Forever Yours by Candy Caine Page A

I love you.”
    Her mother’s hateful words about her relationship with Charles echoed in her head and all Jade was able to say was, “Okay. See you tomorrow.”
* * *
    That night, tired as she was, Jade lay awake thinking about the confrontation she’d had with her mother. Had she been so naïve to think she’d get a chance to see her father? Hadn’t she really expected her mother to act exactly as she had? After all, her parents had marched with Martin Luther King only to realize they’d no time or patience for the slow pace that the changes in civil rights were taking. In essence, their views had become radicalized. Growing up in a segregated South, who could really blame them? However, it was time for them to change course again and rejoin the mainstream of society. African-Americans had come a long way and had even reached the White House. Unfortunately, her parents were myopic and just couldn’t read the writing on their crumbling wall. Instead, they’d rather cling to their prejudices.
    As Jade stared at the ceiling, she thought about her love for Charles. Was it strong enough to weather all the storms—especially the ones when he wasn’t around? Was she independent and strong enough to raise Preston—no matter what? She wanted to be able to shout out “Yes!” However, she wasn’t certain.

Chapter 15
    Charles and Jade often discussed Preston’s upbringing. She knew he preferred her to be a stay-at-home mom while the boy was developing his major skills. Charles didn’t want her to place Preston in day care just so she could go back to work. There was no need, because he would take care of them. This was wonderful, but what would she do if Charles ever left her or, God forbid, anything ever happened to Charles? She wanted to prepare for any eventuality by having a job to fall back on. She intended to discuss that with Charles, and the sooner, the better.
    Unfortunately, Charles couldn’t be with them all the time. Sometimes Jade felt as if she was raising Preston as a single parent. Especially when Preston was sick and Charles wasn’t there to help. Being a mom was just as new to her as the world was to Preston. But when Charles was home with Caroline Jade couldn't call him. She was afraid to stir up trouble, even though he’d made her promise to do so in an emergency. Sometimes she found herself scared beyond belief, so afraid she was making a mistake, that she nearly dialed his number, only to break the connection at the last possible moment. She always tried to find a way to deal with the crisis herself.
    Until one night when she was so distressed, she’d have sold her soul to the devil. She would never forget that night as long as she lived. She’d put Preston to bed at the usual time. Charles had called earlier to let her know he’d be going home to Long Island. If things went well with the case he was working on, he’d see her for dinner the following night. Jade’s life seemed very much like a light bulb lately. Charles was the on/off switch. When he showed up at the apartment, the switch was on, and when he left, her life dimmed.
    Jade soaked in a hot bath and then crawled into bed with a book. She had fallen asleep a short time later only to be awakened by a loud thump, followed a beat later by Preston’s high-pitched scream. Nearly tripping over her slippers, she raced into his bedroom and turned on the light.
    Her hands flew to her mouth as her heart plummeted. Her eyes took in everything as fear and panic caused her head to throb. She began to gag on the bile that had risen into her throat. Preston had fallen out of the crib onto the hard wood floor, and blood was seeping from his head.
    Ever since she was a young child, Jade couldn’t handle the sight of blood. When she was older, she was able to tolerate seeing her own blood, but she still got queasy at the sight of another person’s. This was different. She had no choice. He was a child—her child—and he needed her help.