Chapter 33

I quickly place Jamaica's bottle down when I heard the doorbell. I walked to the door and opened it. A tear almost fell from my eye when I saw Hannah's face.

"Oh, darling. You didn't go back to bed, did you?"

I shook my head at her. There is no way I would have been able to sleep, knowing that Valdo was locked up in a cell. She sighed and pulled me in a hug. She patted my head gently. "Everything is going to be okay, Jakobia. We're going head down the station right now and get this thing sorted out." She pulled me out of the hug and smile.

"No need to worry, Jakoby. Eric is one of the best lawyers in America." Kevin praised.

The man whom I presumed is Eric chuckled, "Kevin, you give me too much credit." he turned and held out his hands towards me, "I'm Eric Holiday, Valdo's best friend and lawyer. It's nice to meet you finally." Eric was by no doubt, handsome. He had dark brown eyes and matching hair. His smile as beautiful, but it was nothing compared to Valdo's.

I shook his hands and smile, "Nice to meet you too." I paused. "Are you the same best friend who borrows King to get girls?"

He chuckled, "Yes, that would be me."

"I'm guessing you're the playboy best friend too?"

He looked behind me and smiled, "I wouldn't call myself a boyfriend." He held out his hands, "You must be Jakobia's sister. I'm Eric Holiday."

I could sense the smile on my mother's face. She shook his hands, "No. I'm her mother."

His raised, "Really. You don't look a day over thirty."

"I'm thirty-five."

"Wow," Eric express. He didn't hide his eyes from looking her up and down. "You age like fine wine."

My mother blushed. "Thank you."

Hannah and I looked at each other with a smirk.

"Eric, leave the poor lady alone." Kevin held out his hands my mother, "I'm Kevin Garner, Valdo's step-father. Nice to meet you."

My mother smiled and looked at Hannah. "You must be Hannah. Jacky's told me so much about you."

"Likewise," Hannah said with a smile. "Don't just stand there, hug me. We're family now after all."

I looked at my mother's surprised face. She didn't expect such warmth from a stranger, but she accepted it nonetheless. She moved forward and wrapped her hands around Hannah.

"Thank you for taking care of my daughter."

Hannah shrugged, "It's not me you should be thanking. It's Valdo. He's the one who brought Jakoby in our lives."

"We should probably go get him out of that cell," Eric interjected.

"Yes, in time." Hannah murmured. Hannah smiled, "Where is my precious little grandbaby baby?"

"She's asleep," I answered only to hear the screams of Jamaica afterwards.

Kevin chuckled, "Well, not anymore."

"Sorry. I should have invited in sooner." My mother apologises.

Eric shrugged, "It's no biggy."

"I'm just gonna go get her," I said. I turned quickly and left.

I walked towards the bed and picked up Jamaica in my arms. I rocked her a few times, "Shh..mommy is here." The crying continued. She was hungry. It's a good thing I had started preparing her bottle before she woke. I walked out of the room with the crying baby in my hands.

"Oh, poor thing. Give her to me. I'll calm her down while you prepare the bottle." Hannah said with her arms stretched out. I gladly placed Jamaica in her hands. A little help wouldn't hurt.

I walked into the same kitchen and continued preparing the bottle. I could hear them all babbling about Jamaica, and it made me proud. It's good to have people in your life that genuinely cared for you.

I handed Hannah the lukewarm bottle. She placed it at Jamaica's lips, her crying stopped, and she happily accepted her meal.

"She's a cutie," Eric whispered.

"You should go have one for yourself." Hannah hinted.

Eric chuckled, "Easier said than done."

"It's not that hard, believe me." my mother said. My mother had gotten pregnant with me the first time she had sex, and it wasn't even at the peak of her ovulation. She'd told me a hundred times to be careful, and yet I wasn't as cautious as I thought I'd been.

"I meant in terms of getting the right woman."

"Ah! The right woman." my mom looked at him and nod, "If getting the right woman is as hard as getting the right man than I understand what you mean."

I watched keenly as Eric stared at my mother. I smirked, did he have a thing for her? I looked at her, and she was also looking at him. Did she have a thing for him?

Eric broke the silence by saying, "We should probably go get Valdo soon."

I agreed. "As soon as I get Jamaica cleaned up we can leave." My mother and I had already showered earlier.

Hannah lifted the empty bottle from the baby's mouth and handed it to me. She lifted her and patted her back gently. I looked at Kevin, who was watching his wife with loving eyes. It made me so sad that he couldn't have a child of his own because he would have been an amazing father.

Jamaica burped loudly, and everyone in the room chuckled.

"She's giving me baby fever all over again."

"You're young. You can have a few more if you want."

My mom laughed, "True but I'm single, so I don't see that happening anytime soon or at all for that matter."

"Things can change sooner than you think," Kevin said, looking between my mother and Eric with a smirk. I need exactly what he was implying, but I don't think it will happen. As much as my mother found Eric attractive, he was younger than her, and he was a playboy, definitely not her type.

"I think so too darling, I think so too." Hannah agreed with her husband. I laughed at their cuteness. I know they were going to try and play matchmaker with my mom and Eric, but I doubt it would work. I'd love to watch them try though.

............

I watched from a distance as Eric spoke to the Officers. He was calmly explaining to them what would happen if they took this false accusation to court. Eric showed them the video, and the policemen didn't look pleased.

