Jacky was sitting on the couch, papers scattered around her as she tried to organize her thoughts. Legal documents, school schedules, and notes about Karen and Dorinda's situation filled the table in front of her. She sighed, rubbing her temples as she attempted to figure everything out. Life had been chaotic lately, and she was carrying the weight of her sisters' troubles, her own kids, and a house that felt smaller by the day.
She heard footsteps behind her, and a moment later, Glynn's strong hands began massaging her shoulders. "Baby," he said softly, his fingers working out the tension in her muscles.
"Hmm?" Jacky muttered, her focus still on the papers in front of her as she scribbled something down in the corner of a page.
"When are we gonna try for another baby?" Glynn asked casually, though there was a hint of expectation in his voice.
Jacky froze mid-writing, her head tilting slightly as she processed what he said. Without turning around, she replied, "Mmm... in about 10 to 15... years."
Glynn paused, blinking in surprise. "What?" he asked, half coughing and half laughing. He stepped back and stared at her in shock.
Jacky chuckled, finally turning around to face him, a playful smirk on her lips. "What? You didn't expect me to say that?"
"Baby, 10 to 15 years?!" Glynn repeated, still stunned. "What are we waiting on, retirement?"
Jacky shook her head, putting the pen down and leaning back into the couch. "Look, we've already got two boysa 4-year-old and a 6-year-old both full of energy. Now, I'm trying to get custody of my two teenage sisters who are halfway through a pregnancy each, meaning that's two babies, four kids in school, and two adults all in a 4-bedroom house. Does that not sound chaotic to you?"
Glynn rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "Yeah... but you grew up in an 8-person household in a 4-bedroom. Y'all made it work, right?"
Jacky raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes as she leaned forward. "Baby, there wasn't no newborn-wait, well, kinda, because Mama had Denise and Twinkie within half a year of each other. But that don't count! Dorinda and Karen weren't even born then." She crossed her arms, trying to make her point stick.
Glynn couldn't help but chuckle at how determined she was. "Alright, alright, you win," he said, giving up. He kissed her on the forehead, knowing this wasn't a battle he'd win today.
Just then, they heard a loud cry from the hallway, followed by the sound of running footsteps. Michael, their youngest, came barreling into the room, tears streaming down his face as Aaron, the 6-year-old, chased after him.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Michael screamed, running to Jacky and hiding behind her legs.
Jacky sighed but didn't move, glancing over at Glynn with a knowing look. Michael loved to taunt his older brother and then run to her or Glynn for protection, expecting them to stop Aaron from getting his revenge.
Not today.
Jacky leaned back into the couch and watched as Aaron finally caught up to Michael. She didn't intervene, just let Aaron get his payback as the two wrestled for a few moments. Glynn stood nearby, watching with a small grin on his face. Jacky wasn't about to referee this time - she was too tired of the constant fighting, and Michael needed to learn a lesson.
After a few minutes, Aaron, satisfied with his victory, stormed off to his room, leaving Michael on the floor, sniffling and wiping his tears.
"You learned your lesson?" Jacky asked, her voice calm but firm.
Michael nodded, his big eyes watery as he climbed back up onto the couch beside her.
Jacky pulled him close and kissed the top of his head. "Good. Next time, don't go picking fights with your brother if you don't want to get caught."
Michael nodded again, his little face buried in her side.
Glynn chuckled, sitting down on the other side of Jacky. "They never stop, do they?"
"Nope," Jacky replied with a tired smile. "But I love 'em anyway."
