Helen brings back a tray of drinks, and Jackson laughs.
“Let’s see if you two are as good when you’ve got some drinks in you.”
“That doesn’t sound wise,” I say. “Wielding an axe and alcohol?”
“You don’t know a fun time until you’ve had a drink and thrown an axe,” Jackson says.
“I don’t even want to ask,” I say, holding up my hand. “You and your great ideas.”
“If you take a shot and get three bull’s-eyes in a row, you get to skip the Lutheran Jell-O at Easter,” Jackson says, pointing at Camden, “and I’ll eat it.”
“Done and done,” Camden says.
“And if I take a shot and get in any of the circles three times in a row, you have to eat the Jell-Oandask Sandy for her hotdish,” Jackson says. “Goldie made me try some that one time Sandy brought it over for Everett, and that stuff is godawful.”
I snort and shake my head. “How is that fair?”
Camden laughs. “It’s okay. I’ll take the deal.” He points at Jackson. “Get ready to eat a lot of Jell-O…with mayo on top.”
Jackson’s eyes widen, and he looks afraid.
Camden has just taken a shot and made one bull’s-eye when Mom calls.
“Ohhh, it’s Mom. I hate to miss Camden beating you soundly, but I should get this. I meant to call her last night, but I fell asleep too early,” I say, holding up my hand and moving where it’s quieter to answer.
“Hello?” I say.
“Hello, Juliana.”
“Uh-oh, you’re saying my full name.” I laugh.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” she asks.
“As a matter of fact there is, but it sounds like you may already know.” I scrunch up my face. “Sorry, Mom. It all kind of snowballed over here.”
“I’m just so excited I can’t even take it,” she says, her voice breaking into a sob. “I’m not sad, I’m not sad,” she rushes to say. “I wish Stella could be here to know this is happening. She wanted the two of you to be together so badly.” She sniffles and laughs a little, blowing her nose. “Tell me everything.”
So I go back to the beginning and try to give her the abbreviated version.
We’re both crying and laughing by the time I hang up.
“Who won?” I ask, walking toward the group. I wipe the tears from my face and dab my nose.
“I’m gonna need a big bottle of Tums at Easter,” Jackson grumbles.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
ALIGNMENT
CAMDEN
Past: Camden, age 27, Juju, age 25
Chef Camden Whitman of Whitman’s in Denver, Colorado, discusses life as a restaurant owner…a Michelin-starred restaurant owner. Tonight at ten.
I wasn’t sure I could stand to watch myself on the news, even though my staff had stayed beyond their shifts to watch it with the rest of the working crew. Just because we’d gotten a star didn’t mean we could stop working. The restaurant was still full; in fact, my friends from the Colorado Mustangs were sitting at a large table out there right now, feasting on every appetizer we had, our finest steaks and lobster, and the risotto that melted in your mouth.
Life was good, and I wanted to keep it that way.
