Section 8

Mike unlocked the door to the apartment. “She’s working in the study, probably,” he whispered. “Shall we surprise her?” Jazmine nodded. “Alexis, I’m home!” Jazmine seemed a bit confused but then realized that they had changed their names.

“I’ll be right out Josh, I’m almost done with the report.”

“Ah, come on ‘Lexis, I’ve got a surprise for ya.” Jazmine grinned at him. “Can’t you finish the report later?”

“Josh, you know I can’t. We’re picking up Keith from daycare in a little while, then I’ll have no time to finish.”

Jazmine became impatient and knew exactly how to get her sister out there. “Susan Jennifer Belmont you stop working so hard and get out here.”

She jumped at the sound of a name she hadn’t heard in years, and an unmistakable voice. She scurried out of the study and hugged her sister. “Jazmine, Good Lord I’ve missed you! How’d you find us? Please say you can stay!”

“I found Mike, um, Josh, at a bus station in Tulsa. He dropped that last picture of us and I found it. I was actually hoping you’d let me stay. I’ve missed you so much... and I’d like to get to know my nephew.”

“Oh, you’ll love little Keith. He’s precious. He’s got the prettiest blue eyes and dark hair; he’s just a little ray of sunshine.”

“Good, I need some sunshine right about now.” Susie looked at her sister’s now sorrowful face. “I’ll explain later. But don’t we have a little boy to go get?”

* * *
“You think he’s still alive?” Zac poked a motionless Isaac.

“I don’t know. How long has it been since he moved?” Jade looked over at Taylor for an answer.

“He’s been sitting there all day. Every day now for a month he just sits there. He hasn’t insulted me in nearly 3 weeks.”

“My God that’s bad. We’ve got to get Chewbacca up and moving.” Jade motioned Zac and Taylor to take hold of Isaac’s arms and pull him up. “Come on Chewie, we’re going blading.”

“No, I can’t. What if she comes back? I have to be here.” Isaac jerked away and attempted to sit down.

“Ike, it’s been a month, if she were going to come back she would have by now. And even if by some strange miracle she does come back today, mom’s here. You’ve gotta get out.” The three pulled Isaac back and he reluctantly got on his blades and they set out.

All was going well. Isaac even cracked a smile when Taylor fell trying to show off some new trick. Then Isaac inadvertently turned his head to see the bus station. “Dang, why didn’t I think of this before?” He started racing up the walk and shouted back as he heard someone behind him “Don’t worry, I’ll be right out.” Isaac collided into the glass door. Much to his surprise it opened against his weight and he stumbled and fell on the ledge of the box office, panting. “I need to ask you if you’ve seen a girl.”

The man at the booth rolled his eyes. “My, that’s helpful,” and returned to reading his paper.

“No, wait. It would have been about a month ago. She’s about... 5’8”, average build, light complexion, long black wavy hair, green eyes...” Isaac looked at the man as he thought. “She would’ve been upset and had no money.”

“Oh, yeah, I remember her. Had to feel sorry for the poor kid.”

“So she had been here? Did you happen to notice which direction she went? Or overhear where she said she’d go?”

“Oh, she didn’t leave. She got on the bus to Muskogee.”

"You let her on the bus without a ticket?”

“She had a ticket. A nice young guy bought it for her. Seemed to know her pretty well, like for ages. I was glad he did it. Poor girl absolutely lit up when he got her that ticket.”

Isaac leaned on the ledge, trying to comprehend what he had just been told. “So she seemed to know the guy well?” The man nodded. Isaac thanked him for his help and slowly made his way back outside.

Taylor stood up from his squatted position. “So, find anything out?”

“Yeah, she went to Muskogee. Apparently some guy she knew from way back bought her a ticket.”

Jade laughed. “Man, I’d hate to be that girl. She’s suffering from a severe case of SWS.” Everyone looked at her, confused. “Small World Syndrome. The girl’s run into people she hasn’t been looking for. How many is it now? Three?” There was an uncomfortable silence before Isaac started blading off again, the others soon following.

