Temptation: The Aftermath

by Victoria Christopher Murray

  “I went home with a,” I had to pause for a second, “friend … for a few hours this morning. But, I’m fine now.”

  He gave me a look that told me I was far from fine and that my idea to move my husband three thousand miles was proof that I needed to close my eyes and go to sleep for a while.

  “Let’s make a deal,” Dr. Reid began. “I’ll do my job and take care of Doctor Blake. And you do your job and get some rest.”

  I shook my head. “No, I’m fine. I want to be here for my husband.”

  “I understand, everyone says that. But here’s the thing — your husband, he’s resting, you’re not. So when he wakes up, he’s going to be ready to get out of here, maybe hit a couple of clubs, stay out all night. But you … you’ll be too tired.” He shrugged before he gave me a smile and I couldn’t help but give him a little laugh.

  Gently, he rested a hand on my shoulder. “Promise me, you’ll at least consider my advice.”

  I nodded, then he tapped something onto his tablet before he stepped away. Turning back to the Jefferson’s room, I paused before I pushed the door open — I needed a moment to gather all of this in my head.

  Slowly, I strolled back down to the waiting room, and was a bit relieved when I saw just one woman in there, holding a rosary. Sitting near the door, I let everything that happened this morning settle in my mind. All I wanted to do was focus on my husband, but my thoughts kept returning to Jasmine.

  What was up with her? Why was she lying? Who was that woman?

  As soon as I asked myself those questions, I pushed them aside. Yes, Jasmine had cleaned up over the years, but no amount of designer outfits or red bottom shoes or cash in the bank could change her soul. Clearly, not even her husband nor the Lord had been able to do that, so why was I trying to figure it out?

  I sighed. I just needed to get my tablet, get online and check into a hotel. Hosea said that he’d bring my suitcase wherever I needed, and I would tell him as soon as he got here. Pushing myself up from my chair, I turned to the entry, and there was Jasmine.

  She took a step toward me which made me want to take two dozen steps back.

  She said, “I … is everything okay with Jefferson?”

  My eyes narrowed. “He’s the same. Nothing’s happened in the last hour.”

  She nodded, looked around, then ran her hands up and down her arms like she was suddenly chilly.

  I felt the question rising inside of me and I was angry at myself for one: wanting to ask this question and two: for thinking that if I’d ask, I’d get an honest answer from the woman whose face showed up under ‘Notorious Liars’ and ‘Famous Skanks’ in Wikipedia. But even though I knew I wouldn’t get the truth, I couldn’t help myself. “Jasmine, who was that woman you were talking to?”

  First, she gave me a blank stare, then in seconds, I watched that blankness melt and in its place was what? Honesty?

  She nodded, then motioned for me to return to where I’d been sitting and she followed. She inhaled a big gulp of air before she said, “I don’t know.”

  “Really, Jasmine?” She had done exactly what I knew she would do. I sprang up from that chair, but before I could take a step, she reached for my arm.

  “Wait! No really, Kyla. I don’t know her, but I can tell you what we talked about.”

  I squinted as if somehow that would help me discern the truth better.

  She said, “I asked her about … Jefferson.”

  That made me open my eyes, wide, this time. Made me back step and sit down. Made me take a couple of yoga-style inhales because now, my heart was jumping.

  She did the same breathing exercise that I’d just done, then said, “Remember when you spoke with the police yesterday? Remember when they asked you about a woman?”

  I gulped, nodded, then wondered if I should tell her that I’d changed my mind. I didn’t want to know anymore.

  But I stayed silent, so she continued, “Well to be honest, Ky, I was really curious or maybe it was just that I was suspicious, I don’t know which one. But I wanted to know who’d been with Jefferson.”

  When she paused, I wanted to grab her shoulders and shake the rest of the story from her because now that she’d started I wanted to know what she knew. But she’d paused … why? My heart didn’t have this kind of patience. If she didn’t keep on talking, surely, I would stop breathing.

  Probably no more than five seconds passed, though it was longer than a couple of eternities for me, when she finally continued, “When I saw that woman coming out of Jefferson’s room earlier, I immediately thought she was the one the police were asking about.”

