“Jacky?” Her voice trembled as she repeated my name. I could read the surprise on her face as well as happiness. Teardrops rolled by her cheek, “my baby.”
Unable to keep my distance, I pulled her into a hug and wrapped my arms around her. She wailed in my arms, and I started to feel guilty, maybe I stayed away too long. “I’m so sorry, ma'” I said between sobs.
She pulled away from me, and we looked into each other’s tear-stained eyes. She shook her head, vigorously, “No. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for how I reacted, for how I treated you. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
I place my hands on her cheeks to wipe her tears, “It’s okay. I understand. It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m okay. I forgive you.”
She shook her head, “I shouldn’t have kicked you out. I shouldn’t have done to you what my parents did for me. It was so wrong.”
“Do you forgive me?” I pled.
She frowned, “Forgive you? I’m the one who needs to be forgiven. I’m so sorry. I…” It was then she realised that there as someone behind us. Her eyes widen as she looked at Valdo even more so when she noticed who he was carrying in his hands. Her eyes met mines again, “Is that..?”
I nod my head before she could continue. “Yes, that’s your grandbaby.”
My mother moved closer to Valdo and bent to look at Jamaica. “She’s so beautiful. What’s her name?”
“Jamaica Gizelle Taylor.”
She turned and looked at me for a brief second; then another tear fell from her eye. “Thank you.”
She wiped it quickly then looked up at Valdo. “I’m Gizelle Taylor.” she held her hands out, and he shook it. “Uvaldo, Dakota.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr Dakota.”
“You can call me Valdo.”
She smiled, “Valdo, it is.”
She looked around then at us, “We should probably go inside before one of those noisy neighbours starts gossiping.” She moved away from Valdo and left to open the door wider for us to enter. As I entered, I realised that nothing changed. It was exactly as it was when I left. “You can have a seat on the couch. Is there anything I can get you guys?”
“I’m okay.” Valdo and I said simultaneously as we sat on the couch. My mother nod then took a seat on the opposite couch.
She looked at between Valdo, and I then asked, “Are you two… together?”
I looked at Valdo as he smiled, “Yes.” we answered simultaneously once again.
“Is he the father of the baby?”
I shook my head, “No. William is Jamaica’s father. I told William I was pregnant the same day I told you and he rejected me saying that she wasn’t his. I haven’t seen him since. ” I looked across at Valdo and smile. “I met Valdo when I was seven months pregnant and homeless. He took me in. His family became my own. We’ve only been dating for a few weeks.”
My mother bent her head in shame. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I tried looking for you. When I calmed down, I tried looking for you, but you were nowhere to be found. I even reported you missing, but the police said it wouldn’t be a missing report since I had told you to leave and it was too early. I tried a few more times, but nothing came of it. ”
She sobbed, “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, ma’. I’m okay. I survived. I met Valdo, Hannah, Kevin, Zuria and some other wonderful people. I know what the real world is like now. If I had stayed here in this town, then God knows the type of scandal that would surround both of us. I would have never been able to experience other types of love and family relationship.”
“You leaving still caused a scandal. Word got around as soon as I reported it to the police the next day. Dalton can’t keep his mouth shut, has to tell his wife everything.” Dalton and his wife, Melissa, were the town’s renown chatterboxes. They couldn’t keep anything to themselves. I don’t know how he’s been a cop for so long.
I shook my head, “It doesn’t matter. We both know how toxic this town is. They hear what they want to hear and believe what they want to believe.”
She smiled, “When did you become so wise?”
“Living on the streets teaches you wisdom.”
She sighed, “I’m sorry you had to go through all that before you were ready.”
“The funny thing is, I don’t regret any of it. I’ve learnt so many things from that day. I wouldn’t have met Valdo if things had turned out different.”
“I think fate would have allowed us to meet eventually,” Valdo spoke up. I smiled at his sweet words.
She looked at Valdo, “So you’re my daughter’s boyfriend?” This is my first time introducing my mother to my boyfriend. She had found out that William and I were dating through one of her co-workers. Her only advice was to be careful. The Nectar family was known for not only their wealth but the scandals that occur within the family.
He answered, “I am.” “You’ve been taking care for her these past few months?” I hope Valdo don’t mind my mother asking him questions. Any mother would want to know what her child has gotten herself in.
He nodded, “I have.”
“You don’t mind that Jamaica isn’t yours?” she asked curiously.
He shook his head, “I don’t. I know she isn’t mine biologically, but I’ve been with her since the day she was born and before that. I’m the only father figure she knows.” I smiled at how easy he answered my mother’s question.
“You want to be her father?” my mother asked curiously with her eyebrows raised.
Valdo looked at me and smile, “I do.”I blushed at his words. “And maybe one day, if Jacoby gives me a chance, I’ll marry her and adopt Jamaica legally.” I blushed at his words. If Valdo even asked me to marry him today, I would say yes. I didn’t need more time to tell how great he is.
“That’s a big commitment.” she pointed out.
“It is.” he agreed.
“Are you sure you’re ready to be a father to someone else’s child?” That was a good question to ask, and I knew exactly why my mom asked it. When I was around ten, she met a guy, but he only wanted her and not the child that came with her.
“I am. I don’t consider Jamaica someone else’s child. From what Jakobia told me, William denied being the father. He has no claim over her.”
