Chapter 12. Disturbing
Isidora Harding de Johnson
Johnson Mansion
I looked up at the sky when I didn't hear a response from the other end of the line. What a scandal that my own son, the owner of a great real estate empire, couldn't remember the name of the woman he went out with last night.
"Mother..." I shook my head, determined not to give up, but Jackson wouldn't know.
"I knew it," I paused briefly. "I knew you wouldn't take me seriously. But fine, I won't keep bothering you with blind dates. I'll take care of it, we'll talk later." I hung up the call, leaned back in my Victorian-style chair, let out a long sigh, and closed my eyes.
"You can't manage your children's private lives; they're adults, Isidora," James's voice echoed as he entered our room.
"I know, but... time doesn't stop. We're already in our golden years and we don't have grandchildren, not even a daughter-in-law we can ask to make us grandparents," I huffed. James sat on the edge of our bed.
"You've been obsessed with Jackson's dating life for quite a while. There will come a time when he gets tired and distances himself from us, is that what you want?" I shook my head.
"I want this house full of children and laughter, to have family dinners where we can fill that main dining table, I want our family to grow."
"Isidora, it's not like it used to be. Big families aren't common with the current situation. Nowadays, everyone thinks twice about bringing children into the world."
"I know, I understand your point," I lowered my hands to my lap and sighed.
"Aren't we enough for you right now?" I looked up at my husband, who was trying to make me feel better.
"That's a low blow, James Johnson." He smiled. He got up and came closer. Then he extended his hand for me to take.
"Come on, Mrs. Johnson," I accepted his hand with a barely-there smile. I stood up, and James pulled me into an embrace, starting to move us as if there was music. I rested my cheek against his chest, and we swayed slowly in place. "They are happy as they are. If they were really looking for a woman..."
"They would have one. I know..." and I would make sure of it.
New York-Presbyterian Hospital
I had arrived at the hospital twenty minutes ago, waiting for my new cardiologist. I had to lie to get an appointment, and I knew I was doing wrong, that James would disapprove of what I had planned.
"Mrs. Johnson, you can come in now," the nurse called. I got up and walked to the door, placing my hand on the doorknob. For a moment, I hesitated to enter. "If you go in, Isidora, you know you won't stop." Then I turned the knob and pushed the door open. The doctor was getting up from her chair, probably wondering why no one had entered her office yet.
"Mrs. Johnson, come in." I closed the door behind me and smiled, somewhat embarrassed. A woman of almost sixty years caught up in this kind of situation—shame on you, Isidora! I scolded myself mentally.
"Good morning, Dr. Parson." She gestured to the chair for me to sit.
"Good morning. How are you?" She began writing something in her notebook. I extended my hand and placed it on the desk, catching her attention for a moment.
"I know it wasn't appropriate for me to lie to get an appointment with my new cardiologist." She frowned, perhaps confused by my words. I withdrew my hand and smiled. "I don't usually do this, I swear."
"Alright, Mrs. Johnson, what's going on?" She showed a kind face that inspired confidence.
"Call me Isidora," she nodded slowly, still showing warmth in her eyes.
"Call me Beatrice." I smiled and nodded, agreeing to call her by her first name. A brief silence followed.
"Well, I know I was too bold a few days ago when I met your beautiful daughter, and also very forward of me to set up a blind date with my son." She sighed.
"I know what you're going to say. I'm sorry Leah didn't go personally to the date with your son, but her job didn't allow it." I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
"Didn't she go?" Beatrice shook her head.
"Since she didn't want to leave your son hanging, she asked her sister to go. I understand she explained the situation to him." She was still surprised.
"You have another daughter?" Beatrice smiled.
"Yes, her name is Lilly." Hearing the name stirred mixed emotions in me.
"That was my mother's name," I whispered, placing a hand on my chest. My heart beat a little faster from the shock of hearing a name I hadn't heard aloud in years.
"Are you alright, Isidora?" I nodded quickly.
"Yes, yes," I barely smiled. "It's just that I haven't heard that name in many years."
"Oh, I'm sorry..." I shook my head, smiling to dispel the nostalgia that had fallen over me.
"Thank you, though it was years ago." I cleared my throat. "So, you're saying Lilly went to dinner with my son?"
"Yes, she went. I'm sorry Leah couldn't go, but her new job has her very busy."
"I can imagine. And what does Lilly do?" I asked curiously, and her eyes lit up with excitement.
"She just started working yesterday at a very important real estate company in the city." A shiver ran from head to toe. I squinted. "Something like... Johnson Real Estate."
"And she started as an agent?" Beatrice shook her head.
"She started as an administrator." I raised my eyebrows.
"Oh, she's well-prepared." I liked that.
"Very much so, just like Leah, they've been independent from a young age." That was interesting to me, two women prepared for life.
"Let me congratulate you. With a professional mother, how could the children not be?"
"Their father is also a professional."
"And what does he do?" I asked, more curious than before.
"He's the new head of surgery at this hospital. That's why we decided to move from London."
"Your family is impressive," I confessed. "All four of you are well-prepared. By the way, I know I've asked a lot, but Leah, what does she do or work as?"
"She's an architect." My heart raced. Lilly works as an administrator at Jackson's company and the other daughter is an architect, like Jacob. I have to meet them!
"Wow, I have two sons, one of them is an architect." Beatrice was as surprised as I was about her daughters.
"What coincidences, right?" We laughed a little.
"I know, there are many things in common." I looked at my watch. "I think I have to go now, I don't want to keep you from other patients."
"Don't worry, the other appointments are in the afternoon." We stood up.
"Thank you for seeing me, for this chat, it was very pleasant, honestly." I was sincere.
"Look, I don't know anyone here, and it's not ethical on my part, but one day when I'm not working, we could have coffee, of course, if you want." I think my excitement was evident. My circle of "friends" was from a high society group, with whom I never felt this comfortable talking. I didn't have to listen to them brag about their luxurious lives, and this conversation reminded me that life isn't just about talking about money and flaunting excessive luxuries.
"I'd love that. Here's my private cell number." I handed her a card. "I use WhatsApp a lot." She smiled amused, looked for her card, and handed it to me.
"This is my only personal number. I use that app too. We can arrange to have that coffee."
"Perfect," I said, taking her card and putting it in my purse. We said goodbye, and I felt somewhat... calm and relaxed. I had never even talked about my mother's name before. Why had I said that to someone I didn't know well yet?
I walked to the exit where my driver Carson had the armored SUV waiting for me.
"Mrs. Johnson," he said, opening the door. I stopped before getting in.
"Carson, we need to make a stop." He nodded.
"Where to?" A smile appeared on my lips.
"Johnson Real Estate."