by Nana Prah
She chuckled. “I’m not the chosen one of my generation. I loved that show, but I don’t have super strength. Martial arts is one of my passions.”
“Yeah, but you were so brutal. Even before we went into the house, you’d changed into someone I barely recognized What happened?”
She rested her forearms on the table, clasping her hands. “I started practicing martial arts in college. As a beginner, I possessed speed, power, and control. My instructor noticed I also had a feral quality about me, especially when we were sparring--that’s fighting in a controlled manner in the dojo. I could get vicious. He had never seen anything like it.”
She took a sip of her Coke. “As you’ve noticed I’m a gentle individual by nature, but when it’s time to fight, I change. I become hard and cold. With the help of my Sensei, I’ve learned to have a better awareness and control of it, but it never goes away.”
Jasmine dipped her head for a moment before resuming her penetrating gaze. “I can’t help it. It’s who I am. I’m trying to change, but it’ll take time. I never apply force to anyone who doesn’t deserve some kind of justice, though. It’s only when my family, friends, or the innocent are being attacked that this aspect of me comes out. Sensei calls it my fighting instinct. I’m sorry it upset you, but right now it’s an integral part of who I am.”
He held her hands. “Don’t apologize. I’m the one who’s sorry. I was a jerk. I should’ve called or something, but I had trouble dealing. Ed tried to explain, but I wouldn’t let him. Can you forgive me?”
Jasmine shook her head. “I don’t see anything to forgive. Ed wouldn’t stay in the same room alone with me for a month when he discovered it.”
Sean smiled. “Really?”
“He was only thirteen at the time.”
“I see.”
“I think the fury in me is a side effect or counterpart of the comfort factor I give to others. I’ve thought about it a lot and that’s the conclusion that makes the most sense.”
Sean stared out the window overlooking a well-manicured courtyard as he thought. What Jasmine had said made perfect sense, in a warped kind of way. Her theory represented the ying and yang of life, the cosmic balance.
“I understand,” he admitted.
“Are you okay with it?”
“With you being a super fighter with the ability to kill if pushed to the wall?”
“Yup.”
“I’m okay. We just have to keep you out of dangerous situations.”
Jasmine grunted.
“What?”
“Trouble seems to find me.”
“I’ll have to get my skills up to par so I can fight with you if the need arises. How often do you train?”
“I teach twice a week and train once a week.”
“Do you teach beginners?”
Her brown eyes sparkled at his interest. “The advanced-level classes, but I could get you into a beginner class if you really want to learn.”
“Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to learn karate, but my mother wouldn’t allow me to. And when I grew up, I just never made the time.”
“You have the time now?”
“Well, not now, but after school finishes. And I’m sure you’ll be a motivating factor.”
“So you watched Buffy?”
He ducked his head. Her laughter lightened his heart.
“I have to get back to work,” she said.
“Sorry to keep you away for so long.”
“Are you clear on who I am now?”
“I’m starting to be.”
Jasmine stood. “I’ll escort you out of the hospital.”
Her scrubs were no match for the biting weather so they stopped just inside the sliding doors. She rubbed her arms when it opened to let someone in.
“Can I give you a hug or will I be infected with your work germs?”
“You can risk it if you want.”
He stepped forward and engulfed her in his arms. She slid her hands into his open jacket and around his waist. Sean’s stomach lurched with the awareness of her as she filled all of his senses. He inhaled her sweet floral perfume and held her curves tight against him.
When he released her, she clung a little before letting go. He cleared his throat before speaking, but it still came out husky. “Would it be all right if I called you?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Bye, have a good day.”
“You, too.”
She sent him off with a wave as he left.
Huddled inside his coat against the biting wind, Sean’s emotions warred between happiness and trepidation. Although her fighting unnerved him, it wasn’t the only reason he’d stayed away for so long.
The feeling of her having hurt him continued to persist, and yet he couldn’t stay away. Not without suffering.
Chapter 8
“Carly, we have the best conversations!”
“I know, Jas. You already mentioned it.”
“Yeah, but it bears repeating. Did I tell you he’s into Buffy?”
Carly rolled her eyes. “Only about fifteen times. Personally speaking, I don’t consider his liking Buffy an asset. If I were him, I would’ve kept that bit of information to myself.”
Jasmine’s giddiness couldn’t be squelched as they waited for their friends, Shandra and Liza, at the bakery across the street from the bridal shop.
The agenda included assisting her best friend Shandra to pick out a wedding dress.
“I’m heading to Grandma’s on Friday,” Jasmine said. “Do you want to come with me?”
“Can’t. I have a date with Kevin. Why don’t you ask your new boyfriend to go with you?”
Jasmine rolled her fingernails against the table. “He’s not my boyfriend. We just talk a lot on the phone. I haven’t seen him since he came to the hospital to visit me two weeks ago.”
“I’m surprised it didn’t take him longer to get over the shock factor of you.”
The man had a strong character. Not many guys would continue to be friends with someone who possessed her skills. “I’ve always wondered why you always accepted that aspect of me.”
