Jack be Quick - 2. Chapter 2

I reluctantly follow BJ into the truck stop, wondering if I can just run and hide. There are plenty of trucks here and it would be real easy to hide, but then where would I go? I hear BJ calling me and rush to catch up, I’ll just have to see how this goes. As we enter the restaurant I’m looking all over the place and memorizing the layout, I need to know the quickest escape route.

“Let’s eat at the counter,” I tell him, “that makes it special to me.”

He just looks at me and says “ not a chance, we have a lot to talk about and I need you undivided attention.” He tells me in a very serious voice.

I feel very small, like I have just been chastised. I don’t like this feeling, it’s a feeling from my old life, the one I left behind, or so I thought. I quickly dash for a booth close to the fire exit and almost dive in. “Ouch!, “ I yell as I bang my knee on the table edge.

“Are you ok Jack?” BJ asked me with real concern in his face.

“I’m fine,” I say, as I rub my knee. “I have to tell you something.” I say just above a whisper.

BJ raises his eyebrows and responds, “oh yes, you have a lot of explaining to do, but first we need to eat and I need coffee,” he says as he sits down and stares into my eyes.

“No, you don’t understand,” I tell him, “it’s about eating.”

He cuts me off as the waitress walks up with menus. “ What will you gentlemen like to start with?” She asks us. She is looking at me like I’m some kind alien creature and I realize that I’m still in BJ’s oversized PJ’s.

“I’ll have coffee, black and strong and the kid will have?” He looks over to me and looks at me to say something. I just stare at him in disbelief, I have never been asked what I wanted in public before.

“Just bring him a glass of OJ,” he tells her, “ he looks like he needs some vitamin C.” She writes it down and places our menus in front of us and walks away.

“Now then,” he starts, “ we need to establish some ground rules, until I decide what to do with you, please be careful of what you say.”

“I know what to do,”I tell him in a sarcastic way, “I’m not stupid, I won’t get you into trouble, unless...” I say stopping in mid sentence in a way it sounds like a threat.

“You little shit, I should just get up and leave you here and just drive on down the road.” He tells me with real steel in his voice.

“I’m sorry BJ, I didn’t mean anything.” I tell him feeling really scared. “I’ll be good from now on, please don’t leave me all alone.” I plead as my eyes get really big and I realize that he might just do that.

“I’m sorry, “ he says with warm voice, “ I’m not used to being around kids.” I quickly pick up the menu and pretend to study it and avoid looking at him, as it’s the best way to stay safe. “ What would you like eat for breakfast?”he asks me as he picks up his menu.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” I say , still pretending to look at the menu.

“I was going to have biscuits and gravy,” he says. “Do you like those?” He asks me, wouldn’t you rather have pancakes or French toast or something?” He asks me.

“I like pancakes,” I say in a small unsure voice. “My mom made them once in a while.” I tell him without much convection.

“Pancakes it is, they have like 25 kinds of syrup here,” he tells “ what it kind do you want?” I look all over the menu, I look up and down it but can’t find any pictures of food items. “ ummmm,,, just syrup will be fine,” I say unsure what I should say.

“The pancakes are on the back flap and the syrup choices are under them.” He tells me.

I turn the menu over and see a lot is writing and pretend to scan the back of the menu. “ I guess I’ll have the maple,” I say with a confidant voice.”

He just looks at me with curious eyes. “ did you find the selections of syrup?” He asks me in a skeptical voice.

“Sure, they are right there,” I point to where he said they where.

“Jack, can I ask you a personal question?” He asks me in low voice.

“Ummmm,,, OK,” I say, not sure where this is going.

“Can you read?” He asks. “I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but the last page of the menu is dinner selections.” He informs me. I just stare at his face not sure what to say or what to do.

“ I can read, of course I can read, I’m not stupid you know, “ I say with hurt in my voice.

“ Is that what you wanted to tell me when we first sat down?” He ask me in a low voice so no one else can over hear us.

“I CAN READ,” I say in a voice that’s maybe a little too loud, the waitress looks over briefly and goes back to doing something on the cash register. “I wanted to tell you I don’t have any money, but I can pay my way in other ways,” I inform him. “I can work in your truck and I have special talents that every man loves.” BJ looks at me like I am an alien he has just captured and is wondering how to best use his new toy.