  I swallowed and tried to keep my lips from trembling. “Was she?”

  It wasn’t until Jasmine shook her head that I breathed.

  “No,” she said. Then, with as much gaiety as she had when we used to gossip back in high school, she added, “That chick is just trying to get with Doctor Reid.”

  I blinked. “What?” I blinked again.

  She nodded and leaned forward as if she were about to share something so scandalous, she didn’t want to take the chance of being overheard. “She says that the doctor is her boo and they’d had some kind of argument so she came up here to the hospital to talk to him.” Jasmine didn’t even pause, she kept talking — just like when we were in high school. “She found him in Jefferson’s room, but he wouldn’t talk to her because he said it was so unprofessional. And girl,” Jasmine lowered her voice so much that now, I had to lean forward, “she said Doctor Reid told her it was over between them.” Now, she leaned back. “That’s why she was still in Jefferson’s room when Doctor Reid left. Because he told her to get herself together and then get out.”

  She paused, and I sat there, waiting for more.

  “You can close your mouth now, Ky,”Jasmine said and I clamped my mouth shut.

  But I had to work hard to stop it from opening wide again because this story was just so unbelievable … that it was believable.

  I waited a few more moments before I said, “Really?”

  Jasmine nodded and gave me a little conspiratorial side-eye — just like in high school.

  “Well, why didn’t you just tell me this before?”

  Her grown demeanor was back when she sighed. “I know. It was just that she asked me not to say anything and you have to admit, it is pretty embarrassing. Plus, I didn’t want you to be upset with Doctor Reid.”

  I frowned. “Why would I be upset with him?”

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Maybe you would have thought that he should have called security. Maybe you would have thought that he shouldn’t have left her alone in Jefferson’s room.”

  “Well … that part is true.”

  “See,” she exclaimed like she had just made a major point. “And I didn’t think there was the need to bring anymore drama into your life.”

  I stared at Jasmine and wondered if she understood that by her not telling the truth before … that was the drama.

  She said, “I was just trying to protect you and I didn’t do it the right way. I lied and for that, I’m really sorry because while I know that we’ll never be what we were, what I want you to know now is that you really can trust me.” Jasmine covered my hand with hers. “Hosea and I really want to be here for you, Ky. Know that.”

  I looked down to where her hand touched mine and that made me remember how Jasmine had always played the role of protector. Maybe that was all there was to this. Maybe Jasmine was trying to take care of me and I’d read more into the situation because — well, because she was Jasmine Cox Larson.

  When I looked up, I nodded and she nodded back.

  “So,” she said. “Now that that’s out the way, can we go back to being friends?”

  The words she spoke were just as genuine as the distrust that was still in my heart. Why couldn’t I take a measure of this woman — add up all the years of friendship we’d had, all the good times we’d had, all the wonderful things she’d done and let all of that
override her one transgression. Why was the worst thing that Jasmine had ever done worth more than all the goodness?

  “Ky?” she interrupted my thoughts. “Friends?”

  I opened my mouth to tell her my truth, but before I could get, “No,” out, I heard the most beautiful sound.

  “Mom!”

  I looked up and my heart jumped up, but I stayed still because shock kept me right in my seat. My daughter rushed to me and by the time she was in front of me, I found the strength to stand. “Nicole!” Pulling her into my arms, I burst into tears. “I’ve been calling you. How did you get here? How did you get here so fast?

  Why didn’t you tell me you were on your way?”

  She laughed.“Which question do you want me to answer first?” “All of them,” I said.

  “I will, but I have a question for you.” She pulled me down into a seat. “How’s dad?”

  “He’s the same.” I squeezed her hand. “But the doctor said that he’s hopeful.”

  “I want to see him.”

  “Of course.” We were still holding hands when we stood and it wasn’t until then, that I remembered.

  “Oh.” I faced Jasmine.

  When I looked at her, Nicole did, too. “Hello,” my daughter said, her tone filled with the politeness reserved for strangers.

