Bryce finished speaking, and Jesse and Estre remained silent. Off to the side, Isaac saw the three of
them just staring at each other without a word. Clutching a burger that was bigger than his face, he let
out a chuckle.
Isaac’s chuckle broke the standoff. Jesse scratched her cropped hair and said, “I can help. you, and I
can go back with you. But would your folks, your grandparents believe it?” After speaking, she nced
at Estre.
Deep down, Jesse was reluctant. After all, she could be asked for help with anything, from chasing
down criminals to putting out fires, but settling down and starting a family? That wasn’t her forte.
When Jesse’s eyes shifted to Estre, Bryce’s gaze followed suit.
I
Estre, with a nonchnt tone, said, “I don’t mind. I could even bring Isaac to your family if you like,
as long as you’re not afraid of stirring up a ho’s nest.”
With that remark, Jesse’s eyes returned to Bryce.
Estre was right. Setting aside the fact that she had a child, the crucial point was that her ex-husband
was Jason. If Bryce dared to bring her home, Keith might have given him a hard time he wouldn’t have
recovered from.
Processing Estre’s casualment, Bryce pondered for a moment, then said, “I still want to live a
few more years. Estre, you’re off the list. I’ll figure out another way.”
In just a short span of time, Bryce had already imagined the chaos of bringing Estre home-a scene
that no phrase could aptly describe, not even ‘all hell breaking loose”.
He also had two entric aunts who could drown him with their spitfirements as if they were on
Broadway. So, it was back to the drawing board for him.
Next to Estre, Isaac saw the three adults looking troubled and took another bite of his burger,
giggling once more.
Seeing this, Bryce reached over and broke off half of Isaac’s burger, teasing, “You little rascal, what’s
so funny?”
At Bryce’s question, Isaacughed even harder sneakily hiding the burger inside his shirt.
Estre quickly intervened, “Honey, that burger is greasy, why hide it in your clothes? If Bryce wants
more, let him get his own.”
Isaac, heeding Estre’s words, took an earnest bite of the burger and nodded vigorously.
Jesse then looked at Bryce and suggested, “You’re not getting any younger. Why don’t you just listen to
your grandpa and go on those blind dates? You might find someone
suitable.”
Bryce retorted, “I’m swamped with work. When do I have time for marriage or kids? And how well did it
go for Estre after she got married?”
Both Estre and Jesse chimed in unison, “But I’m a woman.” “Estre is a
a woman.”
Bryce conceded, “Exactly. I know how tough marriage can be for women, so I’m not rushing into it.”
At Bryce’s enlightenment, Estre and Jesse gave him a thumb’s up, impressed by his wisdom.
Jokes aside, Estre began to think seriously, especially about Jesse and Bryce who would both be 27
the following year. Estre said, “Jesse, Bryce, jokes aside, you guys aren’t getting any younger.
Especially Jesse, a woman’s youth doesn’tst long. It’s time to think about settling down.”
Upon this, Estre nced at them and added, “If neither of you wants to date or listen to family
arrangements, why not just pair up? At least you know each other well, and it keeps everything in the
family.”
“Estre, stop it.”
“Seriously, don’t make blind matches,” both protested in unison.
Then, looking at each other and considering the prospect of being partners, they both got goosebumps
and lost their appetites.
Estre paused, thinking her suggestion was not bad, but neither agreed. She didn’t push any further,
only suggesting, “Well, you guys figure it out, but just try to Isaac a little brother or sister for
companysoon.”
“You might as well hope for your own second child,” they said again in unison.
Estre gave them a look of disdain and saw them shake hands in agreement, as if to say they were on
the same page.
Watching their hands sp, Estre tapped each of them with her fork, causing a sharp pain that made
them retract their hands quickly.
However, the mention of a second child made Estre’s heart skip a beat. She’d forgotten
contraception twice before, and she hoped there wouldn’t be consequences.
The three of them finished lunch with Isaac. Bryce returned to the office to continue working, while
Jesse apanied Estre and Isaac to the children’s y area in the department store to y.
Watching Isaac and the other kids in their y session, Estre turned to Jesse and asked, “Are you
really not considering marriage, content to live like this forever?”
With a smile, Jesse responded, “I don’t feel the urge to marry. Besides, what kind of man would be into
someone like me, willing to be with me?”
Damita and Melinda had criticized her so much for not being feminine enough that Jesse had lost
confidence. She felt no man would truly like her and if anyone did want to be with her, it would likely be
for her money. If that was what rtionships were all about, she’d
rather be alone.
Estre wrapped an arm around Jesse’s shoulder, patting it gently, “Silly girl. You just have short hair.
You’re not actually a man. Grow your hair out if it bothers you.”
Jesse shook her head, “Not used to it, nor willing to grow it out for a man. They’re not
worth it.”
Estre reassured her, “Jesse, let’s put the past behind us. You’ll meet the right person.”
In the past, her grandparents had set Jesse up with someone. Jesse, finding him quite handsome,
agreed to give it a shot. But before they had many dates, Melinda lured the guy away. Since then,
Jesse’s enthusiasm for dating had cooled even further, convinced. that men were no good, with Bryce
being the exception.
Jesse mused, “I’ve mostly forgotten about the past, just like you. But I still think most men aren’t worth
it.”
Estreughed, “Not even Bryce?”
Jesse rified, “Bryce doesn’t count.”
With that, Estre stopped teasing her and looked up to watch Isaac and the other kids ying their
games.
As the evening shadows began to stretch across the bustling streets, Estre and Jesse were getting
ready to head back home. Suddenly, Jason’s call came through, inquiring about her whereabouts,
Estre told him they were at the department store, prompting Jason to make his way over.
Upon spotting Jason, Jesse casually slipped her hands into her pockets and quipped, “Looks like it’s
family time for the three of you. I’ll bow out and leave you to it-don’t want to be the third wheel here.”
Isaac, exhausted from a day full of adventure, had already surrendered to slumber in Estre’s
embrace.
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Without any further ado, Jason greeted Jesse and then gingerly transferred Isaac into his ms, careful
not to wake him. His movements were that of a seasoned pro in the art of child-carrying, prompting
Jesse to offer a chuckle and apliment before hopping intol her own car.
On the drive back, Estre mentioned, “Mom’s out tonight, got a reunion with her old ssmates. What
are you in the mood for? I can call the maid and have her whip something up.”
ncing at Estre through the rearview mirror, Jason replied with a hint of warmth,
“Jesse already pegged us as a family unit. Let’s head back to Waterfall Acres. Tonight, I’ll
put on the chef’s hat and cook for you and Isaac.”