* * *
She was running. She didn’t know what she was running from, but she didn’t want to look back. Suddenly someone grabbed her arm. “Finally! I thought I’d never find you two.” It was Isaac.

She shook her head and tried to pull away, but before she could another hand grabbed her. “You can’t run away, Not yet. You’re both still here.” John.

She looked from one to the other, each pulling her in a different direction. Her head started spinning and she pulled away and started stumbling foreword until she collapsed on a strange doorstep.

A blonde woman opened the door. “Oh, poor thing, I thought you’d lost your way. You shouldn’t overexert yourself in your condition!” She helped her up and ushered her to lie down. “We were worried, do you know if it’s time yet?” She lay there, confused and falling asleep. “Jazmine? Do you know if it’s close to time?” She started shaking her. “Jazmine? Jazmine?... Jazmine!”

Jazmine jerked her eyes open and looked at her sister. “What?”

“Your tutor’s going to be here any minute! You’re not even dressed yet.” She pulled her sister up to a sitting position. “Don’t you feel well?”

“No, I feel like if I eat breakfast I’ll throw it up; but I’m so hungry...”

“Jazmine, you’ve been like that since March, over a month ago. Don’t you think we should...”

“No, ok? If it keeps up for another... 3 weeks. I promise. Just let me get dressed now.”

* * *
She was running. He had been following her for what seemed like ages, and she showed no sign of stopping. Suddenly he felt a burst of energy, caught up with her, and grabbed her arm. “Jazmine, finally, I thought I’d lost you!”

The girl turned around... and it wasn’t Jazmine. “Excuse me? Jazmine? Oh, you must be confusing me with that pregnant chick.”

“Pregnant? No, she’s not pregnant. You must be thinking of someone else because I know for a fact that she isn’t pregnant.”

“Jazmine, the girl you lived with,” he nodded. “The girl who ran away for fear of being deserted,” he nodded again. “The girl you loved?” He hesitated for a while, closed his eyes, and nodded. “Yep, then, that’s her. Sorry to disappoint you. Isaac?”

“What?”

“Isaac?”

“What?!”

“Isaac!” His eyes jerked open to see Taylor standing on the ladder at the foot of his bed. “Get up man, you’ve got, like, 10 minutes to get ready before mom has a serious cow.” He took a step down the ladder.

Isaac sat up. “Tay, I had the weirdest dream...”

“One where you weren’t chasing Jazmine?”

“Funny. But seriously, it was weird. I was running after her, and I caught her, but it turned out to not be her. And she said I had her confused with the pregnant Jazmine.”

Taylor was more than slightly annoyed. “Ooh, the plot thickens. Would you just get up already?” He jumped down the rest of the ladder and walked out.

* * *
Jazmine hobbled out of the bathroom clutching her stomach. She fell onto the sofa and closed her eyes, attempting to fall back asleep. A bedroom door opened and her sister came out. “Jazmine, get up I’m making breakfast and you’ve got 10 minutes to eat it and get dressed before Jason comes.”

“Susie, I’m not gonna eat. I just threw up your wonderful dinner from last night. And Jason can kiss my ass because I’m too tired and feel to rotten to attempt to learn anything.”

“I’m sure Jason would love to Jaz, but seriously, you’ve gotta get ready. If you aren’t gonna have your session with Jason, we’re taking you to the doctor.”

Jazmine groaned. “Can’t I just do neither? The doctors already said there was nothing wrong with me.”

“Already? You haven’t even been to the doctor since this started. You must be feverish. So now there’s no question. Get dressed, I’m taking you to the doctor."

* * *
“So, Jazmine, your sister said you’d been throwing up quite often in the past few months. You’ve given your urine sample, and that’s being looked at now. I’m here just to ask you a few personal questions. Do you smoke?”

“No, not enough to matter. Maybe one cigarette every 6 months.”

“Ok, good. Do you do any other drugs?” Jazmine shook her head. “Very good. Now, have you ever been sexually active?” Jazmine froze up. “Jazmine? If you have I won’t look down on you for it. It’s quite normal.”

