Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 I\u2019ve met all kinds of fathers in my time.\u00a0 Some aren\u2019t worthy of the name, whether because they don\u2019t pay attention to their children, or pay too much bad attention to them.\u00a0 Some wave shotguns at anyone who looks at their daughters, others don\u2019t care, and some are really scary.\u00a0 Some fathers never utter a single threatening word, and yet let you know that are completely willing to do whatever is necessary to anyone who hurts their little girl.<\/p>\n
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Father Knows Best<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A dim red star shone alone in the night sky, bathing the streets with soft red light.\u00a0 Streetlights and storefronts drove the red away in their vicinity, but it lit everything else.\u00a0 Men and women, some in suits coming from work or late New Years parties and others in plain clothes, filed down the sidewalks.\u00a0 Some on bikes or boards flew down the street, and larger vehicles floated by overhead, sometimes coming down to land in front of a store, constant beeps warning of their approach.\u00a0 Landing City never slept according to everything he\u2019d heard, and this night proved those stories true.<\/p>\n Jack walked down the sidewalk, his arm crooked out and Samantha\u2019s slid into it.\u00a0 It felt good to just be walking with her.\u00a0 They walked by a store playing a song and Jack recognized it.\u00a0 His mind went back to the beach and bonfire and Taylor and Jennifer singing for a moment and he began to hum the tune with their recorded voices.<\/p>\n \u201cI love<\/em> that song,\u201d Samantha murmured, pulling him back to the present.<\/p>\n Jack let his humming fade away and pulled in a long breath.\u00a0 \u201cMe too.\u201d\u00a0 He swallowed.\u00a0 \u201cWe used to listen to them all the time back home.\u00a0 Playing music on the beach and just having a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha leaned closer to him and he felt her breath on his neck.\u00a0 \u201cSo you\u2019re a fan of T&J, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled and spread his free arm out wide in a grand gesture.\u00a0 \u201cMy Dear, I am one of the charter<\/em> members of the T&J fan club!\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha hugged his arms tighter.\u00a0 \u201cMe too,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 He looked down at her in disbelief.\u00a0 \u201cReally,\u201d she said in response with a wry smile.\u00a0 \u201cI have one of their pre-production vids.\u00a0 From before they got signed.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been watching them ever since I got it.\u00a0 They\u2019ve got talent.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled, and for a moment he was back in the study, listening to them sing.\u00a0 He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes, they do.\u201d<\/p>\n She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI wish we could go see them.\u00a0 I had tickets for their concert but\u2026\u201d she shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t want to go alone so I gave them to a girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled and let out a long breath.\u00a0 \u201cWell then, we\u2019ll just have to get some new ones if you want to go,\u201d he said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n Samantha sighed.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ve been sold out since before you got here.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled again.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll have to do something about that then.\u00a0 Betty, could you ask them for backstage tickets for me, plus one?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Jack,\u201d her voice answered for both to hear.<\/p>\n Samantha gave him a confused voice.\u00a0 \u201cJack, they\u2019re sold out<\/em>!\u00a0 And they don\u2019t just give backstage tickets to anybody who asks.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shrugged and gave her a sly smile.\u00a0 \u201cTrue.\u00a0 But I\u2019ll get us some.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha gave him a sad shake of her head and patted his arm.\u00a0 \u201cJack, I\u2019m sorry but they just don\u2019t have anything.\u00a0 Trust me.\u00a0 I\u2019ve tried, and I know all the tricks to get them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou wanna bet?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha\u2019s eyes narrowed, she cocked her head to the side, and pursed her lips in suspicion.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 What do you wanna bet?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cOh, nothing you wouldn\u2019t approve of,\u201d he said with a wink.<\/p>\n She grasped his hand in a firm grip.\u00a0 \u201cYou can narrow it down a little more than that,\u201d she said in a sweet tone.<\/p>\n Jack sighed and pulled in a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cAlways trying to rush me,\u201d he said with a shake of his head.\u00a0 \u201cHow about another swim on the beach?\u201d he asked with a mischievous smile.<\/p>\n Samantha rolled her eyes and slapped his arm.\u00a0 \u201cMen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he answered without hesitation.