Legacy of Love

Chapter 7





After his last class, Jackson went home to shower and change, and grab a quick bite to eat. He’d been to his share of receptions, and food wasn’t high on the list of reasons to attend. He barely had two hours to get ready and back to campus. He pulled up in front of his building and noticed someone sitting on his front steps. Victoria. What the… Something told him to keep on driving, but time was not on his side. He had a bad feeling.

He pulled into his driveway, shut off the engine and willed himself to be calm. How did she even know where he lived? Reluctantly he got out and slowly approached. Victoria stood.

“I know I shouldn’t be here,” she said before he could get a word out. “But I had to see you.”

Jackson took a quick look around. “Victoria, this is not cool. Whatever you need to talk to me about we can do on campus or during my office hours.”

“I know. But…please listen.” She took a step forward and reached a hand toward his chest.

Jackson eased back and gave them some distance. “I’m listening.”

Victoria lowered her arm. “I wanted to tell you the real reason why I stopped working as your assistant.”

“Okay. What was the reason?”

“Some people who you think are in your corner aren’t.”

Jackson let out a breath of frustration. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re up for chair of your department.”

“Yes,” he said with a hint of caution in his voice.

“There are some people that don’t want you to have it.”

He frowned. “And you know this how?”

“It was no accident that I got assigned to you or that I petitioned so hard for the spot.”

“What exactly are you trying to tell me, Victoria?”

“Professor Treme, no matter what you do, you won’t get that position. My real job was to spy on you, to pass along information about you and your research.”

“To whom?”

“I can’t tell you that. What I can tell you is to watch your back. Everyone is not who they make themselves out to be. I like you, professor. I think that you’re an incredible teacher and I just couldn’t be a part of it anymore. And please, don’t tell anyone I told you this. I’m putting in for a transfer for next semester. But if they found out that I said anything. I have a lot on the line, too.”

“I…don’t know what to say. This is crazy.”

“I’ve got to go.” She started off.

“Victoria…wait.”

She stopped and turned.

“Thank you.”

She gave him a half smile and hurried toward her beige Honda that was parked at the curb.

Jackson watched her drive away, almost rooted to the spot. He shook his head. It didn’t make sense. Why go through all that trouble? Better yet, who would go through all that trouble?

His cell phone rang shaking him out of his troubling thoughts. He pulled the phone from his pocket. Levi’s number lit up the digital face. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Yeah, I wanted to let you know that I’ll probably meet you at the museum. I got kind of tied up.” He chuckled.

“Hmm, okay.”

“See you later.”

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Hey, everything cool?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine,” he said absently, as Victoria’s warning played in his head. Everyone is not who they make themselves out to be. Did that include Levi? “I’m just walking into my place,” he added. “Gotta get a move on.”

“Cool. See you later.”

“Sure. Later.” He disconnected the call and shoved the phone back into his pocket. He checked his mailbox, took out three bills then stuck the key into the lock of his front door and opened it.

He set his briefcase down on the console table in the entry hallway and went into the kitchen to see what he could throw together quickly. He washed his hands at the sink then searched through the fridge. He had some leftover chicken and decided to make himself a sandwich, which he took upstairs.

Between bites he undressed and took a shower. The conversation with Victoria was still playing in his head. Who was she talking about?

He stepped out of the shower and into his bedroom. He barely had an hour left before he had to meet the students. Opening his closet door, he took out his black shirt and black slacks. The temperature was in the high eighties, but he planned to wear a jacket anyway. He took his sports jacket out and put everything on the bed and started to get dressed just as the doorbell rang.

“Now what?” He wasn’t up for any more surprises. He pulled on his pants and shoved his arms in his shirt and went downstairs to the door and pulled it open. “Michelle! What in the world…?”

“I know I should have called…”

His surprise shifted to alarm when he focused on her stricken expression then to his niece, Shay, who stood at her side. He scooped up his five-year-old niece. “Hey, sweetie.” He glanced at his sister over Shay’s head, put his arm around Michelle’s shoulder and ushered her inside.

Jackson set his niece down then stooped down to her level. “Look how big you are.”

She giggled. “We came to visit, Uncle Jack.”

