Chapter 18
T hings were progressing between me and Jayla perfectly.
As we prepared to return to school on Monday, I tried to mentally prepare for the conversation Pearl wanted to have.
I didn’t know what she wanted to discuss.
The last time we talked, it was about what the kids needed for school.
Jayla and I had already told her we’d get whatever they wanted and needed.
Since Miley was going into first grade and Mateo had a growth spurt, we got new clothes along with school supplies.
Unless she wanted to discuss transportation to and from school, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this conversation.
I could tell it was weighing on Jayla heavily too because she’d been silent the whole drive. When we arrived, I cut the car off but didn’t rush to get out.
“What do you think she has to say?” Jayla asked softly.
“Honestly, bae, I don’t know.” I took her hand into mine and kissed it. “Could be about how the kids are going to get to school since she isn’t in the district.”
Jayla sucked her teeth and shook her head. “I can’t believe Sonny came home long enough to register them for school before leaving again. He didn’t even have the decency to make time for them. He just went to the school and fucking left.”
“My gut is telling me that man ain’t coming back, Jayla. Not permanently.”
“Unfortunately, I think you’re right.”
We sat in silence for a while before I got out and went to her side and opened her door. Hand in hand, we walked the short way to Pearl’s front door. I rang the doorbell, and it wasn’t long before Pearl came and greeted us then led us inside.
“Where are my babies?” Jayla asked instinctively, looking around the living room.
“With their aunt Stacy. I didn’t want them here for what I had to say.”
While Jayla and I sat on the couch, Pearl sat in the recliner that was off to the side of it. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders while she rested her hand on my thigh.
“Sonny ain’t coming back,” Pearl said with a slow shake of her head. “He done went to Miami and convinced himself he is happier and at peace when he isn’t a father. A husband. A man with responsibilities.”
Jayla and I looked at each other.
“Is he giving you custody of the kids?” I asked.
She sighed and ran her hands up and down her thighs.
“He wants to, but I don’t want it. He wants to give up his rights and stay in Miami.
I’m willing to do what I gotta do for my grandkids so they won’t be put in the system.
Legally, I’ll be their guardian, but his siblings gon’ have to raise them.
I’m too old. I done raised my kids. I can’t raise his too.
” She leaned forward and pointed toward a purple folder on the coffee table.
“That’s some information on the schools up the street I’ll have to transfer them to.
I wanted to tell y’all before I told them. ”
“Wait, what?” Jayla asked sitting up, and the distress in her voice made my heart ache.
“They can’t go to other schools.” She chuckled nervously.
“M-my little nugget is about to be in a completely new grade and that’s an adjustment I wanted to help her through.
And Mateo . . . he’s doing better in school and had plans of joining the gaming club.
They’ve already had so many adjustments and are just now settling into something stable.
You can’t uproot them from their schools. ”
“I ain’t got no other choice. Their schools are too far away. I don’t drive like I used to.”
“We’ll take them,” I offered. “We’ll keep them throughout the week, and they can alternate between their aunt and uncle’s houses on weekends and breaks.”
Jayla nodded rapidly, clawing my knee. I knew her nervous energy was going into that movement, and I was willing to tolerate or do just about anything to relieve her of it.
“Will that work?” Jayla asked—pleaded.
Pearl’s head shook as she clicked her tongue. “Y’all ain’t family, and we’ve inconvenienced you enough. I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You aren’t asking; we’re offering,” Jayla clarified.
“Look, we might not be related to Miley and Mateo, but we love them as if we were,” I admitted.
“We are committed to helping them, and you, in any way we can. I respect what you’ve done so far, and I don’t blame you for not wanting to take on this responsibility.
It’s a big one. Please, let us help carry the load. ”
While she considered our words, I took Jayla’s hand into mine and prayed silently that she would agree.
“Let me sleep on it, and of course talk to the kids, and I’ll let you know.”
Relief washed over me along with gratitude over the fact that she was even considering it.
“Thank you,” we said simultaneously before standing and getting ready to leave.
I wasn’t completely surprised to hear that Sonny wasn’t coming back, but I was surprised that Pearl wanted to change the kids’ schools.
I understood, though, because her house was about thirty minutes away from their schools.
Even though I knew it would be more convenient for her if they went somewhere closer, I was tired of these kids having to endure unnecessary changes.
