Jacob

"Here's your ticket. Gate 6." The lady says, smiling at me with her wandering eyes checking me out,  as she hands me my passport and ticket back. I grab my carry on bag and land it on my shoulder as I make my way to gate 6.

I take a deep breath. I'm only planning to stay a week. Zoe will fly in in three, four days as her schedule will allow her. But she'll come. She's dying to meet my family and see where I grew up.  It's actually nothing spectacular but for someone like Zoe who only grew up in the city, a small town sounds like a romantic movie to her. To me, it's my reality. The struggles my dad went through for some years trying to get to make enough money to get me and Katie the best. Working the fields and garden, picking our fruits and vegetables and the farm animals.

I smile. I know mama still has Bailey, our golden retriever. My best friend and the one who barked when I would sneak back into the house way past my curfew.

God, I got into a lot of shit when I was younger. I sat on my seat by the window and settled in. I took out my phone. I froze. I wanted to ask Katie who was still in town. No. I won't ask. If someone in particular is there I would flat out say no to coming out. I lay my head back and took a deep breath. I left home with unfinished business and I hope that someone has moved on and found better.

It's about a two hour flight, which gives me time to reschedule meetings and call my partner to oversee some projects I was working on.

"Jacob. How long are you going to be?" Paul asks.
"Not long. I'll be back in about a week. Zoe has a big project in two weeks and I have that skeleton house to repair and rebuild by the end of the month."

"Yes. The skeleton house. Is that the one that needs the expensive flooring coming in from Italy?" Paul asked.

"Yes. And make sure it does. That's my surprise for Zoe."  I had bought a house for Zoe and I for when we get married. It's a detached bungalow that's about 3000 square feet. Windows all across the back of the house over looking out to, what's going to be a beautiful salt water pool. Zoe loves hosting parties and this property is perfect for it, and maybe a dog, if I can convince Zoe to get a fur baby or two.

"I'll contact everyone today and I'll check on the brown shit hole too and make sure the boys are working there." Paul said, " I can't believe you bought that crap hole."

I smile. I love challenges. My mom knew that since I was a kid. She would tell dad every time he got mad at me that I was driven to do big things. Mama Jane was right and here I am. The more challenging the property is, the better and more profit I get. That's how I got close to a million dollar income. Flipping homes is my calling. My game and I love it.

The flight went well and I accomplished a lot of work on the flight. Now let's focus on Mama Jane.

But First, I need my black beauty. My Ford pick up truck. That sweet ride was the last big purchase I made before I left. Black tinted windows that Billy did on a black pick up truck. Black was my favorite color because it camouflage at night. I felt chilled at the thought of my intelligence. If you want to make out with the ladies and not get caught by the police or their parents, take a black vehicle out at night, park it in the middle of a field and the stars and night are yours.

"Good God look what the wind dust blew into town!!" I heard a familiar voice when I pulled into the last gas station with a mechanic shop in the back located just outside the city limits.

"Billy! Is that you? Shit I thought you'd leave this hell hole already!" I yelled back as we greeted each other with a manly hug.

"Where would I go, big shit. I don't have your skills." Bill said

"You don't need my skills man. You're a mechanic and a good one because you keep black beauty purring every time. That's why she's with you."

"Thanks man. She is a beauty and keeps the police at bay still. I tried it a couple of times." Billy said, lifting his eyebrows up and down with a wink.

"Okay," I chucked, " but listen,  I said you can use her,  but don't override the seats.".

"Who said I was doing it inside the car?" Billy said laughing. I laughed too.

Billy and I go way back. We were ten year old shits running our small town like a giant size amusement park. We jumped neighbors fences, stole fruits, crates, veggies and  all. Bothered chickens, tipped cows and chased horses. Whistle and flirted with many fine young ladies and we were always the first drunk and the last to leave a dance.

Life had no limits then.

"So have you been in town lately ?" I asked Billy.

"No. No, not for a few months. Business has been great but leaving very little time to see them. My folks are still in town. Dad is still running the shop with my little brother. Remember Hayes, my thron up my ass?"

I nod my head. It seems I'm not the only one not coming home often. I don't feel as guilty as I was.
   
"Listen. Get your keys in the top drawer in my office and the notorious black beauty is waiting for you out back." Billy said, giving me a hug, "Great to see you man."
   
I hugged him back, "you too. We'll go out for beers while I'm in town."

"And pick up some wildflowers in your black beauty." Billy said teasing with his eyebrows going up and down again. He still nicknames the ladies, wildflowers. It was our code when we were teenagers when we were going to go out with a girl, "picked me up a wildflower." We would say to each other. I smiled at the memories of my years with Billy.

I got my keys and went to the back. As always Billy treats black beauty like gold. She was polished and clean, ready to hit the road with me. I sat in the seat and started her up. The radio was on. Country music. I haven't listened to country music in years. In the city there are a variety of  genres of music styles and country can sometimes get lost among them. Zoe's preference is R and B and romantic ballets. I'm not a big music person so it doesn't bother me.

I took a deep breath and began my journey back to my childhood home. God I hope all goes well.

It's a two hour ride. Far from civilization. This gave me too much time to reminisce. The joy, tears, pain and love that only these fields know. I did some shit and I guess the good lord thought it was time I paid for it. I might have left my only alli behind in Billy. What waits for me in Pinebrook? An angry mom and sister? Hopefully a brother-in-law on my side. It would be great if Gilbert's on my side. I smiled at the thoughts of my two handsome nephews and beautiful niece, Declan, Charlotte and Gavin. Boy, I reacted to my thoughts, Declan must be about 8 now. I was here when he was born. My sister begged me to come and be his godfather along with.... Rachel.

