The class has a good laugh at my expense. With a bright smile on my face, I turn back toward Beck, and shoot him the bird, pressed against my cheek to conceal it from the teacher. He lets out a loud bark of laughter and puts his hand on his heart. “I think I’m falling in love with you, Haven Hollock.” I roll my eyes, turn back around, and try unsuccessfully to hold in my own quiet laughter. To avoid further shock and awe, I keep the rest of the answers to myself. I spend the remainder of the class trying to figure out how my favorite teacher Mrs. Andrews, who is always so sweet and cheerful, has raised such a smart ass, son.
I move onto my last class of the day, English. Even with extra effort I cannot keep from drifting off. English is typically one of my favorite classes, but I have been miserable ever since we started reading “The Awakening." I really tried to like it. I wanted to be sophisticated and literary, but I hate this book. It is the most miserable, depressing book in existence. The teacher tries to start a class discussion on the relevance of Edna’s character in today’s culture. “Ostensibly, we live in a society where women are, no longer bound by the same social constrictions.” She drones on. So, I give myself permission to zone out until the torturous class is over. By the time the final bell rings, I have decided what I’m going to wear tonight. I smile to myself knowing, all the weird uneasiness of the day has been replaced by excitement over the fact that I am actually going over to Jackson Armstrong’s house.
Chapter Four
Meet the Parents
I meet Kirra at the front of the school, and we head to her old clunker of a car. Kirra lives in my neighborhood, but it is safe to say they earn a more modest living then most of the people in our subdivision. So, her car was handed down from an uncle. She didn’t ask him, but I am betting the thing is at least thirty years old. My parents, on the other hand, could afford to get me a new car but refuse to do so. They think it is ridiculous to get a teenager a new car because, in their words, “A teenager hasn’t earned a new car and chances are they are going to get into a car accident or two before they gain experience.” Whether or not I have earned it is debatable in my mind. Regardless of my daydreaming problems, I keep decent grades and stay out of trouble. However, I have not helped my case by having my second car wreck.
While unlocking the door Kirra smiles at me. “So… what are you going to wear tonight?”
“I’m wearing my white mini dress and my roman sandals.”
“You do realize that chances are it is going to be raining again by tonight, right?”
“I don’t care. I’m sick of jeans and rain boots. Besides, I’ve been by his house before, there is a circle drive and a portico, so I’ll be fine.”
Kirra laughs “Been doing a little drive by stalking, have we?”
I cringe at the realization that I just called myself out. “Oh, shut up, you’d do it to if you knew where Fin lived.”
She blushes and grins at me “Maybe, but you should have told me. I would have gone with you. Stalking can be lonely business.”
I roll my eyes at her and try shifting the conversation to her love life. “So, do you want me to try and arrange a group outing with Fin so you can wow him with your charm and … other, assets.” I say while gesturing vaguely to her chest and hip areas.
She laughs aloud and says, “If I wasn’t such a conscientious driver, I would take my hand off the wheel and smack you.”
“Oh, come on, we both know you look like Aphrodite’s love child, some kind of goddess half blood.”
She giggles. “I believe the term you are searching for is demigod.”
I look at her with mock severity. “Ooh I’m gonna tell your parents you know about… other god lingo.”
She heaves a large sigh. “Really, (other god lingo), where do you come up with this crap?”
“Just, off the top of my head.”
“Well maybe you should let your thoughts sink a little deeper into your brain before they exit your mouth. Besides, just because I know what a demigod is, doesn’t mean I believe in it.”
“That’s beside the point. Do you want me to try and arrange something with Fin for you?”
“I think I would rather wait and see what happens in the Haven - Fin - Jackson, love triangle first. I know you think it’s just friendship, but I was watching y'all when you came into the cafeteria today, and I’m not so sure.”
“But you know how I feel about Jackson, and if you like Fin I wouldn’t date him.”
