#jacellen

Zerelda kept her eyes focused on Jack. “When Frank saw the horse in the pen, we thought it was another thief with common brains to hid in an abandoned house; enough to know we kept an eye on this one. I never in all my years expected to see you again after all these years, since the funeral. But enough of that, the least you two can do is put on some clothes for God’s sake! What would Jeremiah say if he was the one who’d caught you. Although, the lad’s works is” Zerelda looked down towards Jack’s giving a sly smirk “very impressive.” 

Jack and Hellen stumbled to grab blankets close by to them, covering themselves. Jack was blushing hard at Zerelda’s comment as he covered his lower half. 

“I managed to bring some eggs and bacon along for breakfast, and I have some fresh coffee grounds to boil for you all. Figured we must catch up over a spot of breakfast.” Zerelda lowered her rifle.

Jack blinked as he stood up, wrapping himself. “I’m confused.”

Zerelda blinked in disbelief. “I would be more forgiving due to your British accent that you don’t know me, but after fucking with Hellen for who knows how long, I’ll have to have a word with her.”

“I’m sorry.” Hellen muttered embarrassed. “Jack, this is Zerelda Samuel, the mother of Jesse James and my godmother.”

Zerelda was preparing the pans over the stove for the breakfast meal as Hellen spoke. Jack was amazed how a woman with only one hand can be fast with the preparation. “And the one who managed to keep you alive after all your childhood mishaps while your father fought in the war and beyond. And mind you two, that due to me watching you while that yank of a father of yours won the war with the damn union, I was watching you.”

As Zerelda chatter on, Hellen took Jack’s hand and pulled them into Jeremiah’s bedroom, shutting the door behind them.

“How can you tolerate that woman insulting you Hellen?” Jack asked.

Hellen walked towards a dresser, pushing her loose curls behind her ear. “She raised me. Most southerners or formal supporters of the confederates have a chip on their shoulder of the union after the war.”

Jack was still learning from Hellen of the previous war, even though he did heard of the outcomes of the war through London newspapers. Jack gave a small smile to himself. “I can certainly see where you get your…” Jack stopped as he saw Hellen turning toward him, still naked from the night before. She was holding a bundle of folded up mens clothes in her arms. She handed them to Jack.

“Better put these on.” Hellen smiled. “We better not let Zerelda squawk more.” 

Jack looked down at the bundle. He saw a white shirt with a brown vest and trousers. 

“It was my pa’s. I’m surprised the mice didn’t make a home in them.” Hellen took the bundle down as Jack gripped the white shirt. He allowed the cloth to unfold and loosely cover his chest as he turned and looked in the mirror. Jack noticed that he looked more rugged with the whiskers slowly growing on his chin. He then remembered Jeremiah, as he stared in the mirror looking at the shirt that the man he’d admired must of worn. The sudden realization that Jeremiah was gone, a sense of quiet grief overwhelmed him. What would of happened if Jacob allowed him to return with Jeremiah? Would he of helped him fight off McGriffon’s men? 

Why? Why Jacob? Why did you rob Hellen and I of that man!

 Jack dropped the shirt and stormed outside. 

“Jack? Jack?” Hellen called out. 

Jack continued to walk through the house and stood at the edge of the porch. His rage boiled his blood. How could Jacob rob more than one persons life? He needed to return to London. Soon.

“I know Hellen has a poor taste in fashion, but wasn’t worth rushing out here.”

Jack turned to see Zerelda standing at the doorway. “Now I suspect there’s more to this than twenty year old clothes.”

Jack turned to stare at the wooden horizon. “It’s not of your concern ma’am.” 

He felt a tightening grip on his right shoulder, feeling strong bony fingers digging into his shoulder. He turned, and looking eye to eye with Zerelda, he was forced to look into the woman’s icy blue eyes.

“When it comes to Hellen, it’s my damn concern.” She pressured Jack to sit on the top steps of the porch, joining him in the progress. “So, what is making you as sour as a crabapple son?”

Jack sighed, rubbing his eyes together. “Honestly, I’m full of anger and frustration towards someone who…who didn’t wish for me to…be adopted by Jeremiah.”

