by Leen Elle
"Didn't what? You didn't what?" I asked, becoming frantic.
"Listen…when she told me to be careful…Jasmine told me to be careful…" She reached out and Aaron took her hand, and I felt myself slip away, my body becoming numb. "Where is she…?" She asked, her voice becoming soft.
"Doc!" Aaron cried, and Doctor Lawrence quickly injected her again, and, in a matter of seconds, her eyes began to droop.
"Aaron…" She whispered softly.
Aaron grasped her hand tightly and kissed her head softly. "Here I am, I'm right here." He said. Jennifer closed her eyes, and a trickle of tears fell upon her pillow.
* * *
"So everything came out alright?" I asked quickly as soon as I saw Doctor Lawrence approach me and Aaron. Doctor Lawrence took hold of my shoulders firmly and sighed deeply.
"Yes, we were able to save her."
My heart burst with relief at the news. She was safe, Jasmine was safe. After hours of waiting, I was finally awarded with the best news of my life. However, my happiness was short lived.
"She will be under intensive care for the next several days, she has many fractures all over her body, and additional surgery might me necessary. I'm afraid she won't be able to walk…" He explained. My heart sank.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, like I said before, her spine was fractured due to the impact, many nerves and tissues were damaged, and we don't know if she will make a proper recovery." He said, rubbing his head. Jasmine won't be able to walk? Not ever?
"There has to be something we could do?" I asked faintly.
"Well, when she's recovered, we can try different treatments to tackle the issue." Doctor Lawrence said. I nodded.
"Anything that can help her, anything." I said.
Doctor Lawrence looked down at the ground and then looked up at me sadly. "Also, I'm afraid I have some more bad news." He said. More bad news? What other bad news could there be? I don't think I want to hear anything more that's wrong with Jasmine.
"What is it?" I felt my throat go dry. Doctor Lawrence hesitated.
"Well, we couldn't save the child, we tried, but…it was no use." He said. "She lost the baby…"
My heart shattered.
"She was pregnant?"
"Yes, she was pregnant, a few weeks at the most." He explained. I stood transfixed on the spot as I watched my whole future fall apart before my eyes. I felt someone guide me to a chair and I followed like a zombie. Aaron patted my shoulder and went to talk to Doctor Lawrence about something I no longer cared about.
Jasmine was pregnant, was that what she tried to talk to me about? Was it my fault? I could have prevented this, none of this would have happened if I just listened to her.
"Jasmine…" I breathed out her name. I buried her name and face deep into my head, heart, and soul. She soothed my hurts and muscles, and I never did appreciate having her around those past few days. They were like a dream, a magic filled dream. I thought of her beautiful face, her stunning eyes, the tenderness of her touch, and I thought of how happy our life could have been if I just took her hand and listened.
So I just sat there, feeling sorry for myself until I heard Aaron call to me. "Hey, let's go freshen up, eat something and come back, what do you say?" He asked, reaching out to me with his hand.
I took it.
* * *
"Can you please stop eating my food." I sighed as Aaron rummaged through my fridge and took out a piece of pie.
"Doesn't have your name on it." He said, taking a bite. It's been a few days after the accident, I was feeling a little nervous since Jasmine woke up this morning, and we were going to head to the hospital after I got ready. I was planning on taking Jaime, but I figured tomorrow would be the best time to, so I left him to sleep over with a friend. I was thinking about what to wear when Aaron let out a big sigh. Crap, here it comes.
"Why do you think she does it?" He asked for the umpteenth time, sitting down heavily on one of the couches.
"Does what?" I asked, for the umpteenth time.
"Refuse to see me, why doesn't Jennifer want to see me? She still can't be mad, I mean, I figured we got over it." He said.
"Well, you were the one who said all that stuff to her back at the café, you told her you hated her, remember?" I said, finally deciding on what shirt to wear.
"I didn't mean it, anyways, I was in the heat of the moment." He said.
"So was I, but I didn't yell at Jasmine." I told him.
He snorted. "Yeah, you turned your back on her, that's twice as bad as saying you hate her."
"Is not." I countered.
"Is."
"Isn't."
"Let's go." Aaron said, placing the dirty plate in the sink.
"You're still going to buy her flowers?" I asked, reaching for my house keys.
He smirked. "Fifth time's the charm."
* * *
Jennifer
I didn't want to talk to Jasmine just yet, but I really couldn't leave her hanging after what I did to her. She was lying in a hospital bed in a far worse condition than mine and I put her there. All this wall entirely my fault, I nearly got my sister killed…again…
I thought about my whole life as I stared up at the ceiling of that damned hospital. I tried to sort out many things, a trillion things that I would do anything to do over again. I winced in pain and clutched my side; I was lucky that shard of glass didn't do a lot of damage. I caught the sweet scent of the many green roses sent to me by Aaron. Aaron, those were other feelings I had to come clear in. I didn't want to see him, there was so much going on in my mind right now that I didn't want to confuse things.
