The Ages of Charming

Jax's House..

Addie and I were in her truck heading to dad's house, she hasn't said a single word so I decided to break the silence,

Me:"Thank you for raising us."
Addie:"Bud you don't have to thank me, your my nephew I wouldn't leave you or Thomas stranded anywhere."
Me:"I know that but you didn't have to raise us."

Addie sighed and she pulled into a driveway,

Addie:"Bud there's nobody else that could raise you, your father put his trust in my hands to raise you boys and that's what I did."
Me:"Was it a last minute thing or did you know ahead of time."
Addie:"Truthfully it was last minute but I never told him no. I will do anything for you boys even if that means paying for your college education, learning may be boring but you could go a long way knowing things and that's what I want for you but I know in the back of my mind you'll stay just like the rest of us and Abel I don't want you to stay because of me, I'll fucking miss you but I'll know you'll be okay since you were so calm and collective grabbing that gun with no hesitation? You can handle yourself."
Me:"Thank aunt Addie, I'll think things over and I'll let you know when I made up my mind."
Addie:"Jax would be so proud of you Abel, your a smart driven young man. Are you ready to go inside?"
Me:"Wait we're here? I thought you just pulled over so we could talk?"

Addie laughed a little,

Addie:"No bud, your home."

I looked to the house trying to remember being here, Addie opened her door so I got out meeting her at the front door. Addie hesitated so I laid my hand on her shoulder,

Me:"I can go in alone."
Addie:"No it's okay, just haven't been here since a few days after your dad died."
Me:"Let's do it together then."

I smiled at her causing her to smile back before unlocking the door. Addie pushed the door opened then moved out of the way, I walked in first seeing that the house was nice and neat. Furniture was still in place, I glanced into the kitchen to my left hearing the door close,

Me:"I remember eating dinner in here one night, mom seemed distracted that night."
Addie:"That was before we all went inside that night."
Me:"Explains why dad wasn't there, dad talked about Wendy on the tape. Where did she almost kill me?"

Addie shifted but pointed to the kitchen floor near the counter. Of course it was,

Addie:"Maybe you should look around."

I nodded as I walked away heading down the hallway, I saw letters out the corner of my eye causing me to stop and take a step back to open the door seeing it was a bedroom, Thomas's bedroom to be exact. I smiled walking inside the room for a better look, his crib was still in place along with his dresser and toys that sat next to the dresser on the floor.

Addie:"I would always find you in here with Thomas once he was born."
Me:"I wish he could see this, this is bringing back so many memories. I remember seeing dad sitting in here holding Thomas as he cried."

Tears stung the back of my eyes, I took a breath pushing the tears away.

Addie:"Then you would love to see your old room."
Me:"What?"
Addie:"Follow me."

I turned to see Addie walking away from the door, I stepped out to see Addie standing outside a door. I walked over then opened the door, my room was just how I left it years ago. Addie pushed me inside making me laugh before I looked around, nothing was moved. Everything was still in its exact place, I looked over to my toddler bed and smiled.

Addie:"When you dad wasn't here I'd come visit, I used to lay in that bed with you reading you stories."
Me:"I remember that really well, I would get scared when he was gone but somehow you'd always be here to make things better."
Addie:"I always will bud."
Me:"Can I see their room?"
Addie:"Yea of course."
Me:"Will you come with me?"