Page 73 of Jake's Angel
He slides his glasses back up on his face, takes my hand, twining our fingers together. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you.” I follow close behind, not sure what to thinkabout all of this, but loving the feel of our joined hands too much to say anything for fear I might ruin the moment.
We walk several yards forward and stand under a large oak tree looking out over the edge of town below. “It’s beautiful up here, Jake.”
“Yeah, it is. That’s why she’s buried here.” I turn to face him, confused for a split second, then it dawns on me. I look to the ground, and there beside my feet is a double headstone. It has two large roses etched in the dark granite stone and readsJenkinsin bold letters.
To the left, the inscription reads,
Margarette ‘Maggie’ Rose Jenkins
Beloved Wife, Mother, Daughter
1983-2003
To the right, another inscription reads,
Avery Rose Jenkins
Beloved Daughter & Granddaughter
2001-2003
I drop to the ground, curling my knees into my chest. It feels like the world is spinning out of control and it’s all I can do not to fall over the edge. The air is tight in my chest, squeezing. Tears are streaming down my face as I run my fingers across her name.
Mom.
I run my finger over my name.
Jenkins.
Jake sits behind me, his legs outstretched around me. He reaches around my waist, pulling me back until my back rests against his chest, and holds me in silence while I cry.
“Gramps told me they had a huge memorial for her. The whole town of Baron’s Edge showed up to pay their respects. Itbothered me, we never visited her. I once asked my grandmother to take me to her grave so I could put flowers on it for Mother’s Day, thinking she must be lonely not having any visitors to talk to her.” I laugh softly at my childish thoughts.
“But my grandmother told me she didn’t have a grave. She said she was cremated and put in a family mausoleum somewhere back east. She gave me some bullshit about rich people not being laid to rest in the ground where insects and animals could freely defecate.God, she’s such a bitch.” I wipe the tears from my face and feel his chest rise and fall with a deep breath.
“Yeah, I heard your grandmother is a difficult pill to swallow,” he says.
“Difficult is an understatement. She’s …” I sigh, trying to find the right words. “She never loved my mother. I don’t think she’s ever loved anyone except herself. People aren’t what matters to her. Well, that’s not exactly true. People who can be manipulated to do her will,they matter.But only as long as they’re proven useful. Otherwise, all she cares about is my Gramps’s money and her status among thelowly people of Baron’s Edge.” I lean back against his chest, enjoying the feel of him and the comfort being held brings.
I’ve never had someone hold me and listen to me ramble except Sadie, but it’s not the same.
Because the people in your life were only there to get close to Russell or Eleanor West. To get their attention.
Jake caresses my hand with his thumb. I close my eyes and breathe in the summer breeze. I’m glad they buried her in this place. It’s peaceful up here.
“She’s not lonely, Angel. Liz and Gabe bring flowers here all the time. Even my mom and Pop come up once in a while to visit her.”
“Why is she buried here, Jake? Why didn’t Gramps take her home?”
The betrayal I feel toward the man I once thought of as my father-figure burns like acid in the pit of my stomach. I wish he would’ve told me he knew where she was, what really happened to her. Why did everyone want to keep this part of my life a secret? Why not at least tell me? I deserved to know the truth about where I came from.My family.I could’ve kept it to myself. At least, I would’ve known I was loved.
“Oakridge was Maggie’s home. Everything she loved is here,” he says, scooping me up and turning me so I’m straddling his lap, putting us face to face. His words sting, but I don’t let him see the effect they have on me.
Everything she loved, except me.
The thought pierces my heart, but I don’t dare say it out loud. She wasn’t the one who sent me away.
“What they told you about Eleanor not knowing about Maggie’s life here is true. I don’t know exactly why Maggie ran away, but I’ve heard stories over the years. Maggie wasn’t happy in Baron’s Edge. The way my mom tells it, Maggie felt caged. She loved cars and art and?—”