A Hidden Truth

The Truck Corral

    Juniper and Jaxon headed back outside. She pulled out her cell phone.

    “I’m gonna call Bobbi so she doesn’t worry ‘bout you.” She told him.

    “Thanks. I can just hangout here and wait.”

    “You’re gonna miss supper with your family while the tire gets fixed. I am offerin’ you a dinin’ companion, not a date. You really gotta get over yourself, Jaxon.” Juniper laughed again, remembering his refusal of her number.

    “Not gonna live that one down anytime soon, am I?” He groaned.

    “Not while I’m around. I’m calling your sister and then I’ll drive you to the diner. If you want, you can eat with me. No matter what you choose, I won’t be offended.” She smiled switching back to the flat patterns of her northern accent.

    “Fine.” Jaxon acquiesced.

    She hit the speed dial for Bobbi’s cell. Leaning against her car, Juniper waited for the line to pick up.

    “Hey, Juni. What’s up?” Bobbi asked when she picked up.

    “Your brother got a flat and the spare was flat as well. I took him to Logsden’s for either a patch or a replacement. They’re going to bill Beau. I’m taking Jaxon to pick up some supper since it’ll take a while. Wanted to let you know so you won’t be worried.” Juniper explained.

    “Sorry. I totally forgot to get that tire fixed. Thanks for takin’ care of my brother, Juni. You’re a good girl. You know he’s single.” Bobbi said in a conspiratorial tone.

    Juniper sighed. “Miss Bobbi. He refused my number for the tire and hasn’t been anything but cool to me. Did you ever think, maybe, you’re barking up the wrong tree?”

    After a few moments, Bobbi gasped. Juniper smiled. It could get him a reprieve for a while and she hoped it would help his mood.

    “I better go. I promised Davey a bear claw and he’s looking out the window like I’m kicking puppies. See you tomorrow.” She said in a sing-song tone and hung up.

    Juniper slid into the driver’s seat and unlocked the passenger door. Jaxon had to pull the seat back, but managed to fold into her little car. They drove up to the Truck Corral and headed in. When the hostess asked if there were two, Juniper looked at him and he nodded. She said yes and they were led to a booth in the back of the restaurant.

    They looked over the menus and chatted lightly while they waited for their waitress. When she approached, they greeted her and got a cool, tight response. Juniper stared at the waitress. She wasn’t accustomed to rudeness in service industries. Then she started to laugh.

    “Sorry, hon. I’ve been practicin’ my accent for when I go to college. You can be friendly with us. We grew up in Kotter’s Folly.” She smiled.

    “I’m sorry ‘bout that. We got a couple complaints about bein’ over friendly and are tryin’ to fix it when we get northerners who aren’t truckers.”

    “No problem. We’re probably gonna talk like that while we eat, though. So don’t even worry. We’ve got a to go order for when we’re done. Davey and Kirsten Logsden asked us to grab them some supper since they’re workin’ late.”

    “We know their usual. I’ll make sure they start makin’ it before you’re done eatin’.”

    “I promised Davey a bear claw. Please tell me you still have some.” Juniper pled.

    The waitress laughed. “Sure we do, honey. I’ll pack up two. Kirsten never asks, but she always looks like she wants one.”

    They placed their orders and she returned quickly with their drinks. Jaxon sipped his and leaned back, closing his eyes. He had no clue what to talk about. He’d made this plan to try and make her feel like he was out of her league, but learned he wasn’t even permitted on the field. She actually didn’t seem to have any interest in him at all. He sighed.

    “Bobbi says you’re starting your master’s program in the fall. What’s your area of study?” She asked politely.

    Jaxon opened his eyes and smiled. Juniper felt herself melt a little again. Every time he smiled, she’d had that reaction. It made her nervous. He was working his way in and she wouldn’t be able to keep him out of her head soon. But she already had crush and felt it was akin to cheating to have two. In many ways, she was innocent. Not in all the ways she wanted, but in enough ways to notice.