"I'm deeply sorry for the trouble we put your client through. He's not our guy. He's free to go." Sheriff Berry professed. He looked at one of the deputies, "Release Mr Dakota."

"Don't make it a habit to accuse and arrest people before knowing the true story." Eric proposed.

Eric turned towards us and smile, "Told you everything is going to okay."

The deputy came back with Valdo in tow. I felt a sudden relief washed over me when I saw him.

When he saw everyone, he smiled. I ran up to him and hugged him. "I'm so sorry. I should have never brought you to this toxic town. I didn't know he would be here. I thought he went off to college. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. It's only been five hours."

Yes, it was only five hours ago he was arrested, but something could have happened in those five hours. The Morgans were ruthless; they could have him killed easily by another cellmate if they wanted to.

He released me from his arms. "I'm not a softy, you know. I can defend myself, plus; this isn't my first time in a jail cell."

"Your mother told me, but I find that so hard to believe."

"I'll tell you about it later." he looked behind us at parents and friend, "Thanks for coming."

"Do you think I'd let you stay in there?" Hannah questioned.

"You've done so before," he answered. I looked between the pair even more curious to know why he was arrested and why did Hannah not get him out.

"You deserved that."

"I did." he agreed.

"I'm hungry," Kevin said suddenly. "Is anyone hungry? We should get out of here and get some breakfast."

We all nod in agreement. Everyone except Eric exit the station. He said something to the Sheriff then followed behind us.

I was curious to know what he said to Shrieff Berry, but my mother beat me to it, "What did you say to him?"

"Oh nothing, just to be careful because the next time I won't be so nice," he answered her with a smile.

"There won't be a next time. We're leaving this town as soon as possible." Hannah remarked. I knew exactly how she felt because I was feeling the same way too. The only reason I came here was to see my mother and get some of my documents from the school. Once I received those documents I had no reason to stay in Alton.

"I need to collect a transcript from my high school."

"We can do that today. It doesn't take long to get a transcript. We can let them send it to us in New York. I don't want you and Jamaica anywhere near that psychopath." I looked at Valdo wishing I could just hug him one more time.

"Let's not discuss this after breakfast. " Kevin looked at my mother and asked, "Do you know any good diner?"

She smiled, "I happen to work at the best diner in town."

"Then let's go." Kevin chuckled.

"Valdo and Jakoby can travel with us since the car seat is already in our car." Hannah looked at my mother and smile, "Why don't you travel wit Eric and keep his company?" Hannah asked sweetly, but it wasn't really a question because there was no space left in Kevin's vehicle.

"Of course, why not?" my mother responded.

Eric looked at her and smile, "Shall we?" he said, showing her the way to his car.

When they were walking towards Eric's parked car, Valdo looked at me with raised brows.

I chuckled, "Hannah and Kevin are trying to play matchmaker."

"Not a good idea. Eric doesn't want to be matched."

I nodded, agreeing, "And he's too young for my mother. He's around your age, isn't he?"

"He's two years older."

I shrugged, "Still too young for her. She's never dated a guy younger than her. In fact, all the guys she dated has been at least five years older. So the matchmaking won't work."

"We'll see about that. Aren't we little one." Hannah whispered to Jamaica. "We're gonna get your grandma hitched.

I smiled. I didn't know she was listening to our conversation or the fact that she was so invested in getting my mother "hitched".

......

I moaned as I looked down at the plate that was just placed in front of me. It looked delicious. It was a Spanish Omelette with extra potatoes and cheese. It was the only thing I ordered when I came to this diner, and I've been coming here for years.

Valdo took a look at my dish, "It looks great."

"It is." I looked over at his plate. He ordered scrambled eggs and toast.

"You should have ordered something heavier. You'll need it later when you take your insulin." Hannah frowned looking at Valdo dish.

"Mom, I'm okay," he assured.

She sighed, "I'm just worried about you. Diabetes is not something to joke about."

"I'm eating healthy mom. I have the schedule on my phone, remember?"

She nodded, "Sorry, it's just that I worry about you a lot."

"I'm okay."

"Mothers never stop worrying about their child or children, no matter how old they get. I was worried sick when I couldn't find Jacky. I thought something had happened to her. I hear so many news about human trafficking and female deaths. It made me depressed not knowing where my baby was, especially since I was the one who kicked her out." she looked at me with regret in her eyes, "You have no idea who sorry I am. I didn't know you'd take my words so seriously. I just needed some time to cool down and get used to the idea of being a grandma. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, mom. Everything worked out."

"What if it hadn't?" she asked.

"Let's not think about what would have happened. Let's think about our future." Valdo looked at me and smile.

"Speaking about the future, I don't yours is with this town," Hannah said, looking at my mom. "Come to New York with us. You don't have to worry about a house or anything of the sort. We'll help you out with that."

My mother looked at Hannah, "You'd do that for me?"

"Yes. Why not?"

"We only met this morning. You barely know me." My mother had the same reaction I had when Hannah and Kevin welcomed me like their own.

Hannah smiled and shrugged, "You raised a beautiful daughter who was a beautiful heart. That's all I need to know for now."

My mother looked at me, "Please, mom, I don't want to leave you here. I don't know what might happen when I'm gone. I want you close to me. Close to Jamaica."

"This town is toxic." My mother acknowledged.

"It is." Eric agreed.

She looked at everyone at the table, not quite believing that they were offering her a better life than the one she currently had.

She chuckled, "Okay. New York here I come!"