  “Nicole, I don’t know if you remember Jasmine,” I said. Nicole’s eyes spread into the size of half-dollars. “Oh, my God.

  Auntie Jasmine?” She threw her arms around Jasmine’s neck for a couple of seconds before she stepped back and took Jasmine’s hands inside of hers. “It’s been years. What are you doing here?”

  A mist covered Jasmine’s eyes as she stared and took in all of Nicole. “Look at the beautiful woman you’ve become.” Her voice shook a little, and that filled me with emotion, too.

  “Thank you, but look at you. I’m so glad to see you,” Nicole said, embracing Jasmine once again. She was still talking when she leaned away to look into Jasmine’s face some more.“Mom told me that you moved away and the two of you just lost touch. I have always wondered what happened to you.”

  “I live here in New York and when I heard about what happened to your dad, I came running.”

  “Oh, my God. You live here? So you’ve been here with Mom the whole time?” Nicole looked from Jasmine to me and then back to Jasmine.

  I answered for Jasmine. “Yes, she has, sweetheart. She and her husband have been very supportive.”

  “Oh, thank you. Thank you so much, Auntie Jasmine. I didn’t want my mom to be alone.”

  “You’re welcome. But why don’t you go see your dad and we’ll catch up later. I’ll be right here.”

  “Okay.” She gave Jasmine that smile that I loved so much, and then holding onto me with one hand, and rolling her suitcase behind her with the other, we made our way to Jefferson’s room.

  I was so grateful in this moment that I almost forgot about what had happened between me and Jasmine this morning.

  Almost.

  chapter 13

  Jasmine

  It was hard for me to sit and wait. What I wanted to do was rush into Jefferson’s room and just stare at Nicole. Even now, I wiped away a tear. Who would have thought a year, a month, or even a week ago that I’d be sitting here with Kyla and her daughter?

  It didn’t feel like old times, but I didn’t feel that awkward separation either, especially now that Nicole was here. Kyla and I were far from being friends, but once again, I had hope — because of Nicole and because I had told a lie.

  My lie was brilliant, it was gargantuan, and it was kinda, sorta, close to the truth. But it was a lie that had worked. I had pulled off an Oscar, Tony, and (if I’d sung a few words) Grammy award winning performance, reaching back to our high school days when I used to love spilling some major tea.

  When I’d sat next to Kyla, I’d had everything that I needed to convince her: the persona, the demeanor, everything to get her to believe me when I told her that woman was involved with Dr. Reid.

  Now that she did believe, I could focus on earning her trust. And that would come with me solving this mystery of the mysterious woman. But before I did that, I planned to spend the rest of the afternoon bonding with my friend and her daughter.

  I was in the waiting room alone, which was the only reason why I pulled out my cell. Pressing the number under ‘Hubby’ I grinned as soon as I heard my husband’s voice.

  “Talk to me.” That was always his greeting.

  “I’m still at the hospital, but Nicole’s here.” When he stayed silent, I realized just how little of this part of my past my husband knew. “Nicole, Kyla’s daughter.”

  “Oh. Good.”

  “I know. She’s made a major difference for Kyla. You should see her; she feels so much better, looks stronger.”

  “I’m happy about that. So, I’ll have Mrs. Sloss get the other guest room ready.”

  “Yes.” I knew that I was wearing one of those tips-of-lips to tips-of-ears grins. “I’ll give you a call when we’re on our way. It may be later. I’m sure Nicole will want to spend as much time as she can with her dad.”

  “Of course. Just let me know and I’ll have a car sent for you.

  Don’t even worry about Uber.” “You know you’re the best, baby.”

  “It’s easy to be the best when I’ve got the best.”

  Then, together, we said, “I love you,” before we clicked off our phones.

  While I waited, I checked my Twitter timeline, then switched over to Facebook, but I couldn’t focus on any of the postings. There was nothing going on in the world right now that was more important than what was going on right here.

  My hope was still floating when Kyla and Nicole returned, about an hour later.

  “How is he?” I stood as they approached.

