A Good Man

Chapter 1

 

            Monday, June 3^rd, 2019, was like any other Monday.  It could even be said that it was like every other Monday.  The leaves rustled in the front yard under a frost-like breeze, which was normal for the small town of Sunspot that never quite experienced spring and summer.  For Jackson Marshall, known as Jax to friends and family, all things were as they should be as he slipped into Monday morning. 

            He woke up promptly to the 6:30am alarm, as he did every Monday morning as well as every other school day.  Even with the countdown to his high school graduation, he carried on as he normally would.  The smell of bacon and waffles crept throughout his house, reaching his second floor bedroom.  His mother, Sharon, made breakfast every morning.  The best way to start the day, she would tell him as a kid.  He followed the smell downstairs to his dining room where he found a plate waiting for him.

            He sat at the table enjoying his meal while engaging Sharon in usual conversation.  They discussed his plans for the summer.  He also made his case again as to why he should be getting a new car for graduation, rather than his father’s 2002 Ford Explorer.  He had fond memories of all the adventures they shared in the beloved vehicle, but he wanted to explore the country before heading off to college.  The road trips that he had in mind didn’t include worrying about the maintenance that was needed, or the more than necessary gas station stops. 

            His father, Mitchell, usually referred to as Mitch, often debated the life lessons of taking care of an older car.  What Jax didn’t know was that Mitch never intended to hand down his car.  Mitch and Sharon took much pleasure in seeing their son struggle to accept the fate that he tried so hard to avoid.  Mitch, who was a 20 year vet of the Sunspot Police Department, had already purchased the vehicle that Jax so heavily desired.  2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  He decided not to purchase new, but the low mileage and price options had made it worth the purchase.  Plus, Mitch knew his son would be grateful regardless.  That was what he admired most about Jax.  Jax rarely complained of anything and had a truly grateful heart.

            As the conversation came to an end, just as breakfast had, Jax heard the familiar knock on the door at 7:03am.  He opened the door to find his neighbor and best friend Winter standing there.  They had been thick as thieves since 5^th grade, almost inseparable.  She wore her favorite dark gray and orange Sunspot High School sweater, with her red hair flowing down to her shoulders.  He noticed she was also wearing his favorite earrings; silver cherry blossoms with a ruby in the center.

            Jax stepped aside to let her in.  She exchanged pleasantries with Sharon before running up the stairs to his room.  He told his mom to leave the dishes for him to take care of later and was led back to his room by the smell of Winter’s perfume.  Or maybe it was a body spray or something like that.  Not that it mattered to him, he just knew it smelled amazing.  He walked into his room and found that she had taken over his bed, as she usually did.  She turned on his Playstation 4 while he found his way to his computer chair.  He knew they didn’t have much time before they had to leave for school, but Winter preferred to have a few rounds of Mortal Kombat before leaving.  It was easily her favorite game.  He did his best to try to make her believe he went easy on her, but every asskicking he received was unavoidable.  She was good.

            While they played, they discussed more of their summer plans.  She would be his road trip partner.  They discussed the cities and sites they wanted to visit.  What he kept to himself was his plans for his love confession.  7 years had been long enough to keep a secret.  Maybe it was finally time to make his stand.  Or maybe not, you never know how these things will actually play out until you’re there.  Throughout their conversation and gaming session, Winter smiled and giggled and laughed at his jokes.  He melted inside with every smile, giggle and laugh.  Yes, it was most definitely like every other Monday, and every other day.  He looked forward to how the rest of the day would play out.  Mondays were never bad for him, especially a Monday with Winter.

            The doorbell rang as he was shoving his final books into his backpack.  He was startled and stared at Winter for a moment.  Jax knew it was out of place, but more important, unfamiliar.  All the usually players for the ever so repetitive Monday were already in play.  They both headed downstairs as the doorbell rang again.  Sharon had reached the door by the time they made it to the hallway leading to the door.  She opened the door.

            A man spoke, “Mrs. Marshell, I’m officer Derrick Campbell and this is my partner, officer Shane Daniels.  We are very sorry to bother you, but there’s been an incident.”

            From where Jax was standing, he couldn’t make out who the two men were.  But he recognized the Sunspot Police Department uniform that he had seen his dad wear almost every day.

            “What is it? Is something wrong?” Sharon asked the man, with absolute fear in her voice.

            “We regret to inform you Mrs. Marshell, but there has been an incident involving your husband, Mitchell Marshell.  He was killed,” officer Campbell responded.

            There may have been more said in the conversation, but Jax didn’t hear any of it.  He felt Winter take his hand, or maybe she hugged him.  Almost immediately, the world seemed different.  Everyone was distant, everything was different, nothing was familiar.  Monday, June 3^rd, 2019, was unlike any other Monday, any other day.