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The next morning, Jade got ready early, fed Mocha, and headed for the Kinsey Falls Living and Retail Community Center. She went to the café and bought coffee and pastries before heading up to her grandmother’s apartment.
Millie answered the door in her robe and slippers. “Jade! What a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting you today.”
“I brought coffee and pastries. I thought we might have a girls’ day.”
“That sounds fantastic. Let me run and slip my clothes on.”
“Is the baby possum here?” Jade asked.
“Not yet. Perry stayed with Caleb last night, but I’m supposed to keep him tonight. Caleb is bringing him over to me this afternoon.”
Jade waited in the kitchen while Millie got dressed. She busied herself putting the pastries on a platter and getting each of them a dessert plate.
“If you’re here long enough, you can meet them both,” Millie said, entering the kitchen in jeans and a thin, short-sleeved white sweater. “Oh, wait, you’ve already met Caleb, haven’t you? He doesn’t think you like him very much, but I told him that it sometimes takes you a while to warm up to folks.”
“Gee, thanks for talking about me to a stranger, Grandma.”
“He’s not a stranger. At least, not to me. We’re friends.” She plucked a bear claw from the platter and placed it on her dessert plate. “Have you spoken with your mom this week?”
“No. I’ve been busy.”
“Uh-huh. You’ve been busy, or you simply didn’t want to talk with her?”
Jade raised her chin. “Both.”
Her relationship with her mother had always been strained. Jade had never felt that she’d lived up to Fiona’s high standards, and Fiona had never done anything to alleviate her daughter’s insecurities. The tension between them had worsened when Jade had announced her plan to open a knitting shop with Terri. Fiona thought the idea was frivolous and that Jade would be declaring bankruptcy within a year. Then her mother had fallen back on her old standby, “You need to find a decent job, at least until you can land a man financially equipped to take care of you.” Jade thoroughly resented the fact that Fiona believed her to be too ignorant to make her own career decisions—or relationship decisions, for that matter—or to even take care of herself financially.
“She’s not supposed to be dropping in anytime today, is she?” Jade asked.
“No. You’re safe.” Millie grinned. “You should know I wouldn’t dream of inviting Fiona over knowing I might have a possum in the house. Can you imagine the conniption your mother would have over that?”
They both laughed.
“Don’t shut her out of your life, Jade,” Millie said softly. “She loves you and only wants what’s best for you.”
“She wants me to have what’s best for her. The things that make her happy aren’t the things that make me happy, Grandma. If Mom had her way about it, I’d either be a doctor or married to a doctor and be a stay-at-home mom to half a dozen kids.”
“Your mother wants you to feel secure. She never had any security. After your father left, she struggled to raise you on her own until she married your stepdad and could do a better job providing for you.” Millie shook her head. “Your granddad and I helped where we could, but Fiona was too proud to let us help much. Most of what we did, we had to do behind her back.”
“I know all that. But things are different for me—I’m not married, I don’t have a child, I’m not tied down.”
“Still, try to look at the situation through a different lens. You’re looking through the lens of a daughter being harangued by an overprotective mother. Try the lens of a mother who’s terrified that her daughter will suffer any sort of harm.”
There was a knock at the door. Jade was glad for the reprieve. While she appreciated her grandmother’s suggestion to look at the situation from both sides, she had to wonder if Millie was doing that. Grandma had always considered Jade’s point of view in the past, but she was a tiny bit concerned that her ally might be going over to the dark side. And over there in Fiona-land, there was only one perspective.
When Millie answered the door, Caleb hurried in with Perry in the box.
“I just got a call from the rehab center. They’d had a family emergency and couldn’t call me back last night. They want us to bring Perry to them as soon as possible.”
“I’ll get my purse,” Millie said.
“Mind if I tag along?” Jade asked.
“Not a bit,” said Caleb.
* * *
At first, it was a fairly quiet trip to Elizabethton. Millie was driving, Jade sat on the passenger side, and Caleb and Perry were in the back.
Millie frowned as the map on her phone had her turn onto yet another narrow, half-hidden road. “This isn’t the way I’d normally go to Elizabethton, Jade. Are you sure you put the right address into my phone?”
“I’m positive. The navigator said this was the quickest route. The other way would have taken us fourteen minutes longer,” she said. “And I know the idea is to get Perry to the rehabilitators as soon as possible.” And her out of this car with Prince Charming and the footman some fairy godmother had turned into a possum.
“Of course, it is.” Then Millie saw the sign, and everything made sense. Welcome to Cherokee National Forest. The roads would just get curvier and steeper from here on out.
Minutes later, Jade exclaimed, “Grandma, please, slow down!”
