Julian Reyes and Jack Alvarez
Julian Reyes and Jack Alvarez were nephew and maternal uncle. Jack spent time with Julian when he was an infant, but Julian’s paternal family kept them apart after Zeek Reyes died. They reconnected in 2037 and became very close.
Early Relationship and Separation
Jack was the younger brother of Julian’s mother, Ashley Alvarez, and regarded Julian’s father, Zeek, as a brother. He spent time with Julian during Julian’s infancy. Jack was approximately fifteen when Zeek died and Julian was nearly three. Afterward, Zeek’s father and older brother Marco used their control over Julian’s upbringing to prevent the Alvarez family from maintaining contact with him.
Reunion in 2037
On March 20, 2037, Jack watched the livestream of Julian’s ‘’I Am Still Me’’ premiere with his father, Ruben, and his sister, Amy. Amy later contacted Julian through Resonance Films, and Julian visited the family at Ruben’s Fresno home several weeks after he replied to her message.
At Julian’s first remembered meeting with Jack, Jack was outgoing and easygoing with him. Julian gravitated toward his uncle without noticing it. Julian reminded Jack of both Ashley and Zeek, especially Zeek. Seeing him also brought up Jack’s grief for them; later that night, Jack cried privately in the shower.
Adult Closeness and Communication
Jack and Julian became very close after their reunion. Before interviewing Simon Reed for a production-equipment role at Resonance Films, Julian texted his uncle about his nerves over entrusting equipment to someone else. Jack responded from his experience as a Mercedes-Benz technician and suggested asking how Simon handled another person’s tools. Julian added that question to his interview preparation.