A Hidden Truth

After School Upset

[Juniper]

     The rest of school was uneventful. I was grateful. There were a few girls who came up to ask about Jaxon and our relationship. I knew they were in charge of collecting information for their friend groups. That’s just how it worked in my school and town.

     They would disseminate the information to their mothers who would share it with their clubs and gossip circles. Soon, everyone would know. It scared me a little. I didn’t want Hank to try and hurt Jaxon to get back at me. I hoped he wasn’t that petty.

     As I waited at my car for Kelly to come out, I was approached by Becca and her cronies. She had a malicious smirk on her face. Round two, I supposed.

     “Well, Juni, you shoulda just told me you were datin’ Clay’s uncle. I understand if you were embarrassed that you couldn’t find a man your own age. There was no reason to keep it a secret.” She said as she and three of her friends tittered around me.

     I laughed. “I wasn’t keeping it a secret. It wasn’t your business. As for the age difference, you know I prefer smart men. It seemed Miss Bobbi Jensen, Clayton’s aunt, did, too. She’s the one who set us up. It had nothing to do with me desperately seeking male companionship and everything to do with my friends suggesting acceptable partners when they came across one.”

     “You have an answer for everythin’, don’t you?” Becca sneered.     “Yup.” I winked with a grin.

     Kelly came through the crowd and went to the other side of the car. I unlocked the doors and set my bag in the back. She settled into the passenger seat.

     “It was nice talking to you, Becca. I better get going. Jaxon’s coming for supper and I need to get some stuff done before he gets there. Have a good night.” I waved and got into my car without waiting for a response.

      “She’s such a bitch.” Kelly muttered as the group of girls followed Becca toward her car.

     “Yeah. She really is. I can’t believe I was friends with her. I almost wonder if I was a b***h, too.” I said thoughtfully.

     “No. You and I have been in the same classes for most of our lives. You were never like her. I’m glad you’re my friend now, though.” She murmured.

     “Me too, Kel. You’re my perverted, snark queen and I couldn’t hope for a more perfect friend.” I reached over and patted her hand.

     “Thanks, Juni. I love you, too.” Kelly chuckled.

     My cellphone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out to see who was calling. It was Remy’s school. I answered.

     “Hello? Juniper?” Mrs. Cotton said over the line.

     “Yes, ma’am. How can I help you?” I asked.

     “Well, no one came to get Remy today and there isn’t an answer on the house phone or Teddy’s cell. You’re the next up on the contact sheet. Can you come get him?”

     I was torn. Marie-Rose told me to stay away from her family, but my story about being her safety net would fall short if I didn’t go. There was nothing for it.

     “I’ll be down in a couple minutes. I just got into my car. Do you need me to get him from the office or can you meet me out front?”

     “We can meet you out front. See you in a few.” She cheerfully signed off.

     I called the sheriff’s department. Trace was in a meeting and Carson was in with him. I left a message with the gist of the situation, then headed off to the elementary school. While driving, I asked Kelly if she would be okay with studying at my place so I wasn’t where Hank would expect me. She agreed as we were pulling up. It really wasn’t far from the high school to the elementary.

     Getting out of the car, I saw Remy with my old fourth grade teacher, who was now the principal of the school. She smiled like she did whenever she saw me. I was her favorite. Kelly got out as well and got a similar smile. I wasn’t her only favorite. We went over and Remy flew at me wrapping his arms around my waist and hugging me tightly.

     “Hush now, baby. Juju’s here.” I soothed.

     “Mama forgot me, Juju! She doesn’t love me now you and Teddy are gone.” He sobbed.

     “I bet she just lost track of time. You know how she can be when she gets into something. Plus, your daddy just got home today. I called to have someone check up on them. In the meantime, do you want to go to the ranch and see the house Teddy and me live in?” I patted his head.

     “Yes! Do I have a room there? Are there horses? Do you have video games?” He bounced.