“Don’t worry about “paying” your way,” he says using those annoying air quotes again. “I don’t charge for helping someone in need and before you start with the whole “charity” thing, it is not charity, it’s just one man helping a fellow man, thats all,” he tells me with conviction in his voice.

I am breathing heavy now and getting ready to bolt out the fire exit door when the waitress comes back to take our order. She takes one look at me, “ Are you ok honey?”

“I’m fine, just tried and need some coffee, please bring me a cup?” I ask and she looks at BJ.

“ Maybe you can bring him some decaf?” He says, “ Jack is a little wound up and the last thing he needs is caffeine,” he says with a smile on his face. He places our order, biscuits and gravy for him pancakes with maple syrup for me and looks me dead in the eye as the waitress walks away.

I’m playing with the salt and pepper shakers and ignoring BJ as he keeps looking at me. I wonder what he must be thinking, he figured out I can’t read much and I spilled the beans, even if just a little, about my past life. I have to pee but don’t dare say anything.

“Jack?” He says, “earth to Jack, come in Jack”

“Yeah, I’m here,” I say still playing with Salt and pepper shakers.

“I asked you a question.” He states plainly.

“Oh, I didn’t hear you,” I tell him, but I did hear the question and I don’t want to answer him.

“What grade are you in?” He repeats the question.

“ I’m,,,, ummm,,home schooled, so we don’t have grades,” I tell him. I quickly ask him, “Did you go to college?” in an attempt to change the subject. He says something but I don’t really hear him, what’s with all the questions? I wonder, as he keeps right on talking.

Our breakfast arrives and we eat in silence till the check comes. After we pay and are about to leave, he says, “wait here a minute,” as he gets up and goes over to the waitress. I stare at him and just know he is telling her everything.

“Have a seat, I have to go put your clothes in the laundry,” He tells me, “ they said you can wait for me here, I’ll be just 5 minutes.” I watch as he walks away and turns left down the hall out of sight. The waitress is watching me and has a look like she will like nothing more than to take me down the minute I stand up, so I just stare back at her and give her my biggest toothy grin.

Taking time to think, I recall all that has happened over the last day. I start to count on my fingers,,1 BJ protected me at the rest area, 2 he bought me breakfast, 3 he has not called the cops. Maybe he is selfish and won’t share me with anyone else, but he doesn’t want me either? Is he a wanted fugitive? I have to find out what his game is, or get away? But to where? I can always do what I used to do at home, but that sickens me. That’s what I was mostly running from.

The waitress interrupts my thoughts when she says ,” ummm,, aren’t you a little cold down there?”

“ No, I’m not cold,” I say as she points down to my lap. I look down and realize that my thing has fallen out. “ oops,” I say and fold it back in,” sorry.”

“That’s ok,” she says, “ you’d dad is going to buy you a change of clothes, he told me how your suitcases got stolen in the rest area last night.” She says. “ That’s just terrible how some people take anything they can get their hands on.”

“Ummmm, y e a h, “ I say very slowly, “ they got stolen .” In a way that I hope says go away, please.

“I thought you could use a nice cup of hot cocoa,” she says as she places a cup in front of me. “This is on the house and cheer up young man, it’ll all be ok,” she tells me. As she walks away I see how wide her hips are and know she must have kids of her own. She’s nice, I think as I sip my cocoa. I catch her looking at me from time to time and I have to wonder if she liked what she saw, maybe that’s why she brought over the cocoa.

BJ comes back with a bag of clothes and gives them to me,” no charge ,” he says with a big smile on his face. I take the bag and look inside and see a couple of shirts, pants, underwear and socks. “where did you get the cocoa?” He asked, “ I though you didn’t have any money?”

“I don’t, the waitress gave it to me,” I say and I wink at her. He looks from me to her, but all she does is wink back and smile.

I stand up and start to get undressed so I can put my new clothes on, but BJ looks horrified at me and says “Not here, are you crazy?” He almost yells, “you can’t just change in middle of the restaurant.”

“Oh, ok, so where do I go?” I ask, unsure what the problem is.”back to the truck?”