<\/p>\n She laughed and slapped his arm again.\u00a0 \u201cVery well.\u00a0 If you win\u2026if you lose\u2026\u201d she trailed off and cocked her head to the side in thought.\u00a0 \u201cIf you lose, you<\/em> escort me<\/em> to a dance<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cSounds like a win-win to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha snorted.\u00a0 \u201cYou haven\u2019t been<\/em> to one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack aimed a charming smile at her.\u00a0 \u201cAh, but on your<\/em> arm, any<\/em> party would be better.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha patted his arm.\u00a0 \u201cFlatterer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he answered without hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, Mister Flatterer, would you like to walk me home?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack looked at the busy street going through the center of downtown around them with a thoughtful gaze.\u00a0 \u201cEither you live really close or you like long walks.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha smiled.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t we already establish that I like long walks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, but that<\/em> was because we took so many breaks down on the beach.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue.\u00a0 So which would you prefer?\u00a0 Live close or long walk?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gave her a mischievous smile.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n She bumped her hip against him.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if you like it that way, I can just let you find out when we arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, if I felt like taking advantage of your ignorance, I could just walk in circles to lengthen the walk.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if I felt like it, I could let<\/em> you take advantage of me.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha slapped him again.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at her and shifted the arm she held.\u00a0 \u201cWould my lady accept an escort home?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha sighed and leaned her head against his chest.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, she would.\u201d<\/p>\n He pulled in a deep breath in pleasure.\u00a0 He would give her an eternity to stop that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It turned out to be a long walk, and he enjoyed every second of it, right up until they came to a stop at a large gate in the middle of the oldest neighborhood on all of New Earth.\u00a0 Not counting the Chinese of course.<\/p>\n Jack looked up at the gate in awe and scratched his chin with his free hand, deep in thought.\u00a0 \u201cThis is McEntyre House,\u201d he finally whispered.\u00a0 Any fan of music had at least heard<\/em> of McEntyre House.\u00a0 McEntyre Studios published some of the best musicians on the market, and he was standing at the front gate of the owners<\/em> of McEntyre Studios.<\/p>\n Samantha smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYes it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack studied her for several seconds.\u00a0 \u201cYou live<\/em> in McEntyre House?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha straightened her frame and ran her free hand down her blouse as if she were straightening it.\u00a0 \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack studied her for several more seconds.\u00a0 \u201cWho are<\/em> you?\u201d he finally asked.<\/p>\n She let out a long breath and her smiled softened, but he could see worry in her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Sam.\u201d\u00a0 Her grip tightened on his arm and he realized she didn\u2019t want him to ask again.<\/p>\n Jack cocked his head to the side, and chewed his lip.\u00a0 If she was related to the McEntyres, she probably had experience with people who just cared about that connection, not her.\u00a0 He smiled and patted her hand.\u00a0 \u201cSam.\u00a0 It\u2019s a good name,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n Samantha sighed and leaned her head against his chest.\u00a0 He let out a long breath of his own, and would have given her an eternity to stop that.\u00a0 Eternity as it happened was far too short.\u00a0 The gate opened and Samantha laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Daddy saw us.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack blinked.\u00a0 \u201cDaddy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0 I think he wants to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n A shiver ran down his spine.\u00a0 \u201cYea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,\u201d he quoted.<\/p>\n Samantha slapped his arm.\u00a0 \u201cStop that.\u00a0 He\u2019s not that bad, Jack.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack aimed an upraised eyebrow at her.\u00a0 \u201cDaddies are never<\/em> that bad to their little girls.\u00a0 The young punk who thinks he\u2019s worthy of dating her though?\u00a0 Daddies eat them<\/em> for lunch<\/em>.\u00a0 And they tend to start the mixing process with shotgun shells at full rack.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha laughed at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u00a0 You think that\u2019s funny?