Justice For Juniper (Tatienne Richard) novel Chapter 111

Justice For Juniper

Luncheon Part I

Juniper leaned closer to her mother, “are you okay?” She whispered the question while the talk around the table was exciting and loud.

“Of course,” her mother patted her hand and gave her a benign smile.

“Mama,” she frowned at her. “What’s going on?”

Her mother avoided the question and smiled at a comment from Sandra. She grabbed her water glass, took a sip, and listened attentively to the conversation bouncing around.

“Mama, I need the bathroom. Come with me? You can help me find it.”

Her mother frowned, “you don’t need.”

“Mama!” she cut her off and pulled her by the hand. “Please.”

Maeve sighed and shook her head at the table, “always going to the bathroom in pairs.”

“It’s a girl thing,” Heloise grinned at the table.

In the bathroom, Juniper made sure there was nobody else and then turned on her mother, “spill it.”

“There’s nothing to spill.”

“Yes, there is. You’ve never sugar coated anything with me growing up. You don’t need to start now. Is this because you don’t want me to be in this relationship? Are you second guessing your instructions to try kissing multiple guys and it’s backfired because I want them all? Are you not happy for me?

do I

“I don’t fit in.” her mother said with a sigh. “Juniper a month ago, I served them all dinner in Sandra’s dining room. I washed the dishes and cleaned the spaces they were all entertaining each other in. I’m the housekeeper. I poured tea and plated cookies for those three women out there and even Denise’s mom too. Sandra is great, don’t get me wrong, and I know she considers herself my friend, but they’re my employers, Juniper and this feels fucking weird to me.”

“Hey,” her mother brushed the tears off her cheeks. “I love you. I will always love you. I want you to be happy. It is all I ever wanted. You deserve this. You deserve to be spoiled. Juniper, I loved Kyst like he was my son because you loved him but it’s not to say I didn’t feel strong feelings about how he treated you.”

“How he treated me?”

“Yes. He was good to you, I can’t deny it, but he put a lot of pressure on you. You put his career first. You paid for most of his college. You gave him all the opportunities he has because you were the one pushing him to be the best, but not once did he return that. He spoiled you with affection, I can’t deny it. He was good to you by taking care of you but in hindsight it was so you wouldn’t ask questions but the things he did for you, never compared to the things you did for him. You kept him on track. You were his greatest champion and cheerleader while he simply expected you to play adoring wife. You fell in line with his wants and needs because you wanted him to be happy and he was happy to have you play dutiful wife.”

“I guess.”

“I do worry,” she made a face, “Phineas is similar to that be want you to play a background role,”

“Actually,” she grinned at her mother, “I didn’t say anything to you or Suki yet, but he came over yesterday afternoon with a bunch of brochures from local colleges. He kit then on the kitchen island for me. I asked what it was, and he told me f didn’t want to go back to work and wanted to get the degree deserved to work on, I could.”

“Then already he’s doing better than Kyst because he’s made you sideline your aspirations for far too long. You always had a solid head for business. Get your business degree, Jumper, if it’s what you want. All I want is for you to be happy and to chase your dreams. Those three men out there, they’ll ge it to you in a way Kyst never could. I’m not upset about your relationship, and my discomfort is mine to manage. Don’t give it another thought. Worst case scenario, I quit and find another job. I ko they’d give me a good recommendation.”