Blind Trust by Jody Klaire Page A

what
she had seen of Aeron, she was the sweetest, gentlest spirit.
    It made Martha wonder at the world. How one so tall and muscular
could be so soft.
    She caught sight of Serena as she placed the milkshake on the
tray. Now there was a conflicted woman if she had ever seen one. She watched as
Aeron and the boy giggled, their connection effortless and sibling-like. It was
evident that Serena wanted nothing more than to join in. In fact she looked
like she would give anything to relax.
    So why wasn’t she?
    From the way that Aeron talked to her and acted, Serena was very
welcome, very much liked and yet she chose to isolate herself. It was almost
painful to watch, and if she was a busybody, she would more than likely try and
unravel the reasons to help.
    “Martha, hon,” Earl called and she tried not to tut as he stood in
the doorway in his oily clothes. “You got something I can get on the go? The
pipe is leaking and—”
    “Wash,” she interrupted. “Then I’ll fix you a steak.”
    Earl smiled and went to approach but she wagged her finger.
“Wash.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” he said, his eyes lighting over her face for long
moments.
    An apology for not being perfect, not being the man he had wanted
so much to be. She looked away, unable to stand the self-loathing in his eyes.
He was who he was, same as she. That was that in her eyes.
    “Mom?”
    Martha smiled reflexively as she turned to see her son standing
where Earl had been. He was a perfect blend of them both, her red hair and
Earl’s green eyes. Her willowy frame but with Earl’s strong arms and legs. He
was a wide receiver and had been offered a scholarship, having caught the
attention of quite a few college scouts. She knew next to nothing about
football and all she knew was her son had a knack for catching the ball in the
touchdown area. Much like his father had once done.
    “Mom?” Ronny asked when she didn’t answer. “You dreaming of
anything nice?” He dipped around her to pinch some fries from out of the
serving tray.
    “Look at the state you’re in,” Martha scolded him. “Just like your
father. Go on, go get washed up. No food for either of you until you’re clean.”
    Ronny swerved around her swatting, pinched another couple of fries
and then ducked through the back door which led to their private home. She
wanted better for Ronny. She and Earl had the cabins but they hadn’t been
fruitful and it was getting harder and harder to keep them running.
    “No use fretting over things you can’t change,” she reminded
herself for the hundredth time today and turned back to stare out at the
unlikely trio.
    There was an energy about Aeron, a bright light shining from her
when she smiled, which only dimmed when she looked at Serena. Her smile faded
then, her amber eyes scouring her friend for an answer to some question. Serena
looked like she wanted to give her that answer too but something was blocking
the way.
    Martha put the two sodas next to the milkshake and carried over
the tray. She saw all sorts when the people stopped by on their way to the
glamorous resorts. Some stories played out right in front of her eyes and some
she had to dream up the ending. She didn’t mind all that much, it was a habit
that had kept her going. One day, she would sit and write a book of her tales.
She smiled to herself as she ducked around a customer who got to his feet. When
she had time at least. Some day when she retired. Aeron looked up at her as she
got to the table.
    Martha put on her best smile. “One milkshake for the gentleman,”
she said, enjoying the grin it provoked from the boy. “And two sodas for his
ladies.”
    “Thanks, Martha,” Aeron said, trying to push money her way.
    “It’s on the house,” she said, offering a smile at Serena.
    The one she received in return was half-hearted that showed more
signs of aching loss than it did gratitude. Martha fought the urge to comfort
the young woman.
    “Thank you.” Serena’s voice was so