Jolene Fraser ![]() |
Location — #11 Shady Pines Drive - Bedroom
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Jolene didn’t notice the heat at first. What she felt was the heavy, sticky pat of a four-year-old’s hand against her cheek, insistent and a little desperate.
"Mama... Mama, I’m sticky. It’s too hot in the castle," Faye whimpered, her red curls matted to her forehead like damp silk.
Jolene groaned, eyes dragging open. The trailer was silent, the kind of silence that pressed in on you; no AC, no fan, just thick, unmoving air that made every breath feel like sucking through a damp rag. "I know, bug. Give Mommy a second."
She rolled out of bed, bare feet hitting the linoleum, and reached for the light switch out of habit. Click. Nothing. She fiddled with the thermostat, hoping for a miracle. Still nothing.
"Shit," she hissed under her breath.
"Mama! That’s a no-no word!" Faye’s small voice was stern, even through her heat-induced pout.
Jolene’s edges softened. She dropped to her knees, meeting Faye’s eyes, and brushed a sweaty curl from her daughter’s forehead. Her voice gentled. "You’re right, baby. I’m sorry. Mommy’s just got scrambled brains this morning because the house is being grumpy today. No more bad words, promise."
She fumbled for her phone on the nightstand. 64%. Good enough. Last night had dragged on forever. She’d stayed up late, hustling for extra cash so Faye could have a real birthday this year, not just a cake and a candle. Under the ring light, she became someone else, someone untouchable and perfect for DearDolly’s subscribers. It was a strange kind of power, being wanted by strangers, when most of her life she’d felt invisible or trapped—first in her parents’ house, then under Cade’s thumb. She’d finally crashed around three, her body giving out after twelve hours at Lou’s and another few spent pretending she was someone worth watching.
She saw the text from Willow and felt that familiar pang of protective guilt:
hey Jo <3 stepped out early this morning. think the power's out in town but Husker's got the generator going. need anything?
She already knew Willow hadn’t come home last night; it's hard to miss when you’re up half the night yourself. But she wouldn’t ask. Not today. Willow was probably already at Husker’s, apologizing to every customer for the heat, as if it were her fault the power was out. Jolene moved to the window, peeled back the curtain just enough to check for Caleb’s truck, and started typing.
To Willow:
power is def out. faye is already melting. i see caleb’s truck... gonna have him run us down to huskers. see u soon, stay cool, and stay HYDRATED <3
She switched chats, a sly grin tugging at her mouth. She knew exactly how to get Caleb Dalton moving, even on a morning like this.
To Caleb:
hey handsome. the power is dead and it’s getting way too hot in this trailer for clothes. think u can play the knight in shining armor and rescue the little princess and myself? willow says huskers generator is going. come save me and i’ll make it worth your while later ;)
"Don’t worry, Faye-faye," Jolene said, tossing her phone onto the mess of sheets. "Mommy’s called for our carriage."
Today was supposed to be her day off, one of those rare mornings where she could just exist. But Cade was coming for Faye tonight. No matter how hard she’d fought to claw her way out and start over with Willow, he was the one ghost she couldn’t shake, not with Faye in the picture. Every handoff felt like stepping back into a cage she’d once thought was freedom. She needed the noise of the bar, the comfort of Willow nearby, anything to keep the dread at bay.
Breakfast was a mission. Jolene wouldn’t touch the fridge because if she did, she would break that seal and the last bit of cold would bleed out, and Faye’s milk would be ruined before lunch. So she scavenged the pantry, coming up with a box of granola bars and a bruised apple she cut into pieces. They ate on the floor, the only place that felt remotely cool, sharing their dry breakfast while sweat started to gather on the walls.
She dressed fast, picking clothes that felt like armor. The black bodysuit hugged her tight, the lace-up front giving her a little edge, and the high-waisted, frayed denim shorts were as close to comfort as she’d get today. Even with the heat pressing in, she didn’t skip her ritual. She used the weak morning light to draw on her sharpest eyeliner and a smear of dark shadow; her war paint. It was the only thing that made her feel steady when everything else was falling apart.
She shrugged on her favorite sheer, dark floral kimono, the big sleeves and faded roses making her feel like some kind of witch—soft, but not to be messed with. She added a thin black choker and a cord necklace, the metal cool against her skin for a moment before the heat claimed it too.
For Faye, she found a sage-green romper with ruffles that turned her into a little forest sprite. Jolene let her pick the rest—glittery, mismatched butterfly clips for her wild red hair, plastic bracelets that clicked with every move, and those battered yellow wellies. Totally wrong for the heat, but Faye wouldn’t take them off. She said they were her magic traveling shoes.
"Okay, Princess," Jolene whispered, pulling on her platform boots and feeling that old, steadying lift. "Let’s go see if our knight’s up yet."

















~❤︎~❤︎~
