Finding Jaime

Chapter 101

"Hey there, Jay," the boy said.

"Frank," Jaime said through clenched teeth. This was Frank. He was maybe two inches taller than Jaime, but maybe twice his size. Jaime didn't seem afraid of him, so I didn't think this would escalate. I stayed close though, in case it did.

"Been a while. Where ya been?"

"Dying," Jaime said. Ouch.

"Whaddya mean? You look fine. Scrawnier than usual. Don't they feed the mutts up in Beverley Hills?" He glanced in my direction briefly.

"I had cancer, asshole," Jaime said, his voice dropping so only Frank and me, barely, could hear him swear. Madison and her clones all had phones out.

"No you didn't. Why would you say somethin' like that?"

"Because it's true. You woulda known if you'd even attempted to call me. You know how you always said we were your 'boys', and that you'd always have our backs? Where were you when I was lying in a hospital bed, fighting for my life? Hmm? So, if you'll excuse me, I'm here to say goodbye to my brother from another mother. If you're smart, you'll turn around and walk behind the casket like everyone else and watch the result of what being one of your 'boys' can be. And then you'll leave and we will pretend we never knew each other."

I could barely hear Jaime, and I knew no one else could because what happened next looked entirely unprovoked.

Frank wound up and punched Jaime in the face. Jaime grabbed his nose and sank to the ground. Before Frank could land the kick he was about to deliver to Jaime's ribs, four very large boys in letterman's jackets from Santa Monica High grabbed him and dragged him away.  Another large boy, also presumably on the football team, bent down and was talking to Jaime.  I saw him ask someone for something and Madison smiled and handed him some tissues, which he handed to Jaime. I saw him place them under his nose and watched as the football player helped Jaime up, helped him dust himself off, and shook his hand, hugging him.  He stayed and talked with Jaime for a few minutes, so I took it that I could at least approach.

"I was wondering because I didn't see you around school back in September, and then I heard that you'd gotten really sick. It got around the school fast."

"I didn't think you ever even noticed me anymore," Jaime said.

"Look, I was an asshole. I'm sorry. When you quit the football team, and just said 'personal reasons', I took it personally. I'm sorry. You were my Assistant Captain, and suddenly you were gone. You didn't say anything and then you started running with Frank, and I just thought, we were done."

What was I hearing? Jaime was on the football team? And was Assistant Captain? I was going to be asking about that.

"Oh, Taylor, this is my dad," Jaime said. "Dad, this is Taylor."

"Nice to meet you, sir," Taylor said, shaking my hand.

"You too," I said, shaking his hand back.

"How's the nose?" Taylor asked Jaime.

"I think it stopped bleeding," he said, moving the blood-soaked tissues away. I scrutinized his nostrils. 

"Yep, I think you're right. It doesn't look like it's bleeding.  Just keep the tissues handy," I smiled. Jaime smirked back.

Madison came running over to Jaime and put her arms around his waist.

"Jaime! Ohmigod! Are you okay? Do you need more tissue or something?"

Jaime tried to pry her arms off his waist, but she was not giving in. I could see Jaime struggling to keep his cool. Taylor pulled Madison's arms off of Jaime and moved her away.