“There’s nothing for you to feel bad about.”
“But I do.”
“I don’t want you feeling any type of way about what my parents are going through, Destiny.”
“Is this all about Mama coming to dinner?”
“Based on the glow around Dad when you two left last night, I’d say it had something to do with it. He talked about Ms. Clara with so much admiration last night. And this morning, he had a talk with Mom and then later waltzed into my office at Turner Enterprises and told me he was leaving Mom as if he were announcing that he was going to get a cup of coffee.”
“This can’t be good news. He’s acting prematurely, don’t you think?” I asked.
“I’ve never seen him this happy.”
I couldn’t believe I was asking, “How does your mother feel about all of this?”
“She’s is taking it hard.”
“A woman losing her husband is not a small thing. You should go comfort her. She may need someone to talk to,” I urged.
“I’ll go by there before I head back to Atlanta. I’m going to our house to meet the interior designer first. You said you want spring colors in Montana’s room, right?” he asked, sounding much livelier.
I smiled at the mention of our house; I could only imagine what he was having done to it. “That’
s right babe and I would like a burnt orange and blue in Junior’s room.”
“Consider it done,” he said. I could tell he was scribbling notes down as he asked, “How is Ms. Clara doing this morning?”
“Better than yesterday. I can only tell you that much. She told me she’s glad she has closure now,” I said, omitting the fact that Mama knew the entire time Jacob was John’s son and that her going to his parents’ home was calculated and planned.
“Well, from the way Dad is acting, she might as well get ready to open back up.”
“Jacob, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Tell him to back off. Mr. Turner showing back up this late in her life will be too much for her, especially since he already has a wife. Mama can’t take being jilted again.”
“I wouldn’t attempt to speak for Dad. He is his own man. However, from what I understand, he plans to do right by her. Just like I plan to spend the rest of my days doing right by you.”
“Aw Jacob, that’s sweet. I love you.”
“I love you too, future Mrs. Turner.”
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea for our parents to…” I paused as I tried to wrap my mind around my mother dating any man, much less my soon to be father-in-law.
“To what, love each other?”
“It seems unnatural.”
“Destiny, that’s not for us to decide. Our parents have to make their own choices in love, just like we did. Don’t begrudge them out of reuniting, if the future deems it so.”
“You have a point there. Well, at least, ask your father to give my mother some more time before he approaches her. Hell, he needs to give himself some time to settle things with your mother.”
“I will mention it, but, again, my father is his own man.”
I sighed. “Okay, I’ll talk to you later,” I said, beginning to miss him already as our call was coming to an end. I was eager to get my day on a roll and catch up on my advertising work, but I could have talked to Jacob most of the morning. “But do me another favor, Jacob.”
“Anything.”
“Be there for your mother.”
“Destiny, you are right for me in every way. I knew you were the one after our first conversation. After all Mom has done, you still are concerned about her feelings.”