Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 4

Anna had changed into a simple black, cotton dress that stopped just above her knees. She wore an old flannel over it. The blues and purples in the shirt brought out her eyes. Jake always thought she was stunning, but this shirt was a particular favorite of his.

"Ready to go?"

"Yup! I'm excited to see your mom. It's been a while since we've been over there."

"Well, she always tells me that she misses you, even if she's just seen you. So, this will be a treat for her too." He opened Anna's car door for her.

"So, I wear a dress and you go extra gentleman on me? Noted."

Jake turned away to hide his smile from her. He didn't know why exactly he had taken that extra step for her tonight, but it felt right. She was a lady after all. He shook it from his head and walked around to the driver's side door. She was still smiling at him as he lowered himself into the seat. Goodness, that smile. He forced himself to tear his eyes from her as he drove down the street towards his childhood home.

***

Olivia Johansen greeted Jake and Anna at the door. There was always warmth behind her eyes, the twins to Jake's: hazel flecked with gold. Her hair used to be a beautiful chestnut but had grayed as she'd gotten older. She was young when she had Jake, only twenty years old, putting right around forty now, though she looked much older. Anna presumed that the stress of being a single mother caused it. Anna never heard much about Jake's father. Miss Johansen didn't talk about him and Jake had gone through his entire life never having met the man or knowing his name. It wasn't a subject that was allowed in Miss Johansen's presence.

A hug awaited both Anna and Jake as they entered the comfortable little cottage. And they removed their shoes as soon as they stepped inside. Mis Johansen didn't allow shoes in the house. Most of the time she didn't allow visitors at all. But, she always loved Anna.

The home was modest and comfortable. The small living room had a couch and two accent chairs, all in earth tones. Pictures of Jake and taken by Jake covered every surface and wall. Miss Johansen loved her son with her whole being, it was obvious by the way she fawned over him. A compact kitchen and dining room completed the open floor plan of the space.

"Oh, Anna! Hello! What a treat to see you both." Jake's mom gushed.

"Hey, Miss Johansen. It's nice to see you too. You're looking lovely as usual." She was habitually dressed in neutral tones with her hair pulled back. A cheery smile sat on her gentle, lined face.

"Hi, Mom," Jake greeted his mom with a kiss on her cheek.

"What brings you, two kids, over today?"

Jake and Anna took seats in the two chairs as Miss Johansen sat daintily on the couch. Anna noticed that she was so weak, so small.

"We just wanted to drop by and say 'Hi', Mom. We're on our way to a show I'm shooting tonight and Anna needed to change, so we were in the neighborhood."

"Well, how sweet of you, Jakey." She said, reaching across the coffee table to squeeze Jake's hand. "Would either of you like some tea?" She rose to go to the kitchen and start the kettle, but Jake stopped her.

"We don't really have that much time, Mom. We're just popping in."

"Oh, okay. Well, how are you doing then, Anna? It's been a while since I've seen you." She had an almost sing-songy voice. Anna always loved it.

"I'm doing well, Miss Johansen. Jake and I have a lot of good classes this semester. We're even taking a Criminal Investigation class." Anna went on to explain their semester-long assignment as a cat jumped onto each of their laps. Miss Johansen was known as the neighborhood's 'crazy cat lady', but Anna loved her none-the-less. Jake's mom was kind, caring, and compassionate. She was like a second mom to Anna and had delivered many a meal to Anna's family in the weeks after the news of Maggie had spread.