Jazmine shut her eyes tightly and started shaking. “I didn’t want it. He knew I didn’t, he knew I trusted him not to try, but he did it anyway.”

The doctor’s expression grew serious. “Jazmine, are you saying you were raped?” She stiffly nodded. “Is that where the scar on your hip came from?”

“No, that was from another time, another person. We were drunk, he wanted sex, I didn’t, he slashed me with a broken wine bottle. Nothing came of that...”

“But this man, this person that raped you, did he use force, did he beat you at all?”

“No. He, he slipped something in my drink. And I trusted him...”

“Does your sister know?” She shook her head. “Would you rather me tell her?” She nodded, eyes closed, fighting tears. The doctor approached Alexis with a serious face. “Could we speak in private, Alexis?”

“It’s not something serious, is it? I didn’t think it was...”

“Alexis, you sister was raped. A supposed friend of hers slipped something in her drink.” Alexis stood there in shock as the doctor led her into the room with Jazmine, where she proceeded to cry as she hugged her. A nurse came to the door and handed the doctor a clipboard. “The results of your tests just came back.” Alexis and Jazmine looked up. “What you have is morning sickness. I’m sorry, Jazmine. You’re pregnant.”

Jazmine closed her eyes and started shaking again. Alexis turned to her. “Jazmine, didn’t you say you had a boyfriend back in Tulsa?”

“I can’t go back to him... not now... he’ll think...” she started crying.

“Jazmine, if he loved you as much as you said he did, he’s not gonna think anything. Please, Jazmine, I know what it’s like to be your age and pregnant. I know what’s best. You need him, whether you’ll admit it or not. Trust me.”

* * *
“Jazmine, how far from the station is this place?” Susan grumbled with aggravation as she helped support her weak sister.

“Trust me, it’s not far.” Jazmine scanned the houses and pointed it out. “There.” As a wave of nausea hit her she clung onto Mike and almost pushed him to the house, leaving Susan behind.

As Mike knocked on the door Jazmine bent her head down, not wanting to be recognized just yet. When Taylor answered the door Mike started speaking. “Excuse me, my sister-in-law is ill, could she use your restroom so your lawn won’t be forced to suffer?”

Taylor looked at the man and the girl with faint suspicion; they seemed to be hiding something. But before he could respond she rushed past him to the closed door of the bathroom and let herself in. “Hey...” Taylor turned to the man still standing in the doorway.

Susan approached from the sidewalk and stuck out her hand as she reached the doorway. “You’ll have to excuse Mike, he’s just worried. I’m Susan Belmont.”

Taylor shook her hand, then froze. “Belmont? Was that...” he pointed behind him to the bathroom. “Jazmine? You’re her sister?”

“Yeah, Jazmine. Well, at least we know we’re at the right house. Is there a guy named Isaac that lives here? She said she needed to see him.”

“Man, Isaac, yeah, he’s upstairs... should I go get him? Of course, wait here...” Taylor ran up the stairs and into his room “Isaac?” He shook his sleeping brother. “Isaac, man, wake up...”

Meanwhile, downstairs, Jazmine emerged from the bathroom and stumbled into Mike. “They’re not gonna want it, Mike, I know they won’t...” Mike held Jazmine as she silently cried.

“They’ll want it Jaz, shh... don’t worry...”

Isaac stumbled out of his room and stood looking down at some strange guy holding Jazmine. Taylor came up behind him. “Ike, what are you doing? Go down already!” “Who’s he? I don’t need to go down if she’s just going to say she’s found someone else...”

“He’s her brother-in-law, idiot. Now would you just go downstairs?!” Taylor pushed Isaac and he stumbled down the stairs, almost running into Jazmine. She let go of Mike and looked at Isaac. He put his arms around her and stroked her hair. “God I’ve missed you... Taylor says you’re sick... that why you came back? What’s wrong?”

She looked up at him. “Isaac I’m... I... God I’m gonna be sick,” she jerked away and made it to the bathroom. He followed and held back her hair while she proceeded to empty her stomach. She closed the lid, flushed, and leaned back against the wall. “Thank you.”