I sighed. One of the nurses informed me that Jasmine woke up this morning, and I had to go see her. I had to say I was sorry, say sorry for every damn thing I ever did to her. She lost everything because of my reckless thinking. I ignored the pain in my side as dropped down from the bed. The cold floor sent shivers up my spine and I slowly walked to the door. It wouldn't be long before they knew I was gone from my room. Luckily Jasmine was moved to the same floor as me, it would make the trip a lot more easier.
When I finally managed to sneak past the nurses and doctors, I quietly slipped into her room. I found her sleeping soundly on her bed. I didn't want to wake her, and I was about to head back out when I heard some footsteps.
"Damn…" I cursed and slipped into the bathroom.
The door to the room opened just as I closed the bathroom door. I heard the person approach the bed. There was a muffled whisper, and I could hear movement coming from the bed. Jasmine was waking up.
"James…" I heard my sister say. So it was James that came to visit her.
"Hey, love, how are you doing?" He asked softly. Great, I did not want to stay here and listen to their little love talk.
"Better, I'm glad you came to see me…" She said, her voice weak, but full of undefined happiness.
"I'm guessing Doctor informed you about everything?" He asked uncertainly. There was a long silence afterward. Finally Jasmine spoke up.
"Yes…" Her voice cracked. "About not being able to walk, and about the baby…" I felt like someone punched me in the gut. No one ever told me she wouldn't be able to walk, and her baby? What about her baby?
"I know it's hard for me too, but I promise that we will make it through this." James said soothingly. This time I heard my sister sob.
"But I lost our baby…I'm sorry, James…" She cried. "I lost our baby…"
"It's not your fault…" He tried to calm her, but he too sounded pained.
"I should've been more careful…" She sobbed. "Our baby was made with our love, James…"
"I know, Jasmine, I know…"
All too carefully, I opened the door and slipped out of the room unnoticed. I reached my room and closed the door and hopped in to bed just as a nurse came in carrying a dozen green roses. My heart was racing, breaking with every pulse.
"Another dozen, that's the fifth time in a row, oh, why don
't you let him come see you?" The nurse asked as she arranged the roses in a vase. "I could call him in if you want."
"No." I said rather fiercely. "Leave me alone." She did as she was told, and I used all my will to stop myself from crying. Another life I ruined, and this time it was the life of the person I mostly cared about. Jasmine lost so much because of me, all I ever did was bring her pain. I hit my head with my fists.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" I cried. I wanted to rip my hair out, jump out the window, hurt myself, punish myself for everything I did. Why did God let this happen to Jasmine if it's me He should be punishing? I had to get away from her, I'm poison to her, I demolish everything I come in contact with…even what happened back at the ranch was my fault. Everything was my fault.
I have to get away.
* * *
"Are you sure? Wouldn't you like to call someone to take you home? Like your husband?" Doctor Lawrence asked. I shook my head as I turned away from the hospital window.
"No, I just want to get out of here, I am free to go, right?" I asked.
"Yes, you are free to leave, you're sister still has to say for a few more days."
"I understand, take care of her for me." I told him. He nodded. He raised his hand and I shook it.
"I will, Mrs. Miles. Good luck." He said.
"Thanks."
I went straight to the bank and withdrew all of the money I had saved up in my account. I was going to pay everything with cash so they wouldn't find me easily, it would be best if no one ever found me. I bought a few clothes for the trip and I stopped by Aaron's house to leave something at his gate before going on my way. I planned on taking a flight right out of Minnesota, to somewhere more south. Maybe as time passes, all of the people I ever hurt could mend.
I looked down at my plane ticket and gave a shaky sigh. That's when I immediately thought of Aaron; I thought of everything I was leaving behind.
"It's for the best…" I said to myself. I strangely remembered every single kiss we shared since I arrived at that large house of his. All the times we ever made love, the cruise…
I loved him.
I fell in love with Aaron Hale. When did that happen? Why hadn't I never told him? It's too late now, there's no turning back from this now. I loved him, and that's why I should leave, because all I ever was trouble to him, to everyone around me.
I heard my flight being called and so I grabbed my only suitcase.
I walked to my plane and I realized something.
I never really did get to say…
Good-bye.
Chapter 16: Jane
Jasmine
One Year Later
"How about this, if it's a boy, you should name him Aaron." Aaron said.
"That's never going to happen." James said, not really paying much attention to him. I smiled slightly as I gently rubbed my swollen stomach. It took seven whole months until I was able to walk again, and it was a painful experience. The following month that followed was the whole divorce I had to go through with Aaron, but luckily we managed to work a few things out. Jade was going to continue living with him, but she would always visit on weekends and sometimes during the week.
