Chapter 87: lunch and a talk

After leaving therapy, the group piled into the car, with Mrs. Faulkner at the wheel and Miss Harper in the passenger seat. Jake and Alex sat in the middle row, while Jordan and Tyler were in the back.

“So, where are we eating?” Miss Harper asked, glancing at the rearview mirror.

McDonald’s!” Tyler piped up, his voice full of excitement.

Jake rolled his eyes playfully. “Of course you’d say that.”

Jordan smirked. “Yeah, but honestly, I could go for some nuggets myself.”

Mrs. Faulkner chuckled. “McDonald’s it is, then.”

As they pulled out of the parking lot, the car fell into a comfortable silence, save for the hum of the engine and Tyler’s occasional happy kicking against the seat. After a few minutes, Jake shifted in his seat, looking over at Jordan.

“So… Dr. Monroe said we should talk about our feelings,” Jake said hesitantly.

Jordan raised an eyebrow. “And you actually want to?”

Jake huffed. “I mean… yeah. I guess it wouldn’t hurt.”

Alex nodded. “Yeah, she said it’d be good for us to be honest about how we’re feeling… especially with each other.”

Jordan sighed but nodded. “Alright. So, what’s on your mind?”

Jake hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I think… I think I’ve been scared to really talk about how things have been since Bobby Lyle. Like, before all of that, we used diapers because we wanted to. It was fun, it was comforting. But now…” He trailed off, fidgeting with his hands. “Now, I feel like I need them, and it’s kinda freaking me out.”

Alex looked down at his lap. “Me too. It’s like… after everything that happened, I feel safer this way. But I don’t know if it’s just me avoiding stuff or if I really need it.”

Jordan listened, his usual teenage demeanor softened. “I get it. You went through a lot. It makes sense that you’d hold onto something that makes you feel safe.”

Jake nodded. “Yeah… but what if I never stop needing it? What if this is just who I am now?”

Jordan thought for a moment before responding. “Then that’s okay. You gotta do what makes you feel okay. It’s not about what’s ‘normal’—it’s about what helps you.”

Alex smiled faintly. “That’s what Dr. Monroe said.”

Tyler grinned. “Jakey I newt it! I dwid my weswrech on does yogi mats of yours and wond out they was chagewing matts! Dats why i twied To twease you guys”

Tyler leaned against Jordan. “I like how things are now. I like being taken care of. I don’t wanna stop.”

Jordan hugged him lightly. “And you don’t have to, squirt.”

Jordan burst out laughing, and even Mrs. Faulkner chuckled from the front seat.

“Well, that settles that,” Miss Harper said with amusement.

Jake then glanced at Alex before looking at Tyler. “You know, we kinda had a feeling you’d figure it out, Ty.”

Jake smirked. “That Alex and I wore before everything. But you had to go do research, huh?”

As they pulled into the McDonald’s parking lot, the mood felt lighter.

“Alright,” Jordan said, stretching. “Heavy talk aside… let’s get some food.”

Tyler giggled. “Nuggies!”

The group laughed as they all climbed out of the car, feeling a little better after the conversation. They still had a lot to figure out, but at least they had each other.

Mrs. Faulkner ordered a McChicken meal with medium fries and a large Coke. Miss Harper ordered a Big Mac meal with large fries and a Sprite. Jordan, ever the big eater, ordered a 40-piece McNugget, a large fry, and a large Sprite. Then, he ordered Happy Meals for the boys with apple slices.

Each boy pouted. “We wanted fries!”

Jordan smirked. “You boys can have some of mine, but you have to eat all your apple slices first.”

Tyler agreed to the deal with an excited, “Okay, Daddy!” before popping his thumb into his mouth. Jake and Alex agreed as well, unknowingly drawing the attention of some old classmates sitting a few tables away, watching them curiously.

One of the classmates turned toward them, squinting. “Tyler? Is that you? And did you just call Jordan daddy?”

Both boys turned around, their faces flushing as they recognized the classmate staring at them in surprise.

Jake and Alex turned as well before quickly ducking behind Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Harper, trying to avoid being seen. The classmate blinked in shock before speaking again. “Jake? Alex? Is that you guys?”