by E. S. Hart
“Well, I'm sure I speak for Max as well when I say that I'm quite grateful that you had all this medical expertise,” she said as she smiled over at him in a sweet way.
Jake stood up from the chair to walk over to the window. He wasn't really sure what this woman truly wanted from him. Yes, he had brought her here to mend her from her car accident, but in the time she had been there the attraction he felt towards her was making it harder for him to be around her.
Simone looked over at him; he seemed to be upset by her gratitude. She wasn't sure but he seemed highly disturbed by it. “Did I say something wrong?” She asked finally while trying to break the silence between them.
Jake looked back over at her. “No, Simone you said nothing wrong; far from it,” he replied.
“Jake, I know that I shouldn't press this subject but you have so much to offer to the outside world. Not just your music but you could go back to medical school and become a doctor some day in the near future. You might even be able to help other veterans such as yourself,” she articulated.
“Simone you don't understand. You don't' know everything. If you knew what was behind this mask you would understand why that isn't an option,” he tried to rationalize solemnly.
“Then show me what's behind that mask,” she encouraged. “I have seen your hands and I have some idea what you have endured. I feel I can handle what is under that mask,” she told him and prayed that she could. The truth was even if it was as horrible as he claimed she knew that what was on the outside of this man wasn't the man that she had come to know. The man she had come to get to know over all these weeks was someone caring, compassionate, and highly talented.
“I can't do that Simone. I'm sorry but I can't trust you to not be repulsed by what this mask actually hides.”
“You think that I can't handle what is under that mask, don't you? Jake I maybe a singer who has a public image but I am not shallow in the least,” she defended.
“I never meant to imply that you were,” he told her. “It's just that the way I look it would be understandable for anyone to not be able to handle it. I have come to care about you, Simone and I don't want to ruin what we have which I hope is friendship.” he informed her all the while wishing it were more.
Simone realized for the first time Jake had told her that he had real feelings for her. He was letting his guard down with her and this was a good thing, she thought. Maybe in time she could convince him to leave with her when the time came and she was strong enough to leave. Simone smiled warmly at him once more. “I care about you too, Jake very much,” she told him.
"Then you need to respect my wishes and try to understand why I can't remove this mask," he told her point blank.
Simone found herself slowly nodding. She didn't want him to do something that he didn't want to do. Hell, if the situation had been reversed she wasn't sure she could have done it either.
≈
Simone was more than relieved some weeks later when Jake finally removed the splint from her right leg. She was progressing nicely with her physical therapy as well and was now using a handmade cane that Jake had made for her to get around with instead of the crutches. With each passing day, she grew stronger and knew that the day was fast approaching where she would be well enough to leave. She now felt more driven than ever to convince Jake to come with her. She couldn't just leave him here she knew that was no longer an option.
≈
One night after Jake finished playing the piano; Simone looked over at him sitting on the bench. “I guess I'm now getting strong enough to leave,” she announced to him and she observed how he seemed to freeze up by her words.
“Do you want to leave?” he asked, feeling himself tightening up by what her answer would be.
“I have to," she told him. "I have a life in the outside world that has been placed on hold long enough. I'm sure you can see that,” she told him.
“Yes, it would be a tragedy for you not to return to that life and to not share your gift with the outside world.”
“It's also a tragedy for you not to do the same” Simone countered.
“Simone you need to drop that subject,” he reminded her sternly.
“I'm sorry, Jake but for me, the subject wasn't dropped, it was only put on hold. Jake, you have a gift as well. More than one gift from what I have seen. It's a terrible waste not to go back to your life and share those gifts, can't you see that.” She pressed once again.
“No," he spat loudly while slamming the cover to the piano keyboard down. "What I see is that I can't trust you,” he told her bluntly.
“What do you mean?" She asked taken aback by his outburst.
“I mean that if you were allowed to leave here you would no doubt tell everyone where you have been; that you would also tell the press where Jacques Moreau is. I'm afraid that is something I can't allow to happen, so you won't be leaving here, Simone. You will stay here with me,” he told her firmly.
Simone couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew her expression had to be one of pure disbelief. This man was sounding as if he planned to keep her here for the rest of her life against her will.
CHAPTER 12
“Jake you can't mean that. We had a deal that when I was strong enough I could leave. You promised me, remember,” she reminded him wondering why he turned on her like this.
“That was before you figured out who I was and couldn't drop the subject of me going back to a life in the outside world," he said while standing up. "I don't trust you now to not try to force that hand by letting it be known about where I am,” he told her abruptly.
“So, now you do plan to keep me, prisoner,” she stated in a bitter tone.
“You shouldn't look at it that way,” he told her, trying to calm his voice. “We have been happy here together for the past few months, haven't we? We could build a life here together; the three of us. Forget about that life, Simone it holds nothing you told me yourself that you were burnt out on all the fame. Here is a simpler life for you to have," he tried to convince her.