    He began explaining his degree and field of study like he normally did. Using simple, layman’s terms and examples. There was a hope inside of him that he’d have a different experience with her. She seemed interesting and he wanted to at least be on friendly terms with his sister’s club mate.

    “You have to simplify that a lot for people, don’t you? It sounds very thoroughly prepared. You can talk normally to me. I’ll ask for clarification if I need it, but that’s rarely the case.” Juniper smiled.

    “It’s a habit. Bobbi showed me the book you’re doing in your book club this week. I actually did a paper on it in Brit Lit a couple years ago. An interesting choice for your audience, though. Why’d you pick it?”

    She shrugged. “Because some of the women in town remind me of Paul’s mother. I felt the connection might help the other ladies get into the story. And I thought it would be an interesting read for the club. They like to try new things. They were the ones who decided we’d read things that would let them explore lives and stories outside of their own experience. I just get to be the one to select the material.”

    “Sounds like you’re making the most of it. I can give you some recommendations from the period, if you want. What are you having them read next week?” Jaxon asked.

    “Sense and Sensibility. I like to give them something a little soothing after a tougher read and this book had themes and situations that got me a few angry calls this week. I don’t mind them, though. It lets me know they’re actually reading it.” Juniper told him.

    Their food was delivered and they ate quietly. She watched him furtively, noting his table etiquette and the way his tongue slipped over his lips occasionally after he would take a drink. He’d refused a straw so it happened quite often. She shifted in her seat while she thought about his mouth, his tongue, and his hands.

    Jaxon was smart and attractive. Juniper hadn’t realized how dangerous that combination was to her when she’d decided to dine with him. It felt almost like a date. Though she’d never been on one, this was what she’d imagined they would be like. She knew she had to keep him at arm’s length.

    He was going to be mad when he realized she’d implied to his sister that he was probably gay. She wondered what he’d do. If he raged, then it would be easier to write him off.

    Juniper didn’t tolerate bigotry, especially to the LGBT community, because of her friends and her brother Teddy’s orientation. She’d never be into a man who couldn’t accept the people she loved. 

    Not that she’d really have a chance to date anyone anyway. Her goals and future career were too important to her to risk, and Hank had told her she wasn’t permitted to date until she was in college.

    “You look a little sad. Everything okay?” He said softly.

    “Just thinking about the coming weeks. Exams, prom, graduation. This is our last week of regular classes coming up, then it’s a rush to the end. Seniors end school earlier than the other grades. They made a deal with seniors about ten years ago. In return, there is no senior skip day, no senior prank, and twenty hours of community service during the school year. It’s worth it to be out almost a month before the younger students.” She chuckled.

    “Do you have your prom date lined up? I bet you got a lot of invites.” Jaxon smiled.

    Juniper snorted. “I’m going with my friend Kelly. We’re security for our other friends Tammy and Amber. So Tammy doesn’t get in a fight and ruin Amber’s night. Not that Kelly can do much, but she is really good at observing others and can tell me if someone will approach. We learned our lesson from homecoming. Amber agreed to no dances in tenth and eleventh grades, but Tammy had to take her to every single dance this year.”

    It was a sad reality for some people, that they wouldn’t be accepted by their neighbors and peers. In high schools, it swung wildly from people being super accepting to them harassing and bullying until the couples broke. Juniper would do everything in her power to keep her friends from harm.

    “Sorry. They shouldn’t have to deal with that.” He sighed.

    Damn. Thought Juniper. He’s a nice guy. Oh well, guess I have to break up with my crush. Can’t resist a cute guy who’s smart and nice.

    The thought amused her. She’d been mentally dating her crush since ninth grade. She was going to ask him out in tenth, but then the agreement with Hank happened and she couldn’t. No dating unless it was set up by her mother and never encouraging or peacefully accepting setups. It kept things calm and him happy.

    They were nearly finished with their meal when Juniper’s phone rang. She picked it up and looked at the caller ID. It was Hank. She quickly decided how she would frame things. Juniper knew Hank had people around town who would call him if they saw her doing something of note. Eating supper in public with a man who wasn’t a relation, was definitely noteworthy.