Hope Is Love

by Hubbard, Sylvia

  James tried to punch Jaelen’s mouth in, but Ethan must have expected this and held his brother down in the seat.

  “Calm down James and Jaelen this isn’t the appropriate place to have this discussion please,” Ethan boomed. “Now drop it.”

  Jaelen only snorted as if to say, “This isn’t over with.” Yet, he didn’t speak anymore.

  “Most likely you could have put the ring in your office, maybe. I’ll call your assistant while we’re at the doctors,” Ethan determined.

  “Why did he have to fucking come?” James demanded.

  “He’s helping, trust me,” Ethan implored. “Even though he doesn’t sound like it, James, he really is here to help me straighten all this mess out with you.”

  James sulked folding his thick arms across his chest and looking away from both of them tuning them both out.

  Ethan realized his brother, nor Jaelen were not in the mood to speak anymore, so he too became quiet.

  The limousine finally arrived at the doctor’s private offices and James didn’t even wait for the driver to come open the door, before he jumped right out and went inside. Ethan only followed inside and James was glad about that.

  “I wish he wasn’t with us, Ethan. I don’t like him,” James said.

  “You've never liked him and not a lot of people like Jaelen, but sometimes he does give me insight and I’m so wrapped up in my own emotions that I don’t know, which way is up in this whole situation. Please bear with him for now and I’ll try to make sure he doesn’t get you too angry. Most times, you can just ignore him if possible even though that may be difficult to do. Jaelen is even hard to ignore most times.”

  James wanted to just admit he knew exactly who the hell Jaelen was and wanted Jaelen to get the fuck away from him and his brother, but he bit down on his lip and took deep breaths.

  The nurse called on James and he went in to see the doctor. He wanted to be calm going in so he could get through this. Good thing Ethan wasn’t coming in with him. He needed a quiet moment away to think and just get himself together.

  * * *

  One hand gripped her chest, while the other gripped the side of the tub. Her breath was caught in her throat and she was terrified. There had been only one other time when she knew she was experiencing a panic attack, but this situation seemed worse.

  Jona was used to not being believed. Being a person on the street, if she started accusing Monica of being Chelsea and helping to get James killed, she just knew Nicole would think she was crazy and retract the hand of friendship. Nicole didn’t look like she extended friendship with crazy people at all and Jona didn’t want to lose that.

  “Are you okay, Jona?” Nicole asked worriedly. “Did you need a moment alone? You look as if you’re about to pass out.”

  Jona only nodded.

  “The bathroom is over there,” Nicole said pointing to another set of double doors.

  Running to the doors, Jona barely locked them behind her and got to the sink, before she lost all the contents out of her stomach – even last nights remnants. Everything hurt and she thought she was going to pass out. The cold water she threw on her face kept her awake, but her conscious seriously wanted to get away from what her mind was thinking.

  One part of her was screaming to go tell Nicole, but the other part of her brain was holding her back from saying anything. She wasn't outside in her world anymore and being away from there prevented her from being like herself. The street Jona would run out the room and scream bloody murder at that blonde cold bitch, but this new Jona; one she had not seen in a long time, was shaking like a scared little girl.

  She had sunk down on the side of the tub relieved at the cold floor of the bathroom staring at the door as if the boogie man was going to open the door at any minute. There was talking outside of the door and then a long moment of silence.

  When there was a knock, she jumped just a little.

  "Jona?" a strange voice asked unsure.

  She noted a small accent to the voice and she knew this was not Monica, Nicole or even Cami.

  Getting up and cracking open the door, she saw a small Hispanic woman looking up at her with the kindest eyes. "Ms. Jona, my name is Cleo."

  Jona looked past Cleo, which was easy to do since Cleo only stood about five feet.

  "Everyone's gone," Cleo said. "I suggested to Ms. Nicole it would be best if we're left alone from all the eyes. She made everyone leave immediately. I'll be helping you with your spa."

