Page 58 of Surrender
“I’m sure Jacob loves that. He can be a disposal system when he wants to be.”
Kay giggled. “Oh, I’ve learned that much. We spend a lot of time in the in the kitchen. I think food was the first thing that bonded us.”
She looked at me with a smile.
“Jacob told me you two bought your first home.”
My father’s fork clinked against the plate. We all looked over at him. He didn’t say anything as he picked it up and continued eating.
“Um… yes, ma’am,” Kay answered. “It has a beautiful kitchen. I can’t wait to cook our first meal or have our first big family dinner. I can see a lot of memories being created there.”
“The house is dope, Ma,” Jessa chimed in. “Although your son isn’t trying to let me claim a room. How else am I supposed to watch my niece or nephew?”
“Are you pregnant?” my father asked abruptly.
Kachelle shook. “No, sir.”
“Even if she was, there would be nothing wrong with that, Dad,” I said, looking at him. “We do plan to have children. If and when we are blessed with a child… your grandchild… that will never be a problem. Or will it?”
He chuckled as he sat back in his seat. “Let’s address the elephant in the room. I’m sorry if feels like I’m beating you over the head with this, but you are my son. I love you. I just need to know that this woman has your best interest at heart, Jacob.”
“You don’t get to question her?—”
Kachelle held up a hand. “It’s okay.”
“Baby, no, it’s not.”
“It is. I’m gonna say this once, and I’m gonna be done with it, so make sure you hear me loud and clear, Mr. Mitchell.”
She put her fork down and turned to my father.
“I love your son. I don’t wanna hear anything about it’s too soon for us to be in love because what you think doesn’t matter on that front. I love him. I don’t want his money. I don’t want to ride his coattails. I have no desire to be a kept woman. You didn’t have to say it, but I’m sure that’s been a thought. A recurring one at that. I am a doctor, a dentist, to be more specific. I make my own money, and I have always paid my own way in this world. Jacob is not a come-up for me. Again, I love him. He is safe with me, and so is his heart.
“I would never dream of hurting or taking advantage of him. This man is my soulmate. He is who I prayed for, and I thank God for placing him in my path. I thank you and Mrs. Mitchell for raising such an amazing man. I know he is who he is because of you two. I don’t want it to take years for you to accept me. Although I don’t need you to accept me because your son already does, I would like to be accepted. We are family. You aren’t going anywhere, and neither am I. You can get to know and love me, or we can continue to be strangers, but I’m here to stay.
“I am his wife, his partner, his helpmate, and the person who will stand with him in the face of adversity. You did your part in making him a man and a good husband. Let him be that.”
She turned back to her plate and picked up her utensils, forking a helping of yams into her mouth.
“Can I have the recipe for this?” she asked my mother.
“Of course.”
Jessa snickered. My father was still staring at Kachelle. His face has softened quite a bit which took me by surprise. He wasn’t used to having anybody talk back to him. The fact that she put him in his place, and he stayed calm spoke volumes.
“Well…” he said, picking up his fork. “You’ve got a strong-minded one, Jacob. She’s like your sister.” He offered a slight smile. “I taught my baby girl to never let a man run over her and to stand her ground. I can see you were taught that, too.”
Kay nodded. “I was. I don’t like confrontation, but if I have to jump in the ring I will.”
“Period,” Jess said, slapping her five. “Daddy, can you please stop giving them a hard time? Look at them. They’re happy and I finally have the sister I’ve always wanted. Don’t ruin that for me… I mean for Jacob.”
I chuckled. “You see how you made this about you?”
“I’m on your side, punk! I know I was skeptical at first, but I fully support you both and I think we all should as a family. Let’s face it, Jake isn’t getting any younger. You better leave them alone if you want some grandkids cause I’m not popping out anybody’s babies. Please believe that.”
My father shook his head. “Now that I think about it, I don’t know if you being like Jessa is a good thing,” he jested.
Kachelle smiled. “I love Jess just the way she is.”