Family Man

Chapter 40

                      "She's My Soul "

Jesse stepped a few inches away from Teesha  when Katherine and her sons walked in. They gave Jesse a gruff stare of intimidation as they walked in and stood. Silence filled the room and no one knew what to say or when to say it.  The ice was finally broken when Teesha asked about their meal as she glanced and smiled. Of course Katherine smiled and praised the restaurant as she made her way to the chair on the other side of Teesha's bed. She nodded and spoke to Jesse and he smiled politely saying  that he was fine and it was nice seeing her again. "Well..."he shifted nervously then turned to face Teesha. "I should check in with the chief.  I just couldn't leave until I knew you were stable."he exclaimed.

"I'm happy that you stuck around,and I still don't know how to repay you for....I dont know where I would be if you hadn't.."she wept thinking of everything from when she found out of Michael 's affair and how Jesse was there to palacate her from the sorrow,up until this very day of her horrible experience from the current events.

"You never have to thank me. You know why I did what I did,and I'll do it again." He exclaimed with a very deep smile as his thumb claimed her knuckles.  They stared deeply at the other as Michael's family observed their interaction. Jesse gazed up again and put on one of those fake smiles at the Jackson brothers.  He tilted his head and gave Katherine a sincere smile then he walked to the doors and exited without another word.

Katherine stood up and as she passed by Teesha's bed she patted her feet. She glanced at Randy asking for Le'lani to be brought to her. She carried her on her hip and walked towards the top of the bed."I think mommy should get some rest."Katherine said to her grandchild tugging on the collar of her pink dress.

"My pumpkin looks tired."Teesha smiled reaching for her daughter's hand bringing it to her lips kissing it. "Mommy is a tired,too. You know you  all can go."she nodded.  "I'm sure before long I'll be asleep, and if I know Michael he'll return soon."she told them.

Katherine nodded in agreement then  leaned Le'Lani closer to her mother for a quick kiss. Randy walked over quickly and took his niece out of  his mother's arms. He told Teesha Le'lani will  be taken care of and to get some rest after he smiled with sincerity.  Jackie followed with the same sentiments,but pecked her forehead.  After they left Katherine sat on the end of the bed she exhaled  as she searched for the right words to say. But  Teesha broke the silence and began talking.  "I know you're thinking something.  Mind telling me what?"she made an exasperated sigh.

Katherine exhaled as she looked at Teesha without a blink of her eye. "He's still  in love with you." Katherine expressed as she went on to question Teesha about her feelings for Jesse. She didn't want to come off as a meddling mother-n-law,but she couldn't let it go either. She loved her son,  her grandaughter and she even loved Teesha ,and she  wanted the best for all of them. Teesha nodded trying her best to smile. She knew Katherine was just as sweet as her own mother and would never pry in her marriage. She  didn't have any resentment towards her,but she still didn't want to have this conversation about her ex-lover with her mother-n-law. But it was no getting around this conversation and she didn't hold anything back as she confessed her thoughts on Jesse and Michael. She reassured her that Michael had always been the love of her life and that she loved him just as she loved him the first day they met. Michael hurt her with his infidelity and Jesse was there and never left her side when she needed him the most. Seeing Michael kiss, hug, and even tell another woman he loved her devasted a part of her she didn't know existed. Being with Jesse was something that healed her wounds sort of.  That's how she explained it. Katherine nodded and  listened to each detail ,and finally Teesha was done and things became awkwardly silent.  After grasping Teesha's hand and kissing her forehead Katherine left the hospital room and joined her sons and grandaughter preparing to go home.