“So, uh, you ready ta go?” Jack asked. I smiled and nodded.

“Hea’,” he said, taking my hand, “I’ll walk ya home.” He led me out the door and down the street. We walked in silence for a while.

“Uhh, Angela?”

“Yes?”

“Where ‘zactly do ya live?” It just occurred to me that we couldn’t wander aimlessly through New York.

“Oh! I’m sorry. It’s that Spanish style house on Broadway.”

“You live in dat big house?” he said, quietly surprised. I smiled sheepishly, “Yeah.”

I wondered if that intimidated him. I really hoped it wouldn’t. I really liked Jack... “Does that intimidate you?” I finally asked.

Jack looked into my eyes. He sighed. “Yeah, a little.” He sounded tired.

“No, please, don’t be. It’s not, I’m not like that...” I was struggling to explain myself.

Jack gently smiled. “I know you ain’t,” he said, quietly, “I know you ain’t.” he repeated in a whisper, getting a faraway look. I looked down and took a deep breath, “It’s just-I really don’t want you to feel intimidated. You’re, you’re the only person I feel like I can really talk to. I mean really talk, ya know? I just, I just feel, safe with you.” I finished, looking up at him worried, hoping he wouldn’t be upset or something. I felt really nervous and sick to my stomach. I had never poured out all my feelings to anyone before. I stared at Jack, frowning. He looked at me, studying my face.

Finally, he reached out and gave me a hug. At first I was really surprised. Then I just let out a deep breath, leaned against him, and closed my eyes. I felt like a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I breathed in and out a few times. Jack gently let go of me.

“Are you ok?”he said quietly. Am I ok? For once I really knew the answer to that one. I was. I was going to be ok.

“I haven’t been for a long time,”I said slowly, “but I’m gonna be. I’m gonna be ok.” I smiled up at him. He smiled back, understanding. I broke my gaze for a second and realized that we were standing in front of my house.

“Well, I guess, I should go, huh?” I said, not really wanting to.

“Yeah.” He sounded kind of sad. I stared at him and sucked in my breath. Jack stared at me intently. Suddenly he leaned forward and kissed me. I closed my eyes and just let myself enjoy the moment. I smiled and hugged Jack.

“See ya.” Jack said.