Carly bowed her head and shook it. “That’s because I’ve always known you.”
“That’s it?”
“Should there be more?”
Jasmine thought about it for a second. “No.”
“Back to the matter at hand. Call Sean.”
“He probably has classes.”
“You’re acting like a weakling. How will you know if you don’t ask?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“No. Get on the phone now and invite him. It’s already Wednesday. Give the guy a little notice.”
“I don’t know.” Her palms sweat at the thought of asking Sean to accompany her to Vermont.
Carly snatched Jasmine’s cell from the table and hit the send button after seeing he was the last person Jasmine had spoken to. Carly avoided Jasmine’s half-hearted attempts to get the phone away.
Jasmine gave up trying and let her make the call. Carly placed the phone against Jasmine’s ear, mouthing that he’d picked up. “Uh, hello.”
“Hi, Jasmine. How’s everything going?”
“It’s good. Can’t complain, you know?”
“What’s up?”
“Umm, I’m taking a day trip to see my grandmother on Friday. I was wondering if you’d like to come with me.” She grimaced in anticipation of his answer.
“That sounds great. I don’t have classes on Friday, and I’m fried from all the studying.
She felt a silly grin break out across her face. “Cool. Is five too early for you?”
“No. I’ll meet you at your house. I’ll drive, if it’s all right.”
“I’d like that.”
“Then it’s set.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay then, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye.” She missed him even before she hung up the phone.
“Man,
Jas, you really have a thing for him don’t you? You weren’t ever like this with David.” Carly paused for a second. “Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen you get goofy over a guy.”
It would help if Jasmine could at least wipe the grin from her face. No chance.
“Jasmine and Sean sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G,” Carly sang as she avoided Jasmine’s futile swipes. “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage.”
“Who’s kissing who now?” Liza stepped up to their table.
“Jas is kissing Sean,” Carly responded.
“Is this so? Who’s Sean?”
“Don’t mind Carly, he’s just a friend.” Jasmine pinned her friend down with her gaze. “You’re late. Where’s Shandra? She was supposed to meet us here ten minutes ago.”
“You know Shandra and time don’t mix well. I got hung up at work. Now tell me about this Sean guy.”
Jasmine had met Liza in college at a party thrown by a mutual friend, Shandra, and they’d become fast friends.
Jasmine attempted to downplay her budding relationship with Sean. If her sister and her friends knew how much she cared about him, she’d be doomed. “I told you there was nothing to tell. We’re just friends.”
Liza exchanged a look with Carly. “Spill it.”
“Spill what?” Shandra came up behind Jasmine, scaring the crap out of her.
Jasmine looked up at her tardy friend. “Why are you so late?”
“Oh, Jas. I’m always late.” Shandra bent over and kissed Jas on the cheek. “Can’t we come up with a new script?” She leaned forward in her chair after her trip around the table greeting everyone. “You were huddled around as if you were dishing out some good dirt. What did I miss?”
Carly told the two about Sean. “You should have seen her on the phone just now. You wouldn’t have recognized her. You could tell she was talking to a guy she liked.”
Shandra smacked her hands on the table. “It’s about time.”
“I know that’s right,” added Liza.
“Let’s get going,” Jasmine said, desperately attempting to deflect the attention off herself. “We have a lot to do and only so much time to do it in. Aren’t you excited to find a dress, Shandra?”
“Of course I am, but I’m almost just as excited that you found a man.”
“He’s not my man,” Jasmine insisted. Yet.
Liza laughed. “Something about denial and a river in Egypt, right, girls?”
“Mmm hmm,” Carly and Shandra hummed in unison.
“Do you like him, Jas?” Shandra’s hazel eyes bore into Jasmine trying to discern the truth.
Jasmine couldn’t hide anything from her friends and definitely not from her nosy sister. “Yes.”
Jasmine feared the bakery’s front windowpane would crack due to the girls raucous screeching when she nodded.
“This is fantastic!” Shandra said, touching her tanned cheek to Jasmine’s.
“What’s the big deal? So I like a guy.”
Liza answered. “Jasmine, you liking a guy is tantamount to most people being madly, deeply, irrevocably in love.”
Jasmine didn’t want to think about it. She had known her feelings for Sean were growing with every conversation, but she hadn’t realized just how much.
“Don’t look so stricken, Sis. Love is a good thing. I attest to it.”
“Me, too,” Shandra agreed. “I’m getting married in six months.”
“I’m single and surfing, but I’m pro love,” Liza quipped. “I’m so glad that bastard David didn’t close off your heart permanently. We were getting worried.”
Jasmine had to get these tenacious women off of her back. “We’d better get shopping. You know Shandra. It takes her forever to choose something to wear.”
“Hey,” Shandra protested.
“Oh stop it, girl,” Liza said as she stood to lead the way. “You know Jas is right. If we start now, we’ll be out of there by midnight.”
Even Shandra laughed.
Jasmine would save her concern over Sean for another time. For now, she’d revel in the potential of something great happening between them. Unless it didn’t.
