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She smiled at me with her eyes We both knew exactly where all the photo albums were Stacked in bookcases in what used to bein before and lowered hiht htly toward hihtened myself, but Jackson draped his arainst his side, like he’d done it afuriously, I ets it from her father, that flush That and her stubborn streak"

Jackson chuckled "She’s stubborn? Gosh, hed I wondered if a person could die of embarrassment

They talked for a while, easy in each other’s company, while I sat stiff and uncomfortable beside the man ould soon be my husband and watched the woman who raised me charm the pants off him

He charmed the pants off her, too The housecoat, I mean

Finally after what see a crack on the opposite wall,with you, Jackson, but I’ a little tired now"

I snapped back to attention like a dog at the end of a yanked leash "Are you okay? What can I get you?" I rose, filled with anxiety, but Ma at all I’o back to bed for a spell Rest these old bones Would you lend ility But she pulled herself upright and smiled like she didn’t have a care in the world, and I breathed a little easier

"It’s been wonderful to ently took ets her beauty and brains"

"And I can see why she likes you so much," Mama said warrave;me brûlée, I always called hiooey sweet"

I almost dropped dead "Mama!"

"Oh hush, child, you embarrass too easily" To Jackson she said, "I can trust you to take care of , her tone playful, but there was a steeliness behind her eyes that left no doubt she wasn’t asking a question She was giving a co way

But Jackson rose to the challenge with a quiet grace that surprised me He said softly, "You can trust me with her life,in its honesty There wasn’t a doubt in my mind he meant exactly what he’d said

Mama felt the same way She nodded, the steeliness in her eyes slowly replaced by that strange relief that had echoed in her sigh Her hand relaxed in rave;re?" Mama asked

"Of course"

"I’ll wait for you outside, Bianca Mrs Hardwick" Jackson slightly bowed his head, ant, humble, sophisticated, and sincere, all at once "I hope to see you soon"

He made his way to the front door and quietly let himself out