Page 9 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Three

Jerry

Zombie-like, I enterthe double doors to Willow Creek Nursing Home. It’s always a gamble. I never know what to expect when I come here. Will she look at me blankly? Will there be warmth in her eyes?

A familiar sweet smiling face greets me at reception. “I was starting to worry.” She laughs and offers me a pen.

“Jane, I rarely miss a Monday visit.” I fill out the visitor book.

She pushes her long caramel locks from her shoulder and nods. “Yes, I know. And you’ll be glad you made it.”

“Oh yeah?”

She leans in closer. “Joan’s having a good day. Hopefully, you’ll catch Aggie before she passes out. She’s been a bit worn out lately. Having trouble sleeping.”

As much as I love my Aunt Aggie, I need to be in the right frame of mind to be with her. She’s sharp as a tack, but the last stroke took her ability to speak, and she’s now bound to a chair. I can’t imagine being trapped inside her own body like that. She’s gone downhill the last few years. I see her as often as I can, but a part of me dies every time I look inside those imprisoned eyes.

***

“You’ve barely saida word in the last hour.” Nana gives me a light pinch on my upper arm. “What’s wrong with you, boy?”

“Nothin’.” Except the fact that there’s a new woman in town that I can’t get out of my head. Those striking blue eyes with the sweetest threads of caramel. Curves, smooth skin, and silky locks I itch to touch.

God, I acted like such a douche in the car. I can’t communicate with women sober. Dumb shit just comes out of my mouth. Which is why I kept my gob shut most of the way. It was much easier talking to her at the bonfire.When I had half a dozen scotches under my belt.

“It’s a woman, isn’t it?” Nan’s harsh tone cuts through my thoughts. How does she know?

“Fine. It’s a woman. But it doesn’t matter.”

“Of course, it matters. She’s obviously on your mind because you’re off with the goddamn fairies.”

I’ve got no hope of getting anything past Nan. On her normal days, anyway.

“It don’t matter ’cause she’s too good for me.”

“Ah, poppy cock. No one’s too good for my Jerry.”

If only she knew half the shit I’ve got up to since moving out of home. A friendly conversation with our local law enforcement would give her more cause to doubt howgoodI am.

I can’t allow myself to think things will happen with her.

Distance. It’s what I need. As soon as this school job is over, I’ve got no excuse to be near there.

Besides, it’s not like she made any hints in the car. She’s single but seemed hesitant to take the conversation any further. I don’t blame her. I’m not the lively spirit she met at the bonfire. That’s happy Jerry. Jerry on the scotch. Jerry seemingly without a care in the fucking world.The Jerry I prefer to be.

I can’t let myself feel things.

I can’t get close to anyone.

Because of him.

The sweet teacher doesn’t need to get dragged into my shit—the mess in my head and the financial situation I’m in. I need to give the property more attention and come up with some fucking solutions. Before jumping in and sinking every dollar to my name into a derelict lavender farm, I should’ve done my research. I’ve got something to prove to my family. That I can be my own man, make my own decisions...

I guess if it all goes to shit, I can burn the fields and start over.Although where will I find the money to re-do the crop with a great whopping mortgage over my head?

My phone lights up with a text message from a number I don’t know. I scoop up the device and swipe the screen.

“What have I said to you about phones at the table, Jerry?” Nana barks.

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