“It’s no problem. You don’t know how I’ve been wanting to do that... well not that I wanted you to be sick but... you know...”

Jazmine smiled slightly and held out her hand. “I know... now could I get out of here? Been spending too much time in bathrooms lately.”

Isaac pulled her up and slid his arm around her waist, so she wouldn’t fall. “So, what is this you’ve got? Stomach virus? Is it serious? Jazmine stopped walking as they reached the middle of the living room.

“It’s just morning sickness.” Jazmine glanced over at Susan, who nodded.

“Morning sickness? Good comparison, haven’t seen someone this ill since when mom was pregnant with Zoë. But really, is it just some bug you picked up?”

A weak Jazmine held onto Isaac and looked directly into his eyes. “No, Isaac. It’s morning sickness. I’m pregnant.”

Isaac’s arms dropped in shock and Jazmine stumbled into the wall. Mike went over and helped her stand. “You know, I think you ought to lie down.” He turned to Taylor. “Is there somewhere she can lie down?” Mike motioned Susan to support Jazmine and take her wherever she was told.

Taylor, staring at Jazmine, nodded. “Yeah, first door on your left.” Susan nodded and took a crying Jazmine upstairs. Taylor turned back around to look at Mike. “Is she seriously pregnant?”

“Yeah, she’s seriously pregnant. That’s why we brought her back, because she needs someone to make her feel loved.” Mike walked over to Isaac who had since sat on the top of the sofa. “But I’m starting to think she would have gotten more support from her tutor as opposed to you.”

Isaac looked up. “I’m sorry I’m not the perfect guy, ok? It’s still sinking into my system. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” “No shit sherlock, you think it’s any easier on her? You’ve got to put her first think of what she’s going through. When a girl’s pregnant you’ve got to show her someone wants her. I had to do it with Susan, you have to do it with Jazmine.”

"It was a heck of a lot easier for you, she was having your child. Jazmine’s not having my child. I want her more than anything, but as soon as I’d hold her to tell her everything’s going to be alright I’d feel the kid kicking and remember she’s having the child of someone who doesn’t deserve to live.”

“Well you know what? She’s gotta think the exact same thing, only 10 times worse. She’s got to live with the fact that part of him is still with her. You’ve got it easy, man. You go up to her and tell her you love her, because right now she’s thinking you’re disgusted with her, and she doesn’t deserve that.”

Isaac gathered his thoughts and went upstairs. He stood in his doorway looking as Jazmine rocked back and forth in Susan’s arms. “You saw him! I told you! I told you! Nothing matters to him except the fact that it’s John’s baby. He won’t love it, he won’t love me.”

“But you’re wrong.” Jazmine and Susan turned as Isaac spoke. “I can’t stop loving you, no matter what. And I’m going to love that baby, because it’s yours.” He walked over to her and knelt down in front of her and took her hand. “I’m sorry I reacted the way I did, sometimes my stupidity shines through stronger than usual. I’m not going to be that stupid again. Stay with me, please. I need you.”

Jazmine held onto Isaac’s hands tightly. “You know what you don’t do? Get a pregnant woman mushy.” She pulled herself up to a standing position with him and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, God thank you.”

Susan smiled and stood up. “I don’t think I need to be here anymore. Thank you Isaac. I’ll leave our number with your brother. Call if you need anything. Talk to you later Jaz.” She walked out of the room smiling at the newly found comfort of her little sister.

Isaac looked up and into Jazmine’s eyes. “You wanna blow this popsicle stand and head back to Dave’s?”

“Yeah, you know it. But I wanna wait until your parents get him so they can help arrange my summer school and whatever’s needed to get me back as soon as I can.” They both walked out of the room, but before they went downstairs Jazmine stopped. “Isaac, outside of this household I don’t want anyone to know. That includes everyone at Dave’s. I want to tell them at a better time, in a better way. As far as they know, I’ve got the stomach flu. Deal?”

“Deal.”

