A Hidden Truth

Resolutions

    When they got back to the house, Tammy, Amber, and Kelly rushed to meet them at the door as Gary carried Juniper in. He laid her down in her bed and told the girls that she had stitches and wouldn’t be with them at prom. They sat on her bed with her. Amber and Kelly held her hands while Tammy patted her leg.

    Teddy and Jaxon came in and closed the door.

    “Tell us about the dream, Juni. We need to know what it was so we can help you work through whatever’s messin’ you up.” Teddy said softly.

    Juniper blushed. She didn’t want to tell them, especially not Jaxon. It scared her to consider what he’d think of her if he knew she doubted him so much that her brain would create such a situation.

    “Juniper, please. We couldn’t get you to wake up. It was a powerful dream. If there’s any way we can help you, then you need to tell us. Maybe some of the fear can be resolved.” Tammy told her.

    She took a deep breath. For years, she’d told Teddy about the nightmares and it helped. Juniper started at the beginning and told them the whole dream plus what she’d told the psych doctor. She’d even told them what she was thinking in the dream. When she was done, she was in tears and the room was still.

    “You didn’t deserve it. You never deserve to be punished like that, Juni.” Kelly whispered shakily.

    “This is my fault.” Amber whimpered. “I put it in your head.”

    “No, Amber. It wasn’t your fault. It’s my stupid brain.” Juniper tried reassuring her.

    “Things get messed up like that sometimes, babe. We’ll just be more careful in the future and help out however we can to make up for it.” Tammy murmured, taking Amber’s other hand and squeezing it.  

    Jaxon pulled out his phone, it was about six in the morning. Early, but he didn’t care. He dialed Kenny.

    “Mmph, what?” She answered.

    “I’m going to put you on speaker, Kenny.” Jaxon said, drawing the attention of the room.

    “M’kay.” Kenny replied, curious.

    Jaxon put the phone on speaker and went to sit at the foot of Juniper’s bed. He’d make sure she knew this and hoped it would get rid of her fear.

    “You are my best friend and I love you as my friend. But I am not in love with you. I don’t want to be with you and I don’t want to marry you.” He told her.

    “Feeling’s mutual. Is this for Juniper or your nephew? B’cause he can come comfort me if he wants. I could certainly use some big, strong arms to cry in… unless he’s not into that… I like to be comforted in other ways. Ya know.” She snickered.

    Jaxon shook his head and chuckled.

    Juniper started laughing then hissed in pain. “Don’t make me laugh. It tugs my stitches.” She groaned.

    “Stitches? Are you okay? What happened?” Kenny said urgently, suddenly fully awake.

    “I’m going to be fine. Just an accident. Thank you, Kenny. I’ll see if we can help you with Clayton.” Juniper smiled.

    “I’m gonna let you get back to sleep. See you later, Kenny.” Jaxon said.

    “Okay. See ya.” She responded and hung up.

        He put it away and turned his head to Juniper. “I love only you, sweet Juniper.”

    She blushed.

    Tammy liked that he’d taken a decisive action to assure Juniper he wasn’t interested in Kenny. She looked at Amber and remembered when she’d had to do a similar thing because Amber thought she was secretly in love with Juniper. This guy was definitely good enough for Juniper, and Tammy wouldn’t oppose them.

    “Girls, let’s help Juniper with her gloves and let her get some sleep.” Tammy suggested. “We should head to our houses so we can be rested for the prom. Is there anything we should tell the snake when we see him tonight?”

    “Tell him I appreciated him and my mother offering their guest house to me, Teddy, and Gary while I recover from my injuries and that I was doing much better when you last saw me. Teddy, make sure they know to keep their plans of taking Remy to dinner and a movie. And let them know I’ll be at the barbecue. There’s no way I’m going to ruin this for everyone.” She said firmly.

    “Will do, Juni-bug.” Teddy nodded and pulled Gary from the room.

    “We’ll take care of our end, too.”

    “Have Hank or Marie-Rose take a picture of the three of you with Remy to send to me. It’ll help.” Juniper smiled.

    “Help you or help the story?” Amber asked.

    “Yes.” Juniper laughed. She was going to miss the chance to see her brother, but she knew she’d see him the next day at Bobbi’s house.

    The girls laughed, grabbed their things, and said goodbye as they headed out to Tammy’s car. Juniper started to feel alone. She never had before, and Jaxon was still there.

    “Can I lay down with you?” He asked.

    “Sure. I don’t really feel like being alone right now.” She blushed.

    Jaxon took off his shoes and laid down on the other side of the bed. Juniper wished she could curl up next to him, but the stitches probably wouldn’t like that. She sighed.

    “We can’t seem to have a calm weekend, can we?” Jaxon chuckled.

    “How would we get our entertainment?” She joked.

    “I’ll go get your prescription filled when the pharmacy opens. Try to rest, sweet. I’ll be here until then. Teddy or Gary will come in when I need to leave. You’re safe.” He replied.

    She scooted to lay down and closed her eyes. The shirt smelled like him and she felt her whole body relax. Juniper hadn’t even realized how tense she’d been in the last few days. Just lying near Jaxon seemed to soothe everything in her.

    “Tell me about our trip to Idaho.” She requested softly.

    “Ah, you want a bedtime story, my sweet girl?” He grinned. “Okay…”

    Juniper drifted to sleep while he told her about the places they’d go and who she’d be meeting. Jaxon’s voice carried her off to a dark, dreamless sleep.