I feared Mama Jean noticed my reaction. Rashon passed away many years ago, when Jamal was practically a baby, but it felt disrespectful to ogle someone in front of her. Though she’d said many times life was for the living, and I couldn’t let the memory of Jamal’s father hold me back.
“Yeah, he seems nice,” I said, hating how breathy I sounded. The attraction I felt also unsettled me.
Maybe because I wasn’t used to all this male attention, and after a night with Xander, I was starting to crack. But I had to put all that away in a box and switch on mom mode.
“Is Jamal awake?” I asked, heading toward my room to change my shirt real quick. I’d shower later.
A genuine smile broke out on her face, making her look so much like her son. The pang of pain I used to get no longer reared its ugly head when I saw the likeness. I only felt an appreciative fondness and comforting nostalgia in my brief time with Rashon.
“Yes,” she said. “He’s showering now.”
My shoulders fell, releasing tension I didn’t realize I’d been holding there. “I don’t know how to thank you, Mama Jean. You’ve been a godsend since I started this night shift.” I rubbed my forehead.And before that.
Rashon gave me a child and a parent.
Mama Jean waved a dismissive hand at me. “Honey child, you don’t need to thank me. We are family. It’s what we do.” She stood in the doorway to my bedroom as I stripped the disgusting tank top off.
Mama Jean had always been adamant about staying in my and Jamal’s life. While my parents retired to Florida years ago, Mama Jean moved out here from Georgia to be close to us. She took care of Jamal when I was still on active duty.
After I got out of the army I did my best to stay independent, but her constant presence somewhat accustomed me to counting on her, and after my massive cosmic mistake I had to lean on her more heavily than ever. Thankfully, she didn’t mind.
I pulled on a soft T-shirt. Instantly, my battery filled fifteen percent. Soft, clean clothes was one way to my heart.
Not that I’d ever tell Xander that little tip. I needed to keep that god far away from my fleshy blood-filled organ.
I finished changing and stepped back into the living room, where Mama Jean was setting the table for breakfast.
Jamal came bounding out of the bathroom, his toothbrush still in his mouth. His bright eyes landed on me, and he gave a muffled, “Mmng!”
I chuckled, ruffling his short crop of hair. “Good morning, kiddo. Ready for that math test?”
Jamal nodded vigorously, foam from the toothpaste dribbling down his chin. “Mm-hmm!” he mumbled, before dashing off to spit and rinse.
Mama Jean shook her head affectionately. “That boy. He's growing up too fast.” Mama Jean's gentle hands moved with practiced ease as she buttered pieces of toast. The rich aroma of the coffee enveloped the room, mixing with the gardenia scent of her favorite hand cream.
“Yeah, he is,” I agreed, watching Jamal with a combination of pride and wistfulness. I loved being his mother almost more than anything.
Jamal returned, his face clean, and sat at the table after dropping a kiss on his G-Ma's cheek. He glanced at me, his young face suddenly serious. “Did you catch the bad guys last night, Mom?”
“Bad guys?” Mama Jean said, halting her pour of coffee abruptly.
I gave Jamal a meaningful look to lock down his comments around his G-Ma.
He turned away and gritted his teeth. While Jamal knew far too much about the immortal underbelly of Vegas, Mama Jean was blissfully unaware, and I planned to keep it that way.
“You know, people who want to scam the casinos. Bad guys,” I supplied to Mama Jean. She thought I still ran security at Sinopolis. I didn’t love lying to her, but I’d learned long ago that there were necessary lies to keep loved ones and civilians safe as well as at ease.
“Well Lord have mercy, because you came in smelling like a garbage truck honey. Are you sure they are paying you enough?” She held out a steaming mug of coffee to me. I really should passon more caffeine if I wanted to sleep, but truthfully, I didn’t want to.
I’d only dream ofhim.
“Uh.” My thoughts raced as I looked down into the dark elixir of life as I took it. “A high-profile patron lost their jewelry in the trash, and we helped dig it out for her.”
“Oh well, that was awful good of you.” Mama Jean nodded.
As Jamal chattered about his upcoming test, I smiled and listened, treasuring these mundane yet precious moments. They were my anchor in a life filled with chaos and danger.
Tonight, I'd face the supernatural again. But for now, I was just a mom, sharing breakfast with her family.
