Last Stop

Chapter twelve

The next day I can't stay at home, I have a test and an essay due so I trudge into school in a bad mood. Dressed in my usual black outfit, complete with a black hoodie that covers my face and dark circles under my eyes. I have never felt like such a walking storm as I do now. 

Millie and Mark both have been supportive and understanding, even Lola hasn't been has snarky but I guess me bursting into tears at dinner helped with that. Now she just avoids me like I am mad. Maybe I am. Somehow I get through the day but before I have to go to work I find myself parked opposite the hardware store, waiting, wonder if I might get a glimpse of him. I am rewarded ten minutes in. He is tall like me with dark, greying hair and a little bit on the larger side. His face however is angular and sharp with kind wrinkles of laughter on the sides of his eyes. He disappears seconds later and with a sigh I head to the Rue farm. I didn't see much of Spencer today because I think we were both avoiding each other. 

"Better late than never, Cameron." Jackson says as I pull up outside the house.

"Sorry sir, I-well I don't really have a good excuse." I say with a sigh, waiting to be told to go home like they have done so many times before in New York when I came late or skipped like I had to so many times to take care of my mother.

"You are forgiven." I look up in suprise to see Jackson grinning at me "Just don't make it a habit." I nod hastily, thankful I am not getting booted.

"Thank you, sir." I say with a grateful edge in my voice. He nods as he leads me to the barn.

"Julia told me what she told you about Eddy." He says and somehow him bringing it up doesn't bother me as much as it should. I guess I know that he is trustworthy, I mean he gave me a second chance after all. Not something I have ever had before I came to this town. No one has given me a chance before and he did.

"Yes, sir." He doesn't bother correcting me on the 'sir' knowing that I will not drop it. We come to a stop outside.

"Just let me know if there is anything we can do for you, son." I nod in thanks, not able to make any coherent words because I am currently prone to water works whenever my past is mentioned. "Also, I am not sure whether to get involved, but I will say Spencer may have all the wrong ways of going about things but he means well." I nod again not sure what to make of that, and hoping that Spencer didn't relay word for word what I said to him because if coming late doesn't get me fired speaking to his son like that sure will. 

I spend till it is dark finishing up the barn, a few weeks and it has a brand new two coats of red paint. I am sure I have gained arms muscles and upper body strength by all the work I have been doing while being here. I have my ear phones in so I didn't realise it was raining until I step out of the barn, it is pouring. Soaking me through in a minute. I curse running towards the house to knock and tell them I am heading home. I am shivering by the time Jackson opens the door.

"I just came to say I am leaving." I say hugging myself to try and appear cool but I am pretty sure it doesn't work."The barn is finished."

"You can't drive in this weather," Jackson says stepping further away from the door but before I can protest he opens the door. "I phoned your aunt, she agrees and said it was fine that you stay the night. "

I can't protest as he drags me inside, instructing me to take my wet clothes off as David brings me some extra clothes.

"You can shower and then we have put a mattress in Specks room." I eye Spencer on the couch, his gaze is on us as he listens to the conversation but he doesn't give anything away as our eyes meet and I nod at his father. Standing in the hall way in nothing but black briefs and a towel.  

I am bustled into the shower, relishing the warmth that seeps through my body as I stand under the cascading water. Getting out I pull on David's sweats and long white shirt. It fits well because we are basically the same height. Speck is way smaller than me.