“Yeah?” “Thanks.” “For what?” “For taking care of me. My mom would be happy that I have someone like you in my life. So thanks from me and her.” Jesse cleared his throat, which made Chastity smile. Chapter 19 Lauri briskly stepped onto the front porch to sit with Jackson, her father-in-law for over 20 years. She eased into the rocking chair next to him and laid her hands on top his. Lauri had been around long enough to see Jackson in his prime during his glory years, through recent times as she’d watched him mentally decline once Alzheimer’s started claiming his mind. Although she knew her husband acted as if it didn’t bother him to see his stagnant condition – she knew it did. Jackson was, after all, Jesse’s father, and at one point they had some sort of healthy relationship, even if it was when Jesse was too young to remember. Lauri felt that somewhere in Jesse’s memory, he was still bonded to his father.