     Laughing, I waited for him to calm down. “You don’t have a room, there are horses, but we don’t own them, and we only have Teddy’s games. We’ll work on your homework when we get there.” I looked up at Mrs. Cotton. “If my mother or Hank shows up, let them know, she can pick up Remy from the Reed’s Ranch. Hank isn’t allowed, as I’m sure you know. I contacted the sheriff to go see why they didn’t show up.”

     “Thank you, Juniper. Good luck on your exams.” She said as she waved us off.

     We loaded Remy into the back of my car and headed to the ranch. He talked through the whole drive about what happened at school and after we left. He didn’t seem terribly upset, which I was happy about. It seemed like it affected me more than it did him.

     As we pulled into the drive, we were stopped by two ranch hands. They looked in the car and at a notebook they had before waving us through. After we parked, I led Remy and Kelly into the house. He ran from room to room, exploring while Kelly and I set up at the table. She pulled out her study guide for science and her computer. I got Remy settled at the coffee table with his homework and told him to call me over if he needed help. He nodded and started in on his assignments.

     An hour later, Kelly’s mom came to pick her up. I appreciated it since I wanted to be at the ranch if Remy’s parents came for him. My concern was growing. There was no contact from Trace or Carson. I made a little snack for Remy with the leftovers I had from last night. This was not the best situation for taking care of a child.

     Keeping my phone on me, I took Remy to see the horses. He fed them hay and patted their noses. It was nice to see him having fun. My phone rang while we were heading back to the house.

     “Hello?” I answered.

     “Juniper. Could you bring Remy to his parents’ house?” Trace asked.

     “I’d rather someone came and got him. I don’t really want to go there.” I responded.

     “I understand. The thing is, Hank won’t open the gate unless it’s you or Teddy returning him. Teddy’s not reachable right now, or you know he’d do it.” He said.

     “Can’t Marie-Rose come get him?” I pressed. I really didn’t want to go back. Something in me felt like I wouldn’t be able to leave if I did.

     “I’ll be with you. He won’t let Carson on the property.”

     “Fine, we’ll be there in ten or fifteen minutes.” I sighed.

     We went back to the house and loaded Remy’s backpack, then got in the car to head out. Before I left, I wrote a note to Teddy so he knew what was going on. I tried to make it as calm as possible and made sure he knew Trace would be there.

     It didn’t take long to get to the house. Trace met me at the entrance to the drive and followed me down to the code box. I pressed the call button and Hank’s voice came over the box.

     “Who is it?” He asked.

     “Juniper, Remy, and Sheriff Ramirez.” I called out.

     “You didn’t have to bring the sheriff, Juni.” He sighed.

     “He was already here. Probably because no one picked up Remy today. He’s required to check on the health of everyone responsible for him.” I replied. It was a lie, but I was afraid to be there on my own.

     The gate opened. Once it was wide enough, I drove through. My nerves were getting worse as I got closer to the house. Memories of past punishments were starting to creep into my mind.

     We pulled up in front and I got out, moving the seat forward so Remy could climb out. I heard the front door open and close. I could feel panic rise.

      The punishment for running, would be immense and painful. He might even kill me this time. I began shaking. Trace came around the side of the car and patted my shoulder.

     “It’s okay, little sister. I’ve got you.” He smiled.

     “Little sister?” I squeaked.

     “Jaxon couldn’t keep it to himself that you’re dating. You’re our sister now, too. I don’t let anyone hurt my family.” Trace assured me.

      I nodded and took Remy’s hand. Knowing Red, Beau, and Trace's history, being their sister was one of the safest things to be. It gave me strength. We made our way to the porch, where Hank and Marie-Rose were standing. When I was within a few feet of the stairs, I let go of his hand. Remy turned to look at me.

     “Aren’t you comin’ in, Juju?” He asked.

     “No, baby. I gotta get home to cook dinner for Teddy. It’s his first day of work and I promised him a special dinner.” I smiled.