"The only reason why I'm not giving you a hard time is because of James," He said once our divorce was final. "I don't want to find myself on his bad side again."
I knew the real reason why Jade wanted to stay where she was; she knew Aaron would be lonely.
James and I picked up where we left off and I was already four month pregnant. Of course the baby will never replace the one we lost, but it was our light of joy. The only thing that was missing was Jennifer. Aaron was devastated when we found out that she left without say anything at all. I knew he spent days trying to look for her, but it was no use, she was no where to be found. The only thing she left behind was an envelope that contained papers that said that Jennifer returned everything she stole from Aaron.
What I don't understand is why she left? She couldn't have felt guilty? Something must have happened to her, but what? I sighed heavily, and both James and Aaron looked over.
"Something wrong, love?" James asked.
"No, just a little tired." I said, smiling wearily.
"Do you want to go to bed?" James asked. I shook my head.
"I'm not that tired." I said. James smiled and gently ran his fingers across my cheek. I saw Aaron look pointedly away and I felt a tinge of guilt. I should have know how hurtful it might seem to him, watching our love like this.
"Hey, James, let's go to the bar and buy a few drinks." Aaron said. James looked like he was going to refuse, but I gently took hold of his hand and gave him a look. James wasn't too happy but he gave in.
"I can be your designated driver." He said.
Aaron shrugged, he said, heading out. "Good enough."
James turned to me. "Are you ok here on your own?"
"Yes, I have Jade and Jamie to keep me company." As if on cue, Jade and Jamie came bounding down the stairs. Scraps was happily at their heels, and Kingston was snug in Jade's arms.
"Uncle James, I'm perfectly aware on how to use a cell phone." She rolled her eyes.
"Mini-Jennifer over here." James said. He kissed the three of us good-bye and left the house. A few seconds later, we heard the car starting up and leave the driveway.
"Mom, do you mind if we watch a movie?" Jaime asked.
"Of course you can, sweetie." I said. While Jade and Jaime settled down in front of the television, I stared at my cell phone. Sometimes I hoped that Jennifer would call, but as the days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, I sort of lost all hope of ever seeing her again. If I can just talk to her one more time, maybe I could figure out why she left in the first place. I've never felt so far away from my sister in my life, I felt so empty without her. Please call me, Jennifer. Please.
Halfway through the movie, I was about to fall asleep when I felt my phone vibrate. Thinking it was James, I checked my messages. My eyes widened as I saw the message.
Call me.
I didn't recognize the number, but I knew it was Jennifer.
* * *
Jennifer
I sat down on the couch as I waited for the call. I don't really know why I had the sudden urge to talk to her, but something pulled me to the phone. I hadn't heard from anyone in one whole year. I think it was pretty stupid of me to expect a call, I wouldn't be surprised if they refused to acknowledge me.
Esmeralda entered the living room. "Miss, um, upstairs you are needed. Maria is ah," She snapped her fingers in frustration as she tried to find the right words. "Ella te necesita." She finally said in Spanish.
"She needs me? I'll be right up, tell her to hang on for a few more minutes." I said. Esmeralda nodded.
"Si, Miss." She scurried up the stairs.
My phone suddenly rang. It took me a while to answer, but I finally answered.
"Jasmine?" I breathed.
"Jennifer? Oh my goodness, it's really you!" She cried. It was weird hearing her after so long.
"Yes, sis, how are you?" I asked, not really knowing what to say.
"How am I? How are you! I haven't heard from you in a whole year!" She shouted a little angrily. I winced.
"I'm sorry, I just had to get a way for a while." I said.
"A while? A whole year is a while? How could you, Jennifer? How could you do this to me, to Aaron!" She cried. I felt my heart skip.
"Aaron doesn't have anything to do with this. We weren't even together to begin with." I sighed.
"He loves you." Jasmine said softly. I opened my mouth to say something, but that's when Maria stalked down the stairs. She was an old woman who has worked here for years, and she had a lot of energy in her. She may be a maid, but even I was a little scared of her. She gave me an annoyed look.
"Aqui te encuentro, hablando por telefono como una princesa! Crees que no tienes responabilidades!" She began to shout in Spanish. I knew a little of the language to know what she was talking about.
/> "Maria, please! I'm on the phone!" I cried.
"Claro, el telefono is mas importante!" She said mockingly.
"Maria? Wait, not our nanny! Jennifer, are you-?" Jasmine said, but I hung up the phone when I heard the loud wail and ran upstairs, Maria muttering bitterly behind me.
* * *
Aaron
I was barely on my second drink when James' cell rang. I rolled my eyes as he dug for his phone.
"Doesn't she have something better to do than disturb us?" I asked.