* * *
A week passed before Jazmine went back to school. Still no one outside of the Hanson’s were told of her pregnancy. Tuesday, her first day back, English was awkward because of John’s presence, but Michelle made sure there was little contact. Lunch time rolled around and after she ate Jazmine decided to go talk to her counselor about summer school. She was halfway there, walking down an empty hallway, when someone grabbed her from behind, arms around her stomach, and whispered in her hear, “Just knowing you’re pregnant makes you seem sexier.”

Jazmine quickly jerked around. “Dick Peterson how the hell do you know? Outside of family only one person knows. Who blabbed it to you?”

Dick smiled. “The one person that’s not family. Well, not yours at least. My brother told me. Jason, you know, your old tutor who lost his job because your sister decided to bring you back? He said it really hurt finding out. I mean, discovering your attractive student is pregnant before you can even ask her out? It’s harsh. And that’s why I’m doing this.”

“What exactly are you doing, besides living up to your name?”

“Blackmail. I really love my brother, and I think he deserves the chance. You say yes, I won’t tell some potentially very interested people. Say no and well, you get my drift.”

“You’re kidding me. Jason’s a nice guy and all, but I’ve got a boyfriend. And plus, he never showed any signs of attraction. How could I even get interested if he doesn’t show any signals?”

“He’s not a car, Jazmine. He doesn’t have to signal. I’m taking that as a no, then?” Jazmine just rolled her eyes. “Ok mademoiselle, it’s your decision.” Jazmine blew off what he had said and thought nothing of it. Dick, however went on a search. He found exactly the group of people he was looking for quite quickly. He tapped one girl on the shoulder. “Excuse me, Jen, could I have a word with you in private?”

Jen turned around and glared. “Dick what could you possibly have to say that you think I would care about?”

“This is good, trust me, a way of getting even, so to speak.” Jen raised her eyebrow. “Interested? Step this way.” He motioned her to an isolated corner. “You know, your good friend Jazmine is back from the dead.”

“Jazmine? You drag me away from lunch to tell me the poor pathetic thing is back? Why should I care?”

“You should care because it affects someone you used to be involved with. See, my brother was Jazmine’s tutor while she was away, and he lost his job because she came back here. You know why she came back? Because your old flame Johnny boy’s gonna be a daddy.”

Jen’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding me. Has she told him yet? Or should I be the bearer of the joyous news?”

Dick grinned. “The father to be has heard nothing. So, I guess you can give him the good news. You know I bet Jazmine would like to be around for that...”

“That can be arranged, Dick old boy. So if you’ll excuse me, I think I’m going to go find that glowing girl. Thank you for informing me. You’ll find out somehow how things turned out.” Jen started her search of the building and found a frustrated Jazmine emerging from the guidance office. “Jazmine! Sweetie, it’s good to see you back. Walk with me for a while?” Jazmine shrugged and headed outside with Jen. “If you don’t mind I’ve got to find someone and give them a message. It won’t take long.”

Jazmine shook her head. “Nah, as long as it’s not Dick Peterson. First day back and the boy’s already being a pain.”

“That looser? Oh, don’t worry, I don’t need to talk with Dick. But...” Jen looked around and saw John heading towards the vocational building. “John! Wait up!” Jazmine stopped, but Jen grabbed her arm. “Oh, don’t worry. It won’t take long at all.”

As they trotted up to John he stared at the two of them. “What is it, Jen? Feel the need to insult me even more?”

Jen laughed. “Oh come now John, don’t be silly. I’ve got some good news for you.” She smiled at Jazmine then looked back at John. “You’re gonna be a daddy!”

It seemed as if Jazmine’s heart stopped. “Funny, Jen, but it won’t work. You were on the pill and I always used a condom. It’s not possible.”

Jen giggled as she saw Jazmine’s tension rise. “Not me, John, Jazmine. The one you didn’t use anything with. Well, except whatever you put in her drink, but that doesn’t really count, does it? Isn’t this just great?”

John looked over at Jazmine. “You’re pregnant?” When she didn’t respond he turned back to Jen. “She’s pregnant? How’d you find out?”

