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JADA
As I pull into the driveway to my parents’ house, I heave a sigh. As much as I love my mom and dad, visiting them can feel like a chore at times. One more bad date. One more conversation about my ex.
I know they mean well, though. I’ve struggled with dating my whole life, and I’ve been stood up by a few high school flings, so they’ve always been protective of my heart.
If only they’d stop mourning the man I broke up with a while back. I needed to cut him off for my own sanity. He was dragging me down, and my parents were willing to ignore it to push me into a marriage way too soon.
Still, I understand that they’re just trying to make finding a partner easier for me. I just wish they would respect that I don’tneedanyone else in my life.
I climb out of the car and make my way across the sidewalk. There’s high-pitched barking coming from inside the house. I can’t help but smile. I’m always relieved to hear that my childhood dog, Coco, is in an energetic mood. That Chihuahua is turning fifteen this year. Some days she’s tired, and sometimes, she acts like she’s three all over again.
I don’t even have to ring the doorbell, because mom is already at the door. She’s holding her foot in front of Coco to keep her from darting outside. “Hey, sweetie! Come on in! We have some cinnamon rolls in the oven for you,” she says.
Despite my worries, I can’t help but smile at hearing that. It’s been ages since I’ve had some of mom’s homemade cinnamon rolls.
I head into the living room with Coco at my side, her little tail wagging like crazy. My dad is putting away his book when I come in, giving me a big smile as soon as he sees me.
“Hey, kiddo!” he says, pulling me into a big hug once I sit down. “How are things going?”
“Oh, they’re going fine,” I say. Coco leaps up onto the couch and curls up at my side. I scratch her behind the ears. “A little busy with work now that summer’s approaching, but it’s not too bad.”
“I heard your date didn’t go too well,” dad adds, his expression softening.
I avert my gaze. “Yeah, it didn’t work out. But it’s fine. I’m not super eager to jump into a relationship anyway, you know?”
“Well, just keep pushing. You’ll find the one eventually,” dad says with a chuckle.
It almost feels like we’re having two different conversations. Before my mood can go too sour, Mom comes in with a tray of cinnamon rolls in one hand and a pitcher of iced tea in the other.
“Here you are, sweetie!” she says, scooping a cinnamon roll onto a plate with a spatula. She pours me a glass of iced tea as well. I immediately reach for the cinnamon roll and take a bite. Even when your parents won’t shut up about your love life, it’s hard to be too annoyed with a mouthful of cinnamon and frosting.
“Mmm, these turned out amazing,” I say, wiping a bit of frosting from my face. “I wish you’d just teach me how you make your cinnamon rolls.”
“If I did, you’d never visit me and your father again,” she says, and we all burst into laughter.
“Although maybe….” Mom continues, serving herself a cinnamon roll. “Perhaps I could teach you how to make these once you find a husband.”
Ofcourseshe’d find a way to relate this to men. I roll my eyes.
“Truthfully, I’m not really interested in marriage,” I say. “I just want to focus on work and finding what makes me happy, you know? My last relationship didn’t go super well because I pushed it so much, and well…”
“Jada, you’re already 26,” Dad cuts in with a sigh. “I’d understand if you were in your early twenties, but you need to settle down sooner or later. Or at least give marriage atry.”
Mom nods in agreement. “You’re my baby, Jada. I don’t want you to be lonely. You may think you’re fine on your own, but one day you’ll be wishing you’d gotten married earlier.”
“You don’t know that…” I let out a huff.
“But I knowyou,” mom says. “And I know that my girl needs a good Christian man that will take care of her. If he’s strong in his faith, he’ll be a good husband to you.”
I want to argue and say that it’s more complicated than that – that no matter how much a man believes, it doesn’t mean he’s the one for me. It doesn’t even mean he’ll be nice. But I bite my tongue.
It seems like this otherwise-pleasant visit has already been ruined by their meddling. I hang my purse over my shoulder and rise to my feet. “I think I should head home,” I say. “I have to get ready for work soon.”
“Sweetie, you just got here!” Mom’s expression falls and tugs at my heartstrings. I ignore it, instead turning to give Coco a pat on the head.
“I know, but I have to go. Love you guys!” I hurry out the door before either of them can stop me, heading straight to my car.
By the time I’m in the driver’s seat, there are tears in my eyes. I rest my head against the wheel and take a long, deep breath.
