Page 17 of You’re Mine

“Everything looks good, baby. Great job,” I tell him approvingly. We head downstairs, and I get the ice cream out of the back of the fridge where it’s hidden. It’s our favorite – mint chocolate chip. I had to get one of the staff to secretly buy it because my dad would never let us have something so ‘extravagant.’

With a big smile, I put two bowls on the table and spoon out a couple of scoops for the two of us. Giggling with laughter, Jamie grabs his spoon and digs in, making an almost immediate mess on his face. I watch him go to town on his entire bowl, but it’s okay. This is a vacation day for us. I’m not hungry, so I let him take my bowl and eat the half scoop that’s left. He’s going to be wired for the next couple hours which means I’m going to need to work all this energy out of him.

“Let’s go to the trampoline, next,” I suggest with a bright smile.

“Yeah!” he squeals.

I wipe the melted ice cream from his face and then send him upstairs to get changed while I clear the dishes and re-hide the ice cream. I sit back down at the kitchen table while waiting for Jamie to come back down dressed for playtime. It’s my greatest desire to give my son a “normal” childhood, unlike the one I had. When he was just a baby, it was a lot easier to hide the reality of our life from him. But each day, it’s getting harder and harder to keep him away from my father. I can’t have my son’s spirit broken by Herb Jones. I won’t allow it.

Jamie runs back to the kitchen, ready to get a whole lot of exercise in. We’re both in sweatpants and shirts because it’s basically our daily uniform. Since we don’t get out much, there isn’t much reason to wear anything special.

“Come on Mommy!” he cries excitedly.

My son hands me my shoes, and we both put ours on. Heading outside, we go to where the trampoline is set up. I convinced my dad to have one put in – if I was going be forced to homeschool Jamie, then I’d make sure I did my best. Fortunately, Herb agreed, probably because having an over-excited toddler around wore on his nerves.

We make it to the trampoline, and I help my son get up before we begin jumping. I bounce on the trampoline with my butt before sending him flying into the air over and over. It doesn’t take long for Jamie and me to become a mess of laughter and smiles. It also doesn’t take long for us to get in that workout. When we’re good and tired, the two of us lay on the black surface, staring peacefully up at the sky. It’s a beautiful clear day, and I wish this could be every day.

My son speaks shyly.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Are we going to live here forever?”

I hesitate for a moment. If my dad has his way, then the answer would be yes, but I turn to my son to look deep into his eyes. They’re so blue and remind me of Jace once more. But I swallow the lump in my throat because this isn’t the time.

“Can you keep a secret, Jamie?” He nods furiously, clearly wanting to know what I’m about to say. “Well, one day, we’re going to move far away and get our own house and it’ll just be us. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

He nods furiously.

“I like that.”

“You do?” My son nods again, staring innocently into my eyes. “Then I’ll do my best to make it happen,” is my promise.

We clasp hands while lying in the sun for a little while longer, soaking it its rays. I can see Jamie starting to doze off, and it’s sweet with his head lolling against my shoulder. Not wanting to disturb him, I move carefully in order to pick him up and carry him back inside.

I put Jamie down on one of the couches and get a few ingredients to make lunch. While I’m cooking, there’s a stirring behind me. Assuming it’s Clara, the maid, I call out a quiet but friendly, “Hello!”

Instead, a raspy voice intrudes.

“Well, well, you sound cheery today.” Ugh. I turn around to see my mother. When my dad isn’t here, Irene rarely comes down from her room. Come to think of it, even when he is here, she tries to stay in her room as much as possible. She’s like the ghost that haunts the attic of the Jones estate.

“Good morning, Mother,” I say courteously. The one thing I have to give Irene credit for is the fact that she’s always perfectly groomed. I don’t know how she keeps up such a flawless appearance at all times, morning, noon, and night. But somehow, Irene always manages to look like an ice-cold Grace Kelly. It’s impressive in its own way.

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