Chapter 2
Hazel
Everything happens for a reason. I keep telling myself that as I board the plane to Dallas. The things that have happened made me the strong willed person I am today, and yeah some of them were awful, but I have to stop and think what kind of person would I be if all those things never took place?
Damon, for example, lost his wife, and this wedding wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t save Tessa from the fire that day. They wouldn’t have crossed paths in such a way that threw them together and forced them to get to know each other and fall in love.
The wedding invitation came three weeks ago, and I hold off on replying because there are many things I need to consider. Aiden, for example. Sure, I’ve known all the Jackson brothers for over a decade, but I only dated and fell in love with one. Grapevine will always be my home, but I didn’t stay in contact with anyone besides my dad and brother once I left. It might seem trivial, but we all have lives and Damon didn’t hold that against me. We chatted on social media a couple of times since I left, but I never had the heart to ask how Aiden was doing. The fear that he has moved on and found someone, scared me. Sure, I did him dirty, but can he really hold what happened at eighteen against me? People make mistakes, learn from them, and then try to do better.
The thought of seeing Aiden causes my stomach to tighten. What the hell am I going to say to him? Sorry I left you, but look at me now? I’m not the type of person to rub my success in someone’s face, but I did bust my ass to get where I am today. I didn’t exactly have the best upbringing before I met my adoptive parents.
I spent most of my childhood years in foster care bouncing from home to home until I was thirteen. That’s when I went to stay with Donald and Regina. Not long after, Jeremy also got assigned to them. I didn’t bond with them for a while, because that’s what us foster kids do; hold off because it’s only a matter of time before they send us back and request a younger kid. Yet, they acted like how I wish my parents were. They made their home feel like just that—a home. Unlike the homes before them, they cared for us and didn’t take us in for the check.
As a kid, grades were important. The only way to go to Harvard to study law would be to have straight A’s, lots of volunteering, extracurricular, and high SAT scores. Law became important to me when I discovered a documentary on individuals who were charged and convicted of crimes decades ago with no concrete evidence. It lit a fire under my ass and every moment after was spent working towards the goal of making a difference. One guy was in jail for almost thirty-years before they finally overturned his conviction. That’s where my love for true crime began.
Landing in Dallas makes my head spin. Maybe I should’ve said no, sent a gift and continued on my merry way, but it’s also an opportunity to visit my dad and brother. It’s been way too long, and my dad isn’t getting any younger. I really need to make more of an initiative to visit more often.
I wonder what all the Jackson’s are up to now. Sometimes, it’s nice to see where everyone has ended up. My thoughts turn to Aiden and what he might be doing now? Is he married? Does he have kids? My stomach tenses at the thought. Sure, it’s been eight years, but you never forget your first love.
The cars are whizzing by me, causing a breeze as I stand outside the terminal, fidgeting with my bag. My brother, Jeremy, is supposed to be picking me up, but he should be here by now. Everyone I see, the excitement amps up and then I realize it’s not him. Where the hell is he? My eyes scour through the array of vehicles and toward the back I see Jeremy wave. The only luggage I have is a small carry-on because the last time I flew and checked my bag, it got lost. It rolls behind me as I move past the crowd on the sidewalk to his truck.
“Jump on in,” Jeremy says.
My ass hits the seat, and my carry-on is placed in front of me on the floor, not leaving much wiggle room. As we wait to get back into the flow of traffic, I lean over and give him a hug.
“So, how long are you staying?” he asks.
I hesitate because I don’t actually know. I did take two weeks off from work to take care of some things, but I might not be here that whole time. Instead of answering, I ask him about Dad.
“Get this. Some women hit on him, and he told her he was happily married.”
“Well, in his mind, he is. Just because mom died doesn’t mean he wants someone else. Can’t blame him a bit.”
After she died, our case worker tried to move us to a different home and separate us, but dad wouldn’t stand for it. He ended up making our family official and adopted both of us.
Conversation keeps us busy for the thirty-minute drive back to Grapevine, and it’s barely nine. My stomach growls and Jeremy takes that as a sign that we should stop and get some breakfast before heading to Dad’s. The only place in town I used to frequent is Lacy’s diner. Jeremy, the Jackson trio, and I used to come here after school and football games.
The bell atop the door sounds as we walk inside, and grab a booth toward the back with glass windows showing main street. It’s reminiscent of being back here, in this booth.
“So, how is it being a big shot?”
I laugh because he’s far from the truth. “That’s not me yet. Maybe someday.”
The menus are already on the tabletop, so I browse like I’m not going to get the same thing as usual. Black coffee and a breakfast sampler, always.
A young woman comes over and takes our order, and flirts with Jeremy. I almost forget that he lives here, and it’s a small town. Everyone knows he’s a bachelor.
“Wow, you got an admirer. Why don’t you ask her out?”
He laughs, and shrugs. “Don’t really have time to date right now.”
The diner doesn’t look like it’s changed a bit. The walls still have old signs hanging, and the booths haven’t been upgraded since it opened. We didn’t come here for the way it looks, but more about the people. They are all friendly, and give you that small town vibe. Reminds me of that bar Cheers, where everybody knows your name.
“Hazel, is that you?” Patty asks, pulling me in for a hug. “We wondered if you were ever gonna come back.”
She has worked here for as long as I can remember, and ninety-percent of the time she was our waitress.
“Back to visit dad and go to Damon’s wedding.”