A Hidden Truth

A Little Bit of Gossip

[Jaxon]

    Juniper smiled at me. There was a strained look in her eyes.

    “Sorry, this is my stepfather. I have to take the call.” She told me and hit the button to accept it.

    “Hello, Hank. How’s your trip going?” She said into the receiver.

    I could hear a gravelly voice, but couldn’t make out what he was saying. She blushed and winced.

    “I didn’t lie, daddy.” Her voice shifted to her southern accent.

    Her shift from calling him ‘Hank’ to ‘daddy’ caught my attention. I liked how it sounded when she said daddy in her accent. My focus on my food became even more intent. I couldn’t let my proclivities pull me along.

    “I was gonna eat with Tammy’s family, but then remembered I wanted to get some things ready for my book club tomorrow and decided to head home. I was going to grab somethin’ at a drive thru because I’d already had Teddy tell Twyla I wouldn’t be there.” She paused while he said something else.

    “He’s Bobbi’s brother. Jaxon. He was on that backroad; you know the one where you took me for practice a couple years ago. Right about the spot where we pulled over to switch.” There was a chuckle from the other end. “Well it was the first time we had our lesson, daddy. Of course I remembered. It’s the only part of the road that isn’t someone’s driveway, but is wide enough to pull over. He had a flat and his spare was flat so I lent him the donut.” Juniper explained.

    She nodded as her stepfather said something else. Then she rolled her eyes. It was cute and a little bratty.

    “Daddy, I can assure you he’s not interested. I tried to give him my number so he could call me when he got his tire replaced, but he refused. Told me he wasn’t lookin’ to date anyone while he’s here. It made me laugh. You know Bobbi took him to meet every girl she thought he might be interested in, but he was really rude from what I’ve heard.” She winked at me. I grinned, it had annoyed me and I had been pretty rude.

    “She didn’t even bring him to see me. She knew I was gonna say no… Yes, daddy. I understand. Oh, really? I’m not home… I don’t know… Of course not, daddy. Yes, I’ll just have to step outside first. One second.” She covered he receiver. “Jaxon, I need to talk privately. I’m going outside. If you can cover this and the other food, then I’ll pay you back. It shouldn’t take long, but I can never tell. Is that okay?”

    “Sure. Don’t worry about paying me back, though. Call it my thanks for helping me out of a jam.” I smiled. She nodded and headed for the door.

    When she got outside, Juniper walked to the side of her car while talking into the phone. I saw her lean against it and start speaking like she was trying to keep anyone else from hearing. Her body language said she was uncomfortable, but she was talking a lot. He was probably scolding her more and she was trying to explain. I felt badly, because I was the cause of her trouble.

    After I paid and collected the boxes, I went outside. I was walking up to the car when I heard some of what she was saying.

    “There, all done. Feelin’ better, daddy?” Her voice was light and gentle. I found I liked it no matter what accent she was using. Then there was a shift in her. She stood up straight and spoke sternly without her southern lilt. “Now, Hank. That was a favor to you because you were concerned I broke the bargain. It will not happen again. It was wildly outside of bounds. You promised to abide the rules. Try to force me to break them again and it’s done. I have to go. Yes. Tomorrow night. I understand. Good night. No. I’m not saying it… Ugh, fine!” She switched back to her natural accent. “I love you, daddy. See you tomorrow.” Juniper blew a kiss through the phone.

    She hung up and took a deep breath before stomping a couple of times.

    “I hope your plane crashes. I hate you.” She growled.

    I was frozen. There was definitely something going on, but she wouldn’t be inclined to tell me since I was a stranger. I took a few steps back and returned, walking loudly so she would hear. She wiped her eyes and turned around.

    “Ready to head back?” Juniper asked with a smile.

    “Yeah. I got the food. Thanks again for the help.” I responded.

    We got in the car and returned to the mechanic. Davey rushed to meet us when we got in and took the drink carrier from my hand. He set it on the counter and went into the back to get his sister. When they returned, she thanked us for the food and offered to pay, but I refused, since she was staying late to help me out.

    Juniper looked at her phone. She’d been texting furiously as soon as she was out of the car. I didn’t know who she was talking to, but her mood changed and her genuine smile returned. She excused herself to go back home, telling Kirsten she would come pick up the tire on Saturday. We waved her off and Kirsten sighed.

    “Poor thing.” She said shaking her head.

    “What do you mean?” I asked.

    “Her stepdad is a controllin’ bastard. She’s not normally allowed to be out this late. We almost never see her, her mother, or her brothers. Except Carson. He doesn’t live in that house, and I heard he isn’t allowed back either. Even his own mama won’t talk to him. No one knows why. One day he was just fired from the dealership and booted out with only the clothes on his back.” Kirsten explained.

    “I heard that Juni’s daddy plays dirty games with her.” Davey giggled.

