The Reluctant Assistant - Book One

Push Part 7

The drive to Jackson's parents went by too fast if Raymond had to be honest. Two hours later, they stopped in front of a massive house, which they all referred to as a cottage. Raymond had seen many cottages, but this was nowhere near one. The magnificent mansion with it's sprawling lawns were certainly impressive to look at.

"What's the plan?" Jackson turned to Raymond expectantly once he'd switched the engine off.

"Well, as long as they don't split us up and corner us, things should be fine, right?" Raymond figured that as long as he can keep an eye on Jackson, there wouldn't be as much trouble. Looking at Jackson, he really felt sorry for him. This was the man he'd spent most of his time, for over six years, protecting like a gatekeeper and making sure that things ran like a well-oiled machine. Of course he would feel protective now as well, Raymond reasoned with himself. 

"Cook, that's not a plan." he sighed, rolling his eyes. "Maybe you should tell them when I'm not around. That way we limit the casualties. Or better yet, stay and we can get away from this sinking ship." he threw in for good measure.

Raymond just grimaced at him. "You come up with a better plan then!"  

Thankfully, Jackson's parents were nowhere in sight when they stepped into the house.

"Come on, I'll show you where we're staying." He waved Raymond into the house. "We'll be sharing, mother's decorating again."

"Sharing?" Raymond stopped in his tracks, trying to hitch a bag over his shoulder, while holding on to the rest of the luggage.

"Yeah." Jackson just kept walking until they reached two ornately decorated white, gold inlay doors. Pushing them open, it revealed a spacious open plan sitting room and dining area, with a sleek white kitchen, large windows everywhere. 

Jackson opened a door to the left. "This is yours." Raymond huffed in, red faced from carrying the luggage. Moving on he opened another door, "This is me." he turned as Raymond dropped his bags on the floor. If this is what people call sharing, the he must have been doing it wrong his whole life. This was basically a house within a house.

"Here, let me take that." Jackson said absentmindedly, holding his hand out to take one of the bags. He looked over at Raymond, then suddenly grabbed the bag that he still had in his hand. "Sorry! I should have carried the bags. You're not here to serve me." Jackson was a bit flustered, realizing that he'd made Raymond carry all the bags.

"For old time's sake, I'll say it's okay." Raymond smiled. "So this is what you call sharing, huh? I was expecting bunk beds." he laughed at the thought of Jackson on a bunk bed.

 "It's easier this way, since trying to get everybody together at the same time is a nightmare." he grimaced. "But the kitchen is fully stocked and so is the wine bar." he winked at Raymond, who rolled his eyes.

"What now?" Raymond asked unsure of when they will be tackled. 

"Well, they're only coming back late tonight, so we have the evening to ourselves." he smiled. "Shall we share camp stories?"

"What?" Raymond was completely lost.

"Let's get to know each other!" he moved over to the kitchen picking up wine and beer for Raymond, taking it over to the seating area that overlooked and intricately manicured flower garden. "Come on, this may be the last time you see me alive!" he grinned jokingly, handing Raymond his drink.

Sitting down, Raymond wasn't sure what there was to learn about Jackson that he didn't already know. He knew that Jackson's mind may be blown by how little he knows. "Okay, what do you want to know?"