  With the tip of her finger, Nicole dabbed a tear at the corner of her eye.

  “He’s good,” she said. “Well, not good, but the doctor came in for a little while and I was glad for that.” She nodded. “I was able to talk to him and it was good to hear from the doctor that dad’s just resting. He said that’s what comas are all about.”

  “That’s right, sweetie.” Kyla rubbed her daughter’s back. “Since I’ve been here, I’m convinced that your dad will be fine.”

  Like I’d told Hosea, Kyla’s voice was stronger now, filled with steadiness and sturdiness. She even stood taller. As if having Nicole by her side renewed her fortitude — made her wear the armor of a mother’s might.

  “I agree with your mom,” I told Nicole. “I believe with all of my heart that your dad will be fine.”

  She glanced up, nodded, then reached for me in another embrace. I glanced at Kyla as I held her daughter. She stood, without a smile — at first. And then, the ends of her lips curved up, though some might have said that it was closer to a grimace than a smile. But whatever, it wasn’t a frown.

  I was still holding Nicole when Kyla said, “Nic, sweetheart.

  Let’s go get something to eat.”

  She stepped back, sniffed and looked at her mom. “Should we leave Dad?”

  “Well, the doctor told me that I should rest, and I’m sure the same applies to sustenance. You should eat and I know you didn’t eat much on the plane for all of those hours.”

  She nodded, then said, “Okay.”

  I stood there, not quite sure what to do. But after taking a few steps, Nicole turned back. “Auntie Jasmine? Aren’t you coming?”

  My glance shifted to Kyla and that slight upward curvature of her lips was gone. Now, her face was as stern as stone. But when Nicole asked me again, Kyla nodded, almost imperceptibly, but enough for me to see, to know that she approved. Kind of.

  I hated these circumstances, but I was filled with joy as I walked behind Kyla and Nicole. I followed them … until we got to the lobby. Then, I took over.

  “I’m going to take you to one of my favorite restaurants,” I told them as I opened my Uber app.

  “I
don’t want to take a lot of time, Jasmine,” Kyla said.

  I didn’t even look up when I said, “No worries. We’re going to Melba’s and not only do I know her, but I know everyone there. Once we get in the car, I’ll call ahead and they’ll get us in and out.”

  “Wow, Auntie Jasmine. You got it like that?”

  “Yup.” I grinned and led the two out of the hospital. By the time we got to the corner of 135th Street, the black Hyundai was waiting. Inside the car, Nicole sat in the middle and she held her mother’s hand. That warmed me. I wasn’t looking forward to Jacqueline and Zaya growing up, but seeing this relationship with Nicole and Kyla made me believe that there were wonderful life’s chapters ahead.

  As we drove up 135th Street, then made a left onto Frederick Douglas Boulevard, I texted Melba and was thrilled when three minutes later, I received a text back:

  I’m not there, but they’re waiting for you. They’ll get you in and out. Tell your friend I’m praying for her.

  Like Melba promised, when we drove up to the restaurant and stepped inside, Louis, the manager, was waiting by the door, then sat us right away and we had menus in our hands before we even blinked.

  “It won’t matter what you order,” I told them, “you will love it.” Kyla sighed. “It does look good.” She placed her menu down.

  “I’m just not very hungry.”

  “Me neither.” Nicole did the same, then looked at me. “Sorry, Auntie Jasmine.”

  I couldn’t say the same. From the moment Melba’s came to mind, I’d been thinking about the grilled jerk shrimp, the pecancrusted tilapia and the cheddar grits. But even though my mouth watered, this wasn’t about me. So, I came up with a plan.

  “Why don’t we do this,” I began. “We’ll order our food to go. And when you get hungry, I’ll heat it up for you in the cafeteria or we can take it home with us tonight and ….”

  Kyla shook her head. “We’re not staying with you.” Then, looking at Nicole, she added, “We’ll stay in a hotel. We’ll get one tonight.”

  “Mom,” Nicole said looking between her mother and me with my wide opened mouth, “I think if Auntie Jasmine is offering and it’s not an imposition ….”