Wow. I haven't whispered that name in my head in years. I choke a little, feeling uncomfortable with thoughts of her filling my head. I hope she's not here. I heard she got married and left town. I hope she's doing better than what I could have given her. I was too old for her anyways. It wouldn't have worked between us, i told myself trying  to push the memories out of my head. I focus on the road as I begin to drive by way-to-familiar buildings. I stopped at K and G florist shop and smiled as I shook my head. My sister always wanted to be first. Even her initials are first on the sign of her floral shop.

A bell chimes as I open the door and walk in. I see my sister fussing with an arrangement. In a charming deep voice, "Excuse me little lady? Do you know where Mama Jane's residence is located."

My sister spun her head, "You're here!!!" She screams as she makes her way to me in a sprint. Katie has strawberry blond hair, it shines like rose gold in the sunlight. She's shorter than me and her 5.6" frame is lean. She takes care of herself. You wouldn't know she had three children.

"My god. I didn't think your 'turned city ' ass would make it here." She said, slapping my shoulder.

"Just in time for dinner." I teased.

"Yes. OH!  We have to go to Mama Jane's right now!! I have a surprise for you there." Katie screams and she runs back to the counter, "Gilbert! I'm leaving with Jakie."

God I hate that nickname.

"You know I hate surprises, remember." I said out loud.

"You'll like this one. Don't worry. " Katie shouted back.

Gilbert comes from the back with a arm full of roses. "Hey Jacob. What's up?"  Gilbert has stretching out his arm to greet me.

"Good,  busy running my company." I said, shaking his hand, "can I buy three roses for my mom?" 

"Yeah. Just take them. On the house." Gilbert says.

"Okay. Let's go." Katie says as she hooks her arm around me and pulls me out of the door.

She stops on her tracks. "Seriously, you still have this truck?"

"Of course. She still runs good." I said opening the passage door for my sister.
   
She steps in, " I see your southern charm didn't leave you yet." 

I smile at my sister as I close the door, "I missed you to big sis."  I walk around the truck and get in. It felt nice to see her and Gilbert. Maybe for a little while this will be a good thing.

"So anything new in your life?" Katie asks, as i dive to the outskirts of PineBrooke.

I take a minute to put my thoughts together and take a deep breath, "well actually I completed a really big project and am working on restoring an old home for myself."

"Awe." Katie coos as she pays my leg with approval , "Good for you. Now you just need to find a strong, smart woman who can handle your attitude and stobroness and a few kids and your life is set."  Katie said.

"We'll actually..." I started

"STOP!!! " Katie yelled, startling me,  as I slammed the brakes,  Black beauty skids on the dirt road just outside my mama's 4 acres of land.

Katie jumps out of the call, "DECLAN!  DECLAN!"

I look into the field and see my oldest nephew with a shotgun shooting at bottles on a cement wall where my parents' old driveway entrance used to be."

"YOU GET BACK TO MAMA JANE'S AND PUT THAT AWAY. I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU WHEN I GET THERE!!" 

I swear Declan was already running back to Mama Jane's house before his mom ended her threat. Katie gets back in the car, " There was a time where dad would give us a good spanking for that."

I chilled. " I can attest to that. What do you do now?" I asked
   
Katie smiles, " Take their devices away and hand out extra chores."

"Oh shit. I'll take a good spanking." I laughed.

I continued to drive along the property, " When did Mama's driveway move?"  I asked.

Katie looks at me with a eerry smile, " A few things have changed around here. Stop asking questions and just turn right here.

The new entrance looks grand. Two light posts on either side of the driveway itself with hanging baskets of Mama's favorite color orange. The small pond in the front of the house is gone and replaced by a fence area with an in-ground pool in its place. A few kid bikes by the side of the house. The garage was updated and expanded and the porch also expanded and an outside dining area was made and the other side had a hanging swing seat that fits 4. The house itself is still white but it now has mama's favorite color, burnt orange trim around the windows and the front door. The front garden against the house and around the front door was filled with annuals and primminal flowers and ferns.

"Wow. Mama Jane outdid herself?" I said stepping out of my truck staring at the magnificent curb appeal of Mama's house, "Geez Katie, could you have piled anymore kid stuff at moms?

"Shut up." She said slamming the truck door, "what else would the kids do while here. Mom can't entertain them ALL day"

I stand with my hands on my hips, feeling defeated. I hope no one is expecting me to move or clean up crap around here while I'm visiting.  

"Are you coming?" Kate said, waving me to follow her to the front door."

I follow behind her as she opens the door. I was in awe. This wasn't how I left my childhood home. It was updated The entrance way had a modern decor style with white walls and dark wood floors. There's a closet replacing the hooks where we would hang our jackets. To the right of me was the family room with a 40" flare screen TV and game consoles. A gray sectional replaced the old brown couch and love seat. . I looked to the left, just off to the side was the washroom with touches of Mama's favourite colour, continues in the house. Down the same hallway was a spare room. The stairs are off to the side and beside it is the hallway to the kitchen and sunroom. The stairs were beautiful. The white wall continues to upstairs. The stairs themselves looked fresh and updated from the dark brown stain that i grew up with. The tread of the stair was the same dark wood as the floor and the riser are white with a black rod iron railing. There are flower arrangements through the rooms. Katie's contribution i bet. Mama Jane loves flowers, especially daisies and hydrangea. As someone who flips homes, this is very impressive. Clean, modern country and Mama's personality.

"Who's the interior decorator for mama Jane?" I said in amazement.

"Hey Katie, did you get my message? mama Jane wants..." a voice was coming from upstairs.

I turned to a familiar voice and my heart stopped beating as I looked at an older version of a young girl who was a big - big part of my secret.

Rachel.