“I’m going twenty-five,” said Millie. “You said yourself we need to get Perry to the sanctuary on the double.”
“But this road is so narrow, and have you seen the drop-off on my side of the road?” She held to her seat for all she was worth, and her feet slammed invisible brakes.
“I see it, Jade.” Millie didn’t need Jade’s dramatics while she was winding her car around the curves. She was well aware of the drop-off on Jade’s side and the mountain of rock on hers.
“Perry says, ‘Whee!’” Caleb said.
Millie laughed, and Jade scoffed.
Millie decided to go along with Caleb’s attempt to ease the tension. She pointed out the window when there was a clearing. The sun shone on a town many miles away. “Hey, wonder if that’s Jerusalem?”
“What?” Caleb asked with a laugh.
“You know, when Jesus was tempted in the desert, Satan took him up on a high mountain and showed him Jerusalem. That’s what that sunny little town over there made me think of.”
Caleb chuckled. “Millie, you’re a treasure.”
“You’re nuts,” Jade muttered under her breath. “Both of you.”
Millie ignored her. Choose your battles.
At long last, the road began to straighten out. They missed their next turn, and Millie pulled into a driveway. An older man and woman were sitting on the porch. Both leaned forward in their rockers, squinting to see who was paying them a visit. Millie smiled, waved, and backed out onto the highway. They looked confused, but the homeowners waved back.
“Grandma, you’re going to get us shot,” said Jade.
“No, I’m not. They were friendly.”
She drove slowly to a one-lane road beside a charming white church. There were several cars in the parking lot, and Millie fought the urge to roll down the window to see if she could hear them singing. She loved gospel music.
Within a few hundred feet, the pavement turned to gravel, and she saw the first sign for Wynn Wood Wildlife Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Center. At the top of the hill, Millie stopped the car outside the center’s office. A man and woman came out of the building to the right of the office as Millie, Jade, and Caleb got out of the car.
“Caleb Young?” the woman asked.
“Yes. You must be Geri.”
Geri nodded. “This is my husband Keith.” She stepped over to look inside the box Caleb was holding. “Let’s get this little guy inside.”
They followed Geri into the office. Then, seeing that the small office would be too cramped with all six of them inside, Keith told Geri to holler if she needed him.
“Okay,” she said. “I think we’re good.”
Caleb placed the box on the chrome-and-wood veneer desk while Millie looked around the room. Decorative plates with painted wolves adorned the walls, as did certifications and wildlife notices. A corkboard contained photographs of baby squirrels, possums, and bunnies, as well as fully grown owls, hawks, and deer. There were also cards warning well-meaning people against behaviors that would harm wildlife, such as feeding bread to ducks.
“Really?” Millie said aloud. “It’s bad to feed bread to ducks?”
“It is,” Geri said, not glancing up from her examination of the tiny critter in the box. “It’s better to give them cracked corn or seeds, if you want to give them something. Those, at least, have nutritional value for them. We’ve seen too many ducks and geese starve while full of bread. It’s best to let them find food on their own.”
Millie nearly winced at the guilt she felt when she remembered how often she’d taken Fiona and later Jade to feed the ducks at Sugar Hollow park in Bristol.
“Do you think he’ll be all right?” Caleb asked.
“I think so.”
“How will you feed him?” he asked. “The poor thing has only had a little bit of the water and electrolyte formula mix the veterinarian recommended.”
“I’ll tube feed him until he’s old enough to eat on his own.” She nodded to the clipboard on the counter by Millie. “One of you needs to fill out an intake form.”
“I can do it,” Caleb said.
Millie moved aside so Caleb could grab a pen and quickly fill out the paperwork as he stood at the counter.
Jade had been studying the corkboard. “I hope you get a good grant from the government for the work you’re doing.”
“We don’t get anything from the state or federal government. We survive on donations from volunteers.” Geri picked up the box. “Is there anything else you need before I feed this guy?”
“No,” said Caleb.
“Yes,” Millie and Jade said in unison.
“I’d like to know another way to get back to Kinsey Falls rather than over that mountain,” said Jade.
Geri smiled for the first time since they arrived and instructed them to an alternate route.
“And I’d like to know if we can call and check on Perry—the possum,” said Millie.
“We’re extremely busy this time of year,” Geri began. At the crestfallen look on Millie’s face, she added, “But a brief weekly call would be fine.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
After leaving the wildlife refuge, they started looking for a place to eat. Jade wasn’t all that hungry, but it seemed that Millie and Caleb were. That, or her grandmother was intent on feeding Caleb every chance she got.
They found a restaurant offering “Southern-style favorites.” As soon as they were seated, Millie announced that she was off to the ladies’ room to wash her hands.