  Jona clearly looked terrified. "I don't think I want to do this anymore. I think I want to wait in here until James gets back."

  "Aww, Ms. Jona," Cleo said as if this was an excellent decision. "That sounds okay, but Mr. James is a client of mine and I assure you I know what he likes and I would not do anything that would make him upset. I want to make him happy and I need you to help me. Please Ms. Jona."

  Opening the door up more, she knew Cleo was only trying to coerce her out of the bathroom, but now that she was really assured everyone was gone, Jona didn't mind coming out. "Is the door locked?"

  "Yes, Ms. Jona," Cleo assured her. "But don't come out of the bathroom just yet." Cleo handed her a very thick terry clothe robe. "Take off all your clothes and put this on so we may begin. There's a lot to do before Mr. James returns tonight."

  Jona took the robe, nodded and closed the bathroom door to change. When James returned home and they had a minute together, she would muster the courage to tell him of what she suspected. Until then, she'd let Monica play her innocent game, but Jona would not let this day go by without someone knowing the truth.

  Chapter 18

  James pretty much knew what the doctor was going to say. All his life he'd deceived and lied to people and now for the first time, he was actually glad he was so good at creating a false medical condition for the doctor.

  Ethan came in the office to sit with the doctor and James to explain what was going on.

  "It's really all very simple," the doctor said. "From all the tests James has taken yesterday, his memory should return quickly. I would encourage lots of rest, but I would also insist not to withhold people around him. Something from the past should jar his memory, I'm sure of it. Otherwise he's just fine. I would say he's healthier and almost happier than he was in his former self."

  James bit the inside of his lip to hide the smile, but Ethan still looked upset.

  "You shouldn't worry so much, Ethan. James does remember bits and pieces of his life, but not much as an adult," the doctor assured his brother. "His childhood memory is completely intact. Things tend to get sketchy after he enters college, but I would say all will be fine soon."

  "And you really think it's best to allow others to see him like this?" Ethan asked to be sure.

  "I encourage it."

  James wanted to smile at his deceit because he really felt all would be forgiven once they knew the truth, but by then, he'd be able to repair the relationship between he and his brother, make Hope fall in love with him and weed out the killer even better. This was the best plan ever!

  Once they left the doctor's office, reluctantly James got back in the limousine with Jaelen who'd been on the phone all while they were in there. James knew Jaelen had his own businesses downtown, including the spa that was currently helping out Hope today. Amazingly, the man was married to the sweetest woman ever and James often wondered how did Kimberly put up with an ass for a husband.

  "How'd the brain drain go?" Jaelen asked getting off the phone as they sat back in the limousine.

  Suspiciously, Ethan asked, "Who were you on the phone with?"

  Jaelen shifted his weight uncomfortably. "What do you mean?"

  "I didn't stutter Jae! You know who I don't want you talking to about my business and James certainly don't want that crazy devil's advocate picking around either."

  Guiltily, Jaelen said, “She actually called me. She said she sensed I was pondering something.”

  “And what did you tell her?” Ethan asked.
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  “I merely told her I was supporting you in your time of need during your family’s hard times.”

  “And?”

  Jaelen rolled his eyes in exasperation. “I told her we were on our way to check out the dig with Jefferson that quickly got her mind off her curiosity.”

  “But the seed was planted,” Ethan accused.

  “All hell, Ethan, you know once Jefferson comes into any conversation any woman who knows him gets wet like an ocean. I think I caught my wife trying to sneak a damn peek at him.”

  James tried not to smirk at what they were talking about, because he felt Jaelen’s sharp, cruel eyes on him.

  “Do you remember Jefferson?” Jaelen asked James as if in a casual voice, but James knew there was always something deceitful behind any of Jaelen’s intentions.

  “Who?” James questioned and looked at his brother for help with his best confused look.

