Jane Elizabeth Gallagher

Zooey pulled away after their lips briefly met. He could tell he had done something wrong immediately when he touched her as he did.

Jane’s eyes widened as Zooey kissed all over her face, and Jane pulled back after he kissed her lips briefly. Completely overwhelmed by what was happening, when she met his eyes, she half-expected to see Holden’s as she had all those years ago. “Zooey…” She whispered, looking down at her hands that were folded in her lap, “Oh god, Zooey, what are we d-doing?”

"I’d like that," Jane’s mind reflected back on all that had happened those summers she’s spent with Holden Caulfield and all their checker games together, and she frowned slightly at the memory of the ever-present Mr. Cudahy. Along with the pleasant summer memories, the not so pleasant ones surfaced as well, and it showed on her face for a moment before she was able to collect herself, though it became harder to smile at his next words as her mind raced. “Did you ever catch any?”

Zooey smiled to know she was interested. It was a game he hadn’t played in years since his childhood. He missed it. Zooey saw the odd look on her face, but took nothing from it. ”No, I’m afraid we never did. Seymour always said he saw some, but I don’t think I still could believe him,” he recalled. “Jane, is something bothering you?” he asked concerned for a moment when he saw any hint of a smile fade at once from her lips.

Zooey smiled fondly as she recounted her memories. He never had very many like that as a child, and if he did, they all were with his brothers and sisters and he didn’t like to remember them often or else he would find himself feeling rather low. ”We should play checkers sometime,” he suggested. “Franny never would play with me. She always said I cheated, but she just wasn’t that good was all.” 

"I'd like that," Jane’s mind reflected back on all that had happened those summers she’s spent with Holden Caulfield and all their checker games together, and she frowned slightly at the memory of the ever-present Mr. Cudahy. Along with the pleasant summer memories, the not so pleasant ones surfaced as well, and it showed on her face for a moment before she was able to collect herself, though it became harder to smile at his next words as her mind raced. “Did you ever catch any?”

The cigarette was ending its life quickly, and Zooey turned his face just slightly enough to take a final drag off it before pressing it out in the ash tray on the table next to him. He looked back at Jane and smiled at her.

Jane sighed and nodded half-heartedly, “I have a few. We were in the house right next door to the Caulfields; Holden and I would go to the movies and play checkers often. That was always the highlight of my vacations, really.”

A small smile spread upon Zooey’s lips, although his attention was diverted when he heard the boy stirring on the couch. “She’s only a friend,” he muttered softly. He dropped his still burning cigarette into the ash tray, and he walked towards the couch. Crouching down, he smoothed the boy’s hair and smiled to him. “Mamaí and Móraíwill be home soon.” The little boy nodded sleepily, and Zooey stood over him smoothing his hair until his eyes fluttered back closed. He returned to the small loveseat he had been sharing with Jane and picked up the cigarette again as he smiled at the now sleeping boy. “Tell me, what was your childhood like, Jane?”

Jane watched as Zooey went over and soothed the sleepy boy, smoothing out his curls and giving him a reassuring smile as he whispered that his parents would soon be home. She couldn't help but note how good he was with Lionel, and a smile slowly spread across her face as she looked on.

Zooey relaxed back into the couch, making room as she sat next to him, and casually he put his arm on the back just above her. “He’s four now, I suppose,” he replied in a hushed tone so as not to wake the sleeping boy. “I looked like any other kid — curly hair, big nose and big ears. Alright, maybe a bit like Lionel.”