Chapter 9
Jasmine held herself in check from running to the door when the doorbell rang. It’s a day trip to visit Grandma with a new friend. Nothing more.
She braced a hand on the doorframe and took a deep breath, determined not to be affected by him. When she opened the door, her knees weakened as dizziness claimed her. She gripped the door handle.
“Hi,” she said breathlessly, while trying to keep herself erect.
Sean held his stomach as he wrapped a hand around her waist to help support her. “Hi.
His touch added to her lightheadedness as she leaned into him. She swallowed hard as she fought her inclination to reach up and kiss him. He’s a friend, not your lover. Behave accordingly. She pushed away when the world stopped spinning. “I’m getting my jacket.” As she strapped herself in with the seat belt she said, “Thanks for coming with me.”
“Thanks for inviting me.”
For the first couple of miles, Jasmine wracked her brain for something to say. She came up empty. Then she decided to relax and enjoy the ride. She wouldn’t say the silence became comfortable, but it didn’t disturb her as much.
She found the contrast between the colorful autumn leaves from a couple months ago and the current barrenness of the empty trees striking. She mentioned it to Sean.
He glanced at her. “You’d think the scenery wouldn’t be nice with the leaves gone, but there’s a peace about it.”
Jasmine leaned her head against the headrest and stared at his profile, longing to stroke her fingers through his curly cap of hair. “I agree, but it feels as if something’s missing.”
“The leaves?”
“What I meant was that when I see the trees bare I feel as if there’s an expectation.”
“Hmm.”
“Do you understand?”
“I think I do. Although it’s a natural occurrence, and you see the trees shedding their leaves every year, you have a sense of emptiness which is tempered with hope.”
How had he been so succinct in explaining her thoughts?
“What?” he queried.
“How did you come up with it?”
“Remember I told you I studied philosophy in college? I do a lot of contemplating about life, nature, humanity, and anything else you can think of.”
“I took two semesters of philosophy back in college and I enjoyed it, but I’m more of a scientific thinker.”
He scrunched his nose. “Science,” he grumbled in a way that showed his complete displeasure of the field.
Jasmine laughed. “That’s precisely how I feel about economics.”
The chasm of silence closed as they conversed nonstop about some of their thoughts on life and the possible meanings of it. The conversation got pretty heavy and, before she knew it, they’d pulled up in front of her grandmother’s house.
Grandma was out her front door before their feet had the chance to hit the ground.
“Hi, Grandma.”
“Hi, baby. You guys are right on time for breakfast. I hope you’re hungry. Even if you’re not, you’ll still eat up all this food.”
“Hi, Grandma,” Sean said.
Grandma opened her arms to him and they hugged. “Hi, Sean. I’m glad you could come out here to visit me. It’s wonderful to see you again.”
“You too.”
“Let’s get you two inside and fed.”
Grandma served them a gluttonous breakfast of french toast, turkey bacon, oatmeal, fresh fruit, and hot cocoa. They enjoyed every bite. The conversation was light and full of laughter.
“I’m going to town to get some gas. I’ll try to give you ladies plenty of time to chat.” He winked at Grandma and shot Jasmine a bright smile, showing his lovely little dimple and making her stomach flutter.
“We’ll see you soo
n,” Grandma said without hesitation, almost rushing him out of the house. “What’s wrong, Jasmine?” she asked the moment Sean was gone.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you dare try to outskirt me. I’ve known you all your life. Now tell me, young lady.”
Jasmine slouched onto the couch. “For the past few months, I’ve been having these day dreams. I’ve had four in total. But it’s weird because they aren’t normal. When I experience them, it’s as if I’m there, feeling the things that are happening. I can smell, taste, touch, and feel what they feel.” Jasmine sighed. “It’s disconcerting, even though I know they aren’t real.”
“Tell me about them.”
Jasmine told her every detail of each daydream. She included knowing that Carly had been her Muslim brother, the intense forbidden love she’d felt for the prisoner during WWII, and being a justice-must-be-served-at-all-costs kick-ass sheriff.
She also mentioned the latest daydream where she’d been an Aztec princess who led battles against rival tribes. “Grandma, I was a true warrior who was accepted and respected as a fighter even though I was a female. I knew it was unusual for a woman to be a warrior, but I had such great skills that it would’ve been wrong to not have me fight for my tribe.” Jasmine’s eyes glazed over at the memory.
Grandma’s voice broke through her haze. “What happened to her?”
“She fell in love with a medicine man from the same tribe who lived in another area. When she first saw him, she knew they were meant to be together. They shared a powerful love.” Tears sprang to Jasmine’s eyes. “She died during childbirth.”
Grandma held her hand.
“Isn’t it sad?” Jasmine sniffled. “She fought battle after battle, found the love of her life, and ended up dying in childbirth?”
“Yes, sweetheart, it is. But they found each other and were able to love each other. Some people go their whole lives without knowing their heart’s true love.”
“But what about the man?” She’d watched her husband cry as she took her last breathe. His pain had torn her apart as she left this realm. “If he hadn’t found her, he wouldn’t have had to endure such heartache.”