Seasons (25 page)

“Why don’t you invite Randi and her family? That way, we’ll all be together and you won’t have to leave.”

“No, they always go to John’s parents for most of the day, then come to visit me for a while.”

“And where do you usually go?”

“Sometimes I go to church, then spend the day by myself relaxing. And sometimes I hit several places where I’ve been invited.
It just depends on how I feel.”

“That’s over,” he said, not liking the idea of her spending the holiday alone.

Jaci arrived on Thanksgiving Day with a beautiful floral arrangement for J.P.’s table. “You told me not to bring any food,
but I wanted to bring something,” she explained.

“You didn’t have to bring anything but yourself,” he said hugging her tightly, pleased at her thoughtfulness. He knew the
women in his family would be impressed.

Lots of people were already there. Several women bustled around in the kitchen, and, of course, the men and a few women sat
in front of the big screen television watching a game.

Jason led her around the house, introducing her to everyone.

“Well, it’s about time!” a heavyset, nice-looking woman emphatically stated when they stepped into the kitchen. “I’m Cecelia
Gilmore, this guy’s mother. He’s been in big trouble for not bringing you to meet me. I’m very happy to finally meet the woman
who has made my son so happy.” She inspected Jaci appraisingly from head to toe, summing up everything about her in that comprehensive
look. “We’ll have a talk sometime today. After all I’ve heard about you, it’s time I found out a few things myself.”

“Don’t look so scared,” her husband, Big Pat, said, coming over to hug her. “Her bark is worse than her bite.”

“And yours is not?” Jaci asked, remembering his proposal on J.P.’s behalf. They both laughed.

Jaci was still carrying the flowers. She handed them to Cecelia and asked, “May I help with anything? I’m not really a good
kitchen hand, but I’d like to help if there’s anything you need me to do.”

“Don’t believe that, Mom!” J.P. said laughingly. “This woman can cook. Just ask Patrick. And you know what a picky eater he
is.”

Cecelia accepted the flowers with a big smile. “These are beautiful. Thank you so much. I’ll just go put them on the table
right now. And yes, you can help us get the food set out so everyone can serve themselves.”

J
aci went to work helping Cecelia, glad to have something to do.

More people arrived, including a man with a cynical look on his face, whom Jason introduced as his brother, Ron. He, too,
examined her in an assessing way, and Jaci could tell just by his eyes that he might try to start trouble with her.

They finally organized the food and got everyone seated at a table. Most of the older people sat around the large dining room
table. The young adults staked out the kitchen area, and portable tables were set up in the family room for the children and
those unwilling to leave the game on television.

They all ate heartily, and most of the massive amounts of food disappeared.

After the meal, Jaci wandered into the beautiful living room, which was decorated in white with gold and black accents. She
stood admiring the black art in the form of framed paintings and sculptures, as well as the impressive white grand piano,
sitting in a place of prominence, when she heard someone walk up behind her.

“What do you think? You like the decor in here?” Cecelia asked, looking at one of the pieces of art.

“Yes, I do. Although it’s rather cold and sterile,” Jaci answered.

“Well, I don’t like it. It’s too stark, not enough color, no plants or anything to make it homey. But what do I know? That
professional decorator J.P. hired said it was perfect.”

“If you saw my house, you would know that I agree with you about the color. I like vibrant colors too. But I do like the clean
uncluttered look in here. Probably, what you don’t like is that it looks more like a showroom than a living room.”

“Hmmm! You’re right. It does look more like a showroom than a room to be lived in. What say we sit down and put it to some
use?” As both took a seat across from each other on the matching white sofas, she continued. “Why don’t you tell me a little
about yourself?”

Jaci felt like she was on trial. “Okay. Let’s see. I grew up in a small community known as Riverwood, Arkansas. I come from
a very large family. After I graduated from college, I moved to Dallas, and later, here. I have a daughter whom I raised by
myself, and two grandchildren. I work for the city in the Housing Compliance Department—been there over twenty years. For
the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to work part-time for Jason, doing some quality control work, and I love it.
I’m a member of the Grace Community Church, where I sing in the choir and every once in a while get to teach a Sunday school
class. I’ve been there almost as long as I’ve lived in Houston. And . . . let’s see . . . I think that about covers everything.”

“How long have you lived here in Houston?”

