Chapter Six: Second Chances
"Every day is a second chance, don't give up yet."- Terry Mark
Jasmine
Shelly and I have become close and have been hanging out quite a bit. The job at the hospital pays enough that I was able to find Maddy and I a small apartment on the outskirts of town. The small, two-bedroom is just right for us and I couldn't be happier. Maddy started kindergarten and my walls are covered with all of her colorful pictures.
"Oh come on, Jas," Shelly says as she collapses onto my bed, groaning. "It's going to be fun," the enthusiasm in her voice made me roll my eyes.
"No," I say. She bats her eyelashes at me and I can't help but laugh. Giving in, I shake my head. "Fine, but I have to talk to Aunt Suz and see if she can watch Madison." I dial her number and wait for her to pick up. After fifteen minutes of her gushing about Madison and how glad she is that I'm getting out of the house, I hang up with her, look up, and Shelly is grinning like she’s up to something. "She said she'd be glad to watch Maddy."
"I knew she would. She adores that little rascal." Rolling my eyes I hesitantly stalk off into the bathroom to clean up. I put on jeans and a cute top, brush through my hair, and grab my shoes before walking into the bedroom.
Shelly’s face is priceless, "I know that is NOT what you plan to wear, right?” she asks.
"What's wrong with my clothes?" I ask. "I thought this looked pretty damn good."
Shelly rolls her eyes at me and she practically drags me over to the closet. "Hmmmmm...”’ she says sifting through my wardrobe. Towards the back she finds a little black dress, she yanks it out and her eyes light up. "This! This is the one,” she squeals.
The thin satin sheath slides down my skin as I put it on. The intricate lace comes up around my neck in a halter fashion, while the hemline sits at my upper thigh. With a cut out under the choker collar, the plunging neckline emphasizes my breasts, and the open back is cut clear down to my lower back.
I step out of the bathroom and she whistles at me. Feeling the redness covering my cheeks, I giggle as I looked at myself in the full length mirror.
"Now that my dear friend is proper attire for the club; time to talk shoes," she says waggling her eyebrows. She sits down in the middle of my closet and rummages through my shoes. Coming out with a pair of strappy silver heels, she smiles. I groan loudly, knowing I'm a wreck in heels.
"Put them on," she commands and sits on the bed. I give her the dirtiest look I can manage and she just laughs. "Now, strut your stuff," she says with a grin, "And you better get used to them, we’re going to be out for a while."
I draw in a deep breath and take a few careful steps, looking completely awkward. She jumps up trying to contain her laughter. "Here, let me show you," she says demonstrating the right way to walk in heels.
After we’re ready, I drop Maddy off with Aunt Suz and she raises her eyebrows at me. "You have always been beautiful."
I smile and kiss Maddy bye. "Be good," I say looking back over my shoulder.
"No, you be good," Aunt Suz hollers as I shut the door.
~~~~~
Once we get to the club, Shelly looks over at me as we wait in line to get in, "You look hot," she says with a smile.
"Thanks," I say looking down at my feet.
She pats me on the shoulder and whispers, "Damn Jas, look at these two guys over there," she says as we enter.
We get to the bar and I order a soda for me and a shot of whiskey for her. I turn to hand her the shot and she grabs my hand, almost making me drop the drink, but I don't say anything; I don't want to ruin her night with my moods, so I just turn and look at the guys. She makes a beeline for the two men, sticking her chest out and flipping her hair. I glance at the one, admitting, once again, that Shelly has excellent taste in men. Before I can catch my thoughts, one of the men greets us. I stammer a ‘hello’ and turn to Shelly, whose cheeks have turned another shade of red.
"Want to dance?” the man asks and Shelly immediately nods. She stands up, giving me a quick look before walking to the dance floor with the handsome stranger. I look over at the other man, who is standing just a few feet away from me and try to get a better look because there is something familiar about him that I just can't place. I sit down at the nearest table because my feet are already screaming. The music is loud but there is a silence between us. He looks at me and I can see the pain of the past start to resurface.. How stupid of me to let her talk me into this.
"What’s your name?” he asks.
"Jasmine," I reply, feeling the burn in my cheeks. My thoughts begin to wander.
"I'm Brandon Whitaker,” he says and the strobe flashes on his eyes. They're a soft green hue and so familiar. Maybe the combination of the strobe lights and atmosphere is causing my imagination to run wild. He is so familiar, the eyes, the face, the voice, and then it hits me. Oh my God, Brandon? "Brandon?" I ask in awe of the man sitting across from me. That awkward, lanky teenager is long gone. He could easily give an Adonis a run for his money.