\u00a0 If I told you a tithe<\/em> of my Daddy stories you would know why every boyfriend you\u2019ve ever had has met you at the bottom of the stairs, quaking in his boots.\u00a0 I\u2019ll give you a hint.\u00a0 It\u2019s not just<\/em> because you look beautiful in that dress.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha studied him for several seconds, brow furrowed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat makes you think I\u2019ve ever been through that?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled back and shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cCall it a hunch.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha shook her head and pulled him through the gate.\u00a0 They walked down the brick driveway, under trees that arched overhead, shielding them from the dull red star.\u00a0 Jack\u2019s eyes adjusted to the gloom and they traveled the length of the driveway without difficultly.<\/p>\n They walked out of the line of trees and Jack got his first clear look at the house.\u00a0 The mansion.\u00a0 It was a huge, Victorian-style genuine wood-built house, painted a bright white.\u00a0 Jack whistled and Samantha guided him to the front entrance.\u00a0 They walked up the stairs, and Jack\u2019s boots echoed on the wood planking of the porch.<\/p>\n The heavy wood door opened as they approached, and Jack followed her into the house, pulling his cowboy hat off his head in reflex.\u00a0 His boots echoed on the hard wood flooring, and he looked at the main entry hall in amazement.\u00a0 He could feel the acoustics, and this room would be amazing with a few musicians welcoming guests.\u00a0 He could hear the music bouncing off the walls and smiled.<\/p>\n Jack looked over at the stairs leading up to a balcony high above them.\u00a0 \u201cSo this is where your quaking boyfriends waited as you walked down the stairs?\u201d he asked with a mischievous smile.<\/p>\n She stopped in her tracks and just looked at him, conflicting emotions running over her face.\u00a0 \u201cJack?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d he asked with a smile.<\/p>\n Samantha whipped out of his arm, grabbed his scarf, and pulled him down to kiss him full on the lips.\u00a0 An electric shock ran through him and he stood still, rooted to the spot.\u00a0 She pulled away, slipped her arm back inside his, and bumped him with her hip.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack licked his lips and stepped forward with her, feeling invincible.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha guided them past the stairs and into a small hall at the end of the main entry hall. \u00a0She opened a door on the side and the soothing smell of fire and true paper books wafted out into the hall.\u00a0 She pulled him in and his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting without a pause.\u00a0 He scanned the room, taking in the dark wood walls and the crackling fireplace.\u00a0 Books filled one of the walls from floor to ceiling and wall to wall.\u00a0 The painting of a ship dominated another wall, and a beautiful rug covered the center of the hard wood flooring.<\/p>\n What dominated the room itself though was the red leather chair in front of the fire, and the man who sat in it.\u00a0 A confident smile covered the man\u2019s face, over a black suit and crossed legs.\u00a0 This was his domain, and this man was king of it, with no worries that some upstart was going to take it from him.\u00a0 Jack liked him instantly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou must be Jack,\u201d the man said, waving one of the hands draped over the chair arms.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Jack said with a half bow.<\/p>\n The man shifted in his chair, head cocking back and forth with a wry smile on it.\u00a0 \u201cWhich makes you<\/em> the one hanging around my daughter lately.\u201d\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a question.<\/p>\n Jack cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cSir, I think it more accurate to say that she<\/em> chooses to spend time with me<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha\u2019s father chuckled and waved his hand towards a pair of chairs under the ship painting.\u00a0 \u201cYou can sit down if you\u2019d like.\u201d\u00a0 While the man was courteous enough to speak softly, Jack recognized the command that he would like<\/em> to sit down.<\/p>\n Jack stepped over and sat down in one of the very comfortable chairs while Samantha took the other.\u00a0 He hung his cowboy hat off one chair arm and held her father\u2019s gaze, keeping his back straight to show he respected the man.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father waved his hand and turned his head to the side as if it was nothing.\u00a0 \u201cTell me Son, do you know how many young men try to court my daughter because they want a piece of this?\u201d he asked, waving his hand around the room.<\/p>\n Jack pulled in a deep breath and considered his words for a moment.\u00a0 And then he dove in with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cSir, I\u2019d wager that a lot of boys<\/em> have stood at the bottom of that staircase out there, quaking in their boots because you put the feat of God in them.\u201d<\/p>\n The father\u2019s smile turned proud.