“I’ll go with you,” said Jade.
“If the waitress comes by, I’ll have a diet soda please, Caleb,” said Millie.
“You got it. Jade?”
“Sweet tea please.”
In the bathroom, Jade expected Millie to say something about how handsome or kind Caleb was, but she didn’t. Instead, Millie talked about the amazing work being done at the wildlife sanctuary.
“I don’t know how they do it,” she said. “There are some of those creatures I’d be scared to death of, especially if they were hurt. Not the babies, but the full-grown hawks and owls.”
“I didn’t even know the place existed. Did you?”
“Not until Caleb said the veterinarian told him to contact the Wynns about Perry.” Millie took a lipstick from her purse and touched up her lips. She then turned to Jade. “Ready?”
Jade nodded and held the door for her grandmother. Some days, Jade looked at Millie and thought about how old and frail she looked compared to the grandma she’d grown up with. Younger Millie had been so dynamic. Jade was seeing that grandma again today. Maybe it had been good for her to find an orphaned baby possum…as long as it didn’t come with a snake in the grass. Jade was still keeping her eye on Prince Charming.
The women returned to the table to see that their drinks were waiting for them.
Caleb smiled and stood. “My turn.”
He came back just as the waitress returned to take their orders. They each told her what they wanted, she said she’d get the orders to the kitchen right away, and then she winked at Caleb.
“The effect you have on waitresses.” Millie chuckled after the waitress had gone.
“Hey, I can’t help it if they take one look at me and can tell I’m a grad student who works at a prestigious pet boutique. They probably think I come from old money and am an excellent tipper.”
“And do you?” Jade asked. “Come from old money?”
“Not really. I just dress like I do. Take today’s ensemble, for example. These jeans came from old money—money I had in 2007.”
Jade laughed. “You’ve had them that long?”
“Yep. Care to see the receipt?”
“I’ll take your word for it,” she said.
“I believe it,” said Millie. “I have clothes older than either one of you.”
“That’s because your style is timeless,” said Caleb.
“Flatterer.” Millie grinned.
“I mean it,” he said. “You give off a classy, elegant vibe.”
“And what sort of vibe do I give off?” Jade asked.
“Skittish as a wild colt.”
Terri had been watching a romantic comedy when Jade knocked on her door.
“Want me to restart this movie?” Terri asked. “It’s only been on for about fifteen minutes, and it’s funny. And you really look like you could use a laugh.”
“No, that’s okay,” said Jade. “I just… I’m sorry to barge in on you like this.”
“You’re my best friend. Best friends don’t barge.” She turned the TV off and patted the couch. “Sit down. You’re making me nervous.”
Jade sat beside Terri and leaned her head back against the sofa cushions. “I don’t get this…this friendship between Grandma and Caleb. I mean, yes, I get the whole we saved a baby possum thing, but they’re like besties now. I’m afraid he’s trying to take advantage of her.”
“I don’t know, but Millie isn’t the only golden oldie to make friends with a hot YP, remember. And Greta told me this morning that she’s teaching Justin to cook. She even bought him a small slow cooker.”
“So, do you think this Justin guy is taking advantage of Greta?”
“If he’s taking advantage, she’s fully aware of it and is letting him do it. She said they met in the library where he was looking up recipes on the computer. He told her he needed to learn how to cook because it was expensive to eat out and he got tired of eating sandwiches all the time.”
“What’s it with these golden oldies feeding these young guys? Today after we dropped the possum off at the rehab facility, Grandma bought us lunch. Granted, I offered to pay for mine and Caleb offered to pay for his, but she wouldn’t let us. I’m guessing she didn’t let him pay for his dinner last night either.”
Terri thought about this for a second. “I believe it makes them feel needed.”
“But Grandma is needed. I need her, Mom needs her— ”
“No, you don’t. You want her around, but you don’t need her.”
“Well, Caleb doesn’t need her either,” Jade said. “Whose side are you on?”
“I don’t think there is a side. Maybe Caleb—and Justin too, for that matter—see people as people and don’t discriminate because of their age.”
“And I do?” Jade got to her feet. “Is that what you’re saying?”
“Jade, why are you being so defensive? I’m just trying to see these situations from everyone’s point of view, giving everyone the benefit of doubt.”
Jade shook her head. “What’s gotten into you?”
Terri looked down at the carpet. “I don’t know. Greta said she’d help me get to know Justin, Kelsey, and some of the other YPs. I’d really like that. Wouldn’t you?”
“Not especially. Work keeps me too busy to socialize.”
“C’mon, you haven’t had a boyfriend in ages. Get to know this guy, Caleb. He’s gorgeous, and he seems like a great person. Give him a chance.”
