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Heyward watches as Cleo and JJ share a look. Something was up. It wasn’t like Pope to not show up for a family barbecue. Sure he took off and stowed away on a cargo ship and lived on some deserted island for a few months but that was when he was following his crazy ass friends. Now his pistol was missing from its spot under the register and his craziest friend was there for dinner instead of him.
“JJ?” the older man asks, knowing all too well that wherever young Maybank goes trouble soon follows. He’s heard stories about him shooting a gun in the air at some boneyard party last summer. This kid can never seem to get out of his own way.
The blonde teenager puts his hands up looking flustered. “Whoa, ok. I didn’t touch it, ok?”
“Well, somebody did. ‘Cause it’s gone!” Heyward eyes his son’s friends in front of him. They look tense. It’s clear to him that they know something that they’re not telling him. Cleo remains silent and won’t meet his gaze. Not a good sign. She was usually on his side.
“Wasn’t me,” JJ gulps.
The older man turns to his wife, still in her apron from cooking on the grill. “You see? I - Dang it! I gotta find it!” He frantically turns from the kids, knowing that they won’t be sharing whatever it is they know about his gun, and makes his way back into his store.
“All right, I’m sure it’s somewhere.” His wife follows close behind him, practically at his heels. “Heyward…I’m sure it’s somewhere.”
As he desperately searches around the register he spies JJ sprinting past the store’s window. That little hoodlum is definitely up to something.
“Honey, keep looking. I have a feeling it ain’t here. I’m going to investigate other options,” he exclaims as he grabs the keys to his truck.
His wife puts her hand on his shoulder. “Heyward, I hope you’re not going to go shake down JJ. He may be a Maybank but he’s a good baby.”
Heyward sighs. His wife should know by now that he has a soft spot for JJ just like she does but the kid’s also like a wild animal. There have been rumors around the island that Luke is long gone. When the kids went missing he and his wife had had to file the Missing Person Report about JJ since Luke was nowhere to be found. It’s been on his mind since Pope and his friends have been back. The boy has been looking particularly dirty and disheveled lately. Had he even had a shower since they’ve all been back? It wasn’t lost on him that the kid was hanging around and looked pretty hungry while his better half had been grilling. She had even had to slap his hand away when she was cooking.
“I’m not going to shake him down. I’m just seeing what he’s up to. Don’t want him doing something stupid and getting himself in a situation,” he replies as he heads for the door.
“Have you even considered it could be Pope? He hasn’t exactly been making the best choices lately either. All bad decisions don’t always lead to that poor Maybank child,” his wife interjected.
Heyward stops short and turns to face his wife. Her arms are crossed and she’s glaring at him. “Yes, sadly I have considered that. Those two know something and they’re not talking. At least if Cleo is involved we have a chance. JJ is another story. Kid’s seemed more off than usual lately. That’s why I’m following him. He’s fast so I gotta go now.” With that he turns and hastily makes his way to his truck.
**
Pope panting and growling, “I’m sick of being the good guy,” is all JJ can think about as he runs towards Tannyhill. Why did he let him storm away? Cleo had at least tried to stop him but when he wouldn’t listen they figured he’d calm down and come back. He was Pope-the smart and level headed one.
JJ wondered if he had made the right choice telling him about Rafe melting down the cross and selling the gold in pieces. It definitely wasn’t the best moment considering Pope had just shared that he dropped out of school and was already pissed off. In typical Maybank fashion he didn’t think it through and was fucking everything and everyone up. If Pope does something stupid and destroys his life he will never forgive himself. At least if he finds him and it’s too late he can take the fall for him again. Even as a high school dropout Pope would still have a better future than him. Everyone knows what his future held-jail or a life on the run, just like Luke. A scarier thought was his friend taking on Rafe and Barry and failing. How could he ever face his friend’s parents if his stupidity got their son hurt or worse…dead?
Tannyhill was not remotely close to the Heyward’s and JJ was fading fast. It turns out when you haven’t eaten in days running isn’t an easy activity. The only thing in his house that had any calories were warm half empty cans of beer. He had really hoped that Big John coming back would’ve meant a celebration at the Chateau complete with something to eat but it ended up just being uncomfortable and weird. John B was acting like a zombie and Big John was being sketchy as hell. Coming back to OBX was a terrible idea. Nothing was the same and probably never would be. He should’ve stayed behind in Poguelandia where there was fish to eat and waves to surf.