Zerelda nodded, giving a small smile. “I see. Must be related when he went to London years ago didn’t it? I was watching Hellen at that time for him. She managed to make more trouble than her life is worth according to most. You know, come to think of it, when Jeremiah came back, I noticed he was extremely depressed. Of course he wouldn’t say. Jeremiah was always the quiet type. Anyways, he wished hard that Hellen would of had an older sibling to help her through growing up. I had to be stern since he was judging my boys for their life styles. But now that seeing and hearing this, I can understand. You had the look of a man who had it a long and rough for you.”

Both the older woman and Jack looked at the horse pen to see the mare grazing on the overgrown grass that was now starting to look more presentable. “You listen to me Jack. I got something to say so listen good. I lost two sons due to a line of misfortunes, and I don’t want to see any one of them in a path that could be self destructing. I love Hellen like a daughter. A granddaughter. And I’ve never seen her glowing with a love for any man outside of her family. Sure she had an admiration for Jesse, more of siblings; but you Jack.” Zerelda patted his leg. “You’ve brought the beauty out of her.”

“She’s always been beautiful.” Jack stated.

“Because you help her come out of the shell of grief. That’s what love does. Love is not about finding the right person, but on creating a right relationship. It’s not about how much you had in the beginning, but how much love you build towards the end. Don’t let this be your end son. Make this a new beginning for the both of you.”

Jack closed his eyes, feeling the breeze through his hair. The old bat was right. He always made a new start. With Hellen. She brought color into his darkened world. He gave a nod, realizing that he needed to except the possibility of a new life. 

“Thank you.” He expressed to the woman in a quiet whisper. “You seemed to be wiser then anyone of this world.”

“Don’t fool yourself boy, I raised three boys for heavens sake. And I must admit, I seemed to had found the wrong stallion to produce fine sons.” He noticed that she was looking down towards his crotch. Jack covered his face in embarrassment.

Zerelda chuckled. “You best better get back inside and dress yourself Jack.”

Jack nodded, got himself up and strolled back into the house. He once again entered into the bedroom, seeing Hellen stroking a long green piece of fabric. Jack placed a hand on Hellen’s shoulder. She looked up and looked deep into Jack’s blue eyes.

“Are you alright Jack?” She asked quietly.

Jack felt ashamed hearing the quietness in her voice. She was scared he would of left. He knew he had to make right. 

“Hellen. I’m sorry…I…I felt…”

“No need. In fact you missed me feeling all choked up seeing some of the dresses I’d found.” Hellen played with the fabric Jack realized was a dress. “Was my mother’s. Guess my pa wanted me to have them when I would be old enough.”

Jack was about to say something when there was a booming voice shocking the quiet moment. “For God’s sake you two. Get dressed and be ready for breakfast! But first, Hellen, you’r in a desperate need for a haircut.” The old woman turned to Jack. “Now you change outside Jack. We’ll be out shortly. And when your done, watch the bacon and flip them would you.”

     Jack nodded. He took the clothes on the bed and stepped outside the room, where he put on the clothes. The clothes fitted as if they were made for him. Once he fashioned himself, he steps into the kitchen to finish cooking the bacon. He managed to save the bacon fat into a jar. After a few minutes, and eating his small portion of bacon, eggs, and biscuits that Zerelda brough, he saw Zerelda walking in with a grin. 

“Best better look at her son. She’s now a swan.”

Jack didn’t need to be told twice. He hoisted himself up and walked into the bedroom, where at the door, his jaw literally dropped. Hellen had a clean haircut removing a few inches of hair that looked cleaner, but the dress helped showed a side of Hellen he’d never seen. In fact, he’d never seen her in a dress. He stepped closer to her, stroking her hair. 

“You look…” He caught his breath.

Hellen smiled. “You look handsome yourself Jackass.” She traced his stubbled cheek and pulled him in for a kiss. Both of them moaned as Hellen felt Jack’s pants hardening.

“Breakfast! Now! Your sexual intercourse can wait!” Zerelda’s booming voice shook the room, causing the couple to part.

Jack gave a breath and smiled. “Later.”