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“Yeah, we do.” Tony would be proud. Jackson was close to making it. When his cell rang in his pocket, he saw his father's face flash on the screen. “Dad?”
“Have you left yet?” he asked.
Jackson stood and walked over to a nearby large window. “Not yet. How's Mom?”
“She's proud of you as am I. I saw the video.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Jackson said. He released a deep sigh.
“Something on your mind, son?” his father asked.
“Thinking about Tony.”
“Tell me something. Did you do this for him or you?”
“What?” He did it for his brother. He loved music but... this was his dream, right?
“Both I guess.” Jackson scratched the back of his head.
“Son, do this for you. I never pressed you to talk about your brother. He would want you to pursue music for you,” his father said.
Jackson stared out the window. His father was right. “I hear you.”
“Flight 249 is boarding. Flight 249 is boarding,” a voice over the intercom announced.
“Dad, I have to go,” Jackson said.
“Call us with the news.”
“I will.” Jackson hung up and walked back over to seat.
“You ready?” Tommy asked as he looked at his phone once more. “Alex is here.”
“Let's go.”
****
Bailey bypassed the wall of sinks with dark towels stacked in cubbies, large shampoos, and conditioner dispensers. After cleaning her station, she could leave. Once her last client left, Bailey didn't care to stay a moment longer.
Though music played on the radio, she didn't care to hear it. She sat in her padded chair as she cleaned her workspace. She checked her phone. Jackson wouldn't call. He left.
Returning her UV/LED light to her drawer, Bailey grabbed her purse from the bottom drawer. She needed to get home. Her mother wanted to talk to her, but she refused. She was glad her mother felt better, but Bailey only focused on her work. Mother? She didn't even know her real mother. While Bailey loved the woman who raised her, finding out they adopted her was too surreal.
“Bailey?”
She raised her head to see Mia. “I can't talk. I'm leaving.”
“Bailey?” Her mother walked over.
Bailey shook her head just as Kenya walked through the door, followed by her Aunt Celia. What was this? An intervention? She didn't want to talk to them.
“I want to go home,” Bailey said. “I don't want to talk. I have nothing to say to you.” Heat flushed through her body as she stood to her feet. “You lied to me! All this time.” She faced her so-called cousins. “You couldn't tell me sooner? I thought we were...”
Her Aunt Celia inched closer. “Sometimes families make mistakes. We never meant to hurt you.”
“We're not...” Bailey couldn't bring herself to say the words.
