Jaune popped a CD titled Trap Hits. A mixtape that he and Pyrrha created when they were in high school. The days before instant download and listening to YouTube while driving became the norm. The scratched overused CD still had its charm as he began listening to trip-hop from yesteryear. With Joey being babysat over her Aunt Weiss', he decided to make a trip over to the Belladonna residence. Last night didn't fair well with Blake after her offering of making him dinner. Guilt consumed his mind. It made him return to the time when Pyrrha was still alive and her beliefs on subtlety and giving.
'When someone offers to thank you, sweetie. Allow them to bless you. If you withhold, then you hinder their blessing.'
'What if I don't want it? I am not being mean. I just don't want to pry.'
'It's not about prying, dear. When someone is kind and free-hearted, that sounds that there are people in this world still worth a damn.'
'That's why I love you, sweetie. You always know the right thing to say.'
'Thanks, sweetheart. Understand I don't say these things as a sing-song or it sounds good. Apply this to your everyday life and for the sake of our daughter.'
'I know, Pyrrha.'
'She needs to have prime examples of these things. I don't need our daughter to feel as though she is entitled to anything. Teach her to be subtle and free-hearted.'
It was amazing how valuable Pyrrha's words ring through his ear. He could still hear her voice. It was like a whisper in the wind. A reminder to keep himself in check. Occasionally, he called her advice and that voice his little angel. He was quite grateful to have an angel in the sky to watch over him and their little Joey.
It was a quarter after ten in the morning when he parked in front of Blake's residence. He didn't even inform her of his arrival. It was on the whim. He was grateful that Weiss was available (although it didn't come cheap and he now owed her a favor). Her white Fiat was sitting in the driveway as he stepped out of the vehicle. He placed his hands into his pocket, a habit he did in which he tried to figure out on what to say to her.
He needed to think quickly. He was already knocking at the door.
"Who is it," said the voice from behind the door.
"Hi. It's Jaune. Jaune Arc," said Jaune. How formal, he thought. He just dropped off Blake not that long ago. Not only that, they were childhood friends. The awkwardness of this let him know that he had been out of the loop for a moment.
The door opened. The scent of cinnamon entranced his nose. Blake was quite surprised to see him standing in her doorway. The sound of smooth jazz was exiting out of her home. She was wearing her casual clothing. A white sweatshirt that displayed her place of work and red jogging pants. She was wearing a red bandana. It seemed as though he interrupted her.
"Listen, sorry to intrude," said Jaune nervously. As he began to step back and head to the car, Blake edged forward. She gave him a pleasant smile.
"No, no, you are well," she told Jaune. "I was in the middle of cleaning, studying. A bit of both. I am a multitasker." She stepped aside to let him in. "Come inside. I can use the excuse of taking a brain break anyway."
Blake led Jaune to the living room. It was a typical standard living room. It had a sofa and a love seat that was low to the ground. It had the post oak coffee table as its centerpiece. She had an alcove adjacent to the living room. There wasn't a television set there. He could tell that she already use the room. The newly scent of the furniture gave it away.
She clicked her tongue carefully. "As you may know, I am not a big fan of television," she informed him as she invited him to take a seat. "And my parents just gave me this furniture."
Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he blushed. "What gave it away?"
She pressed forward, scratching behind her ears. "Your facial expressions. You were always an easy read." She walked toward the kitchen. Its open format allowed Jaune to see Blake as she stepped inside. She grabbed the kettle from the stove and then put out two cups from the cabinet. "It was like Oum told me to do this. I normally don't study on a Saturday morning, but it was something that needs to be finished."
Jaune saw at her desk nearby from the kitchen that she had many books that were opened. "What are you studying?"
"Social work," she informed him as she poured water into the cup. "Do you prefer green, oolong, or barley tea?"
"Green is fine," said Jaune. "Social work. Planning to leave the teaching business?"
"Nah," she stated as she appeared to the living room and handed Jaune his cup. He nodded thanks as she sat on the couch adjacent to him. "I want to become an advocate for students that are being misrepresented."
"Interesting," replied Jaune. "Yet again, you have always been an advocate for Faunuses back in school."
She wavered her hand. "It was my pleasure. It was people like Cardin that made me do it. That supremacy of his messed with me." She coughed. "Excuse me for this, but the hate he gave really fucked with me."
He laughed as Blake wasn't really much of a person that cursed. He took a sip of the tea that was quite delicious. He confirmed by his pleasant sigh. She produced a smile.
"I think it's an admirable trait, Blake," said Jaune genuinely. "You will be great!"
"Thanks," she said before taking a sip. "So, what brings you over here?"
The big question revealed.
He stammered before catching his tongue. "I wanted to apologize the other night on how I approached you."
She raised her eyebrow. "How you approached me?"
He nodded. "When you offered to make me dinner and I turned you down?"