He looks at me for a long moment and I can literally see the light bulb flash on. "Jasmine Grayson," he says huskily and I narrow my eyes at him. A strange feeling hits me; a desire unlike anything I've ever felt causes me to panic. Oh how I want to hug him and apologize for everything, but I can't. My intentions were never to hurt him, but I can see our past flashing in his mind, as though someone has set up a projector. I can feel the sting of tears beginning. I turn my face away from him and close my eyes. After getting myself under control I turn back to see that familiar smirk on his face. “I normally don’t go out but that fucker insisted on it since Charlie is out with her friends. “Carlie?” I blurt out, bringing my hands to my mouth. “Carlie is my girlfriend,” he replies with a laugh. I’ve never been more grateful for din lights because I can feel the blush covering my whole body.
"I better find Shelly," I blurt out and turn my attention to the dance floor, creating as much distance as I can between myself and someone I never thought I’d see again. At first, I can't find Shelly, but then I see her. For the first time in many years, I see her smiling like she did back in high school. I sigh in relief, and when I turn, I realize Brandon is gone. Shelly is dancing and enjoying herself so I go to the bar and order another soda. From across the club I can see Brandon. Every so often I feel someone's eyes on me and I'm pretty sure it's him.
As the night winds down, I go looking for Shelly and find her making out with the guy in a booth. "Oh go ahead and go home, I’ve got a ride," she says with a giggle.
"Call me in the morning, okay?" She nods and goes back to sucking his face off. As I sit in the car, I laugh until I turn on my phone, seventeen text messages from Jeff. Oh shit, how did he get this number. The drive home is not a peaceful one. In the last six months I have managed to put all the worries behind me and now this. Stopping by Aunt Suz’s to pick up Maddy; I'm on the verge of tears.
"Jasmine, are you okay?” she asks, slipping Maddy’s overnight bag onto my shoulder.
"No. I'm not," I manage to say before the sobs take over.
"What's wrong, dear?"
"Jeff. He knows where we are."
"Oh sweetheart," she says covering her mouth.
"And Brandon too," I say.
"Oh my, I knew it was only a matter of time until you ran into him. I'm surprised it took this long."
"What do you mean?"
"He works at the hospital."
"Really? In almost six months I've never noticed."
"Well my dear he has changed quite a bit. A rather handsome lad he is." I nod in agreement, the thought of all those texts from Jeff gnawing at my thoughts. "Where did you see Jeff?"
"I didn't see him, he sent me some rather nasty texts," I reply, pulling out my phone to show her.
"Jasmine, do not underestimate him. Save those. Document everything. I don't want him thinking he can come here and try to take Madison without repercussions." I nod and hold Maddy closer to me, her angelic face peaceful, as she sleeps. "Would you like to just stay here tonight?"
I nod. "I'm off work tomorrow."
"Well, let’s get you two to bed," she says with a yawn.
I lie Maddy down, softly kissing her forehead and crawl in beside her. At least we're somewhere safe I think to myself as I'm finally able to fall asleep.
The first thing I do when I wake up is call the phone company and have my phone number changed. My uncle is sitting at the table cleaning his shotgun when Maddy and I come down for breakfast. The look on my face must speak volumes. "Mornin', Uncle Henry," I say cheerfully.
"Good mornin' ladies," he says back.
Maddy smiles and runs over to him, crawling on his lap. "Whatcha doin'?” she asks, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Well, baby girl, I'm putting my shotgun back together after cleaning it."
"Mommy, aren't guns bad?"
"No, sweetheart, well… then again they can be bad depending on the person who has it."
"Ohhhh. Uncle Henwy?"
"Yes, Maddy?"
"You're a good guy, right?"
Uncle Henry chuckles and shakes his head. "Yes Madison, I have no intention of hurting anyone unless they try to hurt one of us," he says looking at me.
"Maddy, that's enough, come eat your breakfast."
She kisses him on the cheek and walks around the table to her booster seat. "Yummmm...Aunt Suz this bacon smells good!"
Brandon
"Of all the people I could run into it would have to be Jasmine. Seven years have passed since I last saw her and I tell ya, she is more beautiful than ever," I tell my dad over our weekly brunch.
"Son, don't get tangled up in anything you might regret later. I know how you used to feel about Jasmine, but you're with Carlie now."
"I know dad, I know. I had to talk to someone and I know you would be the only one who would understand."
"Life is never easy and any choices have consequences. Remember that," he says taking another bite of his waffle. I nod and try to push her out of my mind.
~~~~~
Carlie comes home from work already half lit. "Do you think it’s wise to be driving after a few drinks?" I ask when she stumbles through the door.
"Oh, screw you, Brandon," she says before rushing to the bathroom. I hear her throwing up in the bathroom and just shake my head. Her head is resting on the toilet seat when I walk in. I pull her hair off her face, put it up with a rubber band and hand her a wet towel. "I'm such a stupid bitch," she says looking up at me with tears in her eyes.
"Let’s get you cleaned up and into bed." She nods and reaches for me. I help her undress and get her into the tub.
"You are too good to me and I'm sorry I act like an ass sometimes."
"I love you, Carlie." She nods and wipes her face. I get her out of the tub and into bed before stepping outside on the balcony. I close my eyes and all I see is Jasmine’s face and I feel the heartbreak she caused me.
~~~~~