“Over twenty-two years.”

“And what made you decide to move here? Did you have family already here?”

“No, I didn’t. I moved here to take a job. But when it didn’t work out, I ended up working for the city. I hadn’t planned
to be there long—just until I could find something better. But shortly after I started, the bottom fell out of the economy,
and jobs became scarce, so I was glad to have it. After I had been there long enough to have a little seniority and get vested,
it made sense to stick it out.”

“Mom! Are you in here interrogating Jaci?” J.P., followed by his dad, came into the room. His uncle Stanley didn’t lose any
time following them. Then came Uncle Stan’s wife, Aunt Lucille.

“Oh Lord!” Jaci thought. “Now I’m really in for it.”

J.P. sat on the armrest of the sofa where Jaci was sitting, facing his parents. His aunt and uncle sat beside Jaci. Jaci felt
Jason’s arm slide around her, pulling her close to him. She knew he was trying to show his support, but actually, all he did
was make her feel more uncomfortable.

“Oh, so this is where everyone ran off to!” Patrick and one of the cousins came into the room with cameras. Patrick carried
a video camera, and the cousin a digital camera. “Hold still and smile everybody,” the cousin said. “Just act natural everybody
and keep talking,” Patrick added.

When the cousin (Jaci couldn’t remember his name) pointed the camera toward her and Jason, Patrick yelled, “Wait!” He hurriedly
put the video camera down and ran to sit on the floor between Jaci and Jason, throwing his arms over their laps. Jason tightened
his arm around her shoulders and leaned in even closer to her for the picture. “Will you move?” she said tersely after the
picture was snapped.

“Nope!” he answered calmly.

She looked around the room again and her eyes landed on the piano. “Who plays? Or is that just a showpiece?”

“Oh no,” his mother said. “J.P. plays, and plays well—both the piano and the organ. So does Patrick if you can ever get him
to sit down and play.”

Jaci looked up at J.P. with surprise. “Well, I’ve found out something new about you today. I didn’t know you were a musician.
I’m impressed.”

“I keep trying to tell you I have all kinds of talents. Just keep hanging around, you’ll see.”

Before she could respond to his bragging, his mother asked, “What about you, Jaci? Do you play?”

“Well, I like to try. But I don’t know if I could be called a musician. I love piano and organ music. Jason, you’ll have to
play something for me sometime.”

“We’ll have to get ya’ll teamed up one of these days,” Aunt Lucille said. “Maybe at our next Family and Friends Day program
at church.”

“Um. I don’t know about that,” Jaci replied, shaking her head. “I don’t know if I’m that good.” She looked at her watch. “Oh
my, I’ll have to be leaving shortly so I can spend some time with my family. I’ll be happy to help get the kitchen in order
before I leave though.”

Cecelia jumped up. “A girl after my own heart. Come on; let’s get to it. I’ll be ready for my nap pretty soon.”

They made quick work of putting leftovers in storage containers and cleaning up the kitchen. They were almost finished when
Jason’s brother and a guy introduced as Walt strolled into the kitchen.

Uh! Oh!
Jaci thought to herself.
These guys are out for blood.

“Soooo! Jaci. Is that your name? Jaci?” Ron asked mockingly.

“Actually, my name is Jacetta. Jacetta Pauline Winters. It just got shortened over the years to Jaci. Anything else you want
to know about my name?”

“So you’re a J.P. too? Isn’t that special,” Ron said sarcastically.

“Yeah, man,” Walt agreed. “I’d say that was real special.”

“Well, yes, I hadn’t thought about it, but I guess I am a J.P. What’s your point, Ronnie Man?”

He squirmed. He didn’t like being called Ronnie. “Just trying to get to know you. Soooo, what kind of, uh . . . for lack of
a better word, ‘whupping’ you done put on my brother that’s got him all bent out of joint?”

“Ron!” at least three people yelled out.

“Now you’re being rude, Ronald, and you know better than that,” his mother said huffily, hands on her ample hips. “You’re
not too old to get
your
butt whipped. Just remember that.”

“Ron, you’re way out of line,” J.P. told his brother angrily. “You can’t act no better than that, maybe you better leave.”

“No!” Jaci stepped in quickly. “Let me and Ronnie Man finish our conversation.” She looked at a troubled J.P. “Trust me, I
got it, baby.”