He stopped to catch his breath for a quick minute. Doing so made his stomach grumble loudly. He actually felt nauseous. How can you be nauseous when there’s literally nothing in your stomach? Suddenly the world started spinning. He closed his eyes and leaned against a tree willing this feeling to pass, hoping not to collapse. Pope needed him and he didn’t have time for this. He should’ve grabbed something off the grill as he ran out. Pope’s mom wasn’t there to slap his hand away because she was chasing after Heyward. Man, he had needed that barbecue but finding his friend was more important.
His stomach lurches and he doubles over wrenching but of course nothing came out. As he spits out what he can and wipes his mouth with his forearm a truck pulls up behind him. Shit. Why did he stop so close to the side of the road? He braces himself, knowing it’s probably one of the sheriff’s deputies assuming he’s drunk or something. Please, let it not be Plumb. She always seemed to enjoy his misery. His brain is foggy but he has to think of a smart ass comment to protect himself from them learning what’s actually been going on with him. Foster care is not an option.
“Hey! JJ! You okay, son?” Heyward’s voice booms from behind him.
He straightens himself up, sucks in a deep breath and turns to face the older man. “Oh, hey…ya. I’m fine.” He weakly salutes.
“Like hell you are. You’re whiter than our bedsheets after Viola bleaches them,” Pope’s dad replies as he takes a step closer to him.
“Heyward, it’s cool. I need to get going. Don’t worry about me,” JJ takes a step back and starts to turn in the direction towards Tannyhill. Each moment that passes means Pope is in more danger.
“Someone’s gotta worry about you. I saw how you and Cleo took off like bats outta hell as soon as you could. Talk to me, JJ. Let me help.”
JJ stops and stiffly stands up straight. He needs to tread lightly here. Heyward is a smart guy and can smell bullshit from a mile away. He cannot let him know about Pope. Pogues don’t betray each other no matter what. He gathers himself before turning around and responding, “Really Heyward, I’m good. I just was going to check on Sarah.”
“Oh really? Sarah, huh?” the older man raises his eyebrows. “Heading to Tannyhill are we? Hop in. I’ll give you a ride.”
The two lock eyes and stay silent for what feels like forever. JJ licks his lips, thinking. Damn hunger brain.
Heyward breaks the silence as he crosses his arms across his chest. “JJ? I’m still waiting for an answer.”
“Uhh…she doesn’t live at Tannyhill anymore sooo…” he puts his hands in his pockets and kicks at the dirt.
“So where were you headed? C’mon son, hop in the truck.” Heyward steps back and opens the passenger side door.
JJ hesitates. Pope’s dad has definitely slimmed down but he could usually outrun him easily; however in his current state he is pretty sure his legs will betray him. He feels himself swaying.
“When was the last time you ate kid? You look like shit. At least let me buy you a burger or something,” Heyward sighs.
His mouth waters at the mention of a burger and his stomach loudly answers for him. He runs his fingers through his wild blonde hair and answers, “No, I have somewhere I gotta be but thanks.”
“You’re really trying my patience, kid. I heard that stomach growl from over here. I know this must have something to do with Pope and my missing pistol. Get in the goddamn truck!” Heyward raises his voice and automatically regrets it when he sees JJ instinctively wince. Damn Luke causing his boy to have such keen defensive instincts. He decides to take a softer approach and lowers his voice. “Look, I know you think you’re protecting him by keeping me in the dark but I want to help him too. He’s my son and I love him no matter how much he screws up.”
JJ is too tired to argue anymore. Resigned, he grunts in reply and follows Heyward’s directions by taking seat in the truck. As he stares at his hands he wonders what it must be like to have a father who loves unconditionally and doesn’t care how often you mess up.
Heyward gets in behind the wheel and starts the truck. “To Tannyhill?” he asks looking over at his passenger.
JJ sighs and replies, “Yup,” hoping Pope will forgive him.
**
Heyward and JJ find Tannyhill empty when they arrive-not one expensive car in the driveway. The boy next to him is on edge so he pulls over to the side of the road to try and get him to tell him something about what’s going on.
“Maybe I should go take a closer look, it’s getting dark so no one will see me,” JJ whispers as he glances out the window.
“Bet they have one hell of a security system. What exactly are you looking for? My pistol? Pope? Both? Why in the hell would he be at Tannyhill?”
The kid grimaces. His knee is bouncing a million miles a minutes.
His phone pings signaling a text from his wife. “Saved by the bell…looks like you’re off the hook. Pope, Cleo, and my pistol have all arrived safely at home,” Heyward shares turning towards his nervous passenger.
A look of relief washes over JJ’s face. “People your age know how to text? Told ya I didn’t take it.”
