It had been Jacqueline’s idea for her and Mandy to spend some time alone together. To her recollection, there was usually someone else with them, so she’d never really had a chance to talk to or get to know her. She knew Mandy liked her – she’d told her Dad often enough. But still, having a basis of friendship to build on would give a good foundation to – well, if it ever came up.
Jacquline had freely told Mandy about how she came to the States from France as part of a business arrangement her father had made with a man by the name of Alcide Fontaine. She never did find out just what kind of arrangement this man and her father had, and she didn’t learn her role in it until she arrived in New Orleans, and her father ordered her to marry Alcide.
“Why didn’t you just say no?”
“You just didn’t do that sort of thing back then.” Jacqueline responded.
“How long were you married?”
“Three years.”
“And you met Jett in that time?”
She nodded, and went into how Jett was found on her husband’s property by one of the slaves (which prompted a whole different discussion). Broken and bloody he was taken in and his wounds tended to. When he was better he asked if there was anything he could do to repay the kindness.
“Ultimately, he ended up teaching me English. I only knew French and a small amount of Spanish at that time.”
“Is that how you fell in love?”
“More or less. He spent more time with me than my own husband. You have to understand, my husband and I had separate rooms – he preferred to spend time with the slave girls; never with me. It was a gradual process – but once we got there, we spent all the time together that we could. It was months later when my husband began to suspect anything. I don’t know how, but he coerced Jett into enlisting in the war – on the South’s side.”
“Wow.” Mandy said quietly, sipping on the soda she’d gotten when they stopped at the food court.
“It was three months after Jett left that the slaves decided to rebel. They lynched my husband, and set fire to the house. One of them saw to it that I was able to escape with my life. I headed into the city proper, and that’s how I met Nikolai, and later Petra. They took care of me while I went through the rest of my pregnancy and raised Josephine.”
There was a soft smile on Jacqueline’s lips when she spoke of her daughter. Mandy wasn’t really sure what to say.
“Did she have a good life?” she finally asked. Jacqueline nodded. “She was raised well, and married a good man that she loved. After she was married, I ventured off on my own and did some travelling before settling down in New York. That’s where I met Penhallow, and let’s just say I didn’t have a pleasant time, but had been convinced he was treating me better than anyone else would.”
“Sounds like an interesting time.”
“I suppose it was. What about you Mandy? I don’t know a lot about you.”
“Well, my life wasn’t really all that interesting before I came here, unless you count dating two guys a once.” she shrugged, reluctant to talk just then. Jacqueline was patient though, and they ate in silence until Mandy had finished her fries and was ready.
“My childhood was decent. I had friends, but Michael was always my best friend – always there for me when I needed someone. no other friends of note to really bring up – we;d be friends for a year or two, then they’d change, or move, or whatever, and we drifted apart. Home life was different. Things were always good when Dad was home – mom took her meds and seemed stable, even if she did keep trying to feed us vegetarian meals.”
“Your father is a good man.”
“Oh, I know that. I think when I was littler I had him totally wrapped around my little finger, but I didn’t know it. It was when he was away that there were problems. Mom stopped taking her meds and could get real scary sometimes.” Mandy paused before continuing. “When I could, I’d go to Michael’s house to avoid her mood swings. When I couldn’t go there, I tried to stay confined to my room.” Mandy poked at her burger, wondering just how much more she should say.
“I take it things could get real bad?” Jacqueline asked.
“Hasn’t Dad told you?”
“He’s only told me that she was sick. Apart from that, I know nothing about your mother.”
“Mom might have been okay once. I don’t really remember. I can remember calling Dad up when I missed him or was upset and he’d always answer. I’d tell him about my day and complain about mom, but it wasn’t anything major, you know? Not when I was little, at least.” she paused, and continued. “He was always there for me; always my hero.” she admitted.
Jacqueline studied Mandy’s body language as she spoke. When she took a break for another drink, Jacqueline took the opportunity to speak up.
“Does your Dad know how bad things got when he was gone?” she asked, then followed up with “Did she ever hurt you?”
Mandy shook her head. “No, she never hit me or anything like that. Sometimes she’d throw things at me when she was upset. Mostly though, she played mind games and tried to guilt trip me. She even faked a heart attack just so I would apologize to her for something I had said earlier that day before school.”
“That’s….” Jacqueline was at a loss for words. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I didn’t either. I was legitimately distraught that I may have caused it. You can imagine how I felt when I found out she’d faked it.” she paused. “I don’t know Dad’s thoughts on the matter. He’s never told me.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Jacqueline said, giving Mandy;s hand a squeeze.
“Don’t get me wrong – I loved my mom because she was my mom. I just didn’t like her very much. I suppose that has more to do with the fact that I only really knew her was she was really sick.”
“I can understand that.”
Mandy looked at Jacqueline. “I love my Dad. It was painful to watch him in mourning. I started bringing up him dating about a year ago, but he’d always say he’d do it when he was ready. I am so damn happy he met you – I haven’t seen him so happy in I don’t know how long.”
“I’m glad I can make him happy.”
“I really, really hope he proposes to you sooner or later.” she paused a moment. “Preferably sooner.”
Jacqueline smiled. “I’m glad you think so, but I’m not about to pressure him on the matter. But why sooner rather than later?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I know it’s just a piece of paper. I guess…I guess because I feel like if he does marry you, I can have a mom again. A real mom this time.” she said, brushing something from her eyes.
“I’m flattered Mandy. I really am.”
Mandy smiled. “Okay, I’m done with lunch. More shopping?”
Jacqueline nodded, and they took their trays to the trash bins, and headed down and wing of the mall they hadn’t been to yet. This wing contained a bridal shop, and Mandy got an idea and pulled Jacquline into the shop.
“I’m not getting married yet, Mandy.”
“I know, I know – but isn’t it better to have an idea of what you might want for when it does happen?”
“I suppose you have a point.”
“Good. Now try stuff on.” she said, pushing Jacqueline towards the dressing room. Mandy chose the dresses for her to try on.
“Ohhh…I really like this one.” Jacqueline said, coming out and turning around so as to catch every angle in the three-way mirror.
“I like it too.” Mandy admitted, and snapped a picture with her phone before Jacqueline went back to change into her regular clothes.
After the bridal shop, they headed to Victoria’s Secret to look at bridal lingerie for fun, and they both approved of a simple but sexy one. Next, they went to Barnes & Nobles to sit and peruse the bridal and plan your wedding type magazine for fun. Some of what was pictured, they found ridiculous, and would laugh over it together.
“We really should have Michael with us sometime.” Manday said.
“Who else do you think I would get to be my stylist?” Jacqueline responded, and they both laughed.
Mandy glanced at her phone. “We have been at the mall all day. Literally. I’m surprised Dad hasn’t sent out the cavalry to retrieve us.”
“Why don’t we head home then? We ought to be back in time for dinner.”
“Sounds good. I hope Dad made something yummy.”
On the way home, they stopped and got Starbucks, but also at Krispy Kreme, where they picked out the freshest, most appetizing donuts for Claude, before finally heading home.