Page 56 of Surrender

“Baby!”

“Everything okay?” We heard.

We looked up to see my mother standing in the kitchen’s entryway.

“Everything’s fine,” Jessa answered. “Just your son being mannish.”

My mother smiled as she made her way into the living room. Kachelle nervously grabbed my hand. As mom approached us, she fidgeted with her fingers, a sign of her own nervousness. She came to me for a hug and kissed my cheek before turning to my wife.

“Kachelle… Thank you for coming. I was a little afraid you’d say no.”

“Thank you for having me.”

“I um… I want to apologize for never giving you and this marriage a chance. It doesn’t excuse it, but I was afraid of Jacob getting hurt with taking such extreme measures. I just wanted to protect his heart. I can see that I don’t have to do that. My son speaks so highly of you. He’s protective of you, and that’s how I know he truly loves you.”

“I love him too, Mrs. Mitchell. You raised a loving, caring, genuine, and honorable man. He was always meant to make someone a wonderful husband, and I’m honored that that someone was me. His heart is always safe with me because I carry it right next to my own.”

My mother swiped a tear from her eye.

“That’s something I always tell my husband,” she admitted. She reached for Kachelle’s hands. “If you can forgive me, I’d love a chance to start over with you… to love you like my own daughter.”

It was Kay’s turn to wipe away tears.

“I’d like that very much,” she whispered.

My mother pulled her into her arms, embracing her tightly. They both shed a few tears. Next to me, Jessa looked at me with a smile. She seemed as relieved as I was that this was starting off on the right food. Now, there was just my father.

“Where’s Dad?” I asked.

“He went to the store to get ice cream to go with our dessert. He should be back soon. Why don’t y’all come on into the kitchen?”

She motioned for us to follow her. In the kitchen, she had a buffet-style set up of collard greens, rice and gravy, baked mac and cheese, fried and baked chicken, candied yams, and homemade rolls. My stomach immediately began to growl.

“Oh my God,” Kay groaned as she licked her lips. “This looks and smells wonderful. “I can already feel the itis coming on.”

My mother laughed. “I hope you enjoy.”

“Oh, I’m sure I will. Jacob can tell you, I love a good meal. I love it when he cooks for me. He’s spoiled me with breakfast every morning since I went back to work.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m a dentist. If you’ve heard of Superhero Smiles, that’s me.”

“The kids dentist, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You love children?”

“Very much. I’m awaiting the day I’m a mother myself.”

“Which might be sooner than you think,” Jessa mumbled with a smirk. “TiTi Jess is ready!”

My mother shook her head. “Ready to have that child as extra as you?”

“I’m not extra, Mama?—”

I laughed out loud. “Ha! Again, have you met you?”