Jada playfully pushed his shoulder. “Just like a man,” she kidded him without knowing she was speaking his truth. “So, how are things going, Rev?”

He glanced at me and my mouth opened wide when he said, “Not well, but maybe you can talk to your sister about that.”

I couldn’t believe he was putting our business out there on Front Street like that. He knew I didn’t believe him about Katrina; did he really want me talking to my sister about that?

And why would he even say that in front of Jasmine, who was now looking at the three of us with nothing but curiosity in her eyes.

Jada’s eyes went from Jeremy to me, then back to my husband. “Uh…”

“He’s just kidding,” I said with a little laugh to Jada, though those words were for my daughter’s ears. “We’re fine. You know Jeremy’s a jokester.”

“Yeah.” Jasmine giggled. “Daddy’s a jokester.”

Jeremy smirked, then walked over, leaned in and kissed my cheek once again. But this time, his kiss had an accompanying message. “We’re not fine,” he said, his volume revealing that his words were meant for my ears only. “But we will be because I will never give up on you, I’ll never give up on us. No matter what I have to do.” Standing up straight he said, “So uh, are you taking Jasmine back to the church for the children’s choir anniversary rehearsal, or do you want me to do it?”

“Oh!” I tapped the heel of my hand on my forehead. “I’d forgotten all about that,” I said, while I wondered about Jeremy’s words. I wasn’t sure if what he’d said was meant as a promise or a threat.

“Why don’t you do it?” Jada said to Jeremy. “It’ll give me a chance to have some time with my sister.”

Before I could protest, Jeremy said, “That sounds great to me. Come on, Munchkin.”

“What about my nails?” Jasmine asked, looking between her father and her aunt.

“We’ll do them later,” Jada told her. “I promise. You go on with your dad to church so you can sing like the beautiful angel you are.”

Jasmine’s face brightened. “Mommy said I’m an angel, too.”

Jeremy held out his hand to our daughter. “So let’s go get your sneakers and a sweater and then we’ll head back to New Kingdom.”

With a hop from her chair, Jasmine slid her hand into his. She skipped beside Jeremy, all was well in her world. The sight of my husband with our children had always been one that filled my heart each time with even more love for him. He was a good father, but what was going to happen now? What would our lives look like after Tuesday? Would the children and I even be here for our anniversary?