Page 69 of The Best Man: Unfinished Business

“You’re taking another job?” Her mother’s voice floated through the room. She came to join them in the living room with a vase of water filled with a perfect arrangement of the flowers that Jordan brought. Carefully, she set it on the table.

“I might be taking another job,” Jordan corrected. “Dominion Communications brought me in for a meeting to see if they can get a yes out of me for the position.”

“Dominion Communications? The cable company? They’ve been everywhere trying to get us to switch. Commercials, billboards.”

“Hell, maybe we should switch. If my daughter’s gonna be running things we can do that.” It was clear Daddy’s interest was piqued. He was listening intently and nodding slowly to hear the whole story.

Her mother seemed concerned. “A new job, Jordan, really? And here, in Chicago? I thought that you’d decided on Malibu.

And that you were taking a break to focus on yourself, honey.

” The tone in her voice was full of the only question that she didn’t ask.

What happened, Jordan? And once again, Jordan pushed the idea of Harper out of her mind, especially as the answer to any questions.

But her mind was defiant. Harper, it said. Harper happened.

“Like I said, it’s an opportunity. A good one. It’s a company right in my wheelhouse and I can name my price. They’d handle all the details. I’m sitting down with the chairman for dinner tomorrow.”

“That’s sounds a-okay, Champ!” Jordan’s father exclaimed. “Congratulations.” It was the first moment of excitement she’d seen him display since she arrived. “That’s my girl. They calling for my daughter, jack. And she commanding top dollar. I like that!”

Jordan looked at her mother who had been observing her husband’s effusive praise and saw a disappointed look on her face. But she didn’t say anything. As usual, Jordan thought.

“Mom?” Jordan said. “What do you think?” She wanted her to say something, anything about why she shouldn’t be doing this.

To say what she’d started to say about Malibu, and leaving all the balance she’d worked so hard to achieve.

To say she shouldn’t be running away. To tell her where else to find herself when a man had broken her heart.

She waited for her mother to be the voice that Jordan had pushed so deep down within her that she couldn’t hear it for herself anymore.

“Well,” she started, turning her gaze from her husband to her daughter. “I think if that’s what you want, then great.” She shrugged and continued, “But like you said you don’t have the job yet. Let’s see what happens.” Jordan received her mother’s encouraging smile but longed for more.

“Aww hell. She’s got it in the bag,” her dad chimed in.

“So, what’re you gonna do about your hair?

” her father continued. “That short style? That was the power look. Let people know you mean business !” He punctuated his observation with a punch to his palm.

Clearly his days of retirement hadn’t done much to soften the persona he’d developed to propel himself through the executive ranks.

“Aww, honey.” Jordan’s mother approached to smooth down one of the waves in her perfectly laid style.

“This looks so nice. So…soft. Short hair is so much maintenance.” Jordan stifled any response.

She couldn’t believe her parents were opining on her hairstyle when she’d just told them she’d been presented with the opportunity of a lifetime.

An eight-figure comp package, executive housing, open-ended relocation.

And aside from all that, she thought they’d be most excited about having her nearby, close to them again after all these years.

Jordan pulled herself away from her mother’s grooming. “Look, all of this is subject to my dinner meeting tomorrow night with the chairman. We’ll see what they’re talking about and how correct they come.”

“You know they better come with them commas,” her father said.

“Hmm…” her mother said quietly. Both Jordan and her father turned to look at her.

With their attention, she continued, still speaking softly, sweetly, but with clear intention behind her words, “The money is wonderful, Jordan, but you just make sure they give you enough time for yourself, and to meet someone nice. It’s important, to be able to share your life with someone.

Maybe you’ll get to spend more time with that young man, Brian? If you’ll be working together again?”

“That is the last thing on my mind,” Jordan muttered under her breath.

“Good. I don’t want no beige grandbabies right now anyway,” her father chimed in. “Your mother can’t wait, no matter what color they come out.”

“Having babies is Jordan’s decision, not ours.

” It was Mom’s first declarative statement since she commented on the flowers.

Jordan didn’t have the energy to remind them that ship had likely sailed, or to bring her ovaries into discussion.

Quickly, she realized she’d come to do what she needed to do, that her gifts and her news had been sufficiently delivered, and it was an added perk to have a driver waiting outside who could serve for efficiency and as an excuse.

So she made her preparations to leave. “Well, I just stopped by to say hello. I’ll be back before I leave.

And who knows, maybe after tomorrow’s dinner, they’ll give me a million more reasons to stay. ”

“No question in my mind. Them white boys ain’t stupid,” her father said, even more enthusiastically than before. “They know quality when they see it, champ. Believe me.”

In sharp contrast Mom looked a bit troubled. “Are you sure you can’t stay for a bit? I can make you something. It’s no trouble.” It was clear she was searching for some connection and some more time to spend with her daughter.

“Maybe later. It was a long flight and I want to unwind a bit.”

“Well, get some rest, dear,” she responded and embraced her daughter tightly. “Good to see you.”

Jordan thanked her mother and pulled herself away from her arms.