by E. S. Hart
Jake could hear a sweet, familiar voice in the distance. He started to feel himself become aware of a lovely face staring at him. “Simone,” he said as he looked in her eyes while wiping the perspiration from his forehead.
"Yes, honey it's me," Simone stated softly and had to cough because of the smoke that seemed to be building up around them.
“I love you,” he said without thinking. Jake really did and whatever reason they had met he was extremely happy right at that moment that they had. She definitely was his saving grace.
Her heart melted at his words. She smiled up at him and placed her hand on his cheek. “Come on, let's get out of here,” she encouraged and saw him nod slowly while turning and kissing her hand.
They started to work their way through the forest area again. Max continued to lead them through the brush, but things were becoming more perilous for them as they found that the smoke was getting heavier.
Simone found that she could go no further and fell to the ground. She couldn't believe that this was how it was all going to end for her, Jake, and Max.
"Simone!" Jake gasped while quickly wrapping his handkerchief around his nose and mouth and tying it behind his head. He knelt down to lift Simone up into his arms quickly. "Hold on, Simone," he pleaded with concern etched in his voice. He started to carry her along as Max continued to guide them out. Jake found that even with his strength and agility it was becoming harder to endure the smoke around them. Yet, he knew he had to get Simone to safety. He couldn't let her down now; not after they had gone through so much together. He looked down at the woman in his arms who he found was only half conscious now. He started to wonder when the last time he had prayed, or even believed in a higher power at work. He knew it had been a very long time but right now he found himself praying and hoping beyond hope that there was someone there to hear his prayer; not for his sake but for Simone's. Jake suddenly spotted individuals who were working to put out the blaze and with no thought for himself and his appearance he headed in their direction. He knew no matter what happened his time of isolation was now over; whatever the outcome.
CHAPTER 17
Simone stirred and opened her eyes only to shut them once more at the blinding, bright light. She then heard a familiar voice that she hadn't heard for awhile say her name. “Simone, can you hear me?” Mel Richmond asked in a concern tone.
Simone opened her eyes yet again, to focus on where she was; this was a hospital room. She looked up to see her long-time manager there with her. “Mel,” she said in a weak tone.
“Welcome back, kiddo you gave me quite a scare. You don't know how frantic I've been since you disappeared, but fortunately, that is all behind us now. That horrible man won't harm you again,” he told her bluntly.
Simone looked up at him in horror. What had happened to Jake? What had they done to him? “Wait, where is he?” She asked while removing the oxygen mask she had over her nose and mouth.
“He's here in the hospital but under police surveillance. You don't need to worry he will pay for kidnapping you," he assured her.
“No, Mel," she protested, "you don't understand. Jake didn't kidnap me, he took care of me. He saved my life,” she argued. “Wait, where is Max, where is he?" She asked desperately trying to get up from the bed.
“Who is Max?' Mel asked, trying to lay her back down.
“The dog, he's Jake's, German shepherd. Please tell me he didn't die in the fire,” she asked frantically.
“Relax, Simone the dog was taken to a kennel and depending on what becomes of that man, the dog could be placed in a shelter.
“I told you I wasn't kidnapped. Jake saved me. He is my friend. I broke my leg and he mended it. He's tended to my needs all this time.”
“Simone if he is your friend why didn't he take you to a hospital where you could receive proper treatment?” Mel questioned speculatively.
“Let me ask you a question, Mel did you see Jake?” Simone cornered and saw the look on her manager's face. “Well, I think you just answered my question. Mel you just don't understand. You see, Jake was deformed while he was a medic in the war,” she tried to explain.
“He fought in Iraq?” Mel asked in a surprised tone.
“No, Afghanistan,” Simone corrected.
"I really don't understand now," Mel replied. "Why would a war veteran choose to kidnap a famous singer?"
"I already told you, he didn't kidnap me!"
"Well, if he didn't kidnap you, but you were with him then explain to me why he didn't take you to a hospital?" He questioned again.
"Because he was scared," she said.
"Of what," Mel cornered.
"Of what people would think of his general appearance. Mel he's been hiding out from the world because of his battle wounds. I really can't tell you anymore because I promised him. Just know that he didn't kidnap me," she stressed once again.
“Just how long has this man been hiding out because I know we pulled out of Afghanistan awhile ago?” He analyzed.
“For quite a while I assume. At first he was in the hospital trying to recover from his wounds and then he went through plastic surgery,” Simone informed her manager.
“That still doesn't explain why he felt the need to hold up somewhere unless he is some sort of war criminal,” Mel surmised.
Simone couldn't believe what she was hearing. “Mel he is not a war criminal. Jake is a good person. If you knew who he truly was you would understand,” she tried to justify.
“Well, it might be nice to know who he is since right now the hospital has him listed as Jake Doe, So who the HELL is he!" He rasped impatiently.
“Calm down, Mel. I'll tell you but first you have to promise not to tell anyone else," she cornered.
Mel took a deep breath. "Fine," he replied. "Just tell me what is so darn important about this man anyway?"