“Viola says Pope was upset but didn’t want to talk about it. What the hell is going on? Why did my son take my pistol?” the older man questions.
JJ looks down at his hands and fiddles with his rings. “He’s fine now. That’s all that matters right?” He takes in a shaky breath and reaches for the door handle. “Well, bet you want to head home to see him. I can get out here.”
“Stop right there,” Heyward makes sure to say gently. “I said I’d get you a burger,” observing how the kid still looks pale and hungry.
JJ looks over at him, eyes wide. “Really?”
“Of course, I’m a man of my word. Plus, we never got to have our barbecue thanks to Pope and his sticky fingers and I’m hungry. It can be our secret. I’m supposed to be keeping my red meat intake low,” the older man added in the last part knowing that his son’s friend hated any kind of sympathy or hand out.
His passenger smiles widely and takes his hand off of the door handle. “I won’t tell a soul, especially Mrs. Heyward.”
“Atta boy. Let’s go to the Saltbox. Order whatever you want. That’ll be my payment to you for keeping your mouth shut, which I know for you is a challenge.”
**
Heyward watches in awe as the kid across the table from him inhales a triple burger, large fries, and a chocolate milkshake. It tugs at his heart knowing that his suspicions were correct. JJ was starving. He and his wife had fed him many times over the years but something told him this was much worse.
He chooses his words carefully. “So, how’s things been for you since you all came back?”
JJ wipes his mouth with a napkin and hesitates. “Uh, ok.”
The kid is sharper than most give him credit for. He’s a master at putting up walls for self preservation. Heyward tries asking in another way. “You and John B used to be attached at the hip. I haven’t seen him around much. What’s up with that?”
JJ pauses. “Oh ya know, Big John is back so I guess they’re making up for lost time or some shit like that.”
“So you haven’t been spending much time at the shack then, huh? Where you spending most of your time? Where you sleeping? You were pretty much livin’ with John B while his dad was away.”
JJ looks out the restaurant window, avoiding Heyward’s eyes. “I’ve been staying at my house. It’s fine. Like I said, don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”
It wasn’t lost on Heyward that the kid made a point to say he was fine twice. He had heard that the Maybank house was being foreclosed on but knew that he had to tread lightly with this talk because the boy across from him could bolt at any second now that he had food in his stomach. He couldn’t help someone who knew how to make himself scarce. He couldn’t push too hard so he tried another tactic.
“You workin at all? Didn’t you used to do some odd jobs down at the Marina?”
JJ gulped and tore at a napkin. “Uhh…I’m between jobs. I talked to Guffy earlier today but the stupid Kooks don’t want me around their shit so…”
Heyward sat back. Damn Kooks. JJ was a pain in the ass but he was definitely a hard worker. Loyal as hell too. Poor kid always having to pay for the sins of his loser father who treated him like shit. The memory of him all alone soaking wet and shaking under that police tent staring blankly as his friends were being embraced by their families when they thought John B and Sarah were lost at sea comes flooding back. Once again his poor excuse of a father was no where to be found. He had pulled the poor kid into his arms back then and he’ll never forget the way he clung to him sobbing. He needed help then and he needs it now. The tricky part is getting him to accept it.
“Well, good for me then. I’m short a guy for deliveries and work around the store. I could give two shits if the Kooks don’t approve of you on their fancy ass properties. If they need somethin’ that only I can get them they really don’t have a choice do they?”Heyward crosses his arms across his chest.
JJ meets his eyes for the first time since the whole missing pistol ordeal had started. He smiles, relieved. “Hell ya. Fuck those Kooks.”
“Watch your mouth. I’m glad you’re able to help me out, JJ. Lord knows you do a better job at this kind of stuff than Pope,” Heyward starts cleaning up the burger wrappers from the table.
The kid jumps up and takes the trash from his hands. “I got this Heyward and I got you.”
The two walk out together. Heyward asks, “Need a ride home?”
“Uh, no thanks. I’m good,” JJ smiles weakly, running his fingers through his wild hair.
The older man nods, knowing why the kid turned down his offer. He thinks he had no idea about the Eviction notice on his front door. “Well ok then. See you at the shop. Feel free to come a little early. You know Viola will be making blueberry muffins as soon as she hears her favorite employee is back.”
“I’ll be there,” JJ answers. He gives the older man a wave and turns to walk away. He pauses, turns and says, “Hey, Heyward?”
Pope’s dad pauses before opening up his truck’s door. “Ya kid?”
“Thanks…”
“You got it. Anytime.”