She walked over to Ron, smiling. “Go for it, big boy! You too, Walt.”

Walt, realizing they may have caught a tiger by the tail, backed up a little, hands in the air.

“Like I said before I was so rudely interrupted,” Ron rolled his eyes around the room. “What you done put on my brother that’s
got his mind all messed up?”

“Love, Ron,” Jaci answered. “Simple, old-fashioned love. Do you know what that is?”

“Lady, I can write a book on what I know about love. Can you?”

“No, I can’t. But I don’t have to. The only book I need is already written. And there’s more in there than I’ll ever be able
to use.”

“Is that right? Well what part of that book have you used on my brother?”

“Oh, I’m going to tell you. You may want to write it down for future reference. Just so we don’t have to go over this again.”

“Naw, that’s all right.” Ron looked a little nervous. The conversation wasn’t going as planned. He’d intended to embarrass
her, intimidate her, and make her feel uncomfortable. However, she was standing up to him in a way he hadn’t expected.

“Well, listen real closely. I know it sounds strange, but I love using this portion of the book on people.” The kitchen had
filled with people watching the intense exchange. J.P. relaxed against a kitchen counter with a smile on his face as he watched
Jaci holding her own with Ron.

Jaci continued. “This book is called the Holy Bible. Ever heard of that book, guys? Anyway, in that book, in First Corinthians
chapter thirteen, you’ll find the love potion I’ve been using on Jason.”

A loud laugh went up from those familiar with the verses Jaci was about to quote.

Ron looked most uncomfortable. But before he could say anything, Jaci began to quote the verses in a quiet but forceful voice.
“This love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never selfish or rude to others, never
demands its own way, is never irritable, doesn’t hold grudges, hardly ever notices when others do it wrong, is never glad
about injustice, but rejoices when right wins. It’s loyal no matter what the cost, always looks for the best and always defends.
This love, Ron and Walt, never, ever ends.

“Now. What part of my love potion do you all object to?” When they didn’t answer right away, she snapped her fingers in their
faces and said, “I rest my case.” She headed straight for Jason, who embraced her, while everyone else who had crowded into
the kitchen began to clap and laugh.

Ron and Walt stood there speechless for a few seconds. Then a big grin spread over Ron’s face and he hollered out, “I’m in
love!” and followed Jaci across the room, reaching for her with outstretched arms.

“Not with this lady!” J.P. said, laughing as he pushed Ron away.

Cecelia and Big Pat crossed the room to where the couple stood. Cecelia folded Jaci in a big hug and said to Jason, “You hit
the jackpot with this one, son. You better not let her get away!”

“I’m trying, Mom,” Jason replied as he grabbed Jaci’s hand and pointed to the diamond ring on her finger. “If you can say
or do anything to make this woman hurry up and marry me, you’d make me a happy man. I’ve gotten down on my knees and begged,
stood on my head and pleaded, walked, chewed gum, rubbed my stomach and patted my head at the same time, and promised her
anything I think she might want. And she just won’t cooperate.”

Everyone cracked up as J.P. attempted to act out everything he described. “Will you stop!” Jaci yelled, embarrassed and all
of a sudden hot and flushed.

“Jaci,” Cecelia said to her. “I want to welcome you to the family. And I want you to know that I didn’t raise my sons to be
playboys. Those old crazy women out there ruined them. I hope you won’t keep this one waiting too long, since he’s trying
to straighten up.” She hugged her again.

“You know, Ron,” Big Pat said to his other son. “If you’re smart, you’ll be trying to find the field where this one came from
and get you one just like her.”

“You’re wasting your breath on that one, honey. He’s hopeless,” Cecelia told her husband.

When everything had calmed down, Jaci retrieved her purse. “It’s getting late and I should’ve already been across town.” She
headed toward the door.

“Wait, babe, I’ll walk you out,” J.P. said, following her.

“I like the way you handled Ron and Walt,” he chuckled when they were alone. “You won’t have to worry about them again. Now
I’ll have to watch and keep them from trying to steal you away from me. You’re special, honey. You know that? My mother loves
you. And that’s no small thing. Now, when are we going to set a date?” He backed her up against her truck, trapping her. “I
don’t like your having to leave me like this. I’m tired of having to snatch time with you. Tired of having to restrain myself
with you. It’s never enough.”