chapter 6

Jennie kneels on the floor and picks up the broken glass. "Leave it, babe. I will clean them up." Jackson said. However, she did not stop. He squatted next to her and gently took the broken glass from her hands. Jennie glanced at him with her teary red eyes and tried to get the piece of glass from Jackson's grip. But her husband closed his hand tightly. "I said I would handle this mess." He said. Blood dripped from his fist onto the floor.

"Son, you are bleeding." Rose cried. Jennie started hyperventilating. She was sweating and trembling. Her limbs felt weak, like she was about to fall. "I can attend to my injury, mom. Please get my wife out of here. She's experiencing a panic attack." Jackson pleaded with his mother. Rose knew if she refused and attempted to assist him, Jackson would get mad. Plus, he would neglect his health and make sure Jennie is okay. "Don't worry, baby. I will make certain she is all right." Rose said, taking Jennie out of the kitchen and into the guest room.

She sat her daughter-in-law on the bed and wiped her with a wet towel. After a few seconds, Jennie came to herself. "Where is Jackson?" She cried. Jennie tried to leave the bed, but Rose wouldn't allow her. "You went into shock when he cut his hand. But my son will be okay. Let's give him some space. He told me to take care of you, and that's what I will do." Rose said as she sat next to Jennie.

Jackson opened his hands after ten minutes had passed and removed the bloody glass out of his flesh. His wound started bleeding intensively. He took the first aid kit from the cabinet and dumped a bottle of alcohol on his palm. Jackson clutches his teeth together from the pain, and he could see the second layer of his skin from the cut area. After the bleeding had ceased, Jackson sat flat on the icy floor and rested his back against the counter.

He felt worn out and stressed. All Jackson needed now was to take a nap in a place that is not his home. The frustrating thing about what he desired was his body wanted it, not his heart.  Jackson could not get up and leave because his heart would be left behind.

"Jennie, you have my essence, and now I can't even bear to walk out with you here. I am pathetic, ain't I?" He murmurs. Jackson gave himself a couple of minutes before grabbing a broom and sweeping the broken glass into the dustpan and throwing them into the trash bin. He then stitched the wound up and bandaged his right hand. Jackson got the plates, silverware, and glass, then he took them into the dining hall and set the table. Next, Jackson carried the dishes and beverages. Last, he went to the bedroom to change his bloody shirt.

"How long will it take him to handle his wound? I should not have started this baseless fight. I should not have slapped him. Nor accused him of cheating!" Jennie cried, she was freaking out, and reality sunk in every time she pictured his bloody hand. "Then, why did you? I am sure you have your reasons." Rose stated, patting Jennie on the shoulder. "I don't know. Maybe Jackson was right. I have gotten insecure as time goes by in our marriage." Jennie replied.

Rose stared at her daughter-in-law and sensed that something was not right. "Why is that? Why are you insecure?" Rose asked, trying to get Jennie to open up to her. But her daughter-in-law did not speak. Jennie just gazed at the blank wall.

"You know, ten years into my marriage, things got tense. Jackson was five years old back then. His father would get mad every time he saw me with my male work colleagues or friends. So, I quit having male associates, yet he still accuses me of meeting them secretly. I pleaded innocent, but that did not stop his suspicions. It went on for about a year. Do you know why Jackson hates his father and wouldn't talk to him?" Rose said. Jennie stopped looking at the wall and focused on her mother-in-law.

"No, he never explained to Steven and me the actual story. All we know is that his father did something unforgivable." Jennie answered. Rose opened her mouth to reply.  "Guys, I set the table!" Jackson screamed. He felt tired of searching for Rose and Jennie, so he called out for them. Rose stood up and said. "See, he's all right." Jennie smiled and nodded her head. "Are you not coming?" Rose asked. Jennie remained seated on the bed. "You can go. I am right behind you." She replied.

Rose met her son in the hallway. "Where is Jennie? Is she okay?" Jackson asked worriedly. Rose looked at her son's bandaged hand and grimaced. "She will soon be out. Let's go to the table first." She said. Jackson hesitated, but his mother gave him a little shove to get him walking. When they reached the table, Jackson pulled out a chair for his mother, Rose sat down, and he pushed her chair in before taking his seat.

Jackson grabbed a plate and cut food for his mom and set it in front of her. He took food for himself and made an extra plate of food for Jennie. "Son, your wound is bleeding again!" Rose said, standing up from her seat. Jackson looked at his bandage, and it had become soaked with blood. "Sit down and eat mom. It is nothing to worry about." Jackson said as he left his chair to get a fresh bandage.

"Why are you doing this, son? Why are you putting yourself last and everyone first?" Rose cried out to her boy. "To prove that though I have that man's blood, I am not like my father!" Jackson replied and walked out. At that instant, Jennie enters and almost bumps into her husband. "I will change this!" Jackson informed her and walked away, leaving behind his worried mother and confused wife.