\u00a0 \u201cYou would be right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d also wager that none<\/em> of them have measured up to what either you or her demand and deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father chuckled and reached for a drink on the table next to him.\u00a0 \u201cYou do have a silver tongue, Jack,\u201d he said and took a sip of the drink.<\/p>\n Jack spread his arms out wide.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve always found it better to talk nice, Sir.\u00a0 It\u2019s saved me from getting shot more than once.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father laughed in between sips.\u00a0 \u201cYou, Jack, are a scoundrel.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha\u2019s father placed the drink down and rubbed his jaw before giving Jack a speculative look.\u00a0 \u201cI was quiet the scoundrel in my youth.\u00a0 I had a lot of fun with the girls.\u00a0 Tell me, Jack, have you<\/em> had a lot of fun?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack recognized the minefield being laid before him and decided to jump right over it.\u00a0 \u201cSir, life would not be worth living if it wasn\u2019t fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father scratched his chin with one thumb and aimed a shrewd look at Jack.\u00a0 \u201cMy daughter\u2019s very attractive, isn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Jack answered with a nod.<\/p>\n Her father leaned forward in his chair and stared at Jack.\u00a0 \u201cDo you know how many guys latch onto her just because they want to get in her pants?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack raised one finger.\u00a0 \u201cProbably many, Sir.\u00a0 Though I\u2019d like to note for the record that she wears skirts.\u201d\u00a0 He father\u2019s eyes flashed and Jack figured he should hurry up with the second point.\u00a0 \u201cBut I can assure you that my ultimate goal is not<\/em> to get inside her skirts.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father cocked his head to the side and frowned at Jack.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2026are you gay<\/em> or something?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack laughed.\u00a0 He tried to say something and coughed.\u00a0 Finally he forced out a \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 He cleared his throat again and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Sir, but I think I should clarify by saying that\u2026well\u2026I don\u2019t do anything casually<\/em>, Sir.\u00a0 I\u2019m much more interested in her mind and her soul than her body.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father\u2019s eyes narrowed.\u00a0 \u201cYou would not be the first young man to come in saying that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cBut I bet I\u2019m the first to come in saying that who meant<\/em> it, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father leaned back in his chair and considered Jack for a long time.\u00a0 \u201cOK,\u201d he finally said in a gruff tone.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do<\/em> you think of my daughter?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled and sucked in a deep breath.\u00a0 It was time to the impress the man.\u00a0 \u201cSir, you raised a lively and intelligent young lady.\u00a0 She\u2019s got a wit that is fun to spar with.\u00a0 She knows she\u2019s amazing and that she\u2019s worth a good man.\u00a0 She\u2019s not going to take the first young punk off the street, which I suppose is why I\u2019m here right now.\u00a0 She\u2019s smart enough to know what she wants, she\u2019s proud enough to demand it, she\u2019s strong enough to grab it, and she\u2019s stubborn enough not to let go.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father nodded slowly.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you feel<\/em> towards my daughter?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sighed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Sir, I like her.\u00a0 I enjoy spending time with her, and love<\/em> the feel of her arm in mine.\u00a0 And I\u2019m attracted to her in ways that I\u2019m certain you understand, Sir.\u201d\u00a0 He chewed his lip and looked away for a moment before looking her father in the eyes again.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m really not looking just for that, Sir.\u00a0 If I was, there are girls out there I could have easy.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want easy<\/em>.\u00a0 I want\u2026amazing<\/em>.\u00a0 I want to wake up a hundred years from now, knowing I\u2019ve never wasted my time with someone I didn\u2019t really care about.\u00a0 I want an amazing<\/em> life.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got an amazing<\/em> daughter, Sir, and I want to spend my time with her, Sir.\u00a0 I want to know her favorite color, the name of the first boy she kissed, her favorite teacher.\u00a0 I want to be there, not for this,\u201d he said, waving his hand at the library, \u201cbut\u2026because she<\/em> would rather spend time with<\/em> me than without<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father leaned back in his chair again and rubbed his jaw.\u00a0 \u201cYou are not what I expected.