“I’ve known too many guys who seem great but aren’t. I know Caleb’s type. A woman like me has nothing to offer him. And vice versa.”
Terri stood and gently put her hands on her friend’s shoulders. “Caleb isn’t Blake.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. I need to get back home and make bookmarks.”
Terri’s words echoed in Jade’s head as she drove home.
Caleb isn’t Blake.
Caleb isn’t Blake.
Blake.
Blake.
Blake.
The star running back of her high school’s football team. Broad-shouldered, trim-waisted, tight butt, dark hair that was just a little too long and shaggy, blue eyes that seemed to see into a girl’s soul. Every girl in that school—from freshman to senior—had crushed on Blake.
About a week before the homecoming dance, he started talking with Jade. At first, it was just a “hey” or “hi” as they passed each other in the hall. Still, any attention from someone like Blake made Jade blush from her toes to the top of her head.
One day, he asked her how she did on a quiz in a class they shared. She said fine, ducked her head, and was going to walk away when he caught her arm.
“Do you have time to talk? Just for a minute?”
She nodded, feeling her face burn hotter and hotter.
He chuckled. “You know, I think it’s cute the way you blush like that.”
“Y-you…do?”
“I do. So, why don’t you ever talk to me in class?”
She shrugged.
“Oh, I see. Goodie good, afraid of getting in trouble. Is that it?”
“S-something like that.”
“Are you planning on coming to the football game Friday night?”
“I don’t know,” she said.
“I’d like for you to.”
She struggled to hide a smile and looked down at her feet.
He leaned in, kissed her cheek, and walked away.
Jade was done for. Her crush blossomed into full-blown teen-angst I love him with all my heart! right there in the hallway between her locker and the girls’ bathroom.
The next day, Blake passed her a note in class asking her to the homecoming dance. She wrote yes on the note and passed it back.
She didn’t see Blake the rest of that day, but it didn’t matter. They were going to the homecoming dance! She—Jade Burt—was going to the homecoming dance on the arm of the handsomest guy in school! She could hardly wait to get home and tell her mom.
Fiona, of course, was over the moon. At last, Jade was going on a date. Terri was happy too, though she admitted to being a little jealous that it was Jade and not her. As if. Terri was going to the dance with a boy who was in the band, and he was super cute.
Terri came over that day after school and brought her teen magazines. She, Fiona, and Jade had talked about dresses, makeup, and hairstyles the rest of the afternoon.
Jade had been so excited she could barely sleep that night. She hopped out of bed the next morning, eager to make herself look her best before heading to school to see Blake.
She saw him first thing. He was standing there in the hall surrounded by his friends. They all faded away for her—all she saw was Blake…gorgeous Blake…sweet, he kissed my cheek Blake…her date for the dance Blake.
Jade strode right up, thinking that as Blake’s date, she had every right to step into the circle among his friends.
“Hey, Jade,” said Trey, the quarterback. “Are you looking forward to the dance?”
“I am.” She didn’t even try to hide her broad smile. “Where should we meet after the game, Blake?”
That’s when the other guys began to laugh, and Jade’s back stiffened as an icy chill snaked through her body.
The guys began handing folded bills to Blake.
“Way to go, bud,” said Trey. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Jade stood rooted to the floor, staring at Blake. He wouldn’t meet her eyes. “What’s going on?”
“Blake won the bet.” Trey clapped his running back on the shoulder. “We bet him he couldn’t agree to get jittery Jade to say she’d go to the dance with him, but he actually pulled it off.”
“Is that true, Blake?” Jade asked. “Was this whole thing a joke?”
“I mean…I’ll take you,” he said. “I keep my word.”
“Don’t bother.” She turned and walked away amid the laughter of the football players. She didn’t think Blake was laughing, but she wasn’t about to look back to make sure. When Jade ducked into the girls’ bathroom, Terri followed her. She’d been standing behind Jade the whole time.
“I wanted to say something mean to them,” Terri said. “But it was probably pointless and would just give them some perverse satisfaction. Besides, I needed to see if you’re okay.”
Jade shook her head. “I’m not…okay.” She began to sob.
After a cathartic cry, she washed her face and went to her first period class. During that forty-five-minute period, Jade endured all the whispers and giggles she could stand for the day. She went to the nurse saying she had a stomachache and called Fiona to come and get her. She didn’t return to school until Monday. By then, she and Blake were old news because one of the teachers got caught smoking pot with some students in a car in the parking lot. But while Mr. Silcox lost his job and became the object of Monday’s whispers and giggles, Jade never quite got over her heartbreak, humiliation, and the distrust the experience left her with.