Blood Mates

The Kids Of The Reservation

Jasper had been on the rez for three days. And so far, he was about done. He finally understood why Alaia hated being the new girl, because he’d grown up in Devil’s Horns and basically knew everyone on some level.

But being on Battle Creek Reservation was like the first day of school and everyone was curious about him. No one knew him so he kept being stopped by people and asked who he was, who he was related too, and why he was there.

Which annoyed Jasper to the depth of his soul since he wanted to be left alone. But he couldn’t hang around the house because if he did, Yasmine would assume it would be a great time to talk to him.

But Jasper was holding out hope they could go through the next three days not talking.

Because as soon as Saturday morning hit, Jasper would be out. Maybe if he got home quick enough, he and his dad could go to the pancake house and eat as many all you could eat pancakes half off.

It was a sweet tradition both had started their first thanksgiving after Yasmine had left. William had burned their turkey and none of what he cooked had been edible even though Jasper tried to grit his teeth and bare it. If nothing but for his dad’s sake.

But even William couldn’t pretend anything he ate could pass for food and sent his son to bed with a turkey sandwich. Jasper hadn’t complained since he knew his dad was taking it the hardest and hadn’t needed him being a little s**t about everything.

William however made up for it after being riddled with guilt all night. The next morning, he woke Jasper up early and took him to the pancake house. Jasper had eaten as many pancakes with as many different syrups he could handle before passing out in a food coma.

And thus, started a tradition neither had wanted to break.

One he wasn’t missing because of his mother’s sudden interest in fixing their relationship.

Jasper had fled from the house and was sitting on the sand watching the water when he heard, “So is everyone from the Devil’s Anus this moody or is it just you?” Looking at his step-sister, Jasper rolled his eyes, “Coming for my town name? A big no-no. Can I help you?”

Lucy c****d an eyebrow at the harsh words and then crossed her arms over her chest, “What’s your deal? If anyone should be pissed you’re here it’s us.” Jasper laughed a little, “Oh really?”

Lucy nodded, “Ugh yeah, for the last two years your mom is trying to replace my mom. But she’s pale imitation at best and to be honest you could take her home with you.”

Jasper scoffed as he looked away from Lucy, “I’m good. No return policy.” Lucy studied Jasper like a puzzle and then the armor cracked a smidge for him, “Come on.” Jasper looked over at her and she jerked her head towards the woods. Jasper’s response was a raised eyebrow and to crudely tell her, “I’m not with that Pornhub shit.”

Lucy stopped mortified, “What? Ew! Hell no! God, just come on.” Jasper stood dusting sand off his pants. He followed Lucy into the woods and as he stumbled, she glided.

She was a tall, athletic, built girl, and at just sixteen she seemed to have fully matured into a woman.

It was a little unnerving, as she confidently stomped through the woods.  But Jasper followed her trusting that up to a certain point she wouldn’t lead him anywhere dangerous or try to murder him.

Soon though he was in what looked like the teen hideout on the Rez. A long-abandoned boatshed, that had thousands of old canoes that no one ever really used.

There were chairs, an old catch, a torn recliner, and a bunch of red solo cups to suggest it had been being used for parties. Jasper was led inside and had met twenty or so teenagers who’s names he dare not try to remember.

But he did have the three important ones tucked away.        

Seth’s best friend Terrance, and his sister Blake. And then there was Roxanne, or Roxie, Lucy’s best friend. After introductions, Jasper was given a red solo cup of warm beer and roped into conversation. But he wasn’t really in a party mood.

He sat on the worn couch listening to music and forcing conversation for an hour before he went outside to the dock. Sitting with his feet just a foot above the water, Jasper held his cup in his hand as he texted Alaia.

She told him all about her day, asked him about his, told Jasper about his dad and a funny joke he told her when they had lunch.

In the ten minutes they were texting Jasper forgot where he was and was happy. Until a voice brought him back to the present, “Well I thought scowling and looking sad was all you were capable of.”

Jasper looked back and saw it was Roxie speaking to him. She was a beautiful girl, like the majority of the kids here she was a bronzed sss woman with long inky black hair and chocolate brown eyes.

