Wow...it's been a really long time since I've updated. Things have been hectic but thanks to some much needed encouragement from two very thoughtful reviewers, here's another chapter. It's not extremely action packed, but it's building up to a few surprises that are soon to come. Degrassi's not mine; the characters are sadly not mine (except for Jimmy's family). Please R&R and look forward to the next chapter coming in a much timelier manner than this one. Thanks for bearing with me guys!
The end of the school year came and went, and it was time for the Brooks to travel to Tennessee. Mrs. Brooks attributed Jimmy's moodiness before the trip to
anxiety about being away from Ashley. Luckily, she figured, Ashley went to visit her father in London before they left for Tennessee and would return to Toronto
only a few days before they did. Mrs. Brooks reassured Jimmy that Ashley would be there waiting when he got back. Jimmy seemed to lighten up and was even
excited during their flight and the subsequent ride from the airport to his grandmother's house. As they pulled up, his excitement fizzled at the sight of nearly
twenty of his relatives gathered on the large front porch of the sprawling ranch that served as a plantation years and years ago. Darius Brooks parked the car and
unloaded the trunk, setting Jimmy's chair behind the car and then carrying their bags into the house. As his mother applied a fresh coat of lipstick, Jimmy shifted
uncomfortably. She looked back at him, signaling that it was time to get out of the car.
"Mom, I'm not doing that in front of everyone."
"Okay, Jim, how do you plan on getting out of the car?"
"I'm not."
"Well as much as I love you, I'm not going to let you sit in here with the car running. We both know you can't stay out in the heat. So you now have two choices; transfer on your own or I'll have your dad come back outside and help you into your chair."
"You mean 'force', not help."
"Jimmy, I don't know what else to do. We're sitting in front of my mother's house with the entire family waiting on the porch, ready to welcome us home. Its ninety nine degrees in the shade, you need to get inside quickly, unless you'd rather spend this vacation in the hospital. One way or another you have to get out of this car. You're breaking my heart sweetie."
"Mom, I...I...I just can't."
"Jimmy I'm going to bring your chair around and you're going to get out of the car. End of discussion."
"Fine, I'm getting out." Jimmy kept his word, transferring fluidly from the car to his wheelchair. His anxiety seemed to fade away as his mother's family greeted him
enthusiastically. Jimmy's grandmother, whom everyone called Nanny, nearly squeezed him to death. Next in line came Jimmy's aunts, uncles, and cousins, who were
practically falling over each other trying to get to him. This welcoming party was becoming quite a circus. Mr. Brooks had seen enough, he was never excessively
affectionate and this display was definitely overkill for him. He announced, "I'm glad that you all love my son, but can you guys bring it down a thousand? At least
let him come up for air between hugs." Jackie agreed with her brother-in-law. "For the first time since I've met him, Darius has a point. We should let them get
settled before dinner." Jimmy gave his aunt an appreciative smile as she walked over to him.
"Hey nephew! That was quite an entrance you made. Between us, I think your dad was a little jealous. No one's ever been that happy to see him." Jackie was mischievous if she was anything and teasing Darius was a favorite pastime of hers. Jimmy laughed and quickly turned serious.
"Aunt Jackie, where's your fiancée? Everyone's a little excited because I'm here, but I haven't forgotten the real reason for this trip. We came down here so that I could decide whether or not you can marry him." That statement earned Jimmy a playful punch in the arm.
"My fiancée's name is Earnest and you'll meet him tomorrow. Now that you're done worrying about grown folk's business, follow me. Nanny told me to show you around the house while she gets ready to serve dinner." Jimmy shifted in his chair and looked up at his aunt curiously.
"Show me around?" Jackie smirked and motioned for him to follow her. To Jimmy's surprise, his grandmother had changed her house for the first time since he could remember.
The hardwood floors were beautiful and the house looked much more spacious with the new open floor plan. To the untrained eye, the house had simply been
remodeled for cosmetic purposes. Jimmy suspected otherwise and those suspicions were confirmed upon seeing "the guest room." The guest room was remarkably
similar to his room at home, from the trapeze bar hanging above the bed to the grab bars on the wall in the adjacent bathroom. Jimmy inhaled sharply and forced a
smile onto his face. Jackie patted his shoulder and allowed a comfortable silence to fall between them. The silence was interrupted by the loud commotion stirring in
the kitchen. Jackie said, "Well Jim, it sounds like your favorite cousins are here." Jimmy had three cousins his age, Brad, Kevin, and Smith. They were as handsome
as Jimmy and mischievous as they were handsome. Trouble followed the boys wherever they went; and things got even worse when Jimmy was in town. Like
clockwork, a crooked smirk worked its way into Jimmy's countenance at the mention of his cousins as he thought about their crazy antics that would undoubtedly
get them all into trouble within the weekend.
Jackie interrupted Jimmy's thoughts, "Freshen up so you and the terrible three can be free to terrorize Tennessee after dinner. Your bags are in the closet. Should I leave them on the floor or put them on the bed?"
Jackie hadn't seen too much of Jimmy since the shooting but somehow she'd mastered the art of offering her help without insulting him. Jimmy could only hope that
the rest of the family would be equally adept in adjusting to seeing him in a wheelchair.
"The bed sounds good."
"Okay, if you need anything just holler."
"Jackie, I'm good. I'll be ready in about fifteen minutes."
"It's Aunt Jackie. You're in the south, you should know better! Anyhow, when you're done come out to the deck. There's a ramp that starts at the back door."
"Another ramp?"
"I don't suppose you were planning on taking the stairs?" With that, Jackie left Jimmy to get ready.
