Jaxon had been working with Emma for a few weeks now and he really enjoyed it. He didn’t mind waking up early because that meant he could watch the sunrise, and he didn’t mind staying late to close because then he could watch the sunset. Since he was a boy, Jaxon always loved to watch the sky change as it welcomed and dismissed the day - it was comforting to him to know he had made it another day. It wasn’t that he was concerned about not waking up one day, the stability just brought him comfort and he saw no reason not to enjoy it. Working at a coffee shop was not what he envisioned for himself, but he was rather content with it. He would start his days at four am helping Susan prepare breakfast and clean a little before he started his thirty minute walk to the cafe. Emma gave him his own copy of the keys last week so he didn’t have to wait for her to arrive before he could open the shop now. First he would start the pastries, usually some doughnuts and bear claws with whatever else Emma left a note for. If she didn’t have anything specific in mind she would let Jaxon decide what he wanted to make that day. He would never tell her, but those mornings were his favorite because he got to express some creativity and Emma always doted on the pastries he made saying they were the most delicious and how she was so happy she found him. As if he was some trash panda who wandered in her shop one day begging for scraps. After those were in the oven, Jaxon moved the chairs down and cleaned the tables and around that time Emma would show up with as much sunshine and cheer as humanly possible. Jaxon honestly thought she was on some kind of prescription those first few days, but after spending time with Emma he realized that was just her personality. Bubbly and excitable and happy-go-lucky. It was definitely different for him, but he didn’t hate it. Honestly, he kind of enjoyed her smiling face in the morning and even after a rough day at work she would always grin and say she can’t wait to see him tomorrow. Emma even let Jaxon take a few minutes to himself every day to watch the sunrise and sunset. He never asked, but she noticed how he would watch the sun throughout the day and put two and two together telling him that he could take as many breaks during the day as he needed so long as they didn’t get behind. She even showed him the hidden stairwell to the roof where she had a small table and nook she set up for slow days or just when she needed to decompress from all the people. 

It was around the third month Jaxon had been at the shop when his world started to change. Susan and George had been acting a little off lately, but Jaxon couldn’t quite figure out why. Never one to butt into anyone’s business, he figured they would tell him if they wanted to. After a rather arduous day at work in which several groups of college students came in to cram for midterms, Jaxon finally made it home around nine that evening only to find Susan and George waiting for him in the kitchen. They were talking in hushed voices, but stopped immediately upon noticing Jaxon enter. “Good evening dear,” Susan said sweetly. “How was work? Do you want any dinner?” Before he had time to answer Susan set down a plate filled to the brim with baked ham, cornbread, and steamed collards. Originally from South Carolina, Susan was a sucker for southern cooking and loved to dote on Jaxon making sure he ate everything and often plying him with seconds. Suspicious, Jaxon raised an eyebrow and refused to touch the mela in front of him waiting patiently for Susan to tell him what was going on. He could see her deflate slightly as she took her seat again and reached for George’s hand. “Oh dear,” she started, “how do I put this? You see Jaxon, George and I - well we…”, George squeezed her hand letting her know he would take over from here. “We defaulted on our mortgage and we have to sell the house. We have until the end of the month to leave and unfortunately that means so do you.” Jaxon’s eyebrows rose in shock and his mouth dropped open like a fish gasping for oxygen. How could this happen? They had great retirements and although they paid Jaxon he didn’t think he was taking hat much from them. Is there anything i could do to help? Before he could utter a word, George held up his hand to let him know he wasn’t done speaking. “Now I know this is awful sudden and I’m sure you want to help, but just know having you here was the best decision we ever made. The work you did around here and all the meals you shared with us are worth much more than four walks and a roof.” Slowly Jaxon nodded trying desperately to swallow the lump in his throat. “Now Susan and I already talked to our boys and the oldest Peter is going to let us stay with him and missus for a while so you don’t you worry about us none. As for you, you and me are going on short drive after dinner so I can show you something - deal?” Having known George for a while now, Jaxon knew it wasn’t a question so he nodded swiftly. “Good lad, now eat your dinner before it gets cold.” With that, the conversation was over despite the thoughts swimming through Jaxon’s mind. What would he do now? Where could he go? He had some money saved up from working at Emma’s, but certainly not enough to rent a place. How far away was Peter? Would he dote on Susan enough and help her mix flour in dough just the right way? What if Peter’s wife didn’t like to garden or if they hated how George always talked to the news as if the anchors could hear him? What if he never felt this at home again? Jaxon ate his meal quietly while thoughts of dread started to form storm clouds throughout his mind. 

After dinner and helping Susan wash and dry the dishes, George and Jaxon headed off in his beat up Chevy. That truck had seen better days, but with George being a former mechanic he was able to restore her beautifully and even taught Jaxon a thing or two about engine mechanics. They drove along a side street for a bit, before turning off the road completely and heading into the woods. Jaxon was definitely confused since George had never mentioned going off into the forest nor did he mention there being some hidden pathway through the trees. They drove in silence a few minutes longer before finally reaching a clearing with a small rundown cottage. The building itself was structurally sound, but it definitely needed some love and renovations. George switched off the engine before turning in his seat to face Jaxon. “Now you know the missus and I love you like a son, and it breaks our hearts to say goodbye, but we aren’t about to leave you with just nothin.” Not quite sure what he meant, Jaxon nodded waiting for him to continue. Pointing over his shoulder George went on, “this here cabin ain’t much, but she comes with the land and she’s all paid up. Running water and A/C in the summer is more than some folks have these days.” Jaxon nodded again, trying intently to understand why they were here at a cabin in the woods. “She needs to be reinsulated, and roof could use some patches, but you know how to do all that now,” George continued, “plus with that bathroom remodel I would say you could do the same here depending on what you like ‘n’ all.” Wait - what? Jaxon’s eyes snapped open and the realization finally hit him. They were here for him - for the cabin. George smiled, “glad you finally caught on there son - I was worried I was gonna have to spell it out for you.” Jaxon was still in shock, wondering why on earth they would gift him a home especially since they were about to lose theirs. “Now listen here boy, this ain’t no charity gift. My daddy and I built this cabin with our bare hands and if you don’t take good care of her you can bet your sweet ass I’ll come back and give you an earful at the least.” Jaxon nodded his swift yes sir before George continued. “Good. Now let’s go check her out,” he finally said with a grin before opening his door and stepping out into the cool crisp air. Jaxon followed suit, walking with bated breath as they approached the front door. Rather than open it himself, George handed Jaxon a set of keys before patting him swiftly on the back. “Welcome home son,” he said, trying his best to squash the emotions in his throat. Jaxon reached for the door handle and put the key in, but before he could turn it he spun around engulfing George in a hug. Mustering all his strength, he hugged the man who he truly thought of as a father gently whispering, “thank you,” before letting go. Both men pulled back with lumps in their throats, but George coughed it off and slapped Jaxon on the back one more time before urging him to get on with it. Jaxon turned the key and pushed the door in gently. “Welcome home”, he thought to himself as he took his first tentative steps inside.