Jacob stood in the middle of the parking lot with his small black note pad tightly in his hands. His memory lapses had been increasing and he was finding it difficult to get through the course of the day without having to have help in locating things and keeping his appointments. Opening up his book he quickly scanned the last entry: Sunday October 21, 2007.
"Today is Sunday the twenty-second of two thousand and seven." He repeated to himself reminding himself of the day and date. Quickly using his forefinger he touched underneath the date and read the entry.
"Go to tuxedo rental shop and pick up tuxedo. Dinah's wedding, Chicago Hilton two o'clock p.m." He read and then he knew why he was standing in the parking lot of the local mall. He was there to pick up his tuxedo for his daughter's wedding later on that afternoon.
"Tuxedo shop… Tuxedo shop…" He whispered to himself trying to remain focused until he got from the parking lot to the small row of shops that were just ahead of him situated in the small strip mall. He closed his book and proceeded walking towards the mall.
Jayden looked out of his shop's window and couldn't believe what he was seeing. The man had aged and lost a little weight, but there was no denying it; that was the man Jacob Ellis otherwise known as his biological father. Involuntarily his heart began thumping rapidly. Had his father heard about his shop? Was he there to congratulate him?
"What in the world?" He asked himself under his breath as the man entered his shop. Jacob looked around confused. Why was he here? This was a women's apparel shop and he couldn't remember what on earth he was doing here or how did he get here. Was it Louise's birthday, he wondered. What is today's date he wondered to himself.
Jayden didn't know whether to approach or avoid and hoped that the man would leave on his own. Of all of the places to end up shopping, why was he in his shop of all places? Jayden decided to hang in the background and observe for a moment.
"Do you have this in an extra-large?" A female customer approached the counter and Jayden in his distraction didn't notice.
"Hello? Excuse me?" The woman asserted and it was clear that she was slightly annoyed with his lack of response.
"I'm sorry what did you need?" He apologized as he made himself focus back on the shop.
"Do you have this in an extra-large?" She asked again. Jayden looked at the item that she had picked out.