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“Is it going to make you happy?”
“Yeah,” I answered with a half grin.
“Well then, I was born ready. Let’s go,” he said as we walked through the kitchen to the dining room.
Upon the sight of Jacob, tension suddenly made its way around the room. Ignoring it, Jacob went around the table greeting everyone personally.
“Hey Jacob! So nice to finally put a face with the guy that has so much buzz around here,” Tasha said breaking the monotony.
“I hope it’s a good buzz,” Jacob said shaking Tasha’s hand.
“Mostly,” she said giving me a wink. “Girl, I see why this man has been causing such a stir,” she said whispering in my ear.
“Hey Mr. Jacob,” Junior said giving Jacob a hand shake.
“Hi Acob,” Montana followed suit reaching her hands up for a hug. My kids were so loving and forgiving. Only if all people had the hearts of children.
My mother cleared her throat. “Montie, I am so happy to see you at this here dinner table with your family again. It's just as it should be," said Mama. She beamed a bright smile towards Montie as he smiled awkwardly. She then had the audacity to look at Jacob as if he were no more than a pesky fly that she should shoo away.
“Mama,” I cringed from her blatant disrespect. I gently nudged her under the table. I couldn't believe she had fixed her mouth to say something like that in front of my children. She was only giving them false hope of a reconciliation between their father and me. I looked over at Jacob with apologetic eyes.
“Well, hello Ms. Clara,” Jacob said, walking around the table to greet Mama heartily. When she didn’t look in his direction, he clasped his hands and sat down in the chair beside me. He reached under the table and squeezed my hand. His gaze sternly studied everyone around the table. “I’m trying here,” he whispered through clenched teeth.
Tasha coughed loudly as she bit back the laughter in her eyes. This was going to be one hell of a dinner, and I prayed that we all would get through it unscathed.
“Let’s eat,” I said, as I began to fill my and the kids’ bowls with chili.
“After we say grace. You haven’t forgotten all of your values, have you Destiny?” Mama asked before beginning a long, drawn out prayer that included sanctity of marriage, infidelity, and never abandoning the ones you love. Besides Mama taking a few more jabs at Jacob during dinner, we ate in peace. I was surprised at how well Jacob controlled his temperament as Mama carried on.
“Mama, will you help me get the dessert?” I asked as I pointed to the kitchen.
“Sure,” Mama said taking the opportunity to get away from the table.
When we entered the kitchen, I let into her. “Mama! I have never put you out of my house, but if you say one more disrespectful thing to Jacob, you might as well pack your bag and get out of here. I have had enough.”
“You watch your tone with me. I’m still your mother,” Mama said incredulously.
“Well then act like it. Montana and Junior are acting more mature than you are at that table.”
Mama grabbed her pound cake off the counter and stormed back to the dinner table. She sat the cake down on the table and sat in her seat and didn’t say another word. Her not saying another word was perfectly fine with me. I welcomed the silence.
As everyone was finishing up their dessert, Jacob stood and announced, “I’d like to make a declaration tonight.”
I glared at Mama, daring her to think about making a comment. She couldn’t help herself. “Who the hell is he to make a declaration?” Mama whispered to Montie.
Jacob didn’t hear her remark, so he continued. “Destiny and I have made our fair share of mistakes in the short time we have been together,” Jacob said, including me, my mother and Montie in his gaze. “But God allowed us to have another chance. What we have overcome is proof that we belong together.” He paused and I gave him a reassuring nod. “From this day forward, I declare to let no one,” he looked in my mother’s direction, “…tear me away from the woman I know is meant for me. I want more than anything for Destiny to be my wife and I want the blessings of those near and dear to Destiny, which includes everyone around this table.”
“Awwww, Jacob,” Tasha said clasping her hands together just above her heart.
“Awwww, Acob.” Montana followed her lead, clasping her hands together too.
My mother shook her head slowly, while Junior sat there waiting to see what his father’s response was going to be. My mother looked at Montie, as well. Surprisingly, Montie didn’t respond. He just sat there glaring at me.
“Well, since you won’t say anything to defend your honor in the house you built, I’ll do it for you,” Mama said as she stood to her feet. She placed both of her hands down on the table in a position to pounce as she glared at Jacob. “Tasha take the kids for a walk.”
“But…” Tasha started to say something, but Mama scolded her with her eyes. “Yes ma’am.” Tasha took Montana out of her hair chair and took Junior by the hand and they walked out of the dining room.
“Mama, I warned you!” I said standing.