“Jake, I know I was burnt out and needed time to regroup but I don't belong here and neither do you. If this is what you want so badly, fine, stay I won't tell anyone I promise.”
“How can I trust you now?” He asked her, knowing full well that he doubted he could.
Simone looked over at him crossly.
"Fine, maybe you will feel differently in the morning,” she stated grabbing her cane while getting up from the recliner chair. “At least I hope so,” she said, walking over to the door to her bedroom to go into it.
Max whined over at Jake as if to say he didn't approve of what just went down.
“I'm sorry, boy, I know I am being selfish but now that I have found her, how do I let her go? She can talk all she wants about a new life for me but I don't want it; all I want and need is her. Well, and you, of course, that is all I need to make my life complete.” He went back over to the piano and lifted up the storage part of the bench. He took out the pen along with the notepad he had been working on. Maybe once this was finished he thought to himself, Simone would see just what she truly meant to him and maybe just maybe she would want to stay. At least this is what he hoped.
≈
Simone crept out of her room and silently walked out into the living room. It was about five in the morning but because it was summer the sun was already up in the sky. Yet, she knew that odds were Jake would still be in bed. She had figured out a way to get out of here. She had found her purse in the closet and found her car keys inside it. Yes, she had no idea what direction her car was actually in or even the condition of the vehicle, but maybe if she followed the road downhill from the house she might run into it. At the least, she might find a ranger station. There had to be one around here somewhere. She saw Max's head rise up and she gestured to the dog to stay quiet praying that he would do just that. She sighed a bit in relief when Max laid back down. She walked quietly over to the front door and walked out of t
he house.
Max immediately bolted from where he had laid moments ago to go over to scratch on Jake's bedroom door.
It seemed as if a few minutes had gone by before Jake opened the door half asleep. “What's wrong, Max?” he asked. “Do you need to go out?” he asked before proceeding to walk out of his bedroom. He saw that the door to Simone's bedroom was wide open. He walked over to the door and saw that Simone wasn't in her bed. He went over to the bathroom door and found that she wasn't there either. He saw that Max was barking at the front door. Jake walked over and opened it. He saw that no one was there but he suspected now that Simone had left. He got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach over this prospect. What had he done? Had he forced her to want to try to leave when Simone wasn't aware of the dangers that were out there in that forest? Jake had to go find her, fortunately for him Max was a good tracking dog. “Wait here, Max,” he instructed. “I will go get dressed and get my hunting rifle,” he told the dog on the front porch as he rushed back into the house.
≈
Simone proceeded down the road. Maybe she should have stopped to fill a canteen of water, she thought as she found that she was becoming thirsty as she walked along. She wondered how much longer it would be before she found some form of life, even if it was just a motorist passing by. At this time of day that wasn't likely, she surmised. She suddenly stopped dead in her tracks when she heard growling coming from one direction and wondered if Max had followed her. She turned in the direction of the growling and saw that it wasn't Max but a large, gray wolf. She knew that this type of wolf made their habitats in the forest such as this one, but she never thought one would come up to a road even one as desolate as this one seemed to be. Simone stood frozen for a moment not sure if she should move as the wolf looked directly at her in a menacing way while growling and showing its sharp teeth at her. At that moment, as if from out of nowhere Simone saw what appeared to be another wolf lunged at the one that was ready to strike at her? But then she realized that this wasn't a wolf at all; it was Max. She saw the two animals struggle in a violent way and she found herself panicked for Max's well-being. She then heard the loud sound of a rifle going off. She looked up the road to see Jake coming down quickly. The gray wolf hearing the shot released Max and bolted to run back in the direction in which it had come. Max fell to the ground obviously injured from the battle.
Jake and Simone both ran over to where the dog laid motionless. Jake looked for signs of life in his canine friend. "Max what have you done," he gasped at the blood emanating from the animal.
“Jake, is he dead?” Simone asked with great fear etched in her voice.
Jake quickly examined looking for life signs. “No, he's still alive but I need to get him back to the cabin to tend to his wounds, otherwise he could be dead before long,” he informed her as he lifted up Max in his arms and dropping the rifle.
“I'll come with you," Simone cried, "This is my entire fault,” she told him as she picked up the rifle figuring he would need the weapon for protection.
“We were both to blame, Simone,” Jake told her in a solemn tone as they both headed back in the direction of the cabin with Max in toll.
CHAPTER 13
Jake knelt next to Max by the fireplace as Simone sat in the recliner chair nearby hovering as well. She had helped Jake tend to Max's wounds and now they seemed to be in a wait and see mode.
“Jake I really am sorry," she told him again. “I never meant any harm to come to Max or to you.” She wasn't sure she would ever be able to forgive herself if Max died because of her foolish, selfish actions.