  Ethan smirked. “Jefferson was a friend of ours we used to beat up all the time, who lived across the street. He was a short little pecker, literally who would follow us around like a damn shadow and told on us all the time before his family moved him out to Chicago.”

  “Then the fucker went away to college and got eight fucking feet tall!” Jaelen sniggered. “And he certainly wasn’t a little pecker any more. According to all the ladies that actually tried to conquer that prick, he’s carrying around a third leg.”

  Even Ethan sniggered.

  James was barely keeping his composure and pulling up in front with Jefferson standing there in front of the house didn’t make it any better, so he changed the subject slightly. “Why’s he coming over here with us?”

  “Jefferson used to be an Environmental Officer for the city for a little while before he started his residency at the hospital,” Ethan explained. “He knows what we need to look for.”

  “I think I remember how to build and inspect things,” James said just a little touchy about how Ethan was treating him.

  “It’s not that, but I just need to know how safe everything was. Bacteria wise and other things.”

  Jefferson approached them smiling a warm smile. “Hey you!” He hugged Ethan and then moved to James cautiously. He wasn’t eight feet fucking tall but at six and a half, James knew Jefferson had long forgiven them for all the times they’d beat the shit out of them. He wasn’t the largest black man that James knew, but Jefferson Chance was pretty big, yet his personality belied his size.

  “I know you don’t remember me, James,” Jefferson said. “But I’m a hugger.”

  With that James was gripped in a backbreaking hug. How the hell could he forget that?

  “Now that we’re all re-acquainted,” Jaelen snarled. “Can we get this over with? I’m very in the mood to wash the filth off already.”

  "You don’t have any on you!” Ethan protested.

  “I will in a few minutes,” Jaelen said disappointedly.

  “You can always stay in the car, Jaelen.”

  “Fuck naw! I wanna see what the kid finds.”

  Jefferson wasn’t a kid. He was only two years younger than Ethan. “Maybe you should stay in the car, Jaelen. As good natured as I am, I don’t know if I can put up with that tongue of yours.”

  “You just ignore me, Kid, and we’ll get along just fine.”

  James knew once Jaelen made up his mind to do anything not even hell or high water would stop the man.

  “Hasn’t this place been picked over already?” Jaelen questioned as all of them walk to the house.

  “No,” Ethan said bashfully and looked at James. “I bought it for you. I saw how upset she was at the hospital and I didn’t tell her because I didn’t want her to have anything to come back to. I sent the board up team out here as soon as the police were done. I know I lied to her, but it’s for the best, James.”

  “Who the fuck would want to come back to this shit hole?” Jaelen asked looking at the home as all of them stood out on the sidewalk in front. "Why the hell did you buy this bitch? And are you tearing it down when we're done?"

  Ethan and James gave him an annoyed look.

  "Like I said, I did this because I wanted to check more into where she lived and any person with a good eye for construction can see the home is structurally good," Ethan said obviously.

  James looked next door. "Was the vacant lot available on the other side?"

  "Yes," Ethan said proudly because it was difficult to obtain vacant lots in the city. "I worked a couple of favors and since the house next to that is empty as well, I was able to swing that property as well."

  James was really proud of his brother. "Thanks Little brother."

  Ethan handed him the deeds to the properties. "I knew you'd want that."

  Exasperated, Jaelen asked, "Can we get on with this?"

  "Did you bring your kit?" Ethan asked Jefferson.

  "It's on the porch," Jefferson answered nodding in the direction.

  Ethan removed the combination of the door and they proceeded inside.

  "She occupied most of the home in the basement and sealed off the upstairs and first floor," Ethan said. "Right James?"

  "Yes, according to her," James agreed checking out the structure excited about the potential about the property. He loved acquiring new real estate and since he was a hands-on boss, he loved staying with the project until the end.

  After Jefferson left to go into the basement, James followed Ethan up to the second floor. He saw Jaelen hesitate before following them up with a great reluctance

  James concentrated on the structure and the assets of the home, while listening a little to Ethan's instructions. Jaelen didn't say a word, but his look of disgust and boredom clearly said he was really only staying around for support.