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shifted to the side with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI get that a lot, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father\u2019s eyes narrowed and he grabbed his drink again.\u00a0 \u201cSo what should I do with you?\u201d he asked and took another sip.<\/p>\n Jack looked at Samantha and saw her smirking at him.\u00a0 He remembered his answer to a very similar question from her.\u00a0 He doubted the same answer would work with her father.\u00a0 He smiled back at her father.<\/p>\n \u201cSir, you have raised a very smart and lively young woman.\u00a0 I think that you should trust her and respect her enough to give your blessing to her choice of men to spend time with.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father pursed his lips, flicked his eyes over to Samantha for a moment, and turned back to Jack with a grunt.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what should I do if she turns out to be wrong about this young upstart?\u00a0 What if he\u2019s just a really good liar with a silver tongue that is really good at getting what he wants before he leaves town?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack let out a long breath and spread both arms out again.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a risk we all take, Sir, when we seek to enjoy the time of another.\u00a0 Are they who they seem to be?\u00a0 Most of us make ourselves better than we are to attract someone, and then when we don\u2019t need to anymore, we drop that mask and show them who we really are.\u00a0 It is often not the person we claimed to be.\u00a0 How many marriages have you seen break up because of this, Sir?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha\u2019s father chewed on that for a few seconds.\u00a0 \u201cToo many,\u201d he finally said and looked at her again.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I don\u2019t want to see her hurt like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack looked him full in the eye and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNeither do I, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father pursed his lips and frowned at Jack.\u00a0 \u201cTell me, what would you do if I told you to leave and never come back and to never see my daughter again?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack let out another long breath, and judged that now was not the time to stop telling the full truth.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Sir, I would leave your home, your property, and I would never come back.\u00a0 And I would see your daughter whenever and wherever she wanted to see me outside<\/em> your property.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at the man and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI will respect your property and your wishes, Sir.\u00a0 And I will respect her<\/em>, and her<\/em> wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father mulled that over in his mind for a few seconds before answering.\u00a0 \u201cHave you ever regretted flaunting a father\u2019s wishes like that?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cIt has not always ended well, Sir.\u00a0 Sometimes a father chased me off at shotgun point.\u00a0 Sometimes they made it real clear that they would shoot me.\u00a0 Sometimes they did<\/em>.\u00a0 I have never been the one to give up as long as the girl wanted to keep seeing me though.\u00a0 And I have some scars to prove it.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack cleared his throat and his face darkened.\u00a0 \u201cBut there was one case.\u00a0 There was this girl who was\u2026amazing<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 He chewed his lip and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cShe had so much talent it was scary.\u00a0 First time she saw me, I was plucking away at some stupid tune on my guitar that I just couldn\u2019t make sound the way I meant it to.\u00a0 She grabbed the guitar out of my hands and played the tune the way it sounded in here,\u201d he said with a tap of a finger against his temple.\u00a0 \u201cShe had a natural talent that blew my mind, and her father wouldn\u2019t let her use it.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shook his head again.\u00a0 \u201cWe played during every study period, and she snuck out at night to see me, and at least once he waved a shotgun in my face when he caught me with her.\u00a0 We got\u2026close\u2026and one day she trusted me enough to show me why she always wore long sleeve shirts and jeans.\u201d\u00a0 Jack pulled in a deep breath and tried to keep the flash of anger from taking over.\u00a0 He breathed in and breathed out, felt it fade, and the present snapped back into focus.<\/p>\n Her father leaned back and rubbed his jaw.\u00a0 He glanced at Samantha for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not the end, Sir.\u00a0 We skipped school the next day while he was at work and I helped her move out and drove her to her aunt\u2019s house.\u00a0 She was free to sing with her cousin there, free to start wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts and short skirts, free to live how she wanted to.\u00a0 And she wasn\u2019t in her old room the day Yosemite fell and killed everyone in International Falls.\u201d\u00a0 Jack released a long breath before continuing.