The thing that troubled me most was the strange closeness between Jackie and Dennis.
Dennis, my son, was usually shy and reserved. He never warmed up to strangers quickly, and I knew this well. Yet, with Jackie, it was different. Since Jackie entered our lives, Dennis had no hesitation around him. In fact, he seemed joyful and at ease, something that felt both hard to believe and somewhat mysterious.
I couldn't stop thinking about the moment Dennis called Jackie when Alain was causing a scene. How did Dennis know how to contact him so quickly and precisely? I had never mentioned Jackie to Dennis before, so how could my son reach out to him like that? These questions filled me with a growing sense of suspicion and unease.
I began to wonder if there was something I didn't know about Jackie's relationship with Dennis. Had they been in contact without my knowledge? Why was Jackie so invested in us? What were his real intentions? These thoughts gnawed at me, making it impossible to relax.
I knew I couldn't just sit back and let things unfold without answers. I needed to take control, to find out more about Jackie and his true motives. I couldn't allow myselfor Dennisto be drawn into a relationship I didn't fully understand. My priority was always Dennis's safety, and I had to protect him no matter what.
With these thoughts swirling in my head, I entered the house. I decided that I needed to ask Dennis directly. I needed to know when he met Jackie and how their relationship had become so close.
"Dennis, I need to ask you something," I began, spotting him playing quietly in the living room. He looked up at me, curiosity filling his young eyes.
"Yes, Mom?" he replied, his voice light and innocent.
"I want to know about Uncle Jackie. Can you tell me how you met him? How did you know to call him today?"
Dennis smiled, that same pure, innocent smile that always made my heart soften. "Uncle Jackie is my friend, Mom. I met him at the park last time when you were busy with work. He's really nice. We played together, and he told me lots of cool stories."
Something didn't sit right. "But Dennis, you don't usually get close to strangers. Why do you trust Uncle Jackie so much?"
Dennis looked up, his eyes wide and sincere. "I don't know, Mom. Uncle Jackie makes me feel safe, and I know he'll protect you and me."
His words eased some of my worry, but they also raised more questions. Why did Jackie make Dennis feel so safe? What had he done to earn my son's trust so quickly?
I couldn't allow myself to get swept up in Jackie's charm or the sense of protection he offered. I had to stay vigilant, to learn more about him and his intentions. I needed to protect Dennis, and that meant getting to the bottom of this.
That night, as I lay in bed, I couldn't sleep. My mind raced with images of Jackie, from his first appearance defending me from Alain's attack to the growing bond he had with Dennis. My heart pounded as I recalled Jackie's warm smile, but my wariness lingered. I had to find answers.
The next morning, I woke up early, as usual, to prepare breakfast for Dennis. He had become so independent lately, taking care of himself without much help. It made me proud, but today, I needed to keep a close eye on him.
As Dennis left the house, cycling to school like he usually did, I decided to secretly follow him. I had to know more about his relationship with Jackie. Had Jackie been meeting Dennis without my knowledge? I needed to see it for myself.
Keeping a safe distance, I followed Dennis as he cycled down the road. After a short while, my heart skipped a beat as Jackie appeared ahead of him, smiling warmly. He greeted Dennis and joined him on the ride to school. I hid behind a corner, watching them.
"Uncle Jackie, are you going to tell a new story today?" Dennis asked, his voice cheerful.
"Of course," Jackie replied with a grin. "I've got a great one about a smart dog. You'll love it."
A strange mixture of relief and suspicion filled me. Jackie's presence made Dennis genuinely happy, and that sunny smile of his was comforting. But the question still lingeredwhy was he so involved in my son's life?
When they arrived at school, I kept my distance but continued watching. Dennis's friends greeted Jackie as if they knew him well. They laughed and chatted like he was an important part of their daily lives. I listened closely, overhearing snippets of their conversation about a recent bullying incident.
"If Uncle Jackie hadn't been there last time, those bullies would've hurt us!" one boy exclaimed.
"Yeah, but Jackie took care of them," another boy added.
"He's awesome! I wish everyone had a dad like him," one of the kids said admiringly.
I stood frozen, my heart filled with conflicting emotions. I was grateful Jackie had protected Dennis and his friends from bullies, but why was he so involved in their lives? I needed answers.
I couldn't wait any longer. I had to confront Jackie directly, to ask him about everything and get to the truth. This wasn't just about meit was about Dennis's safety and happiness. I wouldn't let anyone get too close to my son without knowing their true intentions.
Later that day, I sat at my desk, determined. I opened my laptop and began searching for information about Jackie. I needed to know about his past, his work, and any connections that could explain his interest in Dennis. I also needed to prepare for a facetoface conversation with him, where I would demand the truth.
Meanwhile, at school, Dennis and his friends continued to enjoy Jackie's company. Their laughter echoed through the playground, but in my heart, the worry and doubt hadn't yet faded. I knew I had to do everything I could to protect Dennis, even if it meant confronting difficult truths about Jackie.