Imaginary Boyfriend: Gentleman Jack 2 (special preview)

When your grandfather had passed away, you made sure to collect that old cigar box that had originally inspired Gentleman Jack. You had often gone back to it, hiding things inside for later. Everything was still intact, the pressed flower from the crown Jack had made you, the skipping stone you refused to toss across the pond, the feather you had found on a particularly bad day. You took it home, along with some other memorabilia from your grandparents place.

The cigar box sat prominently on your shelf for a long time, eventually being covered by books and sketch-pads over the years. Occasionally, you would have a rotten day and pull out the cigar box to go through good memories. The stone had become smooth over time from where you had rubbed it so much. You had put the pressed flower in between sheets of tape because it was starting to fall apart. There were new things added too, like the first drawing Jesse ever made for you, a miniature of a statue from a museum you took Jesse on her fifth birthday, a tiny plastic baby bottle from your mom’s babyshower. There were also some concert tickets, a locket from a high school best friend, as well as a note from the gender identity support group you frequented. 

These were the things you went to, to make yourself cheer up and feel better. Each little, seemingly insignificant, thing inside was a different memory that was well worn with time and comfortable to move through even on the sharpest of days. The box itself was a memory, a loving one about the best friend you ever had, family, and the rainy day where boredom led to creation.

Taking out this box again, it was not because it was a bad day, in fact the day was shaping up to be a good one, but because you wanted to share. You wanted to stroll through memory lane with Jack, show him the old things that you shared with him, the new things you shared with others, and hopefully a place where you could keep new memories. 

That morning you had seen your family off to Jesse’s first mathlete competition. Jesse had always been very smart, especially when it came to numbers. Your step-dad liked to joke that you always had your head in the clouds, and Jesse had hers in books. Which was very true. 

“I’ll call you later,” Jesse says, barely able to contain her excitement. 

“Just keep these two in line for me,” you motion to your parents. You hug her tight and wish her luck. “No matter what happens, we’ll go out for pizza when you get back.”

Jesse beams then urges you closer. “You and Jack have fun, okay?”

Why is she making this secretive, you wonder? 

“I’m sure we will.” You laugh.

Jesse goes and hugs Jack, whispering to him the same way he did to you. You stand by Jack as the car pulls away, waving goodbye until they’re out of sight.

You sigh and cross your arms as you both go back into the house. “If I didn’t know that rugrat any better, I say she’s trying to play matchmaker.”

Jack nods and turns to you.

“I mean I guess it worked,” you scoff. “But what does she have to gain from this?”

Jack taps his finger-tips over his chest then pats your chest, placing his hands together to form a heart.

“You’re an imaginary friend though, are you sure this isn’t too weird?” I pout slightly. “I mean, I know it happens, but people tend to think it’s some sort of weird kink or something.”

Jack shrugs.

“No, you’re the only one, so I don’t consider it a kink.” You look up at him, feeling his gaze fall softly upon you. “But I did create you, don’t you think that that is a bit weird?

Jack tilts his head to the side and presses his finger against the side of his mouth as he thinks. He then raises his hand, stretching out his fingers before flourishing his hand and bowing before you.

“I don’t get it,” you murmur.