“I don’t know if I do like Fin. I mean, obviously he is absolutely gorgeous, but I really don’t know that much about him. I know he has a lot of friends but doesn’t seem close with anyone. He is a little more, rough around the edges than the typical guy I would go for. There is something about him. I just don’t know if the something is for me.”
“I think you and Fin would be great together! He is quiet and mysterious, you’re happy and energetic. You would totally smooth out his rough edges.”
“We’ll see, but we can discuss the merits of Finley Malone tomorrow. Right now, you need to get out of my car so you can get ready for your date with Jackson.”
“Do you want to come in, and help me get ready?”
“Sorry I can’t. The church is meeting tonight to vote on where our next mission trip is going to be.”
“Okay have fun. I’ll call you as soon as I get back home tonight and tell you how it went.”
“You better, and I expect details so commit everything to memory.”
I smile, give an affirmative head nod, then turn to go into my house and start my mental checklist. Okay, I’ve got two and a half hours. First, I need call dad and let him know I need a ride. Then I need to shower, and change, do hair and make-up. Hmm maybe I should eat a snack, so I don’t eat like a pig, yeah probably.
Twenty minutes later, after a quick conversation with my dad, and a snack, I hop in the shower. He was really cool about bringing me to Jackson’s. He said that it would work out perfectly. He has been, wanting to take mom to the new Vietnamese restaurant in town, The Pho Bowl. So, they can drop me off, have their date night and come get me after. I concentrate while shaving my excessively hairy legs. Normally I would not let them get this bad, but I have been wearing jeans and rain boots every day for two weeks. So, I have been letting my inner Amazon woman rule. Once out of the shower, I dry and curl my shoulder length light brown hair. Even though I know it’s not likely to stand up to the rain or humidity. Whichever weather event happens tonight, it will be a disaster for my hair regardless. But If I look good when I leave the house, I will be more confident. Heavy makeup is not a good look for me. So, I put on some eyeliner and mascara to bring out my amber eyes. Followed by a little bronzer on my cheekbones and some sheer pink lip gloss. I can’t help but smile when I slip on the new dress, I got for my eighteenth birthday, a couple months ago. I haven’t been able to wear it because the weather has been so crappy. Well, tonight I am not letting nature defeat fashion! This dress is perfect for me. The white body con dress hits me a little above mid-thigh and combined with the heel on my roman sandals, makes me look a little taller and leaner. For someone who is five foot three, looking taller and leaner isn’t an everyday occurrence. After two hours of grooming and viewing myself from every angle I come downstairs at a quarter to six to find my parents ready and waiting in the den. My dad grumbles something I can’t hear, and my mom elbows him. She walks over to me smiling with my dad trailing behind her. “You look beautiful Haven.”
“A little too beautiful.” My dad says trying to hide his frown as he kisses my forehead.
I just laugh and ask. “Is there such a thing?”
“Yes.” He says emphatically.
My mom just smiles and shakes her head. “Well, we better get going while the rain has stopped.”
Dad grabs my mom’s hand and kisses it. “Your chariot awaits my queen.”
I stop the eww from coming out verbally but can’t quite hide the expression from my face.
Dad just chuck
les and reaches out his other hand to usher me out the door. “You’ll understand one day, my princess.”
“Oh, I understand, it’s just disturbing for anyone to have to witness their parents being lovey-dovey.”
My mom puts her hand on my cheek and smiles. “Haven, I know that one day you’re going to find a boy who loves you as much as your dad loves me.”
My dad, who is clearly not comfortable with this scenario, chimes in. “With any luck, none of that will be happening tonight.”
I really try to suppress it, but a slight groan still escapes. I look up to see my mom trying to hide her grin. Thankfully, Jackson’s house is only a ten-minute drive down the highway and then another five minutes down a forestry road. He lives out in the middle of the woods like Fin; except Fin lives in a tiny old beat-up trailer and Jackson’s house looks like something out of a magazine. Like an English country estate in Hertfordshire or Staffordshire or I don’t know where, but definitely some kind of shire. It’s huge and beautiful, three stories with giant white pillars holding up the front portico. A pair of enormous live oaks stand sentinel on each side of the driveway at both the entrance and the exit. They seem like ancient warriors standing guard over the house. The car tires crunch along over the crushed oyster shell of the circular drive, and I can feel my palms get clammy as my nerves finally set in. I am excited, for sure, but this is dinner with Jackson and his whole family. I really want to make a good impression because from what I can tell he seems really close with his family. My mom breaks into my nervous thoughts.
