A Hidden Truth

Healing Scars

    Karen, Camille, Tamsin, and Bobbi were circled up in the corner. They all had the same look of concern and determination on their faces. I could really see the family resemblance in that expression.

    “Before y’all get into your plots and plans, we need to know some things.” Karen said.

    “We understand why the Cleaners have kept women out of their work in the past. If we’d been a part of the conversation about Juniper, then we could’ve helped a lot more than the… ideas your group had.” Tamsin said with a slight curl in her lip.

    “If not for Beau tellin’ me how y’all were failin’ we wouldn’t be at the point we’re at now. From now on, wives get included. No more gossip room. Except for Kimmy. She’s basically only good for that.” Bobbi snorted.

    I laughed quietly. It was exactly as I’d told them on Monday. Women would have better ideas on how to deal with other women. It was a little ridiculous that they were still separating genders in this day and age.

    “Juniper, we heard about the dream and about why you’re afraid of Hank. Could we please see your back? Our men have told us, but we want to see for ourselves.” Camille requested in a gentle tone.

    I froze and looked at Jaxon, who wouldn’t look at me, then at Teddy, who seemed to have found something to stare at on the floor. Garrett looked directly at me, though. He was always so sure of himself and what he was doing. There was no apology in his gaze. Very business-like.

    “How much do you all know about my dream?” I whispered.

    “Not all of it, just the gist. And we know about what Hank’s been doin’ these last three years. We heard about the scars. We want to see them ourselves. Especially me, as a nurse. Please, Juni. Will you let us see?” Karen asked.

    I nodded and scooted forward in the chair. Jaxon reached over and moved my braid to the side before unzipping my dress. The women walked behind me and moved the sides apart to look. I could feel soft, slightly chilled fingers running over my scars. I tried not to shiver, worried about tugging my stitches.

    “You poor girl.” Tamsin sighed.

    “Bless your heart.” Bobbi muttered.

    Camille didn’t say anything. She returned quickly to Carson’s side and buried her face against him. I was feeling nervous, but Jaxon took my hand and rubbed my knuckles with his thumb. It was soothing. Karen had been examining each scar individually. The fingers I felt running over them were hers.

    “Most of these can probably be removed with lasers. The brand can be cut out and a skin graft placed to get rid of it. It’s just too big for other methods. I think the thicker ones will need surgery, too. They’ll be thinner, but still there. We’ll get a collection going and take you to a dermatologist when you get back from your trip. I know these affect you mentally, make sure you talk truthfully to Dr. Tilley. He’s really good. I worked his service for a while when I was younger.” She stated matter-of-factly.

    I felt her zip the dress back up and pat my shoulder gently. Shock kept me still. They could be removed? I wouldn’t have to be reminded of him every time I went shopping for a dress or tried on bras. My grip on Jaxon’s hand got tighter.

    “Either she’s really happy or really wants to break my hand.” He chuckled.

    “Thank you, Karen.” I smiled. “I’ll look into it. Don’t worry about a collection. I should be able to cover it after the insurance. I appreciate the offer.”

    “It’s just a nurse’s opinion. I definitely recommend a specialist, but those are my thoughts. You don’t have to live with them.” She replied as she sat down between Trace and Tamsin.

    “Can we get on with this? Not that we aren’t happy for Juni, but there are things we gotta get outta the way before everyone gets here.” Beau said.

    “What can I help with?” I asked.

    “You’ve had the most experience handlin’ Hank… I mean his moods… shit.” Beau winced.

    I laughed. “You need to know how to deal with him.”

    “We gotta make sure he isn’t suspicious of us. We’re tryin’ to get him to warm up to Carson. To get Carson to work for him.” Red replied.

    “He will have already decided to try when he was given the chance to ‘forgive’ him. It’s the only reason Hank would release a grudge. The Carson angle won’t be difficult. Trace just needs to treat Carson like a child or as if he’s barely tolerated. Hank will see it as incentive for Carson to switch sides.” I told them. 

    They nodded in understanding. The smirk that crossed Trace's face told me he was looking forward to antagonizing my brother. I was betting he had a few things he'd been holding back to keep the peace within his family.

    “The younger men, Carson and Jaxon, will need to treat him with respect. Like you would any older family member. The older men should treat him as an equal, but without contradiction. If he says the sky is purple, you say ‘I never really saw it that way, but I guess you’re right’. Women should compliment him. If you say Remy is handsome, say he got it from his father. Hank hates when people point out how much Remy looks like Marie-Rose. He really likes when people compliment my mother in any other way. He’s very prideful and vain.” I finished.

    “What about Teddy and Gary?” Jaxon asked.

    “Teddy never treated Hank with anything other than vaguely polite indifference after the whole coming out thing. Garrett is within his rights, as Teddy’s boyfriend, to do the same. Since Kenny and Morgan are outsiders, Hank won’t see anything wrong with how they act, writing it off as just how people are outside of the south and Texas in general.”

    Everyone nodded again. They went over their parts of the plan and what should be done if I’m ever alone with him. Even if it’s in full view of everyone else. We discussed code words and phrases I could use to tell them how uncomfortable I was at the time.

    “For the most part Juni, you’re the bait to get him where we need him. You know him better than anyone else, so we might ask your advice, but we don’t want to put you in danger.” Red assured me.

    “I appreciate it. But don’t discount me. I may not be the strongest, but I can handle myself. You all heard about Thursday, you heard me on the phone with him. If I’d been easily cowed, he’d have had his way with me three years ago.” I admitted, gripping Jaxon’s hand.

    “We know, sweet. There’s no reason to put you through things if we don’t have to, though. We’ll plan for you to help if there’s no other way to get what we need. Sound good?” Jaxon said with a soft smile.

    “If you insist.” I sighed.

    The kids arrived as we were breaking up to start the food preparation. Buck was told he needed to be on his best behavior or he’d lose his video game privileges. He seemed to take that pretty seriously. A few minutes later, Kendra and Morgan arrived. She spent a few minutes apologizing to me. I appreciated the sentiment.