“A good friend told me. I almost didn’t believe him, but I ran into Jazmine and she didn’t deny it. It’s great, isn’t it?”

“I can’t believe he told you...” Jazmine mumbled.

John heard and turned to her. “So it’s true? You’re pregnant? With my kid?”

Jazmine nodded. I was going to tell you as soon as I found someone who would be willing to adopt, but I haven't just yet.”

John freaked out. He took Jazmine’s shoulders and pushed her into the nearby wall. “How the hell could you be pregnant? Or rather, how could you decide to actually have the damned thing? I swear, if you go anywhere within the same 100 foot radius of me with that thing protruding from your stomach I’m gonna kill it.”

Jazmine squirmed beneath John’s grasp. “Threats are all you got left John? You still use force to get what you want? You know what? It ain’t gonna work. You’re just doing it because, like every other time in the past, you’re too weak to take responsibility for anything.” John released her, still in too much shock to react. Jazmine went up to Jen. “Listen, bitch, I’m sure this gives you some fucked up pleasure, but you can go tell your good friend Dick that he’s still a worthless dumbass and his brother has no chance.” She stormed up to a spot away from the line of vision of where Michelle and the rest of her housemates sat and took a deep breath, trying to figure how much longer she could last.

* * *
Jazmine slinked onto the bus and slid into the first empty seat. Mike, Michelle, and the rest of her housemates were soon to follow. “Jaz, you wouldn’t believe what bogus rumors people have been telling about you. You heard these things yet?”

“I’m sure everyone on the bus has already heard, and if they haven’t I don’t want them getting ideas, so could we save this until we get to the house?” Jazmine slumped down in her seat and hoped Isaac would be there. As the bus let them off Jazmine nearly ran to the house and let herself in. She hurried up to her room and locked the door behind her.

Isaac jerked awake from his comfortable position in the jacuzzi. “What’s wrong? What happened at school?”

“John knows. Jen told him, she found out from Dick, who’s Jason’s, my old tutor, brother. Now word is spreading around and they’re asking about it.” She motioned towards the door where outside it she could hear everyone coming up. “I need you to be out there when I tell them.”

Isaac turned off the jacuzzi, dried himself off and slipped on a robe. “I’ll be out there with you, I’ll support everything you say, but I’m not gonna be the one who tells them.”

As they walked out it seemed the entire house except for Dave was sitting around. Isaac helped Jazmine sit in one of the chairs while he sat on the arm. “So, Jazmine, you ready to hear these b.s. excuses for the truth,” Jane piped up from the corner of the sofa.

“I’m ready for them, so tell me what they’ve been saying.”

“They said you came back because you were pregnant. I mean, what type of stupid idea is that?” Liz laughed slightly.

“But you know I heard from someone that Jen told John... that right there shows how fake it is. I mean Jen’s been throwing rumors in John’s face since April.”

“Yeah, but Mike, someone else said Jazmine was there when Jen told him. I mean, how gullible do they think we are!? There’s only so much we can believe.” Nearly everyone in the room started cracking up.

Jazmine took a deep breath. “I was there.” The laughter stopped.

“You were where?”

“I was with Jen when she told John I was pregnant.” She gently squeezed Isaac’s hand and hoped she wouldn’t have to say anymore.

Kyle sat up from his slouched position. “I think I speak for all of us when I say how the hell could you let her tell him such a stupid lie?”

“It’s not a lie. I’m pregnant. I didn’t tell you earlier because I wanted to try and have your respect instead of your disgust. I wanted you to see me as the same old Jazmine.”

“So you lied to us?”

“She didn’t lie to you, she just never told you. She had a hard enough time telling me. Add to that that I reacted like an idiot, she was afraid you all would do the same thing.”

Jane got up and started pacing. “Were you going to tell us before or after the abortion? Did you ever think we might want to be there for you?”

Jazmine froze. “I was planning on having the baby. Call it a childish idea, but I was going to look into adoption agencies to see if there’s anyone who would adopt the child at birth.”



Second Half of Part 8