They’d already been given a bad hand because they had a mother who left them way too early by force and a father who was leaving by choice. Whatever we could do to make Sonny’s absence in their lives easier to stomach, we’d do.
Our ride back to my place was just as silent, now for a different reason. After I parked in my designated parking space, I found the courage to look over at Jayla. She was looking just as pitiful as I figured she would. Sniffling, she wiped her tears.
“I know, I know, I’m overreacting,” she said with a nasally tone as she wiped her tears. “It’s just a different school district. It’s not like they’re moving to a different city.”
“That’s true, but you’re entitled to how you feel. We see the kids every day at school, so it’ll be an adjustment if they go somewhere else. Besides, they’ve dealt with enough. They shouldn’t have to deal with their father leaving them and going to a new school.”
Licking the corner of her mouth, she released a shaky breath and wiped her tears away. “I don’t want to make things more difficult for them by letting what we want get in the way. If their aunt and uncle are willing to take them in and they have to change schools, we’ll just have to make it work.”
I didn’t respond. Couldn’t. My mind was too busy trying to figure out a way to make this work for all of us. A way that would lead to them getting the stability they needed and consistency we wanted.
Eight Days Later
Instead of taking my usual trip to the casino with my family after church and brunch, I went to see Jayla’s parents instead.
I’d fasted for three days, praying and denying myself so I could hear from God clearly.
I wanted Him to guide me so I could lead Jayla properly.
At the end of my fast, I knew exactly what to do.
Jayla had no idea I was here, and I wanted to keep it that way. I made my way inside after speaking to her mom, Lila, and giving her a hug. She led me to the living room where her husband, Roger, was waiting for us. We shook hands and then sat down.
“I know normally we’d make small talk and catch up,” I said, “but I’m anxious to say what I have to say, so I’m hoping y’all are cool with skipping that.”
Lila was the first to speak up. “Yes, because I already know where this is going, and the answer is yes.”
Laughing, I hung my head briefly. “Thank you, but let me give the honor and respect you both deserve by asking and being completely transparent with you.”
Roger took Lila’s hand into his, smiling at me with pride in his eyes. “Go ahead, son.”
“You both know that Jayla and I have been dating for a little over two months now. I know that’s not a long time, but I’ve been in love with your daughter for the last ten years.
Now that I have her, I don’t want to waste any time.
Even with that being the case, I’d planned to propose after we dated for six months. I feel led to propose earlier now.”
“Why’s that?” Roger asked.
“Miley and Mateo,” I answered truthfully. “We’re about to lose them, and I can’t let that happen.”
Lila’s brows wrinkled in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“Their father is giving his mother custody of them, but she is only going to be their legal guardian. She wants her son and daughter to alternate their living arrangements and raise them for Sonny. His sister, Stacy, did agree, but her husband recently got a promotion and will be moving to Virginia. His brother doesn’t think he’s ready for the responsibility but said he’d be willing to still help Pearl out if she kept them. ”
“And let me guess, Pearl isn’t budging,” Roger confirmed.
“She’s not. All she’s willing to do is have legal custody and get them a couple times out of the month if needed for no more than two days.”
“So what is the solution you came up with?” Lila asked.
“I want Jayla and I to adopt them. I’ve already started looking at homes for us.
We’ll have to be married and living together for the best chance at adoption.
The marriage will have to happen before they leave Tennessee.
I want Jayla to have the wedding of her dreams, but we’ll need to get the license ASAP.
Marriage has always been the end goal for us, and I don’t want to make it seem like I’m only marrying her so we can adopt the kids. They are just speeding the process up.”
“Does Jayla know about this?” Lila asked.
“No. I wanted your approval before I asked.”
They looked at each other. “If she’s willing, we won’t stand in the way of that,” Roger replied.
“I know you love my daughter, and I trust you to not only prioritize and protect her but care for her and give her the life and marriage she deserves. And if you get those kids, I’m expecting you to do the same thing for them too.
If you’re ready for that responsibility, you have my blessing. ”
“You have our blessing,” Lila countered, covering his hand with hers.
Though I knew there was a greater chance that they’d say yes than no, I was still pleasantly surprised and happy they said yes.
I thanked them both before Lila burst into happy tears and hugged me.
As amused as I was, I held back my laughter.
We talked for a little while longer before I left to meet with my realtor. Plans for our future needed to be made.