\u00a0 \u201cIf I\u2019d let her father chase me away, I never would have seen the bruises under her shirt, and she\u2019d be dead today.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha\u2019s farther nodded with an impressed look on his face.\u00a0 \u201cSo you saved her life,\u201d he said, and Jack knew he had the man.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t done.\u00a0 It would never really be done, but the man knew at least a bit of what to expect now, and was willing to live with it.<\/p>\n Jack smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Sir.\u00a0 She saved her own<\/em> life.\u201d\u00a0 The father frowned and Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cShe knew what she was doing when she let me see those bruises.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t looking for someone to save her.\u00a0 She knew what needed doing.\u00a0 She just needed some help<\/em> to do it.\u00a0 Like I said, Sir, she was\u2026amazing<\/em>.\u00a0 And because of her, I will never, ever<\/em>, regret the fact that I have ignored fathers\u2019 wishes when it comes to their daughters.\u00a0 That I almost certainly<\/em> will in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha\u2019s father shook his head slowly and glanced at her for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cYou stood by this girl when it counted.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack glanced at Samantha to see her looking at him in calm acceptance.\u00a0 He turned back to her father with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I always will, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father chuckled and extended his hand.\u00a0 \u201cI never thought I\u2019d be approving of a man who just told me to my face that he would ignore me if I told him to never see my daughter again.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack took his hand and smiled back.\u00a0 \u201cWe live in a strange world, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat we do.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father shook his head once and released it.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, Son, I have this whole song and dance speech about what I\u2019m going to do if you hurt her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father furrowed his brow.\u00a0 \u201cI have a feeling you\u2019ve heard it all before,\u201d he said and took another sip of his drink.<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cPossibly, Sir.\u00a0 There\u2019s lots of versions of the speech, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father grunted.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019m not going to bother with the speech, Son.\u00a0 If you live up to your speech, I\u2019ll be real happy.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t\u2026\u201d he trailed off with a wicked smile and placed the drink on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got a shotgun, Sir,\u201d Jack filled in.<\/p>\n Her father laughed and reached behind his chair.\u00a0 \u201cBetter than that, Son,\u201d he said and pulled out a drum-fed shotgun for Jack to see.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got an automatic<\/em> shotgun, with full recoil suppression so I can use<\/em> it at full auto.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack whistled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a beautiful<\/em> machine, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Yes it is, Son,\u201d he said and slipped it back out of sight.\u00a0 \u201cBeats a double-barreled shotgun any day of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAbsolutely, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Her father nodded towards Samantha.\u00a0 \u201cNow you two go and have fun.\u201d\u00a0 He raised one finger in the air.\u00a0 \u201cJust not too<\/em> much fun, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike crystal, Sir,\u201d Jack said with a smile.<\/p>\n Samantha sprang out of her chair and tackled her father with a hug.\u00a0 Jack watched, thoroughly enjoying the sight of her draped over her father.\u00a0 She was\u2026amazing<\/em>.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Daddy,\u201d she whispered into his neck.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways, Peaches,\u201d her father whispered back.<\/p>\n She pushed herself off him, stepped over to Jack\u2019s chair, and pulled his hat off it.\u00a0 She gave it a mischievous smile, passed it back and forth between both hands for a few seconds, and then placed it on his head.\u00a0 Then she grabbed the scarf by both ends and pulled.<\/p>\n He came to his feet and she nodded in approval.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go, Cowboy,\u201d she murmured and turned to pull him towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he answered and let her guide him out of the library.<\/p>\n She aimed a sly smile at him.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like a tour of the house, Jack?\u201d<\/p>\n He pulled in a deep breath and smiled back.\u00a0 \u201cI would love<\/em> a tour, Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0 He stepped up beside her and crooked his arm out for her.<\/p>\n She looked down at the arm, slipped her arm in it, and gave it a gentle pat.