Enigma Stigma (ONC 2023 Entry)

16.

Two and A Half Years Later

"Have you seen him?"

Constance was already nervous about the book signing that Mama's Oven bakery was having for her first book and this current situation certainly wasn't help her with managing her stress. Darla - who was currently standing alongside Constance when she asked her question - turned to look at her as she laid out the last of the deserts.

"Beom? He's right over there," said Darla as she nodded over to a corner of the cafe where Beom sat on a stool tucked near a balloon infested table. He had his guitar on his lap and was strumming a few chords, pausing every once in a while to fine tune it.

"No, not Beom," said Constance. "I meant..."

Crash!

Constance and Darla both froze when they heard a tray of baked goods hit the floor. They both craned their heads to look past the counter to see that a tray of cinnamon muffins had fallen off its perch and onto the floor where an overly happy baby boy was clapping his hands together as he tore off pieces of the muffins that had fallen to the floor, unceremoniously shoving them in his mouth.

"Jaxon, what do you think you're doing?!" asked Constance in concern as she rounded the corner to scoop the happy baby boy off the ground. "You're supposed to be with your father."

At those words, Constance moved to walk over with the baby to where Beom still sat. He looked up at her when she came towards him with the baby; his eyes wide with concern as he half swiveled to look at the all too empty baby pen hidden behind him.

"Here is your son," said Constance as Beom placed the guitar aside to take Jaxon from her arms. "He likes the cinnamon muffins just like his father."

"He was just right here a second ago..." said Beom in shock as he tsked, looking down at Jaxon on his lap as he brought up a hand to brush some crumbs away from his lips. "I swear, I think you gave birth to an escape artist, Constance."

Constance smiled softly as she moved to pull out a chair and take a seat near Beom as he finished dusting the crumbs off Jaxon's lips.

"Are you excited for today?" asked Beom as he looked over at Constance.

Constance nodded as she nervously fidgeted with the wedding band about her finger.

"Don't be nervous."

"Easy enough for you to say," said Constance. "I can't help it."

"Just remember - regardless of what happens - that your two biggest fans are going to be right here."

Constance turned to look over at Beom as he moved to gently start bouncing Jaxon on his leg, causing the adorable baby boy to start giggling.

"And that's all that matters," said Constance as Beom turned to look at her, leaning towards her to give her a quick kiss.

"Where's my son-in-law and my gorgeous grandson?" came the voice of Constance's mother then as she suddenly entered the bakery from outside; her arms loaded with various items.

"Over here," said Constance as she moved to get up and walk over to her mother who was clearly struggling. "Mom, what is all this? It's a book signing. Not Christmas..."

"Oh, I know, but I can't make a trip to see the three of you and not come bringing gifts. It just feels wrong."

Constance managed to take a few of the gifts from her mother. She had set them down just in time for her to watch her mother race over to where Beom and Jaxon were. Jaxon was soon in her arms. She cooed and made adorable faces at the troublesome one and a half year old while he stared back at her with adoration in his brown eyes; the same brown eyes as his father.

"What did your mom bring?" asked Beom as he got up from where he was seated after giving her mother a half hug on the way by.

"I don't have any clue at all," said Constance with a chuckle.

Just as Constance was about to open the first gift with Beom, a blur rushed past the two of them. Constance lifted her head to see that Darla had shown up with a camera in her hand.

"Before the first guests arrive, I'd love to capture this moment; add it to my wall."

Constance turned her head to look at the family photos that were still in their same scrunched up positions on the wall. When she had first entered the bakery what felt like a lifetime ago, she hadn't paid those pictures much attention. In hindsight she wished she had. Darla loved taking photos to capture important moments in time. The most recent additions to the wall had been photos of their wedding and Jaxon's first day home from the hospital.

"Mom! We don't have time!" Beom said with a fake groan as Darla waved a hand dismissively at him, shushing him.

"Stop that! Just get your cute little family together for a picture and hush up."

"We'll only do it if you and my mom get in the photo with the rest of us," said Constance.

Constance could see her mother smile at that. She moved over to stand by Constance with Jaxon still in her arms. Darla - once she had positioned the camera in just the right way and turned the timer on - moved to stand by them. The five of them smiled wide grins for the camera as it flashed to forever record this moment in time. As Darla moved to pick up her camera afterwards, her eyes moved to look outside.

"I think I see the first people arriving!" squealed Darla as she moved towards the front of the bakery to open the door and enthusiastically greet them.

Constance moved from where she was standing to go and greet the people that were showing up. Soon enough, the small bakery was filled with people that were there for the launch of her book. Once everyone was settled, Constance picked up a copy of her book to begin to read an excerpt from it. When she was done, she closed the book and noticed a hand go up with a question.

"Was the Enigma Stigma based on anyone in particular?" a member of the crowd asked. "It seems deeply personal."

Constance moved her gaze to look over at where Beom and Jaxon both were; the two of them all smiles at the moment for her.

"It is a deeply personal story," said Constance in answer to the question. "I wanted to write it to convey the truth that - even if it's a stigma to be an enigma - there is nothing wrong with standing out. No one should ever be ashamed to be themselves."

Constance believed in what she said with all her heart; her little family all the proof she would ever need of that fact.