     Hank came off the porch and stopped. He wasn’t looking at his son though; he was looking at me. His expression was hurt rather than angry. I didn’t know if it was an act for Trace or his true feelings. In a way, I could understand. It seemed like he went to do something for me, then I abandoned him when he failed. Behind him, Marie-Rose was giving me a death glare.

     “Juniper, why’d you move out?” Hank asked.

     I looked past him. She was looking sadly at him now. Had he not understood? Had she not been completely honest? Was there some part of him that didn’t want to believe the girl he abused and coerced into s****l acts would choose to leave him?

     “You must know why Hank. Didn’t your wife tell you? It was made clear that I was no longer welcome. Now, I live with my brother at his home. And I will stay there until I leave for school.” I responded coolly.

     “But, I did this for you. It was so you’d be happy.” He scowled.

     “And made your wife angry. I can handle my own messes. You made a decision which revealed your deviousness and what kind of person you are. Assaulting an officer of the law? Really.” I scoffed and turned back to my car.

     My legs were shaking. The remembrance of punishments and torments for embarrassing him, for upsetting him, flooded my mind. I could barely breathe. I wanted to go home. I wanted to see Teddy and Jaxon. I wanted to feel safe again.

     “Stay here and let’s talk this over.” Hank implored. He sounded like a concerned father. Not the abuser he was.

     “No. You are my brother’s father and nothing more to me. I owe you nothing, I left behind every gift you gave me and everything you bought me. I only took clothing which was given to me by my mother, keepsakes from my childhood, and items I bought myself. Teddy did the same. He even left behind the car you gave him. We’ll help you out when situations like this arise, but they will not be used to try and control us. We only have so much patience for you and your wife.” I explained as I opened my car door and turned back using it as a shield.

     “I raised you. You were my child for ten years and you just abandon me?” He growled.

     I know I looked surprised. My mouth had dropped open in shock as I tried to absorb exactly what he was trying to say. I owed him because of him deciding to marry my mother and take on three children who weren’t his own? That was total bullshit. Especially, after everything he put me through in the name of his own greed and desire.

     “I’m pretty sure, I’ve paid you back in full over the last three years. Henry.” I sneered, got in my car and turned on the engine.

     Checking to make sure my path was clear, I hit reverse, turned the car, and left the property. Leaving was easy. The gate was wired to open when a pressure plate was hit on the inside of the fences.

     The relief I felt at getting out of there without him touching me, without him hurting me, was palpable. It took a little time getting my breathing under control. I wouldn’t let him keep me there. I refused his request and talked back. Nothing was going to keep me safe if he got me again. I waited outside the gate to make sure Trace left, too. I’d feel guilty if something happened.

     Ten minutes later, the gate opened and the sheriff’s cruiser came out. He rolled his passenger side window down and I rolled my driver side window down.

     “Juniper, head home.” Trace told me.

     “Sure thing, Trace. I just wanted to make sure you got out okay.” I smiled.

     “You drive ahead of me. I’ll follow you to the gates of the ranch.” He said.

     I nodded and put my car in drive. All the way home, I felt safer. Trace was one of my new big brothers and he was watching out for me just like Carson or Teddy would. Except, I knew he was more dangerous than they were. My car was waved through by the ranch hands when I got to the gate and I continued on to the house.

     When I got there, I parked and headed to the front door. Before I could reach the door it flew open and Teddy was on me, scolding and checking me over. I hugged him tight and headed into the house.

     “Next time, come to my office and get me. I’ll take Remy back. Got it?” Teddy said.

     “Yes, Teddy. I’m going to go lay down for a while. Wake me for supper?” I asked as I leaned on the wall.

     “You okay, Juni-bug?” He whispered.

     “I just don’t feel good right now, Teddy. I’ll be fine in a while.” I smiled and went to my room, taking off my jeans and slipping under the covers.