Chapter 32: A Son's Heartbeat
Jake spent the night by his father's bedside, sleeping on the fold-out couch in the corner. The next morning, long before the nurses even arrived, he was already helping his dad sit up.
"Let's take it slow, okay?" Jake said gently as he lifted his father's arm over his shoulder, supporting his weight toward the small bathroom in the room.
His father winced but smiled. "You're stronger than I expected."
"Well, I do carry weights and Alex's ego every day."
They both chuckled softly.
Jake helped him bathe carefully, drying his arms and legs with a towel like he was handling porcelain. Each wrinkle, each scar told stories Jake was only now beginning to understand.
Tears slid down Jake's cheeks silently.
His father noticed.
"Why the tears, son?"
Jake wiped his eyes quickly, but they kept coming.
"Because… I wanted you to see the new me. The one that didn't give up. The one who found something worth holding onto. I got a job at a gym, Dad… I'm not a burden anymore. I'm happy now. I have friends. Real ones. I wanted you to be proud of that. I wanted you to see it."
His father touched Jake's face with trembling fingers. "Jake… you don't have to prove anything to me. But I'm glad you found yourself."
Later, as the family gathered again, their mother asked softly, "Do you have any pictures? I'd love to see what your life looks like now."
Jake's face lit up. He pulled out his phone and opened the gallery.
Laughter burst out of the tiny speaker as he played a short video. Alex, flexing dramatically in front of a cake. Alya laughing in the background. Jake filming, chuckling behind the camera.
He showed them selfies of him with gym members, a picture of Alya holding a dumbbell while pouting, and Alex hugging a birthday cake that said "Built Different."
"This is Alya," Jake said, smiling. "She's sweet. Funny too. Always hanging around the gym. And this is Alex, my boss… but more like a big brother now."
His mom touched the screen gently, eyes glassy. "You really look happy, Jake."
Marcus and Elena sat nearby, watching everything with silent, heavy hearts.
They exchanged a look.
Jake noticed but said nothing.
Until Marcus stood.
"Jake…" he started, his voice cracking. "I was the one who told them to be hard on you. To push you out. I thought you needed a wake-up call… but I didn't know we were breaking you."
Jake stared at him.
Elena added, "We just wanted you to change… but we didn't see how much it hurt you."
Jake remained quiet for a moment before walking over.
He pulled both of them into a hug.
"I'm not mad anymore. It was hell. But… maybe I needed that pain to grow."
Their eyes filled with tears.
---
Meanwhile, back at the gym…
Alya sat on a bench, checking her phone for the fifth time.
"Still no messages," she muttered.
Alex walked over, handing her a bottle of water.
"He's probably overwhelmed," Alex said. "Let's give him space. If he needs us, he'll call."
Alya bit her lip. "I just want to know he's okay."
Just then, her phone rang.
Lisa.
Alya quickly picked up. "Lisa?"
"Hey! Jacob and I are heading back into town soon. Thought we'd stop by the gym. Is that okay?"
Alya smiled, a bit of relief in her chest. "Of course! We'll be here."
Alex tilted his head. "Who was that?"
"Lisa and Jacob. They're visiting."
Alex gave a small smile. "Good. Might help take your mind off things. At least until Jake comes back."
Alya glanced at the gym door.
"Yeah… I just hope he comes back with good news."