“So I see. And I’m glad you’re here. I was getting lonely for my favorite niece.” He grinned and kissed her head.

Shay spotted his giant television. “Can I watch Dora the Explorer? Please, Uncle Jack.”

“Sure, sweetie.” He turned on the television, surfed to the channel guide and found the cartoon.

Shay settled back on the couch and within moments was totally engrossed in her favorite show.

Jackson turned to Michelle. “Let’s go in the kitchen,” he said softly. She followed him. “Can I get you anything?”

“Some water or juice will be fine,” she said, her voice sounding hollow. She lowered herself into the chair at the table.

Jackson opened the fridge and took out a container of apple juice and poured her a glass. He set it in front of her and sat down. “What happened, Mikki?”

She blinked rapidly to hold back the tears she’d kept at bay during the hours-long drive from New Orleans. “I left him.”

“What?” He lurched forward. “Travis? What in the world happened?”

“I came home…early yesterday. I wasn’t feeling well and…”

Jackson’s pulse started to pound. Don’t let her say what I think she’s going to say.

“He…she…he was in bed with Carla.”

Time froze and the room seemed to vibrate. What she’d said didn’t make sense. Carla and Travis? “Michelle…he was with Carla?”

She nodded silently and then the tears came in a downpour, silent and loud all at once. And Jackson felt every iota of her heartache twist and turn inside of him.

He came around the table, knelt beside her and gathered her in his arms. “Let it out,” he encouraged. “I’m here. It’s going to be all right.”

“I had nowhere else to go. I couldn’t stay there in that house where they…”

He gently stroked her back. “It’s okay. My home is yours and Shay’s for as long as you need it.” He held her tighter, trying to put the horrible scenario together in his head. His thoughts spun out of control. Travis and Carla—his ex…

“Oh, God,” she moaned. “How could he do this to me? How?” Deep wracking sobs shook her body. “And Carla…”

All Jackson could see was red. He was going to hurt Travis. He was going to pay.

“What’s wrong, Mommy?”

Jackson’s head jerked up. Michelle swiped at her eyes and forced a smile on her face before she turned around.

“Nothing, baby. I’m just tired from that long drive.” She swallowed and sniffed.

Shay stood in the doorway, her innocent brown eyes looking from her mother to her uncle.

“Why don’t you go up and rest for a while, I’ll get Shay something to eat.”

Michelle rushed to her feet. “I’ll be right upstairs if you need me,” she said, her voice still shaky. She stroked Shay’s braids and walked out looking as if she’d aged ten years.

“Mommy’s sad,” Shay said.

“A little bit. But she will be fine.”

“I don’t like it when Mommy’s sad.”

“I know, sweetheart. Neither do I. So that’s why you have to be extra sweet to her until she feels better. Okay?”

Shay bobbed her head.

“Now,” he said lifting her up and bracing her on his hip. “What would you like?”

“Ice cream!”

Jackson chuckled. “Ice cream it is.”



Once Jackson had gotten Shay settled, he went upstairs to check on his sister. He found her curled in a tight knot in the center of the guestroom bed. He sat down on the side.

Michelle opened her eyes, which were now red and swollen. “I must look a mess,” she murmured and pushed her hair away from her face. She focused on her brother. “You’re dressed to go out.” She sat up. “Jack, I didn’t even realize… I just came barging in…”

“Mikki, take it easy. It’s okay. Relax. It’s the opening at the museum that I was telling you about. I’m taking my class. But I can call my assistant…” He remembered he didn’t have an assistant anymore. “I can make some calls and tell them to go on without me.”

“No, absolutely not! Shay and I will be fine.”

“Look, why don’t I take Shay with me so that you can get some rest?”

She was pensive for a moment. “Are you sure? You know how wound up she can get sometimes.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll be fine.”

“At least let me clean her up and change her clothes.” She scooted off the bed.

“Michelle…”

She turned.

“It’s going to be all right. Understand?”

She nodded and hurried out.

Jackson stood in the center of the room. Rage burned inside him. It took all of his willpower not to jump in his car and head straight to New Orleans. However, he had to think of his sister and his niece first. But Travis was going to pay.