But Janae couldn’t just enjoy this performance, not when she recognized it for what it was. Adam had both supported this program by helping her with the fundraising efforts and was simultaneously giving his endorsement to the program by actually performing in it. However, it was the last reason that had tears falling down her face.
Mr. Dapper, always in control, always calm, always dressed to the nines, had donned ridiculous-looking clothing along with his friends as they publicly let the town see them being silly as they performed this elaborate “I’m sorry” for her.
When the last note played and they took their bows, Adam’s honeyed gaze found hers and his message came across loud and clear. The ball was officially in her court now. What was she going to do?
What, indeed?
Chapter 33
“Hey, Dr. Henderson! Hold up.”
Adam, Michael, and Derrick stopped as they made it halfway to the dressing rooms backstage. When Adam turned around, he found James Sanders waving at him. He gave a nod to his boys and sent Michael and Derrick on their way. Whatever this young man had to say to him, he somehow knew an audience wouldn’t help with the situation.
“What can I do for you, James?”
James jogged the few steps to Adam, greeting him with a warm smile.
“First off, that was a great show. I’d heard some of those oldies from when my mom blasts music on Saturday mornings when it’s time to clean the house.”
The way the young man said “oldies” made Adam cringe. He was a man in his forties. Just how old did this boy think he was?
“Young’un, the Jackson 5 wasn’t even from my era. Just like you, and I presume your mother too, I grew up to my parents jamming to those songs as a kid in the eighties.”
“Wow, that far back, huh?”
Did this child just… the utter disrespect these kids had for the previous generations never ceased to amaze Adam.
“Was there something specific you wanted, James?”
The boy looked around, making sure the hall was empty before he stepped closer to Adam.
“I know you’re seeing my mom.”
Adam tilted his head, trying to gauge if this was going to be a confrontational kind of conversation or an information-seeking one. Either way, this was Janae’s son. Adam knew he had to take care with his words.
The boy held up his hands as if trying to calm Adam’s obvious discomfort with the pending conversation. “Mom told me. And just so you know, I don’t have a problem with it. Not that my opinion really matters.”
“I’m sure if your mother heard you say that, she’d say different.”
“Are we talking about the same Janae Aaliyah Tate Sanders?”
Adam had to laugh at that. Janae was the most confident person he’d ever met. She made decisions based on what she thought was best, not anyone else.
“True.” Adam chuckled. “But you did tell me you wanted to see your parents back together again. Has that changed?”
“I saw my mother worry about her own happiness for a bit and I got excited. If it were up to me, for my own selfish reasons I’d want them back together. Part of that was seeing how happy she was and thinking it was because she and my dad were getting along again. If I’d known it was because of you, I never would’ve said what I said.”
Adam looked at this young man, all of fifteen years old with so much maturity and wisdom, He could almost forget James wasn’t one of his peers. His perception and maturity were just another nod to how well Janae had raised him.
“I know something’s going on between you that’s got her feeling down.” Again, James’ astuteness gave Adam pause. “I also knowthat whatever it is, you were trying to make it right with that apology medley you were lip-syncing on stage. Smooth overture, by the way.”
Adam’s lip curled into a sly smile. He wanted to accept that compliment, but again, this was Janae’s son, so he had to maintain a certain level of propriety during this interaction.
“You don’t have to admit it. I’m just saying, it was a pretty original idea—”
“James,” Adam interrupted as he tried to use his school administrator’s voice to put things back on an even keel with this conversation. “Is there a point to all of this?”
“Yeah. I just wanted to say that whatever this issue is, you made my mom really happy. I’d like to see her remain that way. If you need any help, any advice on how to get back into her good graces, as the person who stays getting on her nerves, I’m the perfect person to talk to.”