    “David Franklin Logsden! You had better not spread things like that around. He’s likely to get Halsteaded just for the rumor. That was just some boy talkin’ crap like they did about you. Don’t be ugly.” She scolded.

    He looked sad and took his food to the back. Kirsten shook her head and sighed.

    “Lotsa boys got sour grapes over Juni refusin’ to date them. One said he saw her kissin’ Hank in his office at the dealership last summer. The rumor got shut down real quick, when he said he records his office, since there’s sensitive documents in there, and was willin’ to show everyone. He said she had an eyelash in her eye and he was helpin’ her get it out. Juni said the same thing. A couple men in town, includin’ the sheriff, went to see the video and confirmed it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be alive today. You know how we deal with things like that.” She smirked.

    I did. About a hundred and twenty years ago there’d been a man named Abel Halstead who owned a farm in the area. After his wife died from some illness, he and his five daughters rarely left their land. It was found out that he’d been using them and had impregnated all five. The town didn’t take kindly to the information.

    Several men went to his house in the night, and dragged him to the middle of town. They beat him to death and warned everyone, the same would happen to them if they ever harmed a woman or child in that way. They kept the promise for generations.

    Once she finished her food, Kirsten returned to the mechanic’s bay. It was only an hour later that I was headed back home. I took the donut, telling her I’d have my sister return it after her book club meeting the next day. She was grateful.

    There was an odd atmosphere in the house when I returned. Beau normally tried to rant at me until I retreated to my room. This time, he watched me carefully and nodded to me quietly in greeting. Bobbi smiled and gave me a hug.

    “I’m so sorry I took you around to all those girls, Jax. You shoulda just told me and I wouldn’t have. I’m sorry, sugar. You know this house is safe. You can tell us and we won’t hate you or turn you out or anythin’.” She crooned as she patted my back.

    I had no clue what she was talking about, but it seemed she thought I was gay. It was a pretty good idea. She might actually leave me alone. I smiled internally and channeled my friend, Ben.

    “Bobbi, I just didn’t know how you’d react and I didn’t want to risk my family hating me. I don’t know how you figured it out, but please don’t tell anyone.” I replied softly.

    “Course not. That’s your story to tell. When you’re ready we’ll be here for you, though. Okay?” She murmured.

    “Thanks, Bobbi. I’m going to head to bed now. Do you think I can go with you to your book club? Juniper was nice to talk to and it made me miss those conversations from school.”

    “Sure, sweetheart. You go rest. Beau and I are gonna be up a while longer.” She patted my back and sent me on my way.

****

[3rd person]

    Bobbi watched as Jaxon headed to the basement. She felt her heart tearing up. The idea that he hadn’t told her he was gay because he thought she would hate him weighed heavily on her. Beau patted the couch next to him and she went to curl up next to her husband.

    “Don’t worry, baby. He’s gonna be okay. You know we all like the kid and I bet Red and Trace will make sure he doesn’t feel any different.” He whispered into her hair as she cuddled into him.

    “I know we barely know each other, but I’d have hoped he would tell me somethin’ like this. My poor little brother. Do you think he told daddy? Probably not. Wouldn’t wanna risk gettin’ kicked out or somethin’. Now I have to change our plan.” Bobbi sighed.

    “Gonna aim him at Teddy?”

    “Yeah. But he almost never leaves the house. How’re we gonna get them together?” She asked.

    “What if you send him home with Juni after the book club? See if she’ll have him over for supper. She doesn’t see him as a threat now she knows he’s gay. It might make her more willin’ to take him home.” Beau suggested.

    “I wish we could tell him, but he needs to get in there naturally. It might be our last chance. If Juni goes off to college, then the only one who leaves the house regularly will be Remy and he doesn’t get along with Buck.” Bobbi winced. The boys were often fighting and couldn’t be sat at the same table in their classroom without needing to be pulled apart.

    Beau rubbed Bobbi’s arm and held her tightly. He loved that she was working so diligently for the Cleaners. When his father had given him the leadership of the group, he’d been nervous. Beau’s father told him a good wife was the best helpmate. Bobbi had always been that. His partner in all things. Even putting her own family out there so they could reach their goal.

    “Why don’t you go soak in the tub for a while? Then I’ll come up and give you a backrub. I just want to have a smoke before bed and call Trace.” He said.

    “Okay. You come up as soon as you get back in. I’ll miss you if you’re gone too long.” She purred.

    A grin spread across Beau’s face. The one thing that had never died down even a little. They still loved and desired each other. Even after four kids and some serious stress and strain. He couldn’t imagine anyone else in his arms.

    Bobbi stood, then leaned over wrapping her arms around Beau’s neck and kissing him deeply. She loved how Beau was supportive of Jaxon, even now. It was heartwarming to her that he would be so caring. She really hated how they had to trick him right now, but it would be worth it in the end.