Fighter

Chapter 27: Pops Back

I noticed Tommy's knuckles, and then I noticed his lip I kinda put it all together. "You went through my phone didn't you" Tommy's stormy eyes looked up at me, his full lips parted slightly.

"He ain't gonna bug you anymore" there was a knock again, I totally forgot about it when I saw his knuckles... Did he actually go and beat up mad dog again just for me? He barely even know me... I slowly got up, letting the blanket around my shoulders fall, Tommy watched me, I couldn't figure out what he was thinking. I walked to the dorm looking through the peephole, I couldn't fucking believe it, I didn't know what to do. He knocked again and Tommy stared at me. "You gonna get that?" He asked, his voice raspy, the blood on his lip somehow made him more attractive, I shook the thought off and opened the door. There stood Paddy Conlon, he took off his hat, looking at me with sadness.

"Oh uh, Naomi is.. Is Jade?..." He trailed off, I shook my head, knowing that's exactly what she'd want me to do, Tommy stood up, grabbing my arm and putting me behind him, looking directly at Paddy.

"What are you doing here, Pop?" He spoke a little too loudly, Jade's door opened and she came running down the hall, freezing in her tracks when she saw her father.

"Jade..." He breathed, ignoring Tommy "oh my.., look at you.. You look like your mother..." Her eyes teared up, she wanted him so badly to just love her and her brothers, but hated him for not being the father they deserved. Tommy wasn't having it, he slipped on his shoes and walked past the old man and out into the hallway. "TOMMY!" He called, but he didn't turn around. Jade crossed her arms.

"The fuck are you here?" She spat, no sympathy in her voice.

"I... You're my daughter, I... Look" he held out his hands that were still, no shaking, I couldn't smell any alcohol on him at all. Jade realized all of this, but still didn't care.

"And what? Cause your all sober now that means I'm gonna up and forgive you? For what you did to me and Brendan and Tommy, what You did to ma? YOU DROVE THEM AWAY FROM US POP." She yelled now, Paddy stared at her his mouth open, I don't think she'd ever talked to him like that. "Get outta here" she sighed, but paddy looked at his beautiful daughter, "GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE" Paddy left, I could see tears in his eyes. I looked back at Jade, who looked like she regretted what she said almost immediately, but I watched her fall to her knees and cry.

"Nononononono" I said, running to her and holding her, "shhh shhh shhhh" I breathed, running my hands down her hair.

"I WAS DOING SO GOOD, I WASNT EVEN THINKING ABOUT POPPIN PILLS NOMI!" I sighed, I knew for a fact she was going to relapse, and there was nothing I could do or say, and neither of us had any idea where Tommy was going. I had work soon, but I didn't want to leave Her alone. I cleaned her up and brought her into my car, she didn't fight me, she wanted out of the house as much as I did.

I drove all the way to Philidelphia to drop her off at Brendan's and explained the situation, he understood completely and took her in immediately, she needed him more than ever right now and I knew Brendan would never, ever let anything happen to her. She said goodbye to me and Brendan wrapped his arm around her, taking her into his house, I felt better knowing she was safe here than at home by herself. I got back into my car, I hated this car now, I took a deep breath and reluctantly drove to my work, irritated and angry, not wanting to deal with drunk assholes at night, but we needed the money, our home was my priority.