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Hit two.
His father walked out the door, not even sparing a backward glance.
The old irritation sparked at the slight. Jahleel could give in and feed the resentment or thank God that he wouldn’t have to stay here forever. As soon as he got the okay to travel, he’d be on the first plane back to Texas.
Why had he let his mother talk him into coming home? Surely he could’ve found some hotel to lay up in while the swelling eased in his leg. Snippets of a conversation pressed on the edges of his memory. What had the doctor said? How long would he be off his leg? How long would he be beholden to Obadiah Walker?
Jahleel grimaced. He had the perfect reason never to step foot in Peachwood Bay again: his father. He had never measured up to the Reverend’s standards. When he’d turned to football in junior high, their differences became starklyevident. Over and over Jay had been told how much time he wasted with a pigskin.
A snort escaped. His father hadn’t even been satisfied when Jahleel earned a business degree before going to the NFL. First draft pick. Number one wide receiver for the San Antonio Desperados. Nothing pleased his father.Nothing.
A light tap sounded on his bedroom door.
“Come in.”
His mother entered holding a tray of food. The smell of blackened shrimp wafted over to him. His mouth watered at the thought of the grits that would accompany the meal. Mavis Walker was famous for her shrimp and grits. Earned a blue ribbon year after year at the church showdown. The only other place a person could get shrimp and grits as good as his mama’s was Sam’s Shack. The diner served the best coastal Southern cuisine in Peachwood Bay. People actually drove in from a few towns over to enjoy the food.
Jahleel’s shoulders dropped as the tension eased from the base of his neck.Thank the Lord for moms.His mother was the complete opposite of his father in every way.
“Brought you some lunch.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
Almond-shaped eyes resembling his stared back at him, filled with love and topped with blue eye shadow. Some things never changed. The thought lifted his mouth in a smile. Sure, a few more wrinkles lined her forehead and around her mouth, but the heart of his mama remained the same.
“You’re welcome, baby.” Her wide nose lifted with her smile.
The sound of her warm Southern voice soothed the bitterness that remained from his father’s latest retort. She’d sounded the same when she fussed over past injuries he’d incurred growing up. In high school she never hovered, but as soon as he appeared hurt, she would be there, ready to soothe the ache with a meal and a hug or two.
He would never admit to anyone how much that had meant to him. Was that why his room had stayed the same? To welcome him home when he was ready to return? To prove she hadn’t forgotten her only son? Or had his father forbidden her to come in and change it?
She placed the white tray over his lap and fluffed the pillows behind his back. “How’s that?”
“Great, Mama.” He squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”
Just because he didn’t want to be here, in this house, under his father’s roof, didn’t mean he’d take his foul mood out on her. She hadn’t done anything to deserve an angry son. No, the fault had always been with his father. Jahleel started to say something and stopped. Why complain? It wouldn’t fix anything or make a difference. He picked up his spoon.
“Don’t forget to say grace.”
“Right.” He bowed his head and whispered a prayer of gratitude for the woman who could handle his father’s bad moodsandhis. A twinge of guilt hit him. When was the last time he’d said grace?
“I’ve tweaked the recipe since your last visit.”
He took a bite and moaned. The shrimp paired wonderfully with the cheese grits. He’d yet to find something like it in San Antonio. The best Mexican food: yep. Soul food: not so much.
There seemed to be an extra kick to the recipe. “Is it cayenne pepper?”
“Mm-hmm. You like?”
“Love.” Spoonful after spoonful disappeared as his stomach warmed. “Too bad you didn’t put my meds in here. Remember, you used to hide them in applesauce?”
“And you knew it. Every single time.” She chuckled. “I can’t believe you remember that.”
“Ha! There’s a reason I can’t eat that stuff now. All I can think of is that chalky aftertaste.”
“Then aren’t you glad you can swallow them down like a big boy now?” She winked.
He shook his head, a smile on his face. “Man, the guys would rib me good if they heard how you talk to me.”
