Jake decided that Jazzy, as she liked to be called, was really cool. She seemed to be outside whenever he rode his bike. The first time she'd asked if she could ride with him, he'd been kind of irritated. He didn't want a girl, much less a witch—even if she was a good one—hanging around with him. She must have guessed what he was thinking because she'd looked really hurt. He'd felt bad, so he'd told her she could ride to Pilot Butte with him. She'd gotten all excited about a dumb bicycle ride. Since Pilot Butte wasn't far, he figured they'd ride there and back. Then he could take off again for his friend's house.
At Pilot Butte they'd parked their bikes and walked the steep climb to the top. It had been fun watching Jazzy get all excited about regular stuff like flowers and grass and rocks. She'd even told him great stories about how grass protects the wee ones, and how flowers smell nice because flower-mysters are always at work.
A few days after visiting Pilot Butte, Jenny's mom called and said Jenny couldn't babysit because she'd tripped over their dog and her ankle was swollen and she needed to go to the doctor. Jake didn't mind that Jenny couldn't come over, but his dad did. His dad had some important meeting he couldn't miss. When Jake said he'd be fine by himself, his dad had shaken his head no. That's when Jake had gotten the brilliant idea of asking Jazzy to come over. His dad hadn't liked the idea at first, but Jake finally convinced him that Jazzy would take real good care of him. When he and his dad walked next door to ask, she looked so happy it made him feel special; something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Jazmine poured more pancake batter into the skillet. So far she'd created a lion with a mane, a monkey with a long curly tail, and a running horse. Her next animal was a giraffe. She had been practicing her cooking and baking skills faithfully. She hoped Jake liked the pancakes. He entered the kitchen, his hair still dripping from his shower.
"You wanna bike over to the Old Mill District later and check out the kayaks?" he asked.
Jazmine smiled. Since they had become bicycling companions, they'd covered just about all of Bend. Watching kayaks on the Deschutes River had become a favorite destination. Afterwards, they'd walk around the shops and usually grab something to eat at Red Robin.
"Sure, Jake. We'll have a great day."
"Wow, Jazzy! I've never seen pancakes like that."
"Which do you want, the horse or giraffe or lion or monkey? Or all of them?"
"I want the giraffe and the lion. I wish my dad was here to see those pancakes. My mom used to make bunny pancakes…"
When Jake's voice trailed, Jazmine glanced at his forlorn expression.
"You know, Jake, I think your mom is with you all the time in your heart. Do you know what that means?"
"No. What?"
"It means that when you're sad, she's sad. But it also means that when you're happy, she's happy."
"I never thought of it like that."
"Does eating giraffe and lion pancakes make you happy?"
Jake smiled. "Yes."
"Then I guess your mom is happy, too."
"I like the way you think, Jazzy."
"Well, I like the way you think too, Jake. Let's gobble these critters up and head out on our bikes."
Ryan pulled his car into the garage and entered the house. The smells wafting from the kitchen made his stomach growl. When Jenny's accident had turned out to be a broken ankle, Jazmine had become Jake's permanent sitter. Ryan hadn't wanted to impose on her, but Jake had insisted that he at least ask if she wanted the job full time. Much to his surprise, she had been thrilled. However, they'd hit a sticking point the first time he'd tried to pay her. She'd looked horrified and insisted she wasn't going to accept money for watching Jake. Ryan had had to put his foot down and tell her that if she wouldn't accept payment for her services, she could no longer watch his son. Reluctantly, she had agreed. Ryan had to admit Jazmine was an exceptional sitter. He hadn't seen his son this happy since before Maggie's death.
"I'm home Jake and Jazmine," he called.
"We're in the family room, Dad."
Ryan entered the room to see the two of them dumping a bag of school supplies on the coffee table. Jazmine was unzipping an expensive backpack. She looked at Ryan with sparkling eyes. "We rode our bikes to the store and I bought Jake lots of school supplies. Isn't this backpack great?"
Ryan frowned. "Who paid for the backpack and all those supplies?"
Jazmine smiled. "I did, silly man."
Ryan's frown deepened. "It's not your responsibility to buy school supplies for my son. How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything. I love buying things for Jake. Besides, I have lots of that green…money."
Ryan was really irritated now. "Look at me, Jazmine."
Jazmine's innocent gaze made his gut tighten. "I don't want you buying things for Jake. I'm his father. I should be buying what he needs."
The hurt look in her eyes made Ryan wish he could take the words back.
"Why can't I buy things for him?"
"Because…because…you're…you're not his– You're his neighbor, for God's sake."
"Exactly, Ryan. That's why I'm doing it. And Boss-at-the-Top is very pleased."
"Huh?" Jake and Ryan replied in unison.
Jazmine beamed at them. "I've got roast and potatoes in the oven. All I have to do is slice the homemade bread. Dinner will be on the table in fifteen minutes." She patted Jake on the head and rushed to the kitchen.
Ryan and Jake stared at each other. Ryan scratched his brow. "Jake, don't let her keep spending money on you, okay?"
"Okay, Dad."