"The best thing for you to do is find a way to finish school." The older woman said encouragingly lifting up Marla's deflated feelings.
"And if you don't want to file for paternity, there is always Maury's." Tinsey jokingly said, further easing the tension in the atmosphere and making her unwillingly giggle.
"Maury Povich show… pfff; finishing college is sounding better and better… and I'll rather have my day in court." She said literally shuddering at the idea of airing her personal business over a nationally syndicated television show. The two ladies laughed and then headed back in to finish work for the day.
* * * * * * *
May, 1983 - Age 11 months "1…2… 3… …cheese…" Jacob's brother-in-law Derrick ordered as he snapped the camera capturing a bright and colorful picture of Jacob. Jacob was wearing his graduation gown proudly surrounded by his wife Louise and his recently adopted stepchildren; Markus and Dinah. Around his collar Jacob wore a brightly colored gold honors ribbon that distinguished him as a graduate of honorary achievements draped around his neck.
"Cheeeeese…" The entire family acquiesced as they bunched in real tight for another family shot.
"Nice shot…" Derrick complimented his sister's family as he looked at the picture.
"Congratulations sweetheart…" Louise beamed as she planted a chase kiss on his cheek. However Jacob wasn't satisfied with such a cheesy kiss; he wouldn't allow her to get away with it. He promptly grasped her rougher than usual and before she could say: "Aah…" surprised by his abrupt action; Jacob had her in his arms, leaning her backwards in a dance-dipping motion and returned her a deeper smooch on the lips. Involuntarily her arm reached upward catching him around the neck, holding him tightly as she briefly returned his passion. Abruptly she remembered where they were; in a public place.
"Jacob…" She protested while gently pushing him away. She then began to feign smoothing out her hair and adjusting her clothes.
"Ahem…" She cleared her throat as she took a pensive look from underneath her eyelashes. Jacob rewarded her with a wink; per his usual when he had succeeded in causing his wife undue embarrassment with public display of affection. She playfully ignored him as she turned her attention to her little ones, fussing about their clothes as she swiped at imaginary lint.
Jacob waved the felt-fabric black book-framed degree that he had been awarded earlier this afternoon for completing the requirements to obtain his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. Click-Click-Click Derrick snapped up more impromptu pictures of the family as they marveled over Jacob's accomplishment.