Making Mother Happy

1806 Words
[Jaxon]     Thursday morning dragged. There was nothing to distract me from the fact that I wouldn’t see Juniper for nearly two days after. I got on my tablet and ordered a special gift for her. I hoped it would be a nice apology. Kenny texted, letting me know she was leaving around eleven and she’d be bringing Morgan.     He was a good friend who was able to sleep almost anywhere. Kenny called him her ace life-mate. She wanted him to share driving responsibilities. That way she could get to Kotter’s Folly as soon as possible. He’d wanted to see Four Corners for a long time so they were taking a detour on the way back.     I got in my car at eleven-thirty and went to wait in front of the high school until Juniper could leave. When she came out of the front doors, I was excited to see her. She was in a light blue sundress with a little pale yellow cover on. Her hair was bundled up in a partially braided coil on top of her head. I left the car and opened her door.     When we were driving, Juniper picked at her fingernails. Something about her was still nervous. I knew she’d been afraid yesterday morning because of how upset I’d seemed, but this was a different type of nervousness. I wanted to hold her until she felt better. It was hard to be so close without touching her.     “Did you sleep okay last night?” I asked.     “Yes, Jaxon. Thank you. Did you sleep well?” She responded, quietly.     “Eventually. I had to call one of my friends in Idaho. I accidentally left my suit at her place. She’s bringing it down though. Should be here Friday or Saturday.” I smiled.     Juniper froze. “She? You left the suit with… her? A girlfriend?”     “Juniper. I love you. Don’t worry. Kenny is one of my best friends. We did date for a while, but it wasn’t serious. She’s excited to meet you.” I told her.     She was quiet. While we were stopped at a red light, I looked over and she was chewing her lips. I didn’t know what to say to reassure her. Kenny often worried I’d end up with someone who’d forbid our relationship. I’d promised to never give up our friendship, as long as she promised the same.     “I trust you, Jaxon. Will you be mad if I don’t like her?” She asked.     “I’ll be sad. I hope you’ll give her a chance. We’ve been friends for almost five years. You’re both important to me. She’s bringing our friend Morgan. He’s… well… Morgan. I don’t know any way to describe him.” I chuckled.     “I’ll do my best. Sorry, I can’t promise more than that.” Juniper murmured.     “Why are you being quiet, sweet? Are you mad at me still?” I asked.     “I’m just worried about lunch. Since we started dating, I’ve been a little scared that Hank’s going to try and hurt you. It’s got me all twisted up.” She admitted.     “I won’t let that happen, Juniper. Don’t keep your feelings from me. If something’s upsetting you, I want to know and I want to try and fix it. Okay?” I told her.     “Yes, Jaxon. I’ll try. It’s hard to think right now. I feel drained for some reason.” She chuckled lightly.     “We’re almost to the doctor. Talk to her about it. We can go pick up something to help you sleep if we need to.” I told her.     A couple minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot and walked into the lobby of the doctor’s office. She checked in and we sat. When she was called back, I pulled out my tablet and started reading the book for the meeting on Friday.     Juniper told me she’d invited her English teacher to the meeting on Friday, in hopes of getting him to take over the club when she left for school. I bet he was intrigued by her book choices, and the fact there were people in town who were reading and discussing real literature. I certainly was.     My phone vibrated. It was a text from Kenny telling me her car broke down outside of Mountain Home. Her cousin who worked there was driving them back to Boise, after the car was towed to a mechanic.     She told me she’d found a flight to Amarillo around two in the afternoon. They’d land in Texas just before midnight and get a room, renting a car after they landed to drive out to us. It would only be about a three-hour drive from there. I told her I’d pay her back, she said to consider it an engagement gift.     I realized I should text my mother so she wasn’t caught off guard if someone told her about Juniper and me. Putting away my tablet, it wouldn’t be possible to read once she knew, I prepared for what could happen. She’d either call or send a million texts. I let the receptionist know I might get a phone call and if Juniper got out before I came back, to let her know I was just outside. She nodded and I headed back to the chairs to text my mother.     ‘Hi, mom. I wanted to let you know, I met a girl and we’re dating now.’ I hit send and waited. It didn’t take long.     ‘Who is she? Who are her parents? How did you meet her? Is she a good girl?’     I chuckled. That was my mom. Always the important questions.     ‘Juniper Fordyce. Her parents are Chance Fordyce and Marie-Rose Clements. She’s a good girl. Smart, funny, kind, and family oriented. Bobbi introduced us.’     ‘I went to school with them. I dated Chance for a while. He was such a fun guy. I never understood how he ended up with a priss like Marie-Rose. Lol. You went to school with Carson Fordyce. Remember? You two played together in kindergarten and first grade.’     ‘He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him. Though, I guess we both changed a lot since elementary.’     ‘Chance’s daughter was only four or five when we moved. I remember seeing her and Chance out at the ranch. He had her in riding classes. If she took after her daddy, she’s probably one of the best riders in town. She was such a pretty girl. Of course, Marie-Rose couldn’t possibly make an ugly child.’     ‘Clayton said she rides like she and the horse are one animal. I haven’t seen her ride. And she is still very pretty.’     ‘Is Clayton in school with her? They should be about the same age.’     ‘Yeah. They know each other. She tutors him.’     ‘That’s good. I can’t wait to meet her. When are you bringing her home?’     ‘How about Memorial Day?’     ‘No. Sooner. Next week.’     ‘She has exams, mom. The week after?’     ‘Yes! I’ll buy tickets. You come stay for a week or two so I can get to know her. Your father is going to be so excited. She’s not like Kendra, right?’     ‘No, mom.’     ‘Good. I like Kenny, honey. Just not for you.’     ‘You’ve said that before, mom. I better go. We’re going out for lunch with her mother and stepfather.’     ‘I forgot that Chance passed. Good for Marie-Rose, finding a new man. I hope her husband is good to her.’     I couldn’t help but sneer at that. In a way, I guess he was. Enough that she was willing to give up her family for him. My mother and I were always honest with each other. There was a lot I would have to keep quiet, but I could let her know where I stood.     ‘I don’t like him, but I’m not married to him. Juniper isn’t fond of him either. Her mother loves him. They have a kid. It’s like the other three aren’t as important to her anymore. The kids were all bonded to each other, they didn’t feel it was a huge loss. They love their little brother too, so he won’t feel left out of the family.’     ‘Not like you did. That’s good, though. I don’t think you’d love someone who neglected their younger brother. It’s probably why you like her enough to tell me about her.’     The door to the exam rooms opened and Juniper came out with a smile. She waved to the doctor, a cheerful looking woman in her forties with warm brown eyes and reddish blonde hair, who was looking at her fondly. Juniper was well loved by almost everyone who knew her. I was in awe of that.     ‘She’s ready to leave. I’ll text you later.’     ‘Send me a picture of you two. I want to tell my friends and show your father.’     ‘Fine.’     I stood and smiled down at Juniper. I was glad that the appointment went well.     “My mom wants a picture of us.” I told her.     Juniper giggled. “Let’s take one outside. There’s a bench under a tree just around the side of the building. We have some time.”     “Thank you, sweet. This is going to make her very happy.” I kissed her forehead.     We went out and Juniper guided me to a bench that was obviously a smoking area for the staff. She sat me down and curled up next to me, laying her head on my chest. I pulled out my phone and used the front facing camera to take a couple pictures, one with her resting her head on my chest, one with her kissing my cheek, and a third with her standing behind me, resting her chin on my shoulder. I sent them all to my mom.     Once we were in my car and pulling out, my phone buzzed. I asked Juniper to look at it and tell me the message.     She snickered. “Your mom says, ‘omg, she’s so cute. I’m going to have beautiful grandbabies.’ Jaxon, honey, are you pregnant? ‘Cause, I know I’m not.”     I laughed. “I’m sorry, it’s Teddy’s. I hope you can love it like your own.”     Juniper started laughing so hard she snorted. It was adorable and made me want to kiss her. We headed to Coleton Market with her in a much better mood than before.  ****     The lot was pretty full when we arrived. It was an open air market with different vendors from local farms. On an outer edge was a café that served lunch and breakfast items. It was popular with the ladies who came in to buy from local butchers, farmers, and craftsmen rather than buying everything at the grocery store. That was the main reason Juniper had picked it.     I helped her from the car and she gripped my hand tightly. Last time I’d seen Hank, he was skulking around in the house while I’d been picking up Teddy. Now, he would know I was really with Juniper. At least he couldn’t punish her for it.  
Free reading for new users
Scan code to download app
Facebookexpand_more
  • author-avatar
    Writer
  • chap_listContents
  • likeADD