ELEVEN
Jaxson
Blackwood in the fall, it’s my favorite time of the year.
I love this little, nowhere town. I’ve never had a desire to leave, Not for college, not for an escape, not for anything. I’m proud to live and grow in the small town founded by my family many generations ago.
Nearing the end of September, the leaves are changing colors and the air is cooler, crisper. Businesses start selling pumpkin spice flavored everything and I secretly love that shit. Tell anyone, though, and I’ll deny it until my last breath.
Another place I love? The Sweet Spot Bakeshop. It’s owned by Grams, Madelyn’s grandmother. When Mads left Blackwood, I visited the bakery daily. I had to work harder, and work out more often, to burn off all the sugary treats I consumed, but it wasn’t important. While she was off on her own—moving on and forgetting about me—I was there, remembering her and everything we had together. I wanted to feel close to her. The bakery was all I had.
I haven’t been there since Madelyn came back to town because I know she’s working there. She’s worked there since we were teenagers and I know that Grams wants her to take over one day, so she must be working there now.
As I walk through town, I’m drawn to the bakery by the overpowering scent of muffins. Pumpkin spice muffins. I’d know that smell anywhere. As I get closer to the bakery, I hesitate. I don’t really want to see Madelyn. The hurt is still fresh, so I’ve avoided places where I know she might be seen. In this town, I know I can’t avoid her forever, so I let my stomach lead me through the door.
Looks like business is good. There’s not a big line, but the tables are all full of happy customers. I wait in line, happy to see that it’s not Madelyn behind the counter, but Grams herself.
When it’s my turn, she looks up from the register and I swear her eyes brighten.
With a big smile, she greets me. “Jaxson! It’s so good to see you. It’s been too long since you’ve been by to see me.”
I try to smile, but my head lowers a bit and my cheeks redden. “Sorry about that, Grams. Things have been…”
I trail off, not really knowing what to say. She knows why I haven’t been to the bakery. She knows about everything. Despite her being Madelyn’s grandmother, she’s always treated me like part of the family. That didn’t change when Mads left. Grams and I have had many heart-to-heart conversations the last couple of years.
The understanding shows in her eyes.
Yeah, she knows. She gets it.
“No worries, dear.” She winks, letting me off the hook.
Smiling, I tip my head in thanks and we move on. That’s just Grams. Sweet as the treats she serves up daily.
“Since you’re here now, let’s get you fed.” She leans over the counter a bit, crooking her finger until I lean in, and she whispers, “Want one of those pumpkin spice muffins you enjoy so much? I know that’s what finally got you in here, boy. Never could resist.”
She stands up straight, shit-eating grin on her face.
Did I just say she was sweet?
“Don’t tease me, Grams.” I fake a pout but lose when the corner of my mouth tips up. Chuckling, I give her an honest answer. “Yes, please. I would love one of those muffins.”
As she packages up two big pumpkin spice muffins, she throws me another wink. “Your secret is safe with me, Jaxson.”
I can’t control the laugh that rumbles out.
“Cheeky woman.” I tease.
She passes me the bag with a grin, and I put my hands on the counter to lean over so I can plant a big kiss on her cheek.
“Thank you, Grams. You’re the best!”
She pats the side of my face as I pull away. “Enjoy your treat, dear. Come back and see me soon, yeah?”
I’m about to respond when the door to the kitchen opens.
Madelyn walks out, arms loaded down with a tray piled with baked goods. Her eyes dart to the counter and she flinches when she sees me standing there. She turns to stock the displays, not a word to me or Grams.
I stand there, frozen in place as I watch her work.
Deciding that I’ve got nothing to lose, I decide to say hello.
“Hey, Mads.”
She barely spares me a glance before she turns on her heel and pushes back through the door.
Damn. It’s like that?
Shaking off her obvious dismissal, I turn back to Grams. I need to get out of here and I won’t be rude to her. None of this is her fault. She silently watched our exchange and I can see the frustration and sadness that she’s trying to mask with a smile. She always loved Mads and I together.
Pretending the last few minutes didn’t happen, and thankful no one came in behind me to wait while I came face-to-face with my past again, I answer the question.
“Yeah, Grams. I’ll be back to see you soon.”
And I will. Madelyn has done enough. I won’t let her take one of my favorite places from me, too. If I run into her here, I’ll just have to suck it up. Grin and bear it.
“I love you, Jaxson.”
My heart warms at her words. I’m glad she doesn’t let her granddaughter affect the close relationship we have.
“I love you too, Grams. Thank you again.”
She knows I’m thanking her for so much more than the muffins. She knows how hard things have been for me.
I turn to leave the bakery but remember that in my distraction I never paid for my muffins.
“Oh! Almost forgot…” I slide a bill from my pocket and slide it over the counter.
Grams looks down at the money, then back up at me with a raised brow.
“Take that and get out of my bakery.”
Chuckling, I slip the money back into my pocket and head for the door. I know better than to argue. I’ll just drop some extra cash in the tip jar next time. She’ll never know.
“Bye, Grams.”
Seeing Grams had me thinking about my family. My little sister, Henley.
Not that I really have any family since my life fell apart. I hate to say it, but I can live without my parents. Not my little sister though. I miss her something fierce.
I haven’t talked to or seen Henley in two years. Not by choice. No, the choice was taken away from me like so many others.
I’ve been disowned. Shunned. Shut out. However you want to phrase it.
My calls go unanswered. I’m ignored or asked to leave when I try to visit. I’ve seen my sadness mirrored in her eyes through the front window on the rare occasion I manage to catch a glimpse of her.
Henley hates this as much as I do, but until November, she’s a minor. There’s nothing we can do unless my parents decide to change their minds. It hasn’t stopped me from trying to see her. I’ll never give up on my sister.
Sitting in the office at work, I take a chance and call my parents’ house.
Much to my surprise, my mother actually answers the phone.
“Hello, Jaxson.”
I refuse to greet her. Maybe that makes me a bitter asshole, but she doesn’t deserve anything from me.
“Can I please talk to Henley?”
“I’m doing well, Jaxson. How kind of you to ask.” Her voice drips with sarcasm. “You may not speak to Henley. I would prefer if you would stop calling.”
I roll my eyes at her initial response, then get angry with the rest.
“I’m not going to stop calling. Not until you let me talk to her.”
“I would have been happy to let you talk to her, but you made your choice. You refused to see reason and now you have to live with the consequences.”
My body vibrates with anger.
I expected this type of response but knowing that it’s coming and actually hearing it are two different things. This woman gave birth to me and she acts like I’m nothing but dirt under her fancy shoes.
All because she didn’t get her way.
I fell in love instead of falling in line.
I can’t help but push a little bit.
“Henley will be eighteen soon. You won’t be able to keep her from me forever. She’ll be an adult, able to make her own decisions.”
“Be that as it may, Jaxson, she is not an adult yet, so she must abide by the rules of this house. She is not allowed to associate with you. Unlike you, she follows the rules.”
Only because she has no other choice. That’ll all change soon.
I know I’m not going to get anywhere with her, so I say nothing else and hang up. I refuse to sit here and listen to her spew more of her bullshit.
I’m not sure when my parents became so stuck-up and pretentious. They grew up in Blackwood, just like the rest of us.
My parents think they own this town.
They act high and mighty, expecting people to treat them as royalty because our family founded Blackwood.
Karma will catch up to them. One day.