She smiled happily at him as she popped down beside him and said, “Roxanne Heart, Roxie, if you didn’t remember.” Jasper nodded politely, “Remembered, you’re Lucy’s best friend, right?” Roxie sipped her beer before pointing at him, “Correct. And you’re her stepbrother, Jasper, right?”

Jasper tipped his cup at her, “Correct.”

Roxie shot Jasper a curious glance, “So how are you liking your visit so far?” Jasper exhaled as he honestly spat out, “I hate it. I want to go home but I can’t. And no disrespect to your home, but some of the people here are not the friendliest to outsiders.”

Roxie would get upset about it but couldn’t be upset about the truth. She knew a lot of people on the reservation could be a little aggressive or downright rude to people not from here. And she could see why it’d make him uncomfortable and make an already awkward trip unbearable.

“Well tell me how you really feel?” Roxie joked, but Jasper didn’t think she could handle it if he really did. Jasper instead turned the attention to her, “How old are you?” Roxie smiled cheekily, “Sixteen, like Lucy. You?” 

Jasper faced away from her, “January twenty sixth, I’ll be eighteen.” Roxie beamed at Jasper eagerly, “Cool. You’re going to be in college next year, you must be excited.” Jasper nodded and Roxie hummed as she looked him over, “How far is your hometown from here again?”

Jasper hummed sipping his beer, “Not far, three-hour drive north of here.” Roxie was surprised Jasper had lived so close and her having known Yasmine for two years. This being the first time she’d seen him, struck her as odd. But since it was just last year she started growing into her chest, Roxie was glad Jasper was here now and not then.

Casually pulling her hair out of its ponytail, Roxie asked, “So will you be coming up a lot from now on?” Jasper scoffed in repulsion at the idea of it, “Hell no. I’m making this my last trip here.” Roxie hid her disappoint well as she sulked, “Why? I mean…don’t you want to spend time with your mom?”

Laughter full of spite was followed up with, “Not particularly.” Roxie was surprised at Jasper and how harsh he was. Biting her bottom lip, she told him earnestly, “Look, I won’t tell you s**t about what you should do since I don’t know you. But I do know Yasmine’s a good woman, and despite Lucy putting her through the wringer every day, there’s not a day she’s not there for her.”

Roxie sighed as she softly admitted, “I don’t know what she did to hurt you, but after knowing her for two years and you not coming up once…don’t you think she’s been punished enough?”

Jasper tossed back the rest of his beer needing the light buzz, “I’m not punishing her. I’m just…I don’t want to fix it either.” Roxie didn’t say anything after Jasper’s confession and neither did he.

After a minute, he stood and told her he’d see her around before he left and started back to the house. Jasper walked slow hoping Yasmine would be asleep when he got there and Davon would still be out doing whatever sketchy s**t he did at night.

But he was out of luck, because while Yasmine was asleep, Davon was home and on the couch holding Yvonne in his arms as she slept on his chest. When Jasper walked in, Davon looked him for a moment, “And where did you go? Your mama said you left early and didn’t come home once.”

Jasper looked at Davon annoyed at the caring step-father act, “Yeah you’re married to my mom, but it doesn’t make you my father. Please don’t act like it.” Davon’s eyes cut to Jasper dangerously, “But you’re in my house-.”

Jasper laughed mockingly, “Oh please don’t go there I will be out of it before you could blink.”

Davon’s jaw clenched and he sat his daughter down gently. Walking to Jasper, the older man growled, “What is it going to take for you to grow up kid? You need to realize your mother wasn’t happy with your father. She was sleep walking through life with him feeling trapped, and-.”

Davon stopped cold in his sentence as Jasper began to shake. His grey eyes were different now, they could freeze hell as he looked at Davon like he was the biggest piece of s**t he’d ever laid eyes on.

Jerking back with a look of confusion and fear, Davon watched Jasper go upstairs with a look of murder on his face. He pushed past Yasmine who tried to speak to him and slammed his door so loud it woke up Yvonne.

Yasmine came downstairs and asked her husband what happened, but Davon could only utter, “I f****d up. Majorly.”