Jakes Revenge ( Part 2 )

Jake sat on his bed, staring at the wall. The last hour had been manic. He loved his Mum and Dad, but they had no idea what he'd been through in the last ten years.

They’d put on a lovely spread, a big “welcome home” sign in the hallway, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours, it was all TOO much!

He sat there in total silence with a cold beer in his hand. This would have been great in a few weeks’ time but not now, not today, today should have been all about quiet, getting used to the world again not a great big fucking party!

It was like some kind of celebration, a celebration of what, him having served ten fucking years for a crime that he was blackmailed into, him having to shit into a bucket in front of complete strangers and then empty it out in the morning, him having to eat shit food and smile at screws when they asked him if the dinner was “Ok”, him having to spend his time with some of the most vile people that ever walked this fucking earth!

He took a deep breath, calmed down; it wasn’t their fault, was it, really? They were only doing their best, weren’t they? He loved them dearly, let’s face it, he did it for them really, afraid what would happen to them if he didn’t.

His mind turned to the list, he put his hand into his inside pocket, there was a knock at his door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, you silly sod”

Jake recognised the voice but couldn’t put a name to it.

“Ok, come on in”

A tall, well groomed man walked in, jet black hair, designer stubble, shirt, tie, immaculate grey suit, Jake thought he looked like he’d just stepped out of a catalogue, then he recognised him.

“Oh my fucking good god, Stevie!”

“Hello mate, how you doing?”

For years Jake had hated Stevie for telling the Police that he thought he was on drugs, but then he had written to him in Wandsworth and apologised. Stevie had written once a month ever since. Jake had tried to explain in the letters about the blackmail but Stevie had never mentioned it, so Jake gave up mentioning it.

Stevie made the first move.

“Come here you silly sod!”

Jake moved close and Stevie hugged him. When they eventually parted both of them had a tear in their eye. Jake laughed.

“Look at the pair of us, like a couple of queer boys, hugging and bloody crying!”

Stevie laughed.

“What you doing hiding up here, everyone wants to say hello!”

Jake sat down and sighed.

“To be honest Stevie, it’s just too much; I just wanted some time alone, just me, Mum and Dad, just some normality for a change. For ten years I’ve been banged up with lots of other people, today I just wanted some peace and quiet, does that make sense?”

“Sure it does, look leave it to me, I’ll have a word, get everyone to leave, we can do this another time, no rush is there”

“Cheers Stevie, still can’t believe you married that little bird from accounts and you've got a baby!”

“Yeh, Stephanie, she’s great Jake, she knows me, understands me, puts up with me for fucks sake, which is a fucking miracle, cos I’m still a nightmare!”

“No change there then!”

“Look, she’s downstairs with the baby, wanna see him?”

“Yeh please Stevie, I’d really like that!”

Stevie left and closed the door, a few seconds later he was back holding a small bundle in his arms.

“Here he is mate, eight weeks old, perfect in every way, we’re sorting out the christening in the next few weeks, you are coming aren’t you”

“Err yeh sure, be honoured mate”

“You better; I want you to be his God Father!”

Jake was taken back.

“Don’t be stupid, I’ve just come out of nick!”

“And, what’s your point, look, I don't have any family, Mum died years ago, Dad, well I never knew who the fuck he was anyway, no brothers or sisters, so guess what, you're last choice!”

Stevie laughed.

“Just think about it”

“Ok I will.”

Stevie moved forward and offered his son for Jake to take.

“Fuck off Stevie; I don’t know how to hold a baby”

“Well you better learn quick cos I’m expecting you to babysit from time to time so me and Steph can have a night out!”

Jake took hold of the baby and held him in his arms, it seemed to come naturally to him, he smiled.

“So what’s his name then Stevie?”

“Well, not sure if you’re gonna be thrilled or not, but we’ve called him Jake!”

“Fuck off!”

“I’m serious, I suggested it and Steph liked the name, so here he is, little Jake!”

Jake looked at his name sake, he really was perfect but then he started to cry. Jake panicked and gave him back to Stevie.

“See, even he’s frightened of me!”

“Bollocks he just need feeding, wants his Mum, look I’ll go downstairs and tell your Dad what’s up, we’ll get rid of everyone then you can have an evening to yourselves, give me twenty minutes and I’ll sort it”

“Cheers mate, appreciate it”

“No problem, what you doing tomorrow?”

“Not much, a few things to sort out during the day but should be done by about five, why?”

“Me and you, beers in the old pub at six o’clock, what’d you say?”

“Love to; can you do me a favour Stevie?”

“Sure, name it”

“You’re still working at Millers yeh?”

“Yep, National Sales Manager now Jake, the sons took it over after old Mister Miller died a few years ago, started out as a Sales rep and now I run the whole of the fucking Sales team!”

“Could you please tell them I’m sorry!”