“I have a shower reserved, follow me and keep your clothes on for Pete’s sake,” he tells me with a hint of laughter in his voice.

“A shower?” I say unsure what he means.

“ Yes a shower, you stink, when was the last time you had a bath?” He asked looking me up and down.

“I shower every month, even if I don’t need one,” I say jokingly. I don’t think he gets the joke because he he looks at me with pity. “Just kidding, I shower or take a bath everyday, I have to otherwise the cus.... “ I stop talking realizing that I almost told the secret that I am never to tell. “I mean I would get into trouble if I didn’t, that’s all I meant to say,” I try to explain . “I don’t have any body wash or shampoo, or toothpaste, I don’t even have any hair gel or anything.”

“They will give you all you need at the desk, now come on, they just called our numbers,” he says. I follow him to the fuel desk and they give us two scraps of paper.

“We have two separate shower rooms?” I ask, not sure if this is a good thing or not.

“Yes, we won’t have to share a shower, you get your own private shower, won’t that be nice?” He asks me in a sarcastic voice.

“I guess,” I say a little nervous. “Can I lock the door?” I ask, still thinking about the rest area thing.

“Yes, of course you can, we wouldn’t want someone to just walk in on you,” he says with a sly smile on his face. I just look at him trying to figure this man out. He doesn’t seem to want anything from me, but I know that can’t be right, everyone wants something from everybody else, right?

“Do you remember where we parked?” He asked me.
“Of course I do,” I say with a mocking tone. “I told you I’m not stupid.”

“OK smarty pants, meet me out there after you finish and try to keep out of sight,” he tells me. “I have to get my laundry out of the dryer when I finish my shower,” he informs me, “so I’m sure you’ll beat me to the truck.”

“Why do I have to stay out of sight.” I ask, concerned. “ I’m a long way from home, I doubt anyone I know will see me all the way out here.”

“Best not to take any chances,” he says in a clipped voice.

“Fine, I’ll pretend I’m playing hide and seek, I’m good at that game,” I tell him as I enter the shower room and lock the door behind me before he can say anything else.

The shower room is much like you would expect, a typical bathroom, with a shower and sink as well as a toilet. It has fresh towels and soap on the wall in a dispenser. I quickly clean up being sure to wash my not so private areas extra well and head back to the truck. I duck between display racks and beside doors, pretending I’m James Bond on a secret mission. The evil Dr Where is after me, I must make my way to my top secret base ran by the famous BJ lion heart. I dart between trucks and leap under a few trailers and barely make it to the base. I sneak up the side of the truck and carefully open the door just a crack and look around to see if the evil doctor is on my tail. “Yea !!!” I yell and make leap for the open door. I miss and end up on my butt. I look around to see who is looking, sure everyone will be pointing and laughing at me, but no one saw me. I decide to stop goofing around and just climb into the truck.

BJ must have closed the curtains and left the truck running and I’m glad, it a lot nicer in here. “What will I do now?” I ask myself. “I don’t know, maybe I can clean up this truck of his?” I say to no one in particular. It’s not too bad, but it can use a boys touch, I think to myself. I get undressed as I don’t want to get my new clothes dirty and start to clean things up. He will be so surprised when he gets back, I think as I dig in and get to work. “I just hope I have enough time to finish before he returns,” I say out loud, “it’s too quiet in here.”

I’m maybe half way done when the door opens and up jumps DJ. “ awww,, I wanted to be finished by the time you got back,” I tell hm. “you ruined the surprise.” DJ is just sitting in the passenger seat staring at me like I have lost my mind. “What’s the matter?” I ask. “Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask afraid I messed up again.

“What is going on here?” He asks with a little bit of appreciation in his voice.

“I’m cleaning up your truck,” I say innocently.

“No, I mean, why are you naked?” He asks and then looks away.

“What do you mean, I always clean naked, didn’t you clean naked when you were a kid?” I ask. He just sits there so I ask him, “ do you have kids?”

“Ummmm,,,no, what does that have to do with anything ?” He asks me, still not looking at me.

“Well if you did wouldn’t they clean in the buff?, I mean if they didn’t They would get their clothes all dirty and then you would have to do the washing all over again,” I state plainly and roll my eyes.
“Why won’t you look at me?” I ask wanting to know what is wrong with me.