She raised her finger when realizing what he was talking about. "Oh, don't worry about it, Jaune! I wanted to thank you for what you did for protecting me from those goons."
"Right," he said. "Still, what I did wasn't called for." He tried remembering the advice that his former wife gave him. "When I hinder a blessing, you don't receive it."
Blake furrowed her eyebrows. From her position, it looked as if she didn't think Jaune could become philosophical. "Well, I wasn't thinking that deep."
"I feel as though I didn't serve you any justice for turning you down," said Jaune.
"It happens, Jaune. It was out of a nice gesture. I hope I didn't keep you up at night," said Blake.
"No, you didn't," said Jaune. "However, I want to pay you back somehow."
"Pay me back," questioned Blake. She couldn't help but smile at him. "Relax, Jauney. You won't be going to hell because you turned down my offer." She sighed heavily. "Honestly, I was so exhausted and still in shock over that day that I ordered take-out and went to sleep."
A sense of relief entered in Jaune. "Good, good! I mean, good that you are better from that day."
Blake picked up her teacup. "Oum, Jaune. Even after all of this, you still get nervous or having uncertainty." She took a sip of her tea. "Some things just don't change." She took another sip. "But, I find it cute."
Jaune instantly turned red when hearing that. Blake crossed her legs and gave herself affirmation. "Still the same vomit boy, aren't you?"
About an hour passed as the former schoolmates were catching up. Jaune explained that Weiss' father was teaching him the business so that he would eventually become a businessman. He updated her about his family and how things have been since his father's death. Blake explained to Jaune how her parents were pressing her about marriage. She had contemplated about leaving town but was unsure of what was stopping her.
One thing that they discussed, in particular, was about Joey.
Blake poured him another cup of tea. There were scones and cookies on the coffee table. "Joey has a strong intellect. She is capable of excelling any task I give her. We still need to work on her emotional development."
Jaune nodded with her. "Joey is quite attached. She's a Daddy's girl. Well, she anyone's girl who means a lot to her."
Blake was careful to tread around the subject. "How's Joey when knowing she doesn't have a mother?"
Jaune nearly dropped his cup. A strong wave of emotion hit the pit of his stomach. However, he promised himself to not give in to tears. "I tell her good things about her Mommy like any good father should." He took another bite of his scone. "She knows that her Mommy is in heaven with her Grandpa. She sort of looks like her mother in the face."
Blake scratched under her chin. "I say it because." She paused. She took a breath before returning to the matter at hand. "We have a Mother's Day program approaching and each child will have their mothers. I was wondering on how you may feel about that?"
"I was thinking about letting my sister, Jan or Jeanette, come in her mother's stead," admitted Jaune. "Or I might let my mom do it. I am quite unsure."
"Jaune, don't take this the wrong way," said Blake. "This program is nothing more than a size-up. Rich, spoiled parents trying to show off who is the better parent. Then, you are mothers that prey on anyone that don't have mothers." She scoffed. "Excuse me, but it's crap. The reason why I ask was because I wanted to see can you come instead."
"Me?"
"Yes. To let the other mothers know that it's okay to be without a mother. At least there is a father who is playing both roles," she said to him. "Believe it or not, Jaune. You are a wonderful father. I admire you for that." She blushed. "In fact, I am quite jealous of you."
Jaune didn't answer as he was still digesting her words.
"I care about Joey. She is actually one of my favorites, if not my favorite," she told him. "The girl has the potential to go places and with proper training, she could be college ready by the time she is fifteen." She took Jaune's hand. "Invest in her...for me."
Jaune stood at her door as he prepared to return to pick up Joey. He looked at Blake. "Thanks for the time. I really enjoyed it."
"I am glad that you came and visited. You are welcome to come back anytime."
"No problem," said Jaune. He embraced his friend and headed out to the driveway.
"Jaune?"
He turned around. "Yeah?"
"I have some spare tickets to go to the fair next weekend," she said to him. "My parents can't go and I don't like wasting tickets. Plus, they are nonrefundable."
"Sure."
"What?"
Jaune nodded with a smile. "Joey and I wouldn't mind going to the fair with you."
"Really?"
"Yeah! Look at it as a payback for turning down your meal and being a great teacher to Joey."
She rubbed her flushed cheeks. "Okay! I will call you later...for details."
"Sure. Catch you around."
Jaune gave a final wave before entering the vehicle. As he closed the door, he felt a strange sensation. A sensation that he hasn't felt in years.
Not since the day when he had met Pyrrha.
He turned on the engine and put the car into motion. He and Pyrrha's mixtape was on. He nodded his head to the music as he was heading to get Joey. I don't mind hanging out with Blake. As you said, Pyrrha, don't do anything to hinder their blessing. I will be sure to give Blake her blessing, Pyrrha.
To be continued….