The Secret Billionaire At The Commune

Chapter 9

Amber had not expected to burn through Nana’s money so fast. That silly old woman had written her PIN on her debit card so Amber hit every ATM in town, cleaning out Nana’s checking account until the balance was $0. She then treated herself to every little thing she felt entitled to and invested the remainder yet another #bossbabe venture. When her sister called that morning, she figured she’d break the news to her that there wasn’t any money in Nana’s account.

“What do you mean, Nana had no money, she offered to pay for culinary school for me,” Alexis pressed her.

“I did take some out but it was for Nana’s grandbabies, she would have wanted it that way,” Amber replied. Alexis knew that wasn’t the case, Nana said herself that Amber had already gotten more than her fair share of her money.

“What she wanted would be in her will,” Alexis relied, trying hard not to scream at her impossibly entitled sister, “So if you can’t find it in the house, I’ll just go see Percy Jenkins soon and have him sort it out.” Amber snorted into the phone.

“Alright, alright,” Amber said, “Speaking of finding things, did Jason actually take the AncestryDNA kit with him? I couldn't find it anywhere and I was hoping to return it for cash.” How much cash did she need, Alexis thought. She hung up with her sister, needing an outlet for her anger. Strawberry was in the kitchen with her, politely trying not to listen but Alexis didn’t really care.

“Are you alright?” she asked. Alexis spilled her guts to Strawberry with the whole story - Amber driving away Jason, who was her brother but not really her brother and that she was in love with him, Nana dying and Amber getting her hand stuck in the honey pot. Strawberry was kind enough to commersite with her. “Take it out on the old bakery,” she suggested, holding up a Brillo pad.

And she did. Alexis found an old Jock Jams cassette tape and boom box in the old bakery, rolled up her sleeves and took out all her anger and frustrations on the years of built up gunk on the functional professional equipment. She felt excited to make it hers and to start baking again, not just the breads and rolls for the communal meals but to really craft her confections there. By nightfall, the ovens were spotless, the pans were scrubbed, the floor was mopped. Cobwebs were dusted and the walls were adorned with a few treasures she’d saved from Nana’s trailer. She stood back to admire her work and was interrupted by the sound of clapping.

“Well done,” Jerry said, looking around the old bakery. Sasha was with him.

“I kind of want to go to WalMart to stock it,” Alexis said.

“Of course, don’t interrupt your process,” Sasha encouraged her, “Have you thought of a name for it?” Alexis thought for a second. A John Denver cassette was now playing softly on the boombox.

“How about Mountain Mama Munchies?” Alexis offered.

“I love it!” Jerry cheered. Alexis grinned, still feeling energized. “Here, stock it with this.” Jerry reached into his front pocket of his worn overalls and pulled out a crisp $100.

“I couldn’t,” Alexis started to protest but Jerry held up his hand.

“Consider it an angel investment,” he said with a wink. Alexis wondered why Jerry the old hippie who lived on a commune had a pocketful of crisp $100 bills but she was more excited to get her bakery up and running.

***

Alexis was already halfway into town when Jason walked up to the yellow farmhouse to use the phone. He had regretted leaving Alexis without telling her where he was going and wanted to let her know where he was and apologize. Having some distance between them put things into perspective for him; he was in love with her and didn’t care if their silly small town would collectively clutch their pearls over them being together. They were in West Virginia, for God’s sake and Jason was never even legally adopted by Alexis’ family. As soon as he walked into the kitchen, all the young women and some of the older ladies began to swoon. Jason was the only other eligible young man at Anavrin and being shirtless, clad in old, ripped jeans which slung low from his toolbelt, he was a treat to look at. Charlie glared at him from across the room.

“It’s about time you joined us,” Sunny said, looping her arm around his shoulders. Jason politely shrugged her off.

“I just need to make a phone call,” he said, hoping they’d give him some privacy but there was no such thing as privacy on a commune. He picked up the receiver and dialed Nana’s number that he’d known by heart since he was a young boy. To his surprise, Amber answered.

“What are you doing there,” Jason asked, surprised. “Are Alexis or Nana home?”

“Oh, you haven’t heard yet,” Amber said, “Nana died a couple days ago, me and my family moved into the trailer and Alexis left. I don’t know where she is.” Jason dropped the receiver in shock. He scrambled to pick it up, attracting the attention of Strawberry.

“Nana died?” he began to choke up. Nana was the only family he had, beside Alexis. She had raised him as one of her own.

“Yeah, so sad,” Amber said, emotionless.

“Do you know where I can reach Alexis?” he asked.

“Yeah, her phone,” Amber answered rudely and hung up. Jason immediately dialed Alexis’ cell phone but it went straight to voicemail, which was uncharacteristic of her. He left her a frantic message, half professing his love for her, half emoting his grief over Nana. It probably sounded like the ramblings of a madman, he thought as he ended the call about a minute too late. He went to run out of the house but was cornered by Strawberry before he could.

“I’m so sorry about your Nana,” she said, pulling him into a hug. He knew that Strawberry wanted to extend her free love policy to him but he had no interest. He was at Anavrin to do a job and keep a low profile. They were technically his clients. He stepped away from her but she pressed on. “Now, is Alexis your…”

“Sister,” he said, in no mood to explain the logistics of it. Strawberry nodded. She knew exactly who he was now and who he was looking for. Alexis had divulged the intricacies of their relationship to her already and Strawberry wasn’t feeling very charitable about reuniting them. Alexis had become Anavrin’s golden girl and now she was starting a bakery, using their equipment. And Charlie has had his eye on her since she arrived. Strawberry was determined not to be unseated as the queen bee of Anavrin and felt she could use her knowledge of Jason’s whereabouts to her advantage, somehow.