Back into your arms

The next day did not look promising for Mr. and Mrs. David. The couple said little to each other that morning. Jackson did not say a word to his wife after yesterday's incident when he came home later on. Plus, this morning he got dressed for work early and left the house with "goodbye" as the only word he spoke to Jennie, the entire morning they were together.

Jackson stopped at the Harper bakery. He knew that although the bakery had not opened yet, Mr. Harper would be awake and baking his signature donuts. When Jackson knocked on the door, Mr. Harper heard his knock and came to unlock the front door. Mr. David entered the bakeshop and greeted Mr. Harper. "Louis, is Julie up?" Jackson asked as they walked toward the kitchen. "No, my daughter is still sleeping. It is five o'clock, son. Why are you here?" Mr. Harper stated.

Jackson felt awkward. He knew that it was inappropriate to be at someone's house at this hour and asked about their daughter when you are a married man who should be in bed with your wife at such an hour. "Can I have a box of donuts?" Jackson said. Louis laughed and went behind the counter. He took out a brown box and set it in front of Jackson. "You should have told me earlier. I have a fresh set here." Louis replied. Jackson thanked Mr. Harper and left the shop.

After his hour's drive, he finally reached his job site. "Good morning, sir!" Kate stood up and said when Jackson approached her desk. Jackson waved his hand and told Kate to sit down. "Can you inform me when Steven gets in for work?" Jackson asked her, and Kate smiled. "Yes, sir." She replied. With her assurance, Jackson went to his office. The entire building was quiet because it was just him and Kate at work at this hour.

Jackson jumped up from his nap as he heard a knock on his office door. He looked at the clock and realized that it was already eight on the dot. "Come in!" He said. Kate pushed the door open and let herself inside. "Sir, the boss is in the building. He is in his office right now." She informed him. Jackson grabbed the box and walked past her. "Thanks, Kate." He said before stepping out the door.

"Knock," Steven heard a tap on his office door. As he focuses his eyes on the entrance of his office, it opens, then a brown package pops in with his best friend holding it. "A box of donuts for your forgiveness?" Jackson asked with pitiful eyes. Steven laughed, stood up, walked toward Jackson, and hugged him. "You know donuts heal all wounds. I pardon you, pal." He said, then grabbed the box and headed back to his chair.

"How are you feeling?" Jackson asked Steven as his buddy munched on the donut. "I am healthy now. I mean, it was just a stupid cold." He replied with a mouthful. Jackson laughs and wipes the crumbs from the side of his friend's mouth with a tissue, then he sits down. "Why did you turn your phone off for three days?" Steven asked. Jackson knows this conversation is not something he can avoid or lie about to his friend. "I turned it off because Jennie and I went on a date. Afterward, I forgot to switch my phone on." He replied.

Steven looks at Jackson and scowls. He cleans the sugar of his hands with the tissue and places the remaining six donuts of the dozen donuts in the box aside. "Will you stop keeping everything to yourself! Now, tell me what the hell happened this weekend!" Steven screamed. Jackson felt like a kid getting scolded by his father, yet he appears happy that someone cares about him. However, the downside is that Jackson got emotional and his messy moods got stirred up. He cried, then laughed. Steven drew out more tissue and gave it to his friend. Jackson took them and wiped his eyes.

"I don't know what my marriage is turning into and the predicament that is causing these quarrels. Did you know that the only word I said to my wife this morning was 'goodbye?' I am striving my best, but every time I think we are making headway, Jennie takes us back to square one." Jackson explained and narrated everything that occurred from Friday till now. "Dude, you are having issues. How about you take another day off to free your mind? I can go with you, but today is Monday, and it is a busy day." Steven said.

"No! Plus, even if I accept, where am I going to go? Not home for sure." Jackson replied. At that instant, his phone rang, and he answered. "Morning Jackson, I did not hear from you on Sunday, and I have photos of you guys at my company. Are you still picking them up?" Freddie said.

"Gave me twenty minutes, and I will be there!" Jackson replied, then ended the call. Steven had his hands in the donut box, reaching out for another piece. "I've got something to take care of, so I will take my leave now," Jackson said to his buddy. Steven nodded his head in approval as he chewed on the donut.

After he left the office, Jackson spent precisely twenty minutes to reach Freddie. He received the photos and got back on the road without his next destination in mind. Jackson drove around for a while, then got tired and parked his car off the road. The envelope on the opposite seat caught his attention, and he reached for it. Jackson took out the picture and laughed. "I have forgotten what her honest smiling face looks like these past few days." He said as he stared at them one after another.

At last, Jackson decides on his next address. He got the car running and drove on until he came to a stop at a yellow house. The door opened, and Jennie came out. She smiled at Jackson as he got out of the car. He hurried toward Jennie and embraced her. "You are my direction." He whispers.