Just Like Me: Jordan Poole

12

"I could kill you right now." Janine said to Destiny. "I don't know what the hell has gotten into you but you need to get it together and fast."

Destiny sat at the dining room table across from her parents. "Mom.."

"I don't want to hear it, Destiny." Her mother pointed a long finger at her. "You need to stop whatever this is and get your head together."

"My head is together, Mom." She tried. "I just had the best 2 days-"

"No, no, no." Janine said. "You are running around with this young man when you have a man that's willing to give you everything and more!"

Destiny took a breath. "I can't be with Christian because I don't love him the way he loves me. It's not gonna work out. I'm sorry."

"You're gonna make it work."

"How does me being with someone I don't want to be with benefit you at all?" Destiny said, almost afraid to speak up. "I already told Christian I was home and he's coming over to talk."

Janine looked at Joe who was supposed to be there as the peace maker. "She's right, Janine. If she doesn't want to be with Christian, then she doesn't need to be."

"See?"

"Fine. Don't be with Christian." Janine said. "But as long as you live in this house, you do not see Jordan."

"Mom." Destiny tried to stay calm. "I'm 20. Respectfully, it's not your call who I see and who I don't see."

Janine looked at Joe. "Sound familiar? She sounds exactly like Jalen and Ryan. I will not be disrespected in my own house. Go to your room, Destiny."

"Sweetheart, you can't send a 20-year old to their room." Joe took a deep breath. "Janine, we have a meeting to leave for soon. How about you go freshen up and I'll talk to Destiny?"

Janine didn't spare her child a second glance before walking upstairs. As Joe walked over to embrace his daughter, Destiny found herself wondering how her Dad ended up marrying someone like her mother.

"My baby." Joe pressed a kiss to Destiny's temple. "I am on your side, okay? You have your conversation with Christian and I'm gonna try and calm your mother down."

Destiny mumbled, pulling back from his chest. "Dad, I promise it's not about Jordan. We aren't anything serious."

"I know, princess. You play the part pretty well but I knew you weren't happy." Joe told her. "Now, I have to have the 'All of our children are mistakes' conversation with your mother again. Just one more time, though."

She sighed. "Because I'm the youngest."

"Thank the lord." Joe said, prompting a laugh from his youngest child. "I just have to request one thing from you."

"Of course."

"If you're gonna see Jordan, make sure it's not here." Joe said. "He's a good kid. Albeit, very goofy but he's good and I don't need your mother having a heart attack. She's only 46."

"Mkay." Destiny smiled. "I love you."

"Oh. I love you, too." Her father kissed her temple. "And I'm always proud of you, Destiny. You make me so proud."

She blinked away tears nodding slowly.

After 20 years, her father was on her side and he was willing to admit that he was proud of her. Joe had often taken his wife's side to avoid chaos but after three children and the same result, he was beginning to see a pattern.

Her parents left for their meeting and Christian arrived an hour later. Destiny was pacing her living area when William buzzed up to her bedroom. "Destiny?"