A Hidden Truth

An Awkward Family Dinner

[Jaxon]

    We entered the living room which was tastefully decorated. Some modern pieces mixed with some antiques. Warm and inviting colors. I saw Juniper seated on one small couch, her mother on another. They were leaning in and talking to each other, but stopped when we entered.

    Her mother stood and smiled softly. She was gorgeous, too, obviously where the kids got it. Tall, trim, with long brown curly hair and eyes like Junipers brilliant blue ones. She was regal and elegant in a way that just didn’t really seem real. Like she was a fairy tale princess or queen.

    “Jaxon Boone, this is my mother Marie-Rose Clements Fordyce-Merritt. Mama, this is Jaxon, Bobbi’s youngest sibling. He’s pursuing a degree in English Literature at the University of Texas in Austin.” Juniper explained.

    “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” I said softly, remembering my manners.

    “Such a polite boy. You can call me Miss Marie if you like, Jaxon. You know, I went to school with your older sister Tamsin. We used to compete in pageants together. You look remarkably like her. Have a seat, please.” She guided me to the couches and sat me close to Juniper.

    “Then you know my mother as well.” I said.

    “Oh? How’s that?”

    “My father met my mother when she came for her high school reunion. Her name is Tara Callum.” I smiled.

    “Oh, dear. You have no luck in your line do you, sweetie? I remember Tara. I’d forgotten she had a son with Jack. Bless your heart.” She said with pity. It was a fairly common reaction.

    As we sat, the little brother, Remy, came in and sat in Juniper’s lap. Her mother grinned broadly and reached over to tap Teddy.

    “Don’t they just look like a sweet young family?” She mused with pride.

    Juniper blushed and hid her face in the back of her little brother’s neck. It was unbelievably adorable. She seemed more innocent now than she had before. It made me feel protective in a way I hadn’t previously.

    “Miss Marie. You embarrassed her. She doesn’t have any interest in a guy like me. Probably has her eye on some cute boy from class. Someone her own age.” I smiled congenially.

    “Oh? How old are you Jaxon? You don’t seem to be much older than our Juni.” She asked.

    “I’m twenty-two, ma’am.” I replied.

    “That’s only a five-year difference. My husband is six years older than me. Nothing wrong with a little age gap. It makes for a more experienced husband who can help guide his wife to support him properly.” She said, meaningfully.

    This time I blushed. She wasn’t talking about emotional support, that was for sure. It made me think of the urge I’d had to kiss Juniper when she was in my arms earlier. She’d felt so right when I held her. The sound of footsteps from behind made me turn.

    Hank Merritt was standing in the doorway. He seemed a little better than when he arrived home. Hank was about my height, 6’0”, and thickly built. He looked like he’d been a linebacker at one point, and he probably had been. His black hair was seasoned with white and he had smile lines around his eyes and mouth. Surprisingly young looking for a man in his mid-fifties.

    Miss Marie bounced up and wrapped herself around her husband’s arm. He caressed her face gently and gazed into her eyes like she was the only person in the room. This was what he did to make the woman so in love with him that she wouldn’t believe her own daughter. He treated her like the only woman who mattered.

    If he was dominant in one relationship, he was probably dominant in all of them. He treated the mother right and she let him have anything he wanted. It made me sick.

    “Darling, this is Jaxon Boone. He’s Beau Jensen’s brother-in-law. I’m sure Juni told you he’d be joining us for supper.” She purred.

    He stepped closer and I stood, holding out my hand and working to school my face into that of someone who didn’t know what a repulsive prick he was.

    “Pleasure to meet you, sir.” I said.

    “Same to you. You can call me Hank. I wanna see more space between you and my daughter when you sit again. I don’t like strange men rubbin’ up on my little girl.” He growled.

    He was bastardizing the relationship between a ‘daddy’ and ‘little girl’. I couldn’t believe he flat out announced what she was to him, in his eyes. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Some part of him must have recognized me as a rival.

    “Sorry, I only sat where I was placed by your beautiful wife. I’ll sit further away.” I nodded.

    “There’s a chair over by Teddy, you sit there.”

    Miss Marie was contentedly holding on to him while his jealousy over me touching Juniper raged. Teddy was right, she was blind. Even if I hadn’t seen the scene earlier, I would have figured out that he held more than typical fatherly affection.

    I moved to the chair next to Teddy. Hank stood next to Juniper and stroked her hair possessively while assessing me. I tried to look unthreatening. There was one simple way to definitely achieve that. I looked over at Teddy and winked suggestively, leaning on the arm of the chair close to him. My eyes raked over him. Teddy blushed and bit his lip. It was reminiscent of the way Juniper did it.   

    It must have worked, because Hank relaxed and Miss Marie looked disappointed. Juniper watched me from behind Remy’s curls. She moved a little and I could see her mouth form the words ‘thank you’. It was a small bit of protection I could offer, my sweet Juniper. Tomorrow, I’d find a way to do more.

    “Supper’s on the table.” Twyla announced and turned back into the dining room.

    We followed and took our seats which consisted of Hank at the head of the table and Miss Marie at the foot, Remy and Teddy on one side, me and Juniper on the other. The meal was delicious and pleasant. I was questioned about my major and focus. What kinds of jobs I could get with it? Where I was going in life?

    “How’d you like Juni’s book club?” Teddy asked.

    “I hadn’t expected such a lively discussion about Lawrence, that’s for sure. Her insights are great. She has a good eye for literature. I think she’ll do well in the humanities department no matter which major she chooses from the catalogue.” I smiled.

