Trouble on both sides

Jackson came downstairs with a fresh bandage. He then joined his mother and wife at the table. Jackson sat down, and they went on eating their breakfast. Rose tasted a bit of her spaghetti and smiled. "Jackson, this is very delicious. It's the best out of all the pasta you have ever made for me. Did you use a new recipe?" She asked her son. Jackson looked at Jennie awkwardly and saw that his wife seemed a little unhappy with the fact that she was not the one applauded. Though she tried to smile and nodded that it was okay for him to take credit for her food, her expression could not lie.

"Actually mom, it was Jennie who prepared these dishes," Jackson said as he took a sip of his coffee. Jennie shook her head the entire time he was addressing Rose as a signal to Jackson, gesturing at him to stop talking. However, the words were already out, and he could not take it back. "Jennie?" Rose dropped her fork onto her plate and asked confusedly. Jackson put his cup down and eyed his mother. "Yes, mom! My wife, Jennie." He replied as he picked up his mug again and drank from it.

"What the heck do you mean that your wife prepared this pasta? She doesn't even know how to boil water!" Rose stated. Jackson spits his coffee out of his mouth because of his mother's remark. Jennie handed her husband a napkin, and he wiped his face. She then covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. "Mom! Jennie can cook now. Plus, her food is yummy. So can we eat?" He replied as he touched his wife's hand and gently squeezed it for emotional support.

Jackson wanted her to know that he got her back, and Jennie appreciated the fact that her husband was siding with her and not his mother. "Thank you, babe," Jennie whispered, squeezing Jackson's hand likewise. "Okay, I understand that. What I don't get is when, how, and why she knows how to cook. The last time I checked, your wife was still burning toast and egg!" Rose told him. Jackson bent his head a little. He could not make eye contact with his mother because he did not know the answers to these questions.

"You don't know, right?" Rose asked her son, and he kept his head bowed. Jackson could not lie to his mother when he didn't know what the truth was. "What have you been doing behind my son back the ten-month you were away?" Rose questioned Jennie. She did not respond either. Jennie plans to carry the truth with her to the grave. "Answer me!" Rose screamed. She noted that when the question got asked, Jennie had the exact same look in her eyes that her husband wore on that unfaithful afternoon.

"Stop it, mom! She is my wife, not yours. So back off and stay out of my marital affair!" Jackson yelled, slamming his hands on the table, which made the silverware and cups shake. Jackson's palm started bleeding again. "Your wound!" Jennie said as she reached out to touch him. But he pulled away. "I am fine. All I want to do is eat in peace. Can I have that, or should I find it elsewhere?" He announced loudly.

"I am sorry for overstepping my boundaries. I will ignore this issue to give you the peace that you need." Rose replied and focused on eating her breakfast. Jennie nodded her head, then finished her bread with jam. Jackson panicked inside. He had never in his life talked to his mother like the way he did just now, and his heart ached. Jackson wanted to rush over to Rose, knee down, and plead for her forgiveness. However, Jennie was his family too, and he had to consider her feelings. So, Jackson left the situation as it was.

Steven got into his car and traced Julie and Daniel to the "Sweet tooth" shop. They got out of the cab and headed towards the building. He watches for his car as Julie and Daniel enter the glass door. Steven removed his seatbelt and was about to follow them when he stopped himself and remained in his seat.

"What are you doing? If you go in there now, Julie will not be happy about it. She is still mad, and she will not listen to your explanation. Plus, what are you going to say to make her feel better? Daniel is the only person to make her feel cheerful right at this moment. For now, allow her to have her way. AHH, this is so frustrating. What am I going to do? I don't want to go back to the office." He advised himself.

Jackson, Jennie, and Rose had their breakfast in silence. Nobody wanted to say anything, and they did not glance at each other. The awkwardness increased Jennie's guilt, and she did not like it. Trying to break the quietness, Jennie asked a question that she shouldn't talk about at that minute. "Babe, what happened between you and your father?" She stated. Jennie had this question playing on her mind after she and Rose spoke. Plus, the remark Jackson made against his father did not help Jennie's curiosity.

Jackson chews and swallows his meatballs slowly. He acknowledged that if he had not taken his time, he would have choked on his food because of her question. Jackson grabbed a glass of water and drank it to help clear his throat. At that moment, his phone rang. He set the glass down and answered the call. "Hey, brother! Are you up for some morning drinking at the bar? I messed up, and now I don't know what to do." Steven said.

Jackson leans back into his seat and smiles. "Sure, I am up." He replied. Jackson could hear Steven releasing a deep breath and a silly laugh. "You are my lifesaver." His friend told him. Jackson smirks a little. "You are mine too." He responded. After their call ended, Jackson stood up and put his phone in his pocket. "I have to leave. Steven needs me." He announced and walked out, leaving Jennie puzzled about what they said to each other.