My mother nodded and smiled, “How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-eight,” he answered honestly.
She chuckled, “You’re closer to my age than hers.” she quickly looked at me, “Not that it matters. I can see that you truly care about my daughter, and that’s all that matters.”
“Ms Taylor…”
“Gizelle, I’m only six years old than you.”
Valdo smiled, “If it makes you feel any better. You look way younger than your age.” She did. Whenever we went out of town people would always think she’s my sister instead of my mother.
My mother smirked at Valdo, “Are you flirting with me?”
“No ma’ma. I only have eyes for your daughter.”
She looked at Valdo, “Don’t call ma’am again even though I’m a grandma.”
He held up his pinky fingers, “I won’t. I promise.”
My mother looked at me and smile. “I like this one. Keep him.”
“I won’t let her go.” I smiled. I didn’t want him to let me go either.
My mother smiled. “I’m guessing you’re planning on going back to ….”
“New York.” I added-in.
I looked at her and Valdo then nod, “Yes. New York is my home now. I have real friends, a family. I’m sorry, Ma. I don’t think I can come back here. Not after all that’s happened.”
She nodded sadly, “I understand. So are you guys leaving tonight?”
I shook my head, “No. We were planning on staying a few days. Get some papers sorted out. I left all my documents here. I have some things to collect from school as well.”
“I’m so sorry you didn’t get to graduate. You would have looked great in that ugly green gown.”
I chuckled, “I’m kinda happy I didn’t get to put on that ugly gown.”
“So are you planning on going back to school?”
I nod, “Next year I’ll do my ACT and SAT. For now, I’m just going to be a mother to my baby.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get to go to university as planned.”
“It’s okay. I realised that I wouldn’t have been a good Civil Engineer.”
“You’ve changed your mind?”
I nod, “I don’t want to build houses anymore. I want to build families. I want to be like Hannah, Valdo’s mom. She’s amazing. She is a single mother, just like you. She got pregnant young just like us. Now she spends her days helping other single moms. I want to help other persons just like Valdo has helped me. I’m not sure how exactly I’m going to do that, but I’ll figure something out.”
“I’m proud of you no matter what you do.”
“Thank you, ma'” She shook her head, “I should be thanking you for coming back to me. I tried looking for you. I hired an investigator for a few months, but he was too expensive. I had to let him go. I want you to know that I never gave up on you. I’m sorry for the way I acted. I can’t say sorry enough.”
“It’s okay; I forgive you. Let’s not get sad again.”She wiped her tears, “It’s just that I’m so happy to see you.”I know.”
“How long will you be staying?”
“A week.”
“Have you booked the motel yet?” Alton was a small town, and so the only place tourist had available to stay were motels. Motels that were used by the town prostitutes. Motels that barely get cleaned properly. I remember Peter one of William’s friend telling us exactly how gross the rooms were. I shook my head.
“To be honest, we didn’t even think about that. ”
I looked at Valdo and frown. “I hate the idea of staying in those nasty motels.”
“Can’t we stay here?” Valdo asked.
“It’s a one-bedroom.” My mother responded.
“That’s fine. You three can sleep together, and I’ll sleep out here on the couch.”
“You don’t mind?” My mother asked.
He shook his head, “No. I don’t. My mother and I lived in a one-bedroom apartment too. We had a pull-out couch. That was my bed for fifteen years.”
“This is not a pull-out couch.” I inserted.
“I’ll be fine,” he assured.
“Your back will hurt you.”
“It won’t.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay sleeping on the couch?” My mom asked.
“I’ll be fine. I’ve slept on worse, believe me.” I did. His mother told me that they were living on the streets at one point too. Homeless isn’t something to be ashamed of.
“You guys must be tired. How long have you been travelling?”
“I’m pretty exhausted. It’s a fifteen-hour drive from our apartment to here.” You could tell he was exhausted by the bags under his eyes, but he didn’t let it bother him much.
“You drove all the way here?”
Valdo nod and smile, “Yeah. Jacoby has no idea how to drive a car.”
“That’s my fault. I never had one for myself, nor have I ever driven one.”
“That’s sad. Sad because cars are amazing, especially fast ones.”
She laughed, “I agree. I hope you guys took stops on your drive here.”
“We did. We have been to four different states in the past thirty-six hours. It’s truly amazing. We stayed at a fancy hotel last night. You’d love it.” It was my mother’s fantasy to have dinner in a fancy hotel with a handsome, rich man. She never got the chance to, but she still holds the dream close to her heart.
“Maybe one day.” She pushed the fantasy away, “Have you guys eaten?”
“I’m starving.” I looked Valdo for his response.
“Same.”
I looked at my mom, “What about you?” I looked at her up and down. She looked like she lost around ten pounds since I lost saw her, maybe even more. “When was the last time you ate?”
“Yesterday, I think,” she said casually. “Ma’! You must be hungry.” It’s always been like this with her. She would work long shifts and forget to eat. I always had to remind me to take care of herself.
“Baby, it’s no big deal.”
“It is. We’re going out. To the fanciest restaurant in town and you’re going to eat all the food we never could.” I don’t know what made me say that, but I just wanted to celebrate been back with my mother. I missed her so much.
“Can you afford ‘The Castle’?”
“I can’t but he can,” I said, pointing at Valdo with a cheeky smile.
“You’re rich?” My mother asked Valdo.
“Very.”