Under Construction by J. A. Armstrong Page B

keeping her from the things she
deserves? I’ve raised my family. For Christ’s sake, I’m a grandmother!”
    “Still
lost. You went left somewhere back there and I’m still at the stoplight. What
are you talking about?” Pearl asked.
    “Jameson
wanting children.”
    “Oh.
Does Jameson want children?” Pearl asked.
    “I
don’t know. She’s never said that, but…”
    “Never
said that to me either,” Pearl offered. “So, just ask her.”
    “What?”
Candace startled .
    “If
you’re worried about it; ask her. I think she would have said something by
now,” Pearl shrugged, seeming unfazed by the conversation.
    “I
agree,” Candace said. “That doesn’t mean she might not change her mind.”
    “True,”
Pearl replied.
    “You
are not helping!” Candace said. “How can you be so calm?” Pearl shrugged again
and leaned against the counter. Candace covered her eyes. “I don’t want to lose
her.”
    “So
don’t,” Pearl said.
    “Pearl…”
    “What?
Why are you so worried about what might happen? You know better than that,”
Pearl said.
    “I
don’t want to do that again,” Candace said. “I did that part of my life.”
    Pearl
nodded. “Where did you get this idea anyway?” Candace sighed. “Well?”
    “Marianne
just mentioned that…”
    “Candy,”
Pearl scolded. “Listen to me,” she said. “I’ve lived a little longer than you.
Not much, but just enough,” she said with a wink. Candace sighed again. “You
love Jameson?”
    “Of
course, I do.”
    “Um-hum.
That’s why you are hesitant to make certain changes. Am I right?” Pearl asked.
    “You
mean running for governor.”
    “I do.
Am I wrong? You’re not sure you want to do that. Part of you does and part of
you doesn’t. Mostly because you’re afraid that where it might lead is not what
Jameson will want,” Pearl surmised.
    “It’s
not just that,” Candace said. “I’m not sure if it’s what I want. If I do
it…everything will change for us.”
    “And, I
will bet that you are right, Jameson would probably rather not rock the boat,
but I will also bet that she will stay beside you if that’s what you want.
She’ll make the compromises if I know Jameson. And, I do know Jameson.”
    “I know
that,” Candace said. “That’s why I want to be sure before I make that decision,
before we make that decision. She’d do anything for me. I know that too.” Pearl
smiled and raised her brow. Candace shook her head as she followed the older
woman’s train of thought. “Not the same thing,” Candace said.
    “Yes,
it is,” Pearl said. “You are worried about something that hasn’t even come to
pass. And, you don’t even know how you would feel if it did.” Candace’s jaw
fell open. “First of all, I’m not sure Jameson would ever even want children,”
Pearl said.
    “Did
you see her with those boys?” Candace chimed.
    Pearl
nodded and noted the smile on Candace’s face. “Yes, and so did you. You look me
in the eyes and tell me it doesn’t make you love her all the more,” Pearl
challenged. Candace groaned. “That doesn’t mean she wants her own,” Pearl said.
“Things change, Candy. People even change. You can’t predict tomorrow. You just
have to trust that you and Jameson will be able to get through whatever comes
your way.”
    “I
know.”
    “So,
trust her.”
    “I do,”
Candace said.
    “Than
trust that she will tell you what she needs, not Marianne.” Candace sighed
heavily. “Don’t try to predict the future, Candy,” Pearl said. “It has a way of
surprising you.” Candace nodded with a smile as Pearl enveloped her in a hug.
“And, for once…consider the source. I love Marianne, but she has a vivid
imagination and she doesn’t think things through sometimes.”
    “I
know,” Candace said.
    “Yes,
but you sometimes forget.”
    ***
    “What did you say to make Mom
cry?” Michelle demanded of her sister.
    Jonah
heard Michelle’s voice raise and made his way over to his siblings.