Page 55 of Enough

“Umm, well I guess I want to know where you were in your earlier years. What was life like for you?”

Jaden sat back in his seat and mused over her question. He grabbed a glass of water and took a large sip.

“I can only account for the last twenty years of my life,” he sighed.

Claudia’s eyes widened.

“I was ten years old when my mother passed away. It was a home invasion. At the time, the only people in the house were me, Josiah, my mother, and my sisters who were upstairs in their crib. Jonas had gone to the store and Julian, Jonathon, and Jordon, were outside playing around. When the men came in, they wore ski masks, and held big guns. You would think we had drugs in our home with the way they rushed the house.”

Jaden took another sip of water.

“I saw them from the banister on the second floor. When they kicked in our front door, it was earsplitting, like a crack of lightning. I ran to my father’s cabinet, where he kept his rifles and pulled one off the shelf. Josiah was too young to carry one, so it was up to me to protect us.”

Jaden paused, his eyes dropping to the food that sat in front of him as he stared off into space.

“I ran up on the tallest one with my gun aimed at his head. I could’ve taken the shot, but I failed to check the rest of the house first. One of his partners hit me over the head with the butt of his gun, and I passed out. When I came to, Jonas was standing over me, and Josiah was standing next to him.”

Jaden’s voice imitated the younger version of himself. “Did you get em?” I asked Jonas.

“No, get up you have to help me find, Jonathon, Julian, and Jordan.” He said. “He was panicked, and at the time, I didn’t know our mother wasn’t alive.”

Claudia covered her mouth with her hand.

“To make an extremely long story short. I haven’t been able to remember anything since that day. Memories of my mother before that point are a blur. I thought I was being punished for not living up to the hero I know I could’ve been. And although I know Jonas feels responsible because he’s the oldest, I’m the next in line, and I was there. I’ve had to live with the guilt of not saving my mother, and for a long while, I wouldn’t speak. As my family’s reputation grew, I made sure to stay out of the limelight. With my father and brother’s help of course. We all carry a bit of the traumatic event but none more than me.”

“Jaden…” Claudia said. “You sound as if you still blame yourself. You were ten years old. It’s not your fault.”

Jaden offered Claudia an easy smile. “I know that now.”

“But you still feel responsible.”

“Of course, I’m a man, sure I was a boy then, but that’s no excuse. I can take it in stride now. I don’t dwell on it or have pity parties. But to answer your question, that’s the reason you didn’t see much of me. It was only when Jonas took me under his wing did I show an interest in anything outside of my head. It took me five years before I spoke my first word again. Jonas and I were playing basketball in the garage as my other brothers looked on from the sideline. I’d made the three-point shot winning the game. I screamed. Yeaaah! And my brother’s all turned to me, surprised.” Jaden chuckled. “I was kind of surprised, too. That was a beautiful day. I wasn’t completely myself again, but I would say something here and there. Another five years passed and I was Jaden again, except for the fact that the only memory I have of my mother is her death.”

Jaden went quiet again and this time Claudia spoke up.

“Are you the one who started her foundation?”

“I proposed the idea but we all contributed to making it a reality. Jan’s Roses, named after my mother, Janet. Devoted to assisting victims’ families of home invasions. My brother, Jonathon runs it.”

“I admire you,” Claudia said. “You are a fearless man, Jaden. You were then, and you are now. Some people don’t come back when they go through tragedy. You are loved unconditionally, and your support system is strong. I’m sure your mother is happier than anything that you survived. And you’re going to be an excellent father and make some woman lucky one day.” She smiled, “I’ll place a bet on that.”

I guess you’ll find out Jaden thought. The turn of his thoughts pulled at Jaden’s chest. He tried to dismiss the sudden promise. But it refused to go away. He smiled at her, and their conversation remained light for the remainder of the evening. There was still a twinge of spicy barbeque on their lips when they decided to take their leave.

Now standing on a field of green grass, nervous energy surrounded Claudia as she stared at the largest balloon she’d ever seen. In awe at the size of it, she turned to Jaden. “Have you ever ridden a balloon ride before?”

“I can’t say that I have.” He slid his arm around her shoulders. “Are you worried?”

Instead of pretending, she admitted outright, “Yes, I am.”

Watching her intensely had become second nature for Jaden, he loved that she was so fascinated like a kid on Christmas. The guide approached with his hand held out. “Good evening, you must be Mr. Rose.”

“Yes sir,” Jaden shook his hand, “And this is—”

“Mrs. Rose,” the guide spoke up without giving Jaden a chance to finish.

When Jaden didn’t correct the guide, Claudia turned to him flustered.

“Mrs. Rose,” Jaden said a gleam in his eyes, “This way.”

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