“Ava has really done a lovely job on the grounds; the landscaping is stunning.”
“Wait! You know Jackson’s mom?”
“Of course, I do dear, and, if you came to bible study with us once in a while, you would know her also.”
“His parents belong to the same bible group as you and dad?”
“Actually, the whole family is part of the group: Ava, Thomas, Jackson, even their youngest boy Wilder attends. Let’s see, next Sunday’s bible study will meet at Tyler and Emma Abbot’s home and then the Sunday after that it will be here at the Armstrong home. I’m excited to see Ava’s progress in the back gardens! Every time we come it seems as if she has added something new. Even having to deal with all this rain, the property is still more amazing every time I see it.”
I blink at my mom stunned by her revelation. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner that Jackson went to your bible study?”
“Well, I know it’s silly of me, dear, but I thought you should come to bible study to get know Jesus, not because of your undying love for Jackson Armstrong.”
I hear my dad choke back a laugh as I give my mom my most frustrated “UGH” and stomp from the car towards Jackson’s door.
My dad rolls down the car window. “See you in a few hours princess.”
My mom leans over my dad. “Have a good time dear.”
I arch my eyebrows and shoot them a caustic look before I turn around and ring the doorbell. The door is immediately opened by a blond haired and blue-eyed little kid version of Jackson. I smile but before I can speak, he hollers over his shoulder “Jackson, your girl is here.” Then steps back to let me in. As he shuts the door behind me, I look up to see Jackson coming down the stairs. I try to focus on wiping what I’m sure is a dopey love struck look off my face. But oh my, gosh he is so freaking beautiful. Seeing him away from the school’s fluorescent lighting is making him even hotter than usual. All I can do is hope I also look better in the warm light of the marble tiled foyer. He smiles his beautiful smile and I swallow hard so I can be sure I don’t drool on myself.
“Did you decide against doing homework or did you just forget your books?”
“I have enrichment last period, I finished it then. But I can help you if you want?”
He laughs; he actually laughs. I cross my arms and glare at him with mock severity. “Are you trying say, that Mr. Top of the class can’t learn anything from a girl who is merely a “B” student?”
“No… I’m saying that you must be a genius to get B’s since I’ve never seen you paying attention in class. You’re the world’s most committed day dreamer.”
“Wait, you’ve seen me daydreaming?”
He leans in, and my heart starts racing. “It’s kind of legendary.”
I blush and mumble “Great.”
He shrugs his right shoulder. “It’s part of your charm.” He grabs my wrist and holds my arm out. “By the way, you look very nice.”
I take in his in his dark jeans and fitted white button-down shirt that looks amazing with his dark hair and eyes. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
I look up to his face and he is staring at me. Whoa! Jackson Armstrong is staring into my eyes. We are having a moment; this is totally a moment.
A tumbling mass of blond hair crashes into Jackson’s side and almost knocks him over.
“Dang it Wilder, you’re going to break my leg one day!”
Wilder gives me the most innocent, angelic look a child can muster then turns to his brother.
“Mom says dinners ready.” Wilder turns and runs off as fast as he showed up.
“Having a sibling seems like a lot of fun.”
Jackson laughs as he rubs the side of his hip. “Sometimes it’s nice, I mean, we are not that close in age, so we don’t hang out all the time. There are times when he is really fun to be around, though. And it’s kind of nice to know that there is this one person out there who will know you in a different way than anyone else and is always going to have your back. Now, let’s go before he comes back for another attempted tackle and I have to teach him a lesson in violence.”
