Learning To Trust Again

Jake continued to frown. He didn’t like this. It was one thing for cuts and bruises not to be looked at straight away but a head injury was something else entirely.

‘After the party, tonight’ Jake said pushing for an assurance that he would get his injuries checked tonight.

‘Okay okay’ Todd said, sounding frustrated.

Jake looked at him for a minute, frowning. He still wasn’t sure about this but as his sister was a nurse he reasoned he’d probably know all about the dangers associated with head injuries. So he nodded and watched Todd grimace as he moved. Straightening out his clothes some more Todd inspected himself in the mirror and said ‘not too bad.’

‘Yeah, not bad I guess’ Jake agreed, his expression grim, ‘as long as no one has a close look.’

‘Good, well let’s go before they send out a search party’ Todd said with a grin in an attempt at humour.

But Jake was in no mood to take any of this lightly. The other man had suffered a serious beating and his evasiveness about it was more than worrying. So his tone serious, he said ‘are you right to walk now?’

Smiling, sounding nonchalant, Todd said ‘never better’ and walked towards the door as if to prove it.

Frowning, unimpressed by the other man’s casual attitude, Jake followed him out through the restaurant to the street and they headed back to the bar. 

But before they reached the door of the bar Jake said, with an edge of steel in his voice ‘no more drinking Todd, right? You have a head injury, and were unconscious, so no alcohol.’

‘Sure Jake’ Todd said in an off -hand manner, 

But Jake could tell he wasn’t really listening and this only served to irritate him further, so in a tone that didn’t permit argument he said ‘Todd, no alcohol.’ 

Looking at Jake, serious now, he agreed ‘okay Jake, no drinking.’

‘Good and we are not done here remember, I want to know what’s going on.’

‘Okay but don’t tell Becs or Mum and Dad. I’ll never hear the end of it.’

Jake nodded, he’d keep up his end of the deal as long as Todd did the same. He had a feeling there was something serious wrong concerning Todd.

‘Thanks for your help’ Todd mumbled, his attention already back in the party as he pushed through the glass in the door.

 Jake didn’t even bother to respond, he knew he wouldn’t be heard. Frowning he followed him in.