“You met my mom,” I managed to say.
“That’s different and you know it.”
The front door to the Bennett house opened even before we reached the porch, like it always did, like they always knew I was coming.
Joe ran out the door. His smile was bright when he saw me. He glanced over at Jessie and something much more complex stuttered across his face that I couldn’t even begin to understand. His left hand curled into a fist and then it relaxed.
“Hey, Ox,” he said.
“Hi, Joe.”
He didn’t hug me like he normally did. He stayed on the porch. He looked unsure.
I dropped Jessie’s hand and took a step forward.
He jumped off the steps and crashed into me, his nose in my neck.
I laughed and held on tight. “Okay?” I whispered.
He shrugged. Then nodded. Rubbed his forehead on my shoulder.
Jessie started to take a step forward but I shook my head and she stopped.
Eventually, Joe slid down. He gripped my hand and stood rigidly at my side.
“Hi,” he muttered at Jessie. He glanced up at her face, then away. Then down.
“Hi, Joe,” Jessie said. “I’ve heard so much about you. I’m glad to finally meet you.”
“Me too,” he said and then he grimaced because he didn’t sound like he meant that at all. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “Nothing to be sorry for.”
He pulled me into the house, and Jessie followed behind.
I COULD see Jessie didn’t understand the Bennetts. Not like I did. They touched me. All of them. Hugs and hands on my neck and hair and arms and back. I was used to it. She was not.
Thomas and Elizabeth smiled warmly at her but did not touch her. No hands were offered. No kiss to the cheek.
It wasn’t rude. Or reserved. They laughed with her during dinner. Encouraged her to tell stories. Brought her in on the conversation. Made sure no inside family (pack) jokes went too far so she wouldn’t get lost.
But they did not touch her.
I took my usual place next to Joe. Jessie sat on my other side, the place normally reserved for my mother.
Sometimes Joe spoke. Sometimes he looked distant. I thought I heard him growl once, but he looked away. His hands were fists at his sides. Then they relaxed. His shoulders were hunched and he grimaced like he was in pain.
“What’s wrong?” I asked with a frown.
“Just stiff,” he muttered. His voice sounded low and scratchy.
“You sick?”
He shook his head.
Mark, Elizabeth, and Thomas were watching us when I looked up. Carter and Kelly were talking to Jessie. The three adults gave me answers with their vibrant eyes that I didn’t understand.
Joe took a breath and let it out slowly.
And then he smiled. He had many teeth.
“THEY’RE… STRANGE,” Jessie said before she got into her car.
I scowled. “No, they’re not.”
“Ox, they kind of are.”
“Be nice.”
“I’m not being mean. I know you’re protective of them, but they give off this… vibe. I don’t know how else to explain it.”
“They’re my pack.”
Her brow furrowed. “Pack?”
“I meant family.”
She kissed me on the lips. “Joe is pretty great,” she said quietly.
“I know.”
“He doesn’t like me very much, though.”
I frowned. “He liked you fine. He’s just been through a lot.”
“You can’t see it, can you?” She sounded amused.
“See what?”
“He’s very protective of you.”
“He’s my friend.”
“Ah,” she said. She smiled softly. And then she left.
I KNEW how to text now.
Wednesday:
hi i am at work
Hi, Ox! How long did it take you to type that lol
whats lol
Laugh Out Loud
oh i am not good at this lol
You’re doing good. I promise
Friday:
Want to watch a movie tonight with us?
can’t jessie wants to go out
Oh. Okay!
you come too
You want me to go with you?
yes
I’ll ask mom!! =D
whats that
Smiley Face
lol
Thursday:
Mom wanted me to remind you its family time. Won’t be around for a few days
ok
I wish you could come with us
me too
One day. I promise <3
whats that
Never mind. I’ll talk to you later.
Sunday:
We’re back!
good you safe
Yes. I’m not a little kid Ox
you are a little kid
Whatever. You coming for dinner?
its sunday of course i am
You bringing Jessie?
no she has stuff to do
Tuesday:
what do you want for your birthday
It’s still over a month away!
so what you want
Caveman
joe tell me what you want
Everything!
ok i can do that <3
What
Ox.
Ox!
IT WAS two in the morning when my phone rang.
“Huh?” I said into it.
“Ox.” Mark sounded stressed.
Sleep was gone instantly. “What happened?”
“It’s Joe.”
I was up and already scrounging for the shorts I’d left on the floor. “Is he okay?”
“No. He had a nightmare. We can’t get him calm. I think he needs you.”
“Okay. On my way.”
Carter met me at the door. He didn’t even get a chance to open his mouth before I heard a loud cry come from inside the house. I pushed passed him, saying, “Joe,” calling out, “Joe.”
I was on the stairs when I heard him again. “No! Don’t let the man take him. Please, Mom! Please don’t let him take Ox away.” Joe’s voice was broken and wet, and my heart cracked in my chest.
Mark was at the door with Kelly. They both stared at me with wide and tired eyes. I ignored them because I had to get to him. I had to see him and—
He was on his bed. Thomas and Elizabeth were curled on either side of him. His face was in his mother’s neck and he was shaking, and it was so violent, and his hands were gripping her tight as he cried out again, and I said, “Oh, Joe.”
I didn’t think of it too much when I reached down between the two of them and lifted him up. They didn’t snap at me for handling him in such a way. They didn’t try to stop me. Thomas’s face was tight with worry. Elizabeth was crying, great globular tears that tore at my chest.
For a moment, Joe tensed in my arms, and then he held on as if his life depended on it, legs latching on around my waist, hands pulling at the back of my head.
Thomas and Elizabeth stood up from the bed. They touched my arm and Thomas whispered they would tell my mom where I was. They shut the door behind them.
I moved us to the side of the bed and sat on the floor, my back to the mattress. I moved Joe around until he was resting against my chest.
Eventually, he said, “I had a bad dream.”
I said, “I know.”