Chapter 7 More Callings

• Jacob turned off his phone, sighed, and then rubbed his temple. It was around ten a.m., but he had already got a headache. Being an only child wasn’t easy. With a dominant mother, Jacob could only succumb to his mother not because he couldn’t fight her, but because he didn’t want to have a headache every day.
• When he returned to the table, Amy smiled at him. “You must be hungry. I have opened your box. Eat it now.”
• Jacob ate without talking. He didn’t know what he would do if his mother pressured him to end his relationship with Amy. But he could only hope everything would work well in the end. Though it might be a new hell for Amy if she married him later. Jacob let out a heavy sigh again.
• “What’s wrong? Did your mother complain you didn’t visit her?”
• He shook his head. “No, but my mother loves to force her will against mine. It’s a common problem for me. Maybe it’s because of lack of sleep, so I find she is quite annoying today. I know she does it because she loves me, but sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe, as she is too controlling.”
• Amy rubbed Jacob’s upper arm. “Be patient. Your mother loves you, and you are her only child. Maybe it’s why she feels so protective of you.”
• “I know. It’s just ….” He stroked his stiff neck. “Never mind. So, what do you plan for today?”
• “I will wait until Jillian’s operation has finished. I hope no complications happened.” She bit her lower lip. “When she was conscious, Jillian couldn’t feel her feet. She was so stressed because of that, since her blindness has been her obstacle. If she is crippled too ….” She sniffled and wiped her eyes.
• Jacob reached out his hand and held Amy’s hand. “She will be alright. We must think positive things. Don’t torture yourself for things we don’t know yet.”
• “You are right.” Amy took a piece of orange chicken with chopsticks and then brought it to Jacob’s mouth. “Open your mouth.”
• Jacob did what Amy asked and chewed the chicken. Then he smiled again. “You know, even a simple thing like this can make me happy.”
• Amy smiled but said nothing. She was glad she could distract Jacob’s mind from thinking of his mother. “The meals are tasty. Where did you buy them?”
• “At Delicious Impression.”
• Amy nodded. “I will remember it. Maybe later I will buy some meals for Jillian.”
• “Let me know if she wants it. I will buy it for her.”
• Amy put her chopsticks on the box and kissed Jacob’s cheek. “Thank you, Jacob. I’m so grateful to have you.”
• “Don’t mention it, honey.” He stared at her with a tender gaze then bent his head. He kissed Amy’s lips and whispered, “I wish I could do more than kiss you.”
• Amy’s face was crimson, but she kissed him back and wrapped her arms around Jacob’s neck. Then the phone ringing startled both of them. Amy let out a sigh and walked to the table next to the bed. She opened her bag and took her phone. It was from Caroline, her best friend.
• “Amy, I heard about the car accident. My condolences …. Is Jillian okay?” Caroline asked.
• Amy frowned. “Wait, how do you know about it?”
• “It’s everywhere on the internet and newspaper. I read your sister is in the hospital. Can I visit her?”
• “Thanks, Caro, but she is still in surgery.” Amy bit her lower lip. “I will text you when I have more info about it. I’m still waiting for the surgery to finish.”
• “I hope everything will be okay. I know I can’t help you with anything, but if you need someone to support you, I’ll be there for you.”
• Amy’s eyes were moist. “Thanks, my bestie!”
• “Hey, that’s what friends are for. I’ll hang up. I need to go back to work. Do you want chocolate donuts? I can bring some for you from the cafe.”
• Amy giggled and shook her head. “No, but thanks for your offer. I will buy you coffee if all has been okay.”
• “Ah, no need. I have been bored by drinking coffee. See you later!”
• Talking with Caroline always made Amy feel better. She even could smile afterward. But then, what her friend said bothered her. How could the news about the accident spread so fast?
• “What’s wrong?”
• “Caroline called me as she knew the info about the car accident. She even knew about my parents’ death and Jillian’s admission to the hospital.”
• Jacob patted his chin. “Maybe some reporters heard about it.”
• “Maybe,” Amy shrugged. “But it’s weird because they could know it so fast.”
• “It’s their job. So, it’s normal. Do you want coffee downstairs? I only brought you orange juice.”
• “No, it’s okay. I want to wait for Jillian. Hopefully, the operation will be finished soon.”
• Then Amy’s phone rang again. She wrinkled her forehead because she didn’t recognize the number. However, learning from her experience, she thought it was from the bank. So, she picked it up. “Hello?”
• “Amy? Is Jacob with you?”
• “Uh, with whom I am speaking?”
• “It’s Tanya Jefferson, Jacob’s mother.”
• Amy gaped, but then she nodded quickly. “Yes, Mrs. Jefferson. Jacob is here.”
• “I want to speak with him. Can you give your phone to him?”
• “Sure, Mrs. Jefferson. Wait a minute.” Then Amy covered the phone and whispered, “It’s your mother.”
• “Just tell her I’m away.”
• Amy shook her head. “I can’t! I told her you were here. Please, talk to her.”
• Jacob clucked his tongue, but he finally took Amy’s phone. “Yes, Mom, what do you want?”
• “Jacob Jefferson, is this how you talk to your mother? The one who gave you life?” his mother scolded him.
• “Oh, please, Mom, no need to be so dramatic. It won’t work anymore. I have been tired of your acts.”
• “Jacob! Go home right now! I want to talk with you.”
• “Mom, I can’t! I’m in the hospital. Jillian has another surgery. Amy needs me. I can’t go home now. Please understand.”
• “If you don’t go home right now, consider I have never delivered you, and for sure, you will no longer be my heir.”
• “Mom!”
• But Jacob’s mother already ended the conversation. Jacob returned Amy’s phone and turned on his phone. He pressed a quick button to call her mother. However, this time, her mother turned off her phone.
• “What’s wrong?” Amy raised her eyebrows.
• “My mom asked me to go home. She wanted to talk with me, but I don’t know what it’s about.”
• “Go home then.”
• “But—”
• Amy shook her head and smiled. “It’s okay. I will text you later if Jillian’s surgery has finished.”
• Jacob cupped Amy’s face and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry. I wish I could be here with you, for you.”
• “I know. Thank you.” Amy inhaled for a while, savoring Jacob’s scent. Then she smiled again. “Go now. Otherwise, your mother may think I’m a bad influence on you.”
• Jacob pinched Amy’s tip of nose and grinned. “No, it may be the other way around. Let me know what you want for lunch. If I can come here by noon, I will bring you lunch. If I can’t, I will bring you dinner. Surely, whatever it is, I’m sure it won’t take me too long.”