    Juniper snorted. “I’m going for computer science. STEM not humanities. I read for fun, not for work.”

    I laughed. Of course she’s not even in the same field, and she’s just as good as me. That was more enticing than anything. She would be the best person to hang out and talk with. I love smart women and she was brilliant.

    “Our Juni wants a real career. Somethin’ that’ll keep her from ever bein’ helpless without a man.” Hank said with a smirk.

    “I guess, I just went with my heart and have to hope that it all works out.” I smiled and winked at Teddy again.

    Teddy chuckled. Every time I did something like that, Hank relaxed more. It was almost enough. There would be a better chance of me being able to come back this way.

    When dinner was over Miss Marie suggested Juniper and I go for a walk in the yard. Hank suggested Teddy and Remy join us. It seemed to disappoint his wife, but we accepted since Bobbi called to let us know she was heading out and would pick me up soon. We decided we’d walk up the dirt road so I could meet her by the gate.

    I said my thanks and goodbyes, then headed out the door, led by Remy and followed by Teddy and Juniper. We stayed quiet until we left the clearing where the house was. Remy danced along the tree lined dirt road ahead of us while we walked at a moderate pace.

    “Is there some way we can get you out of the house tomorrow? Will he try to lock you up?” I asked.

    “I have plans tomorrow. He won’t lock me up. You flirting with Teddy helped a lot. He doesn’t like straight men around me.” She said softly.

    “I know I benefited from it.” Teddy laughed, making me blush.

    “I just needed to make him think of me as harmless. It was the only way I could think of…” I didn’t know why I was embarrassed. I almost laughed at myself.

    “Calm down, honey. I know you’re straight. You got a massive nerdy hard-on for my baby sister. Now, where and when for tomorrow?” Teddy inquired.

    “I can get my sister’s car and pick you up in the morning. Can you get up early for this? I’ll take you to breakfast. Then we can spend the day planning and getting things together. What time will be… too late… Juniper?” I looked at her.

    “He usually comes to my room around ten-thirty at night if he’s going to show… and he will.” She shuddered.

    “If only we could kill him, I just don’t think mama could handle losin’ another husband.” Teddy sighed.

    “I know. I know, Teddy. Do what you all can. I’m still going to prepare for the possibility I’ll have to sleep with him tomorrow.” Juniper continued walking but stopped talking to us.

    Teddy and I discussed things as discreetly as possible, so Remy wouldn’t pick anything up since he started circling around us. It sounded like a couple trying to arrange a secret tryst. If nothing else, I wanted to let her be able to make the decision about when and where she would have her first.

    We made it to the gate and they let me out. No one wanted to risk Remy running in front of Bobbi’s car. Juniper had a distant look in her eyes. I could see Teddy was concerned, too.

    “Are you really going to be okay tonight?” I whispered.

    “Tonight should be the usual. Nothing I haven’t done before. No worries.” She murmured.

    I could feel rage coursing through my body. The girl who I met yesterday was bold and joyful. This was who she had to turn into to deal with her life from dusk ‘til dawn. This sad, shell of a human.

    Juniper shouldn’t have to close herself off to make it through the nights. More than anything, I wanted to comfort her. I didn’t want to associate me with what that man would do to her tonight, so I wouldn’t try to kiss her or touch her, but I didn’t want her to feel alone.

    “Juniper.” I said. She looked up at me. “I lied. You’re the most interesting woman I’ve met in my entire life. I would like to go out with you.” I heard a car pull up behind me. “We’re going to save you. I promise.”

    She smiled brightly and I felt my heart skip, until I noticed it didn’t reach her eyes. I knew she was just trying to make me feel better about having to leave her behind. All I had to do was go tell Beau what was going on and we’d be back with guns and friends, pulling her out of this place. It wouldn’t make her trust me, though. She needed to trust me.

    “You don’t have to lie to make me feel better. I didn’t. Not into you like that, Jaxon. But, I’ll be your friend. Go on, now. Have a good night. We’ll see you tomorrow. Good evening, Miss Bobbi! You drive safe! I’ll see you next week for book club.” She called out waving to my sister.

    “See you then, Juni! Have a good night!” Bobbi replied.

    I got in the car and buckled my seatbelt. Bobbi rolled up the window and sighed happily. I watched the retreating shadows of Teddy, Juniper, and bouncing little Remy. My stomach twisted again. She’d suffer tonight and I couldn’t help.

    “You okay, sugar? Are you mad at me for sendin’ you off with her? I just thought since you’re… you know, that you might like meetin’ Teddy. He’s a very handsome young man.” She said in a conspiratorial tone.

    “I wish you hadn’t taken me around like a damned sample plate before I met her. I was angry and I lied about being gay so you would stop. I’m not into Teddy. You’re really bad at setting people up, Bobbi.” I growled.

    “Language, Jax.” She scolded. She started lecturing me on lying to her and respecting people who are only trying to help.

    After a while, I realized we'd passed the house. Bobbi was driving like she hadn’t noticed. I almost hadn’t caught it because I was so wrapped up in the empty, sad look Juniper gave me. I wished I could have kissed her or, at least, hugged her before I left. Something to tell her I cared, aside from words. I just didn’t want her to connect my touch with his. I had to shake it off, she said she didn’t like me like that.

    “Bobbi. Are we going somewhere before the house?” I asked.

    She glanced at me sadly. “Sorry, sugar. You gotta come with me. We’ll go home eventually. Beau isn’t there, anyway. He’s waitin’ for us.”

    Nothing I said made her speak to me again. This town was really messing with my head. What the hell was going on?