Chapter Eight
Jordyn stood on the sidewalk and stuck her right arm out to hail for a taxi cab. Before long, a taxi cab stops in front her. She quickly opened the door.
“Hi miss. I hope you’re feeling better than you did last night.” The same driver from last night steered the car forward.
“Where to?” He asked Jordyn. Jordyn pointed the location to the driver towards the advertising firm.
“I’m sorry that you had to be a witness to my suffering last night,” Jordyn told the driver.
“I’ve seen worse tragedies in this cab, miss.” The driver tried to reassure Jordyn that she has nothing to be ashamed of. “A woman once gave birth on your seat. She had a beautiful set of twins.” The driver continued to make small talk as he drove to the firm.
“That’s not a tragedy,” replied Jordyn out of curiosity.
“Oh no. The twins were a miracle but the mother did not make it. It was something about her having complications with the birth.” The driver took small glances at Jordyn through the rear view mirror. He was trying to make eye contact while driving because he felt like the story was a little too personal for small talk.
“What happened to the twins?” Jordyn asked the driver while looking for her wallet in her handbag.
“They’re almost graduating from elementary. I pick them up from school everyday.” The driver gave Jordyn’s reflection on the mirror a quick smile.
“Oh, I am so sorry for your loss.” Jordyn realized that the woman that gave birth inside the cab was the driver’s wife.
“There is nothing to be sorry about. You were not the one who took my beautiful wife away from me. Wherever she is right now, I hope her soul has found peace.” The driver said to Jordyn as he parked the car near the building.
“Here we are,” The taxi driver moved the gear shift to park. Jordyn handed the cab driver a 50 dollar bill. The driver refused the cash but Jordyn insisted so he had no choice but to accept.
Hearing the driver’s story about the loss of his wife has made Jordyn feel a little bit better. She knew she was not alone and that there are others that have had more losses than her. They still found their way back to keep moving forward despite the tragedies that found them.
Jordyn stepped out of the cab and straightens her back. She looks back at the taxi driver and gave a smile as he drove away.
Jordyn marched towards the front door of the building with a newfound sense of motivation. She stepped through the front door and smiled at the guard cop. Jordyn was ready to face Tom.
Jordyn stepped through her office space. The place was covered in bouquets of roses. Each bouquet with a note stating how much Tom loved Jordyn and how much he treasured her.
“Your boyfriend was waiting for you here the whole morning. I am pretty sure he was the first person to enter the building.” The intern Joey told Jordyn. “If only I can find a man that would love to cover my desk and body in chocolate. You are so lucky, Jordyn.”
“Tom is not my boyfriend,” Jordyn said defensively.
“Well soldier boy wanted to meet up with you later to apologize about something that happened yesterday,” Joey turned around to head back to doing her workload.
“Thanks for the information, Joey.” Jordyn said as Joey walked away.
“You can thank me by telling me all the juicy details tomorrow,” Joey yelled back at Jordyn.
Jordyn fell silent. She was surrounded by the same flowers in her dream, the same flowers that Tom gave her yesterday. Tom was nowhere to be found in the building. Jordyn could not concentrate on her work. She needed to talk to Tom as soon as possible.
Time passed by and all Jordyn could do was make doodles on pieces of paper and moved back and forth the entrance to see if Tom was there.
4:56 PM. It was almost time for Jordyn to head home. Tom was still nowhere to be seen. Jordyn headed to the bathroom. For some reason she had the urge to fix herself up and put on her makeup. Jordyn pressed the silicone sponge on her face to spread the concealer. A few brushes of blush here and there, some mascara, and a rouge lipstick to top it all off.
5:22 PM. Jordyn stepped out the door looking her best. The mascara really made her eyes pop. Tom was standing beside the front door of the building. His hair was styled like a 50’s greaser. He wore a camouflage muscle t-shirt that showed off his pectoral muscles. On his hands were a picnic basket and an oddly huge blanket.
“Looks like you’re more than ready for our dinner date.” Tom said with a forced smile trying to make everything seem fine. Tom had pretended that some of the stuff yesterday did not happen and that he still had a chance to win back Jordyn.
Jordyn walked towards Tom and embraced him. She could feel his warm body press against hers.
“I’ll do my best to be ready Tom.” Tom wraps his arms around Jordyn’s body, careful not to hit her with the picnic basket. He waits a few moments to enjoy her embrace.
“I have something for you.” Tom took out a piece of garment from the picnic basket and he handed the garment to Jordyn. It was the torn piece of underwear, Jordyn wore yesterday. Tom had sawn the ripped panties as best as he could.
“I was going to keep the underwear so that I always have something that smells like you but I decided to fix it instead.” The picnic basket’s handles and blanket moved up to Tom’s arms as he grabbed a hold of Jordyn’s arms. He looked straight at Jordyn’s eyes and continued to speak his mind.
“Jordy, there is nothing we can’t fix when we put our minds to it. I am willing to do all the work and put in the countless amount of effort to make you the happiest woman I know.” Tom gave Jordyn half a smile and puppy dog eyes hoping for her to give him one last chance to make everything right.
Jordyn bit her lips. She was confused whether to be happy that Tom was still trying so hard after she ran away from him last night.
“You don’t have to try so hard Tom. I forgive you. I thought that I was alright and that I have really moved on. I buried those feelings deep down and buried myself along in my job so I did not have to confront those feelings that I had back then. I wanted Gracie’s death to motivate me into making more of myself while I am still breathing. While I am still alive.” Jordyn’s eyes started to have that glassy look but she fought the tears so she didn’t ruin her make up. Tom kissed Jordyn to shut her up as she was starting to mumble.
“I am ready to make the most of my life with you, Jordy.” Tom pulled back his lips from Jordyn and pressed his forehead against hers. His eyelids were shut and he nuzzled his nose against Jordy’s nose.
“I am ready Tom. Let’s have another baby so that we can make the most of this life and maybe our future lives together.” Jordyn quickly pressed her lips against Tom’s lips and smiled.
“I love you, Jordy.”
“I love you more, Tom.”
“I love you most.”