BJ turns around and does look at me and just shakes his head “ Put some clothes on, will you?” He asks.

“But I haven’t finished the cleaning yet,” I whine.

His eyes grow wide as he notices that I am hard. “Please cover yourself,” he says and is pointing to my member.

I look down and say, “that happens sometimes, you can play with it if you want,” I tell him, “I don’t mind that kind touching, everybody always wants to do that.,” I say proudly.

“I’m stepping out side for minute,” he says, “and when I get back in you better be fully dressed,” he says as he opens the door and gets out slamming the door after him.

What was that about ?, I think as I get dressed, geeeeze,,, no one has ever acted like that before. I stop cleaning and just sit down to wait for DJ, he seemed mad or upset, what ever did I do? I wonder as I just stare at the door waiting for it to open.

When BJ finally opens the door he says, “Are you dressed?”

“Yeah, you can come back,”I tell him. “ promise not to bite,” I say in a jokingly manner.

“We need to have long talk Jack,” he tells me.

“Ummmm,,, Ok”, I say, “what do you want to talk about?”

“Where to start?,” He seems to be saying to himself. “First of all, we need some more ground rules,” he states. “Ummmm, no naked cleaning and no hard ones in the truck, or in front of me, OK?” he asked me all the while looking me directly in the eyes.

“OK,” I agree, “but it really no big deal,” I say trying to convince him that I do that sort of thing all the time at home.

“Well, maybe to you, but to me and most of the rest of the world, it is a big deal,” he says with a blushing face.

“OH, MY, GOD,” I say amazed, “are you gay or something?” I ask. “I mean it’s ok if you are, I’ve met lots of gay men, and women as well as plenty of gay kids too, it’s really no big deal,” I say reassuringly. “Are you like, falling in love with me?”

“Are you gay?” He asks with his eyebrows furrowed.

“No, I’m not gay or straight, I’m nothing really, I’m just me,” I tell him matter of fact.

“Why exactly did you run away from home?” he Asks me out of the blue.

“I told you my parents wanted to get rid of me, so I beat them to the punch,” I tell him in a weak voice. I wonder why he is grilling me on all this? This sort of thing happens all the time, it’s normal part of growing up, right? I am beginning to wonder if that is true or not, has my life been a lie this entire time? Is that why I finally got fed up with them and…, no don’t think about that. I find myself staring down at my hands and feeling embarrassed, but why? Those thoughts are running through my head and why should this man have this effect on me?

“Im not feeling very good,” I say, “can I just lay down for a while?” I ask, hoping I won’t start to tear up.

“Yes, you do that,” he tells me, “I have to start driving soon anyway, but we will continue this talk after you feel better,” he threatens.

I feel like I really messed up big time and I don’t know what to do about it. I climb up on the top bunk and put my head under the pillow. I wish I was home again, at least there, I knew what was what. I find I’m crying a little, but I keep it under control and I don’t think BJ can tell that I’m crying. Why am I crying? I wonder. Everything is so backwards and upside down. I feel a hand on my back and I startle a little but, but freeze and make myself become perfectly still,

I hear BJ saying, “it’ll be ok, don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” It makes me feel good and ashamed all at the same time. Protect me? , what does he mean, protect me? Who do I need protection from, my parents are gone, I’ll never see them again, no one knows where I am, so I’m safe in that respect, did he mean the rest area man? Well I know how to get rid of him, so he’s no threat. BJ eventually goes to the front and closes the curtain between us and prepares to star driving

I think I have said too much, why couldn’t I have just kept my mouth shut, STUPID,STUPID STUPID, I chastise myself. I need to run away, BJ is asking too many questions. Maybe I can get the clothes together and sneak out when he goes to sleep. I feel like I’m in danger and don’t know what else to do. That’s it I have to run away, he is sure to call the cops on me, he must think I’m the worst kind of boy out there. I am so stupid, how could I ever believe that every boy and girl always did their chores naked? What a fool I’ve been, mommy and daddy got just what they deserved. All this goes through my head as the truck starts up and I begin my new life all alone on the road of life.