Love After All by Celeste O. Norfleet

large microphone away from her face. She listened as Terrence signed off and several devoted fans expressed deep sorrow at DJ Love’s leaving. This was tearfully echoed by numerous others as Jackson gave listeners an open mike to express their appreciation.
    Jackson was talking with a listener who vowed her unwavering support and promised to continue listening and waiting for him to return. As he cut to a commercial, Jessie began applauding.
    â€œHey, Jess,” Jackson said, removing the headphones and moving the microphone from in front of his mouth. “How are you? What’s up?”
    â€œWhat’s up! I’ll tell you what’s up. This break of yours can’t come soon enough. You look horrible,” she said, seeing the threat of dark circles under his eyes.
    â€œThanks,” he said sarcastically, knowing the loving sibling bond they’d shared all their lives.
    â€œNo, seriously, I mean it, you look like you’re completely exhausted, like you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in months, let alone gotten out and just relaxed and had some fun.”
    â€œI haven’t,” he said truthfully.
    â€œIt shows,” she said as Jackson shook his head, knowing his sister’s penchant for complete honesty. “Jackson, taking over mother’s responsibilities when she got sick and then keeping it after she died, plus doing your own job and the nightly talk show, is just too much. You must be completely wiped out. I’m worried about you.”
    â€œI’ll be fine,” he assured her nonchalantly.
    â€œNo, really, I’m seriously worried about you,” she reiterated more firmly.
    â€œI’m fine,” he said again, this time more convincingly.
    â€œYou don’t look fine.”
    â€œSo what are you doing here this late?” he asked, dropping the subject. “Shouldn’t you be out partying or whatever it is that PR people do at midnight?”
    â€œI thought I’d spend some time with my big brother and attend his farewell show.” She paused. “They’re really gonna miss you, you know,” she said as the phone lines continued to light up on the computerized phone console.
    â€œYeah, for the next three days at least. You know how fickle this business is.”
    â€œYeah, I know, but as PR director I can tell you mail has been flooding in for weeks and the phones have been ringing off the hook. There are thousands of calls coming in every day. Most have questions about when or if you’re coming back and if not where you will be going. I actually had to add additional lines just to handle it.”
    â€œI’m sure you handled it.”
    â€œAs I always do,” she said, lacking modesty. “Are you ready for this next move?”
    Jackson thought for a moment, then smiled. “Yeah, I am. It’s time.”
    Jessie nodded, agreeing. “I think so, too. So what are you gonna do until the official announcement next week?”
    â€œTake some time off, rest, maybe travel a bit, take the plane out and head up the shoreline or take the boat and do a little fishing down the coast,” he said, speculating.
    â€œYou, fishing, that’s new. And as for traveling a bit, your plane is probably completely rusted over and that boat of yours surely has termites since it hasn’t been in the water for at least two years.” She paused a moment and considered. “Okay, give, so what’s the big secret? What are you really doing, what do you have planned?”
    â€œNothing, actually, just what I said, take care of a little business, then rest and relax.”
    â€œWhat kind of business?”
    â€œPersonal business,” he said.
    â€œSuch as?” she prompted with no intention of letting the conversation go that easily.
    â€œSuch as personal business,” Jackson repeated, not wanting to tell his sister about their mother’s last request of him to find another man