"Does the name Jacques Moreau mean anything to you?” Simone asked knowing that odds were that he did.
“Jacques Moreau," he repeated the name and then paused, "Uh, you mean the famed pianist and composer? "Wait," he said as something instantly dawned on him. That man is Jacques Moreau?” Mel stated a bit stunned by this revelation. “Are you sure of that?” He asked as if he couldn't believe it. He knew who Jacques Moreau was and couldn't believe that the disfigured man that he had met was the highly, talented pianist.
“I am positive," Simone reaffirmed. He had a piano at the log cabin where we lived for months. He played it for me practically every night. Also I am sure you are aware that Jacques Moreau decided to enlist after September 11, 2001, remember?”
“Yes, I remember all too well," Mel admitted. The music industry was quite stunned by that news. It was even more of a blow when he never was heard from ever again. It was as if he had fallen off the face of the Earth."
“So, you see, Mel he didn't harm me or kidnap me. I just happened to enter his world of seclusion and he was kind enough to let me in. So, please inform the police that Jake Doe as they know him as hasn't done anything wrong and that your client Miss Tyler isn't pressing any charges. Also, inform the hospital that I will be covering all of Jake's medical bills. I also want the name of that kennel because I intend to get Max out of there as soon as it's possible,” she said in a very driven tone of voice.
“All right, Simone I will take care of all of this. You have my word,” he told her in a flustered manner. “Now why don't you try to get some rest," he instructed, "you need to get your strength back,” he added while placing the oxygen mask back over her nose and mouth.
≈
Jake lay in his hospital bed. The staff had been kind to him but he had noticed that many of the nurses found it hard to look him in the face. He guessed he couldn't really blame them. He had seen the head of the plastic surgery division, Doctor Todd a few times since arriving. The man had said to Jake pretty much what Simone had that there were advancements in the years since his last surgery on his face and other scarred areas of his body? But as Jake had suspe
cted, Dr. Todd had also informed him that even with more surgery he would never look the same as he had before the accident. Jake thought about what Simone had said to him when he had used this argument. She had made some good points then, no doubt about that. He also thought of Simone herself as much as he loved her, and he had told her as much; could he ask her to stand by him during what could be a long ordeal of surgery after surgery. He so wanted to and yet, she had a life of her own; a life that had been put on hold long enough. Jake saw the hospital room door open and found his face lighting up as Simone stood there wearing a robe and dragging an IV pole.
“I had to come to see you to thank you for getting me out of the fire the way you did," she said walking over to stand by the side of his bed. "My manager told me that you actually went to others for help,” she told him.
“I couldn't let either you or Max die in order to stay secluded,” he told her.
“Well, now that you have taken the first step, why not go all the way,” she said and observed how he looked at her in an inquisitive way. “My manager stated that when I am well enough I will be booked again at the Hollywood Bowl. I want you to perform with me and for us to do the song you wrote for me. I told you I would sing it if you accompanied me on the piano, remember?” she reminded him.
“But the song, is lost Simone,” he told her.
“No it isn't. I brought it with me when we fled the cabin; it's still in my possession. So, no more excuses, Maestro are you going to play the love song that you wrote for me, for the entire world to hear?" She asked in a demanding tone.
“You're asking me for a lot here, Simone."
"I'm asking you to trust me…to trust in us. Can you at least try to do that?" she pressed.
"Uh…I…okay," he finally gave in. "Only if you promise to stand by me?” he said hesitantly.
“You know darn well I will and if it gets to be too much just look into my eyes,” she told him.
Jake still felt a great unease but knew that if Simone was nearby he could get through just about anything. “Very well, I will do you this favor but you must do one for me as well.”
“What's that?” she asked.
“Max, I know they have him in some kennel. Will you take care of him for me till I am released and can do so myself.”
“Of course I will. I love Max very much,” she told him wanting to tell him that she loved him too but wondered if he would believe her at this point.
CHAPTER 18
Jake sat in the dressing room at the Hollywood Bowl. He could hear Simone singing over the intercom that was on inside the dressing room. It was obvious that the crowd was enjoying her music but then who could blame them, she had a voice of an angel. He looked at himself in the mirror. It had been so many years since he had worn a tuxedo such as this one and yet, all he could see when he looked in the mirror was his deformed face. He felt like his stomach was doing flip-flops. Could he really go through with this? If only he hadn't promised Simone he would. He had been held up at a hotel since being released from the hospital with very few people being allowed to see him. Simone had, of course, seen him and so had her manager who had actually seemed to warm to him as well. The man had also been instrumental in keeping the press away from him, which no doubt, was no easy task in the least. Since the moment the news hit that the once, famed, concert pianist and composer was to perform with Simone Tyler at her sold out concert, the press wanted to get a photo of the man who had dropped out of sight so long ago. They seemed to be hounding for an interview with the man to get his story, but Jake had to wonder if they saw him would they still be interested in what he had to say. Jake heard a knock at the door.