\u00a0 \u201cThe first thing you\u2019ll see here is\u2026\u201d she began, guiding him through the house.\u00a0 He paid rapt attention to her the whole time, but later would never remember a word she said.\u00a0 It was a beautiful house, one of the first built on New Earth when the British came, and it had a long history, for New Earth.\u00a0 It was all a blur though, indistinct images and words fading behind the amazing young lady he walked with.<\/p>\n The pool he loved though.\u00a0 It was a great big Olympic-sized pool, though deeper, and slides and diving boards dominated one end.\u00a0 They had a great deal of fun using that for its intended purpose, and that was one part of the night that he remembered in vivid, living color.<\/p>\n He also enjoyed the music room.\u00a0 A piano dominated it, an instrument he couldn\u2019t<\/em> play, but a pair of guitars hung from one wall as well.\u00a0 He strummed a little song or three on one of them, and watched Samantha dry her hair.\u00a0 That was one of the best parts of the night.<\/p>\n When she was done drying, she graciously allowed him to escort her up the stairs.\u00a0 They reached what he assumed was her bedroom door and she pulled her arm from his to open it.\u00a0 She stepped in, turned and reached up to hold the scarf with both hands.\u00a0 Electricity filled the air and he felt an attraction pulling him forward onto the balls of his feet.\u00a0 He wondered if she was going to pull him in.\u00a0 He wondered what he would do if she did.\u00a0 The moment the answer crystallized in his mind, she smiled and patted his chest, pushing him back on his heels.<\/p>\n \u201cGreen,\u201d she said in a mischievous tone.<\/p>\n He blinked in confusion, trying and utterly failing to figure out what that single word meant.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d he finally asked.<\/p>\n Samantha laughed and patted him again.\u00a0 \u201cMy favorite color.\u00a0 Green.\u00a0 Emerald actually, but I know you guys are handicapped with sixteen color vision.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sucked in a deep breath, enjoying the feel of her hand burning his chest.\u00a0 He\u2019d give her an eternity to stop doing that.\u00a0 \u201cI see,\u201d he said with a wry a smile.\u00a0 \u201cYellow.\u00a0 Bright, sunshine, yellow.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha gave him a knowing smile and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cGood night, Jack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n Her smile grew softer and she pulled him down by the scarf so she could kiss him again.\u00a0 An eternity later, she stepped back with a smirk and gently shut the door.\u00a0 He leaned his forehead against the door, trying to get his breath back and trying to slow the beating of his heart.<\/p>\n After a very long time, a throat cleared behind him.\u00a0 He straightened up tall and turned to see her father examining him with a lopsided smile covering his face.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, Son, it\u2019s normally customary for a suitor to escort the young lady to her house\u2019s<\/em> door, not her bedroom<\/em> door?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack cleared his throat to gain control of his vocal cords.\u00a0 \u201cSir, there is nothing<\/em> customary about your daughter,\u201d he croaked out.<\/p>\n Her father laughed.\u00a0 \u201cVery true.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled in a deep breath and finally held a hand out.\u00a0 \u201cMy friends call me Bruce.\u00a0 You<\/em> can call me Mr. McEntyre,\u201d he finished with a wicked gleam in his eyes.<\/p>\n Jack smiled and took the man\u2019s hand, even as confirmation of just who she was settled into his mind.\u00a0 He\u2019d come to suspect it, but now he knew.\u00a0 And it didn\u2019t make a single difference to him.\u00a0 \u201cNice to meet you, Mr. McEntyre.\u201d\u00a0 They shook and released.\u00a0 \u201cMy friends call me Jester, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. McEntyre chuckled and patted him on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cGood night, Jack,\u201d he finished and walked away.<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Mr. McEntyre,\u201d Jack said as her father left him alone, in front of her door.\u00a0 Jack swallowed as that sunk into his already addled mind.\u00a0 The man trusted him.\u00a0 Damn.\u00a0 That made everything harder.\u00a0 Jack took a deep breath, and stepped away from the door.\u00a0 It was a real hard step, but at the same time real easy.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to leave.\u00a0 That made it hard.\u00a0 He would see her later, and her father would not try to chase him off with a shotgun.\u00a0 That<\/em> made it easy<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 I\u2019ve met all kinds of fathers in my time.\u00a0 Some aren\u2019t worthy of the name, whether because they don\u2019t pay attention to their children, or pay too much bad attention to them.\u00a0 Some wave shotguns[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2304-forge-of-war-1stdraft","uentry","postonpage-1","odd","post-author-jack"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=700"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1841,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700\/revisions\/1841"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}