Chapter 36 JACKSON
twenty-nine
JACKSON
Mom/Son Dance
My heart is perfectly calm as I lead Francesca’s mom to the dancefloor for our mother/son dance. There can be no replacement for one’s own mom, but Janet has done a pretty damn good job since I lost mine.
The opening lyrics for ‘You’ll be in my Heart’ by Phil Collins come through the speakers. She took my hand, she held it tight, and she protected me, just like the song says.
“She’s here with you, Jackson. She’s heard all your promises today and I can guarantee you that she is so happy knowing you’re in love.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and nod at her words in my ear.
“Did you know your mom and I talked about becoming in-laws?” I lift my head and seeing her eyes glassy, make mine water. I tilt my head back, letting out a laugh.
“Are you trying to make me cry?”
“Oh, Jackson, no I’m not trying to make you cry.” She laughs and leans in closer like she’s got a secret. “I did hear about the bet, though.” When my eyes go wide, she shakes her head still chuckling. “Your sister is something else.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“But yes, we talked about you and Francesca getting married one day. We’re mothers, we see these things.
And what we saw in you two? We saw love.
” A tear runs down her cheek, but she makes no move to wipe it away.
“Her and I were great friends, and I made a promise to her that we would do everything we could to guide you.” Another tear runs down her cheek and now mine follow hers.
“The night before she passed, I thanked her for giving you to us and told her I would protect you as my own.”
I wrap my arms around her and let my tears flow.
If it weren’t for my shoulders shaking with silent sobs, no one would be any the wiser to our tears.
I’ve held them in for so long, but this feels like home.
Janet feels like home, and I know it’s because mom is right here with us, dancing with us, sending her love to us both.
“She was so proud of you, Jackson. And so are Frank and I.”
“Thank you for loving me and allowing me to love your daughter.”
“It was always going to be you, Jackson.”