“Simone as I told you before this was as much my fault as yours. I was being selfish, I thought I could keep you here like I did Max when I saved his life but a person isn't a dog. My only defense is that I didn't want you to leave me, but now I see I was wrong in trying to keep you here,” he told her. “So you are free to go whenever you wish and I will personally take you down to your car myself. I just ask that you give Max time to recover,” he stated and watched as Simone nodded in agreement.
Simone knew she wouldn't have left anyway until the dog that had valiantly protected her was out of danger. Simone went down to the floor to kneel beside Max to start to pet him in a soothing manner. The hours seemed to pass slowly as the day came to an end. Simone and Jake kept vigil over Max and prayed.
Simone never realized just how much this dog had come to mean to her, but as she looked at Jake she realized that Max meant just as much to him. Max was all Jake had in the world; his only true friend. If he were to lose Max it would shatter him all the more, Simone knew this for sure. She wasn't sure she could bear to leave this man if that happened. She looked over at Jake and knew just how much he now meant to her. The day led into night, yet neither of them could bring themselves to go to bed while they continued to keep vigil over Max. Simone found herself sitting next to Jake on the couch as they looked over at Max who lay nearby. “You have my word that I won't tell anyone where I was and who you are,” Simone told him in a gentle voice while placing one of her hands on his gloved hands.
“I believe you,” he told her as he put his arm around her and she smiled up at him. Simone wasn't sure how much time had gone by but apparently she had fallen asleep in Jake's arms because the next thing she knew she found that someone was nudging her on the knee and heard a distant bark. She opened her eyes along with Jake to see Max looking up at them appearing to be over the worse of his ordeal. Simone started to laugh.
Jake started to pet his canine companion. “That a boy, Max you always were a fighter, weren't you?” Jake told him as the dog jump partially onto his master's lap as Jake hugged him.
Simone couldn't help but feel quite relieved and happy at the sight of them loving each other. “Not only are you a fighter but a hero just like your master, huh, boy,” Simone said, petting the dog as well and Max turned while licking her on her face. Max was definitely out of the woods and on his way to recovering from his ordeal and Simone was extremely relieved.
During the rest of the night, Jake watched as Max slept by the fireplace. The dog had eaten and drank water which was a good sign and Jake was beyond relieved. He needed Max now more than ever since he knew Simone would leave him soon. He knew that fateful day would be approaching.
≈
Early the next morning, Jake glanced out the window when he saw a shadow walk across his front window. He saw Simone standing on the porch. He knew she had a tendency of doing this at times in order to get some air since she had gotten her mobility back.
“I don't know if you heard the news, Max but I have told Simone she could leave when you're better," he told him, walking over to him and kneeling down to pet the dog. "Sorry, I didn't realize what a mistake I was making before. I guess you have figured out that I love her don't you, boy? I know it's love. I have never felt this way about anyone in my whole life. There is a saying if you love something you have to let it go and that is what I have to do with Simone. I have to let her go,” he stated solemnly with finality.
Jake heard the front door open and saw Simone walked back into the cabin. Yes, he knew her time with him was coming to an end and he had to admit that it saddened him greatly.
Simone looked over at where Jake knelt beside Max. “How is he doing?” she asked.
“He's much better," he replied, "I would say in a few days he should be back to his old self,” he stated as he stood up to look over at her. “Which means I will lead you down the road like I promised and you can leave.”
“Can I ask something of you first, Jake,” she inquired.
“What?” he asked.
“Can I see you without your mask?” she asked as she walked over to stand in front of him. This was something that Simone definitely wanted to see. She knew that her request would probably meet with resistance but she knew she had to at least try to get him to trust her enough to show her this at least.
CHAPTER 14
“I told you that wasn't an optio
n,” he told her in disgust.
“You also told me that you trusted me. Well, trust me now, Jake. Please I want to see you without the mask. I don't care what lies beneath it," she tried to reassure. "I know the man you are inside, so let me see you completely. Please remove that mask for me,” she pleaded with him again as she observed him looking over at her.
He hesitated for a moment while looking into her beautiful eyes. He wondered if he could trust that her eyes wouldn't change to horror the moment he revealed what was under the mask. He couldn't bear to have those eyes looking at him with repulsion written in them. “Please, Jake…please,” she pleaded with him yet again.
Jake took in a long breath and released it as he slowly lifted his hand and undid the mask to remove it from his face.
Simone found herself taken briefly back by the scars and deforming of the skin on the face of the man who stood before her. Yes, she could see why someone who didn't know this man might be repulsed by the sight of him. She, of course, had an advantage because no matter how bad his face appeared she knew who the man was inside. She quickly managed to pull it together as to not let Jake see how it affected her. As she had told him it really didn't matter; not in the least. This was still Jake the man whom she had come to know so well in the past few months; nothing had changed. She smiled up at him as tears collected in her eyes. She reached up with her hand to gently touch his face. She then lifted herself up on her tip toes to kiss his right cheek in reassurance. “Now was that so hard?” she asked in a reassuring tone.