The Empath's Mate

Chapter 12

I don’t know a Jackson was the first thought that crossed my mind. I walked to the front door where the man stood in the entry way. He was average height for a man, just under 6 feet, clean shaved, dark hair, and dark brown eyes.

               “Hello, my name is Veronica. How can I help you?” I asked trying to sense his emotions but failing.

               “My name is Jackson nice to meet you.” He reached his hand out and I shook it. He was colder than usual. “My dog seems to have escaped. I moved in a few blocks over this week, I am scared he may be lost.” He finished.

               “Welcome to the neighborhood, I am actually moving this weekend, please excuse the mess.” I motioned around. “I haven’t seen anything yet, if you want to leave your number I will keep an eye out.” I offered.

               “Where are you moving to?” He asked intrusively.

               “Closer to work.” I answered vaguely.

               “I see. Thank you for your assistance. Here’s my card.” He answered before turning to leave. “Nice meeting you.”

               I went back into my office and spent the next hour packing everything up. This was the most important room to me. I knew if something went wrong Travis wouldn’t hesitate to destroy something dear to me.

               Jessie came into the office and sat down in a chair. He seemed to be contemplating something, so I stayed quiet finishing the last box.

               “I should have said something.”

               “You absolutely should not have.” I replied to him. “It is not a child’s place to get involved with the parent’s relationship. We have healthy boundaries remember?” I said with a giggle.

               “I feel like I should have.” His brow was scrunched.

               “No, everything happens as it should.” I said hugging him from behind. “You are way to good of a son.” I said kissing his cheek.

               He stood taking the boxes I finished to the garage. We had set up everything in there to load into the trucks easier. Tovi seemed concerned that Travis would change his mind by the next day. She wanted to be in and out with barley a noise.

               Tovi’s car was loaded with all her belongings. She had left a few outfits behind but that seemed to be all. We helped load Jessie’s things into his car leaving his drum set and 2 boxes in the garage. Jessie argued with Tovi about leaving me alone at the house waiting for Nikola.

               I let them know he offered to help. Tovi was overthinking his kindness, Jessie was relieved knowing his drums would be with him tonight. Once Tovi left to head to the townhouse, Jessie went back through the house to see if anything was forgotten. I stood on the porch with a glass of wine waiting for Nikola.

               I saw a truck pulling down the road and my heart skipped a beat. As it approached the house, I noticed there was an enclosed trailer being towed. He backed the trailer into the driveway before jumping out and walking right over to me.

               He had a wide smile spreading from ear to ear. I laughed at his excitement; you would think it was Christmas. I shook my head as he walked over and wrapped his arms around me. My body went stiff and I wasn’t able to move.

I didn’t expect him to be hugging me at all let alone like this. My arms slowly began to move, I wrapped them around his back pulling him closer to me. I kept trying to breath in his scent and I nuzzled my head into him. I felt his cheek press against my neck as he buried his head.

“I am so glad you are letting me help.” He said kissing my forehead before releasing me from the embrace.

“I am glad your helping.” I said still slightly stunned. “I am going to owe you lunch for the next month.” I joked.

I turned walking towards the garage, he followed. “We have everything ready to go. It is all here, and here.” I motioned at the boxes first then the other wall where all my hunting and fishing equipment was. “I didn’t expect you to bring a trailer or anything. I probably won’t need Jeremy’s help tomorrow if you don’t mind loading it with just me.”

“As long as you can handle it, I can.” He winked at me before heading to open the trailer.

“Jessie is still inside actually; he can help too.” I said as soon as I remembered. I really hope he didn’t see that hug when Nikola first arrived. I have no clue how to explain that.

“Did you call me Mom?” Jessie said walking around the corner. “Oh, hey! You brought a trailer great!” He said excited.

“I’m glad you are here still. Want to help me load it all up?” Nikola said speaking only to Jessie.

“Let’s do it. Mom, why don’t you double check my walk through?” Jessie said.

“I can do that. I will be back in a few to help you.”

“Take your time, you don’t want to forget something important.” Nikola said sweetly lifting a box.

I walked through the house checking things that were left. I made it to the kitchen and saw a picture that was taken of Travis and I a few months ago on a hiking trail. I could see his smile didn’t reach his eyes. The picture was proof that our marriage was over long ago. I took the picture and slid it into my back pocket before grabbing the box from the table heading out the door.

“We have it all.” I said walking out realizing that they loaded everything. “Wow.”

“Don’t doubt Ma.” Jessie said hugging me. “I will see you at home, Tovi and I are going to a party tonight. I am going to head over there and unload my car before the trailer gets there.”

“You’re a good kid Jessie.” Nikola said smiling before taking my box and setting it in his back seat.

“Drive safe.” I waved to him.

Once he was down the road Nikola walked back over to me. He seemed like he was fighting with himself again. The pain was pegging at me.              

“You know if you ever need to talk, I am a good listener.” I said softly to him.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He said pulling me into another hug.

“I really appreciate everything you are doing to help.” I said into his chest, I was losing myself again, I scrounged for a way to bail. “I just need to lock up and leave my keys on the table, I will just be a minute.”

I set my keys on the table and locked the door before closing it. I walked through the garage checking quickly. I exited, hitting the key pad to close the door.

“Are you okay?” He asked from behind me.

“I am just ready to not come back here. Do you want to follow me?” I asked taking my car keys from my pocket.

               “Sound good.” He said opening my door for me.