We make our way to a cozy dining room. There is an antique buffet table on the side of the room covered with four casserole dishes, two meat platters and a large basket of bread. Jackson grabs us each a plate and we make our way to the buffet.
“That’s a lot of food. Are there more people coming for dinner?”
“Nah, it’s just left overs from the café. It must have been a slow day, so eat up.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot your mom is part owner of the cafe. I usually just see Mrs. Caroline when I eat there.”
“Mom prefers to work in the kitchen developing recipes and of course in the café garden, Mrs. Caroline prefers front of the house stuff. It’s really a perfect partnership.”
“So, your mom cooked all this food?”
“Hmm… Mom came up with all the recipes and may have helped out today. But my guess is Mr. Ben, the head cook, made most of this.”
“Well, it looks great.”
I take a small portion of lasagna and Italian roasted vegetables, a thin slice of beef tenderloin and one of the cafes famous dark wheat rolls. Jackson leads me to the seat next to his and we wait for everyone else to make it to the table.
Jackson’s mom Ava sits across from me. “I hope you don’t mind left over’s, Haven?”
I let out a slightly nervous laugh. “No ma’am, everything looks delicious. They don’t look like any left over’s we have at my house. Not that I would mind either way, I’m not a picky eater.”
She smiles at me across the table. As Mr. Armstrong sits, he grabs her hand and Jackson and Wilder each grab one of my hands. Mr. Armstrong prays over the food. It’s a ritual I am very familiar with, but all I can think about is the fact that Jackson is holding my hand. In a few brief moments, the prayer is over, and Jackson gives my hand a little squeeze before letting go. I look over at him, but he is already digging into his dinner, so I turn to my plate and start on what I know will be a delicious meal. Everything from the Garden Café is outstanding.
The meal is quiet for a couple minutes, then, Jackson breaks the silence. “Haven had a run in with Mr. Daxter today.”
I choke on the bite of lasagna I just put in my mouth. After I clear my throat and mouth of food, I kick Jackson under the table and scowl at him furiously.
“Don’t worry they know exactly how nasty Mr. Daxter can be. They fought
strongly against the religious acts.”
“Still, it was embarrassing enough that it happened in class I don’t need to relive it at dinner.”
“It’s, okay Haven.” Mr. Armstrong says with a wink to Jackson. “Wyatt Daxter is a little snake of a man.”
“Thomas, that’s not very nice.” Mrs. Armstrong’s gentle chiding voice barely reaches the other side of the table.
“Sorry, sweets, I call ‘em like I see ‘em.” Thomas leans over and kisses Ava on the cheek. She gives him a small smile then looks to me. “Either way Haven, you need to be careful around Mr. Daxter.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure what his problem is but he does not like me at all.”
Mr. Armstrong gives me a sympathizing look. “It’s probably your parents he has a problem with, harassing you is the only thing he can do to get back at them.”
“Why would he have a problem with my parents?”
Everyone at the table exchanges a knowing look that makes me feel certain I am missing some really, important information. Silence stretches on for just a heartbeat too long, and Mrs. Armstrong clears her throat. “Well, Haven, it’s not really our place to tell you things if your parents have decided to shield you for the time being. But I’m sure they will tell you when the time is right.” We all go back to eating and Jackson’s parents start talking about Agrisin and the upcoming agricultural legislation. Jackson leans in and whispers “I’ll tell you what I can after dinner.” I give a tiny nod and try to focus back on the dinner conversation. It’s obvious the Armstrong, family are not Agrisin fans, and are very opposed to the new agriculture legislation, that is, in all likelihood, going to get passed. It will allow Agrisin to use the government’s exper-imental farms to cultivate mass quantities of their super seeds, or as Mr. Armstrong calls them “seeds of death."
“But wouldn’t it be amazing if it all worked out, and those seeds could produce enough food to feed the whole world? It’s hard to watch those starving children in the Agrisin commercial and not hope they can accomplish what they have set out to do.”
Half Dead World: Book One from the Apocalypse Tales Page 4