Page 31 of Chrome Poppies
She nodded and wiped the tears from her cheeks, “Will I see you in Heaven when I die?”
“Of course.”
“Will you recognize me even if I am an old lady?”
I leaned over and stroked her cheek, “Of course, I will recognize you, even when you’re an old lady. Emilie, I will be your guardian angel throughout your entire life. We will all see you grow from a child to a teenager to an adult. You will meet a man or woman of your dreams, depending on where your heart leads you. You will be a mother, a grandmother, maybe a great-grandmother.” Emilie heavily sighed and forced a smile, though I know her heart was breaking. “Franklin and I will make sure you’re on the list when it’s your time. Right now, though, you have your entire life ahead of you. So, put your helmet back on. Your aunt, uncle, and cousins are expecting your arrival.”
“Hey, Jensen. Do you think the Weatherly’s would give us a private tour of the winery? I can go for a couple glasses of wine and a charcuterie,” Braeden said, until Franklin smacked him lightly.
I burst out laughing, for once, feeling lighter than air this week. “I never took you as a wine kind of guy.”
“Alcohol is alcohol, and I am starving. I can go for some cheese whiz on crackers right now.”
My thoughts about Braeden being cultured were hasty. I thought for a second that he was too cultured to be a member of this uncouth motorcycle club. But, nope, he was uncouth, and I didn’t have time to teach him how to be more of a gentleman.
“Ezekiel will teach you both how to be gentlemen when we go home,” Franklin said, directing her comment to both of us.
***
It was a long ride down a path surrounded by orchards. The pleasant aromas of apples and citrus permeated my senses, which was a welcome relief from the stench of gasoline and tarmac. Occasionally, I’d glance down at Emilie who was nervously rocking in her seat. She had every right to be apprehensive. It took her a couple of days to trust me, as she wore mistrust like a badge and her aloofness was her shield. This child lost everything near and dear to her in one night. She survived a week without the love and nurturing of her mother.
Her friends were inanimate objects and angels, which she seemed fine with. But what Emilie needed was a safe home with people who cared about her well-being. They’d be able to give her the life she needed. The life neither Franklin nor I could give her. Emilie was a living, breathing human who had plenty of years to live.
I choked back the tears when the realism of saying goodbye to this precious child hit me. We had only been together less than a week, but she impacted me in a way I’d never forget. One that would make my transition from a man stuck in limbo to a full-fledged angel easier. I only hoped she’d adjust to life with the Weatherly family effortlessly. Emilie wasn’t a problem with me, except for the time she ripped off Wal-Mart, but other than that, she was a quiet and delightful child.
We came to the end of the long trail to a cobblestone, half-circle driveway. The brick home was vast and the size of a palace to an eight-year-old child. Emilie was impressed and bewildered. “This is my home now, Jensen?” She asked quietly. “This is the biggest house I’ve ever seen in my life. My mommy never told me Aunt Janiece and Uncle Jeff were rich.”
When I looked around, I discovered there was no sign of Braeden or Franklin. At which time, I safely assumed Braeden was up in Heaven shooting the shit with Ezekiel while they spied on us. As much as I wanted to flip them the bird, I couldn’t leave that kind of impression on the Weatherly couple. Good thing I didn’t when they approached the bike with a bit of hesitancy.
“Are you Franklin?” Janiece Weatherly called out with outstretched arms. “It’s so nice to put a face to the voice I’ve been hearing all week.” She was a lovely woman, tall and wiry thin, though her toned muscles showed with the sleeveless shirt she wore. I had no idea how to respond to her since I had never spoken to the woman, that was all Franklin and Ezekiel.
Emilie looked in my direction, shocked, “Where’s Jensen? And how did you go from Braeden’s bike to Jensen’s.”
***
FRANKLIN
Oh, this inquisitive child is going to be the death of me. Normally I have the patience of a sloth or is that I move as slow as a sloth? I don’t remember. Ezekiel uses stupid lines on me all the time and I can’t keep track.
Emilie wouldn’t move from the sidecar and crossed her arms over her chest, giving major attitude now. “Mrs. Weatherly, do you mind giving me a moment with Emilie? She’s nervous and all.”
“I’m not nervous. I wanna live with Jensen.” I gave Janiece an embarrassed smile and waited until she went inside the house before I squatted to Emilie’s level.
“Em? Emi?” She turned her head, refusing to look in my direction. As quickly as she’d grown defiant, sadness suddenly appeared in her eyes.
“He didn’t say goodbye or give me a hug.”
Is that all she wanted? I felt bad for sending him away so quickly. I scooted over and peered at the front door to make sure there were no prying eyes. It was safe; we didn’t have an audience. I snapped my fingers and made Jensen appear by my side. “My bad, Jensen. I cast you off before you could give Emilie a proper goodbye.”
“What do you mean?”
Gritting my teeth, I answered while bobbing my head in her direction. “She asked about you and wants a goodbye hug or something. Are you able to muster any type of affection like that?”
“Are you saying I am too inept to give a child a hug?” He seemed shocked and took offense at my question. He sighed heavily and approached the sidecar, swooping Emilie in his arms effortlessly. Her giggle echoed in the air as he held her tightly, swinging her around in a circle. “Miss Dillon?”
As Jensen placed Emilie on the ground, it gave me time to pull her belongings out of the sidecar before I snapped my fingers to make it disappear.
Jensen took her hand and bowed, “It was an honor escorting you and I will miss you. But remember what I told you, I will watch over you every single day.”