Chapter 1
Jude
Driving on his way to deliver Chocolates for one of his clients, a mental institution/old folk’s home right
in the heart of Boston, Jude received a message…
Boston was doing what Boston always did—moving fast while Jude tried to keep up with his own
thoughts. Between the shop, his grandmother, Marcus and the never-ending messages on his phone, his days
rarely had an empty space. He liked it that way. Empty spaces gave him time to think, and Jude had learned
that thinking too much usually got him into trouble.
Unknown: Hey you!
Jude: Who is this?
Unknown: Anna
Jude: oh Hi Anna how are you?
Thinking that it’s Anna Bickerman an old friend.
Jude: let me call you later driving…
Anna: ok
Jude parked his car in front of JTI (Jackson’s Treatments Inc.). Victor greeted Jude “Hello our favorite
sweet guy, today is a little special it’s your grandma’s birthday.” Jude has always been close to his
grandma so he makes sure that once a month he delivers chocolates and cakes for free in return for his
grandma’s treatments.
The decorated pantry surrounded by party paraphernalia was all ready as the patients with their nurses
started coming in. Grandma Victoria then came in accompanied by her nurse, as Jude kissed her he
noticed that the nurse is new. Victoria then introduced her new nurse, Jude this is Elise, Jude shook
Elise’s hand and asked “what happened to Roxy?” Victoria answered “well she was a bitch.” Jude just
smiled the new nurse and said “You’ll get used to it, she’s a nice lady,” Elise just smiled. “Let’s go
grandma, blow your cake, everybody’s hungry.” Victoria then blew her cake and shouted “now bring
out the wine!” it was her 89th birthday. The party continued the whole day.
By night time Jude accompanied his grandma to her bed.
Grandma: How’s Marcus?
Jude: Well he’s doing good in school, growing big every day. He couldn’t be here today because of
summer camp
Grandma: That’s ok, I’m sure I’ll still see him before my passing.
4Jude: Don’t say that grandma, you can still drink more than me.
Grandma: any girl you fancy lately?
Jude: Grandma it’s time for you to sleep
Grandma: Play me my lullaby
Jude then got his guitar and played “That’s All” by Nat King Cole till Victoria started snoring.
Jude then drove back to his house and started pouring his glass of whiskey while eating a bar of
chocolates. Browsing through channels in the TV he then remembered the text he got from Anna.
Jude then dialed Anna’s number which was in his phone but there there was no answer. He then texted
the other number that texted.
Jude: Hi Anna, I was busy the whole day it’s grandma’s birthday what’s up?
Anna: Hello, so how was it?
Jude: I was trying to call you, is this your new number?
Anna: No I’m probably not the same Anna you know
Jude: Then who is this?
Minutes to hours past and there wasn’t any reply from Anna. Jude fell asleep.
The next day, Jude went to his shop which he called C&C Music factory (Cakes & Chocolates). The shop
was obviously selling cakes and chocolates and the shop was filled with musical instruments.
Independent artists plays there on Fridays and the shop transforms from a bakery to a bar, people used
to joke about it that it should be called B&B instead (bakery and bar). While managing the counter,
Anna Bickerman walked in the shop.
Jude: Anna!
Anna B.: Hi Jude, I received a call from you last night sorry I was sleeping what’s up?
Jude: No I thought it was you, I received a text yesterday morning but anyway, what can I get you?
Anna: I’ll have a slice of blueberry chocolate cake and my usual decaf.
There was nothing remarkable about the message at first. Just two words from someone calling herself
Anna. But sometimes the smallest things arrive at the exact moment when a person is ready to notice them.
Jude did not know it yet, but that message was going to become one of those things.
Jude: here you go have a nice day
Anna: See you Friday? I heard you have a new artist coming in
Jude: Yeah and people say she’s the next big thing from Boston
5Later in the afternoon, Jude then picked up his son from school coming from his summer camp. Gave
him a hug and was about to kiss him.
Marcus: Dad not anymore
Jude: Oh ok
Marcus: I kissed a girl (and he winked!)
Jude: ok get in the truck boy tell me more.
Jude, with pride and excitement about his ten year old son’s venture of having his first kiss then asked.
Jude: so who is she?
Marcus: remember Amber?
Jude: Oh Ms. Darlin’s daughter
Marcus: yes dad, my principal’s daughter….
Jude: that’s cool son hahahaha
They both continued talking about everything that happened during summer camp and all the activities
that Marcus went through.
Arriving home Marcus went straight to his room and threw his backpack on the floor and went to
shower, his father told him to clean up before they can go visit grandma because Marcus was not able
to be there during her birthday. Jude in the meantime grabbed a bottle of beer and watched TV while
waiting for Marcus to clean up. Jude’s phone beeped and
Anna: How’s your day so far?
Jude: Hey, I don’t know who you are
Thinking he’s bored so might as well go with the flow and
Jude: How did you get my number?
Anna: Magic numbers
Jude, now thinking that Anna might be the singer who’ll be playing this Friday in his shop because the
band’s name is magic numbers.
Jude: Oh yeah, the band ready for this Friday? People are getting excited thank you for accepting our
invitation
Anna: I’m not that Anna, who are you talking about?
Jude: but you said magic numbers
Anna: lol
6Jude: I was talking about a band’s singer that I thought I knew, anyway gtg talk later
Jude and Marcus then drove to JTI to visit Victoria. Marcus ran to grandma and gave her a kiss and hug.
Victoria elated to see them. The nurse then walked in and asked, “Can I get you guys anything?” Jude
then replied “OJ for me!” Marcus said “Apple juice for me!” Elise said “and you Victoria?” Victoria
replied “I’m ok dear thank you.”
So Victoria asked Marcus how his summer camp was, and Jude walkeded out to JTI’s pantry to talk to
Elise
as she was preparing the juices.
Jude: How’s grandma treating you?
Elise: She’s funny, my favorite patient so far considering she’s my first
Jude: Oh, so what we’re you doing before this?
Elise: a lot, now can you help me with this?
Elise brought the juices and Jude bought some chips from the machine since he knows that Marcus will
look for it.
