Jack's on Fire: A Modern Queer Fairy Tale by Owen Lach

Author:Owen Lach [Lach, Owen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jetspace Studio
Published: 2022-09-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Jack was on the couch with his guitar working on one of his new songs when his brother got home from work. He was so in the zone as he played that he didn’t hear Isaac come in. But his brother’s voice floated up the stairs when Jack stopped to cross out and replace a few words in his notebook.

“Hey, Jack. Is that you?”

Jack snorted. “No, I’m actually the ghost haunting your apartment.”

Isaac laughed as he walked up the stairs. “Then you’d better not let Jack see you messing with his stuff.” Once he came into the main room, Isaac set his work bag down and stripped off his coat. “That was really good. It’s what you were humming on the bridge, right?”

Jack nodded. “Yeah. I feel like I’m almost finished with it.”

Isaac went to the fridge and pulled out a beer. There hadn’t been any alcohol in the place during Jack’s first week. But his brother finally broke down and bought a case of beer once Jack convinced him that he wouldn’t drink any. Beer was gross–especially the beer his brother liked. “Cool. I can’t wait to hear it.”

“Hey, I know you just got home and all. But do you mind if I have a friend over for dinner tonight?”

Isaac opened his beer and took a sip. “Sounds fun. Is it Damon?”

“No, it’s my friend Red from band class. But I’m glad you’re okay with it cuz I kinda already invited her.”

Isaac laughed. “I see. Well, long have I dreamed of the day my little brother would finally have a girl over for dinner.”

Jack stuck out his tongue. “Don’t make me tell Elaine you’re picking on me.”

Isaac rolled his eyes before taking another sip of beer. Then he grabbed his bag and walked toward his room. “So, what are you making?”

“Chinese takeout.”

“Perfect,” Isaac called out from his room. “Make sure you get some spring rolls.”

Jack was excited when Red asked if he wanted to hang out after school. She’d been evasive when he asked if she had any news about the concert tour. Then she finally admitted that she did but didn’t want to talk about it at school. Red had suggested having dinner out, but Jack had been out quite a bit since he got to San Francisco and really wanted a few nights at home. He didn’t mind socializing. But the large crowd at Damon’s soccer game had sapped most of Jack’s social energy, and he needed to recharge before Nick Cho’s party.

Jack returned to his guitar while Isaac took a post-work shower. Jack was stuck on a section of the chorus where he hadn’t settled on the chord progression. He kept swapping a pair of different chords back and forth but wasn’t entirely satisfied with either. After a couple more run-throughs, Jack gave up and called the number for the Chinese restaurant he’d seen up the street to place his order. They told Jack they’d deliver the food in about a half-hour.

A message from Red popped up just after Jack hung up.

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