Fast forward to where I was. I had no idea if we would ever be truly content again. I glanced at another couple with two kids and I knew it would be hard, if I ever had to tell Montana and Junior that Jacob would never be coming back around. I hoped it did not come to that. I closed my eyes, picturing us together as a family.
“Mind if we sit down?” I said to Tasha. My feet were killing me, and my head was beginning to spin. We sat down for a while and then a lady, probably in her mid-forties, came and asked if we would mind if she sat beside us.
“Of course not!” I moved a little, allowing more room on the bench as she took a seat.
She heaved a sigh, closing her eyes. “It is exhausting visiting my sister and her family." She then smiled and glanced at me. “It’s entertaining though,” she replied with a laugh. I smiled, nodding, thinking that was the end of the conversation. “Six and ten years old…” she replied, quietly. It was like she was reminiscing and we weren’t even there. “They have energy…that’s for sure.”
“You don’t have any kids?” I asked, joining the conversation.
She laughed, “Never married. God knew what he was doing. I am not cut out to be a homemaker.”
I smiled, knowing I wanted to be a homemaker and have a husband come home to me. I wanted that husband to be Jacob and I didn’t have any doubt about it.
“Don’t you miss the real connection?” I asked, with hesitation.
She opened her eyes and glanced at me, then finally shook her head. “Not really, because I have cats.” A car pulled up to the curb to pick her up. “Thanks for the company!” She waved and headed off in the direction of the car. I stared after her and I knew that I would never be able to feel that way.
Tasha and I left downtown and stopped by the grocery store to pick up some fresh vegetables. I made it back home around four p.m. and I went straight to work preparing for dinner. I told everyone dinner was at seven, so I only had a few hours left. Mama had come over to help me cook, so she was stirring the last of the ingredients into the pot of chili.
I stared out the window of the kitchen, aimlessly slicing up vegetables. Thankfully, I’d chosen to make chili, which wouldn’t require much prep time. We were having carrots, celery and hot water cornbread as side items. It was a quick and simple meal that I knew the children loved. I’d left a voice message for Montie, but hadn’t heard from him. I hoped he would come, for our children’s sake.
“Is Jacob coming to the dinner?” Junior said, startling me. Mama looked at me too, as if she didn’t already know the answer.
“Ouch!” I accidently nicked my finger and put it to my mouth to suck the spot that was sore. I turned to Junior standing in the entryway of the kitchen. “He’ll be here. The whole family is coming,” I replied with a smile to mask the pain from the cut.
“Yes! He promised me he would take me to a football game.”
“Then I am sure he will take you soon.” I walked over to him and kissed his head. “We’re having chili tonight.”
“I love chili! Is my dad coming too?”
“Yes, your father is coming,” I assured him.
“Yes! Everybody is coming to dinner!” Junior said as he flew out the kitchen to go tell Montana.
“You’re a plum fool,” Mama said as I went back to chopping vegetables.
“Don’t start your mess tonight, Mama. I told y
ou the purpose of this dinner,” I cautioned Mama as the doorbell rang.
“I know the purpose! Tasha go get the door,” Mama ordered as Tasha was walking into the kitchen.
“Oh-kay,” Tasha said turning on her heels to go answer the door.
“It’s Montie,” she said walking back into the kitchen. The grin Montie wore when he walked into the kitchen was unreadable.
“Thanks for coming, Montie,” I said gauging where his head was.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Montie said. “Do you need me to do anything?”
“Sure, help me set the table,” Mama said. I knew the evening was a bust when she added, “Wouldn’t want rich folks to think we don’t know how to fix up a dinner table.”
Montie and Mama were just taking a seat at the table when the doorbell rang again. This time, I went to answer it.
“Hey sweetheart,” Jacob said as he pulled me in for a hug.
“Hey, are you ready for this?”