“Come in,” he called out.
Mel Richmond walked into the dressing room. “Are you ready, Maestro?” he asked in a kind voice. “Simone will be introducing you next,” he told the man and observed a very tense Jake nodding reluctantly.
Jake stood up from the chair to follow Mel out of the dressing room. He tried to ignore the stares he got from those backstage as he and Mel walked along. It had been that way at the hotel and when they first arrived here. He really wondered just what the audience reaction would be as well. The thought sickened him all the more. How could he have agreed to do this? Yes, Simone had asked him and he was starting to think there was nothing he wouldn't do for her. Jake stood directly backstage with Mel and now saw Simone singing on stage and saw her glance momentarily over at him and smiled warmly.
Simone finished her song and took a bow as the audience broke out in applause. “Thank you,” Simone stated. “As many of you know tonight I have a very special guest who will be performing with me. But he is special in more ways than just his extraordinary talent. He is special because of the sacrifice that he gave for this country. Over the years brave men and women have chosen to defend us in the arm forces. These veterans deserve not only our gratitude but our admiration for what they were willing to give so that we may continue to live our lives as we do now. Ladies and gentleman it is truly my honor to introduce back to the stage Maestro, Jacques Moreau,” she introduced and the audience started to applaud. The applause died down as the crowd saw Jake come to the stage. It was almost as if a pin could be heard dropping in the room. Jake tried to ignore the deafening silence and looked over at Simone who smiled warmly at him. She led him over to the piano for him to sit down. He hesitated and looked up at her as she nodded at him in a reassuring way. Jake's hands started to go across the key board. Simone started to sing the song that Jake had written for her
The crowd started to respond to the song, smiling and even murmuring at one another. After the song ended, the audience started to rise to their feet with thunderous applause. Simone extended her hand to Jake to stand with her and take a bow. He took her hand in his before standing up to take a bow. They walked over to the center of the stage as the crowd continued to applaud. They both bowed as Jake turned to hug Simone tightly. “Thank you,” he whispered in her ear. “I had forgotten how much I missed this sound.”
Simone smiled fighting back the tears. She felt an instant love for this man wash over her. This man as far as she was concerned was the best man that she knew no matter how he looked.
≈
Backstage after the concert, Simone found it hard to get near Jake. He seemed to have so many people around him, wanting to congratulate him and seemed to be getting offers; such as doing his life story. Yes, the world had embraced Jacques Moreau back and she was glad about that.
Mel walked over to her. “It's truly wonderful what you did for the, Maestro. You gave him a whole new life and now it's time for you to get back to yours," he reminded. "We have a tour to do and you are booked on several talk shows for the next few months. You are just as popular as he is right now," he added.
“Do you think Jake will be all right?” Simone asked.
“He'll be fine," Mel reassured. There are veteran groups that have contacted me about helping him and I have put him in touch with another agent. He has a life now, Simone, he and his dog have a future now because of you.”
Mel was right, Simone thought. For awhile she and Jake had existed in their own little world but here in the outside world, they had different paths. She knew that it was best to just let Jake have his time in the limelight and to not even say goodbye. It would be way too hard for her to do so, she thought. Simone sadly looked over at Jake and then nodded to her manager before walking off.
EPILOGUE
Simone drove her car along the forest road. She knew that the log cabin was around here somewhere and she was determined to find it. It had been three months since that fateful day that she and Jake had left the cabin due to the fire. She had to wonder if the fire had destroyed the cabin. She prayed that it hadn't. If it had she knew it would break her heart. She continued along the road then stopped abruptly when she saw a miracle in the distance. There unscathed from the devastation all around it was the log cabin.
Simone stopped her car and got out. She sto
od there for a minute looking over at it thinking about all that had happened there and in the months that had followed. She had gone back to her life, such as it was, but she found that there was an emptiness she couldn't fill. She knew that Jake was getting his life back together as well. There were articles about him, and Mel had informed her that Jake was contemplating more plastic surgery. How she wished she could be there for him to lean on during that time. She walked up the porch and looked at the front door. She tried the door and found that it was unlocked. She and Jake had left in such a hurry that apparently they hadn't bothered to lock it. She wondered if the place would still be the same on the inside. It had been awhile and the thought of someone damaging it or possibly looting crossed her mind. Simone walked into the cabin slowly. She looked around to find that other than the dust that had built up in that time all was as they had left it that fateful day. She even saw her suitcases still sitting where she had left them. She walked over to the piano where it still sat by the window. She opened the cover and pressed down on a few of the keys and smiled. She noticed something lying on the floor nearby and discovered it was Jake's mask. She walked over to it and picked it up. She started to remove the dust from it and started to caress it with her hand. She became startled when she heard a bark behind her. She turned abruptly to see Max standing in the entrance of the front door that she had left opened. She smiled as the dog ran over to her. She knelt down to pet him. “Max?" She questioned with disbelief. "Max, how can you be here? I missed you so much,” she told him as tears welled up in her eyes.