‘Okay, see you in a minute.’
Beth turned back to Jax. ‘Everyone’s out looking for you.’
There was an apology sitting in the lad’s eyes, but he didn’t say anything.
‘So,’ said Beth, wanting Jax to focus on his achievement, rather than the telling-off he was about to receive from his dad. ‘Do you feel like talking to anyone else today? I still have this box of cereal to drop off in the Hub.’
‘No. Once was enough for today.’
‘That’s okay. I don’t have social anxiety, but I do have a different form, and I know it can be tricky to navigate at times.’
Jax’s big eyes rolled her way. ‘Dad doesn’t think I have that. He did before, and he sent me to see a therapist once, but I wouldn’t speak to her, so it didn’t help.’
‘Why doesn’t he think you have that now?’
‘Because he met Olivia at the centre, and now he thinks I might be like her.’
‘And what is that exactly?’
‘I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She just doesn’t speak at all. She can. She just won’t, but she will sign. Dad told me she stopped talking after she saw her mum die, and that might be why I stopped. But I’m not the same as Olivia. I talk to some people, and I didn’t see my mum die. Olivia’s mum was run over right in front of her.’
‘Trauma does strange things to people. Maybe your mum’s death did affect you more than you realize.’
Jax inhaled deeply. ‘I miss her.’
‘I miss mine too.’
‘Did you stop talking when your mum died?’
‘No, but I did have some trauma when I was pregnant, and that messed with my mind.’
Jax offered her his last crisp, which she declined. ‘Are you okay now?’
‘I’m getting better, just like you. And look at Olivia. She found her own way to deal with the world. I found that having people help me has made me more confident to face up to my problems.’
‘Spencer helped me. I love the Sunshine Centre, that’s why I got so mad. It does help people. Olivia didn’t start sign language till she went there.’
Beth hugged the box of cereal. ‘Sometimes we just need a place that feels like home.’
Jax nodded. ‘The Sunshine Centre is my second home. Dad says that. He says I always smile there.’
‘What about life at home with your dad? How’s that?’
‘Good. Dad’s always been happy. Not when Mum died. He was sad a lot then, but he’s better now. He says I help him.’
‘You helped me too.’
Jax’s eyes widened. ‘Really?’
‘Yeah. All of you Sunshine Superheroes. Letting me come out for a walk in the park with you, and when we planted flowers.’ She gestured to a tub close by. ‘It all helped.’
‘You should start getting badges too, Miss Horton.’
Beth chuckled. ‘You know, I think you’re right. I’ll tell Spencer.’
‘We should make him one too.’
‘Saying what?’
