well if he and JC break up; I’m doing the same. She had suggested we do a four-way; with her own brother and my brother.” Trace said disgusted

“I don’t know what to say to that.” I replied

“I also have my eye on someone else” He said cryptically

“Well good for you.” I said

We could hear shouting from the basketball court and I saw JC walking this way.

“Would you tell this ignoramus that I didn’t fuck you” JC said to me

“Well you didn’t” I said

“See asshat; we are just friends and we were talking.”

“Yeah in private, why couldn’t you talk in front of me?” Seymour said accusingly

“It was a private conversation” I said

“Boys, calm down” Jack said coming over

Seymour walked away in a huff

“Dude you need to drop his ass” Trace said

“I know, but you first” JC said

“HAHA, make me the scape goat.” Trace replied

A few minutes later Seymour and Audrey reappeared.

“Eat shit” Seymour hollered as he brandished a gun and fired.