  The property was his to do with what he pleased and already James had in mind what he planned on doing. They went to the first floor, where James noticed immediately mold damage in the front room, kitchen, bathroom and even a back bedroom. Now he understood why she had choose to stay in the basement, but hopefully that part of the house had not been infected, although the mold damaged looked to be centered more on the ceiling of the first floor, which meant there were plumbing problems coming from the second floor bathroom.

  Ethan noticed this damage as well and asked, "Do you think there's mold in the basement?"

  "I don't see anything toward the floor," James remarked. "But we'll see when we get down there with Jefferson."

  "Looks like it's all coming back to you, huh, James?" Jaelen asked suspiciously.

  "I seem to know a lot about construction and building things, but nothing really familiar if you want to know Jaelen," James said in a monotonous voice. He didn't want to make any kind of indication that he knew anything and he had a feeling Jaelen was looking hard for something.

  "We'll have to strip everything," Ethan said.

  "Or take everything off completely," James suggested.

  "What do you mean?" Ethan questioned. "You mean amputate the house?"

  "Yes," James answered. "All the way to the back bedroom where we can alter that to a family room and hallway, rebuild the guest bathroom, while expanding over on the vacant lot."

  "A house like that would be large and hard to sell, James."

  "Who says I'm selling it?"

  Ethan didn't say anything because Jaelen started exaggerating a loud snore behind them to clearly indicated his boredom

  Annoyed, Ethan said, "You can wait in the car, Jaelen."

  "And miss the fun?" Jaelen responded sarcastically.

  The brothers ignored him and proceeded thru the house until they reached the basement. James fondly touched the door remembering how she had helped him in the first night. Bits and pieces of that time of first coming here, came to him and made his head hurt slightly. Bits and pieces of his memory flashed here and there and James realized he owed her a great deal more appreciation than what he was offering now. She had saved his life, although reluctantly, but he would have been dead if it had n
ot been for her special attention.

  "Are you okay?" Ethan asked. "You look like you're about to pass out, brother."

  "I hope to hell he isn't, because his ass is too damn big to carry back to the car," Jaelen sneered.

  "I'm fine. My head started hurting." He took out some over the counter pain pills and popped them quickly hoping they started working right away.

  Proceeding in the basement completely, they found Jefferson moving from a corner with a flashlight. There was some sunlight coming from the block glass around the other side of the basement that gave them ample light to just see around without bumping into anything.

  They proceeded down the stairs as Jefferson was just packing up his kit with a moderately surprise look on his face.

  Before anyone got to ask Jefferson what was going on or question his look, Jaelen sneered loudly, "Damn! Is this the shit hole they found you in James? And you wanted to be here?"

  Ethan defended his brother and at the same time blocked James from going over there and punching Jalen's teeth out. "Here was all James knew, asshole. Now shut the fuck up unless you have something important to say."

  James was glad Ethan said something. "Thank you," he mumbled to his brother.

  "You're welcome although I'm still tempted to let you blow his mouth out." Ethan didn't bother to lower his tone of voice.

  "Just say the word," James said glancing at a pissed off Jaelen. "I'll be glad to honor any request."

  Jalen didn't leave, but he pursed his lips so tight on his medium brown face it looked as if they were going to turn white. "How bad is it?" Ethan asked Jefferson, who looked clearly amused by everything.

  "Amazingly clean. There was an outbreak of bedbugs a while ago, but it was contained and managed by simple methods. Surprisingly, these sheets are clean and there are more cleaned sheets in airtight bags in that corner full of boxes. It looks like she was the only one living down here. The electrical system is dangerous and ingenious at the same time. Old batteries served to warm and light the place, but she also lined the walls with electric wiring so when the power was on and any little creature wanted to sneak in while she was sleep, it'll get a nice zap." He showed them the wire system.