I watched Jackson walk out my apartment door and I regretted the words I spoke. I hurt him and I keep doing that. Damn! I am not good at this at all. I hurried and changed my clothes. I left his clothes on my bed, I didn’t want to give them back to him. I wanted to keep a piece of him, just for me. I was afraid once he knew me, I’d lose him forever.
I closed the apartment door and locked it. I took a breath and headed down the stairs to get into Jackson’s car. He was on the phone when I got in.
“Thanks Lydia, I’ll be in shortly. I’m going to see my mom quick this morning then I’ll be in.”
He hung up the phone and put the car into gear. I reached out my hand and stopped him. He moved it back into park and looked at me.
“I’m sorry Jackson. I’m sorry for a lot of things. But mostly I’m sorry I keep hurting you. You’ve done nothing but nice things for me and all I’ve done is fight you, cut you down and push you farther and farther away.”
I took a breath and looked in his eyes. “This is hard for me Jackson. I’ve closed off so much of my heart that I don’t know how to open it up. I’ve shut down my emotions, my trust in people and I don’t know if I can get that all back. I’m afraid I’m a lost cause Jackson, and I’m afraid I’m going to keep hurting you.”
Jackson looked at me and smiled, “Lacie, I’m not going away just because you are afraid. I know this is difficult for you. I know you don’t trust me, but I’m going to prove to you that I’m worth your trust, and I’m going to win your heart.”
I looked at him like he was crazy. “Jackson, what if I don’t have anything left in my heart to give?”
He reached out his hand and cupped my cheek. “I don’t believe that Lacie. I watched you with my mom. Your heart is fine, you’re just afraid to open it to me. Don’t worry, you will. I won’t stop until I have all of you.”
I couldn’t help but shiver from his words. I didn’t shiver in fear, but I shivered in the excitement that he opened up in me. I shivered at the touch of his hands and the look in his eyes. But I didn’t shiver in fear, for somewhere deep inside, I knew I had nothing to fear from Jackson.
I leaned over to him and said, “Kiss me Jackson.”
He smiled, “Always Lacie.”
We reached the nursing home and he walked me inside.
“Good morning Ray.” Ray looked up and smiled,
“Good morning Miss Lacie, Mr. Hewitt.” Jackson smiled at the man. “Good morning Ray. It’s a beautiful day isn’t it?”
Ray quirked his brow. “It’s cloudy and supposed to rain today, sir.”
Jackson smiled at him then said, “But it’s a beautiful day when you start it with a beautiful woman by your side.”
Ray beamed and said, “Yes, sir. May I say she’s just as beautiful inside as she is outside? Her heart is pure.”
I smiled at Ray and dipped my head as I blushed. Jackson chuckled and I waved at Ray as we continued on our way.
“Good thing he’s married, or I’d have to take him down.” Jackson whispered in my ear.
I giggled. Damn there that was again. Who am I? I don’t giggle. I walked through the hall and passed by Lou.
“Good morning Lou.” He beamed at me.
“Time for a game later Lacie?”
I shook my head, “Lou, you need a better partner than me.”
He shook his head, “No Lacie, you just need to focus.”
Jackson chuckled. “I have time for a game or two. Can I sit with you?”
Lou gestured to the chair. I smiled at the two and said, “I’ll be by in a bit. I have some things to do before I clock in.”
Jackson smiled at me and Lou just waved me off, ready for a challenge.
I moved on my way, to set my ladies up for the day. I brushed out their hair and made sure they had the clothes on they wanted to make them feel beautiful for the day. I told them that I would be off this weekend and that I would make sure to have Vanessa look in on them while I was away to take care of them. They smiled and were full of questions. I just told them the minimal, that I was going to visit a good friend back in my hometown. They seemed to back off after that and I moved about my day. I went back to the game room and found Jackson still playing checkers with Lou. It melted my heart.
I watched the two battle it out and I watched Jackson with a serious face watching the board and looking at Lou. I smiled and thought to myself, he could be mine, if I just let him in. I watched in amazement as Lou went down in flames. Jackson beat him. How did he do that? No one beats Lou.