Jasmine sighed at the sight of herself in the mirror. The bruises on her face had become a multi-color rainbow — blue, purple, an ugly tannish color — covering whatever centimeter of skin that wasn’t covered by the gauze bandage on her forehead. Her eyelids even sported the colors. She couldn’t help but cringe when she saw it. How would others who didn’t know her react?
Putting herself on display at the restaurant tonight and at the graduation ceremony tomorrow evening would make her feel like a freak show. She glanced at her makeup collection, wondering if it was even worth the effort to try to cover it up.
She’d just picked up the small bottle of foundation when her mom walked in. Her expression changed when she took in the scene.
“Are you feeling up to going out to dinner? I could just as easily make something for you here.”
Jasmine shrugged. “I don’t want this face to stop me from enjoying my graduation weekend, you know? I’ll never have another one.” She put on a pouty-faced frown. “Stupid bruises.”
Leslie took the makeup from her hand and placed it back on her vanity. “If you got it, flaunt it. You’re not going to hide that color, you might as well not try.”
“Everyone’s going to look at me. And what about pictures with the family tomorrow? I’ll be forevermore documented in the family annals with these awful bruises.”
Leslie smiled. “Think of it this way. If you end up having sons, they’ll think their mom is super-cool for having such awesome bruises.”
Jasmine laughed. “Really?”
Leslie nodded. “Jasmine, you are a beautiful young lady, no matter if you have bruises and bandages on your face or not. I’m proud of you for working so hard at college and finishing your degree. I couldn’t care less what you look like, and you shouldn’t either. As long as you’re physically feeling up to it — let’s keep our plans the same. What do you say?”
Jasmine agreed. This stupid accident wouldn’t ruin her graduation celebration. She wouldn’t let it.
Hank, Leslie and Jasmine rode to Maxie’s Supper Club later that evening. Her dad was already there, waiting, and standing beside him in the foyer was Dax. She gave him an appreciative stare. Brown dress pants hugged his long legs. A casual tweed sports jacket covered a white button down shirt, open at the neck. With his wavy brown hair brushing over the top of his collar, and the casual scruff of whisker covering his jaw, he could’ve easily been a male model waiting for his turn at the cover of GQ. She should know. She worked in that field, after all.
Or, wanted to, now that she was graduating.
She tried to ignore the stress that formed in her esophagus every time she thought about her job search — or lack thereof. What if all the entry-level jobs in the fashion industry were snatched up by more industrious and on-the-ball fashion majors than her? By waiting on her job search till after graduation, what if she was left with opportunities like working retail at a TJ Maxx?
She pushed the negativity away, painted her normal smile on her face, and went to greet her father with a kiss on the cheek, then turned to Dax.
“Hi,” she said and couldn’t help but notice that her voice had a breathy tone to it. Would he guess she was so happy to see him because of how absolutely hot he looked standing there?
“Hi,” he responded and took both her hands in his. He leaned in to kiss her cheek and as he planted his lips there, she inhaled his wonderful scent. Nothing overpowering, but she could picture him spraying some manly cologne on himself, and it was flattering to think that he’d most likely done that with her on his mind. Well, he wouldn’t have done it for her two fathers or her mother, would he?
“You smell good,” she whispered in his ear, and at her words, he squeezed her hands and pulled back from her, a breathtaking smile on his face.
“You do, too,” he said, his voice a tad husky.
She was so focused on him that she almost missed her mother studying the two of them, turning to Hank and saying something softly to him. Hank turned to watch them too, laughed and nodded. Fine, let them think whatever. Part of celebrating her graduation was sharing a dinner with this handsome man. She’d never see him again after tomorrow, so she was going to enjoy every second.
Until his next words. “Your face looks painful. Is it?”
Oh, Lord. She’d totally forgotten what a monster she looked like to others, including her handsome dinner date. Her hands flew up to her complexion, as if to hide the discoloration. “Um, only when something touches the bruising. I took a nap earlier and even the pillow caused some discomfort.”
He took her hands and pulled them away. “Then don’t touch your face. I don’t want you in any more pain than you have to be.”
The good thing about looking like a hideous monster was that he now felt it was his duty to hold her hands. “I’m sorry I look so hideous.”
“You don’t,” he said, shaking his head. “You look gorgeous in that dress, and the bruises are temporary. I just thank God you had no fractures or permanent injuries. You’ll be good as new soon.”
The host led them to their table of five. Jasmine sat first, Dax beside her, then her dad placed himself on her other side, leaving Mom and Hank to take the two seats furthest away from her. Nobody caused a scene. It was customary for the Malones to be civil and well-mannered, and besides, Mom had been with her all afternoon, so it was Dad’s turn to be near her.
Dinner itself was delicious, conversation was adequate, although a little strained, and afterward, Jasmine convinced her mom that she and Hank should go check into their hotel and allow Dax to deliver her back to her apartment. Leslie and Hank had been on Jasmine-duty ever since hitting town after their long drive. It was time for them to go settle in to their room for the night and get rested for the day of graduation festivities tomorrow.
She kissed all three of her parents good night, thanked them all for coming, and for the wonderful dinner. Dax shook hands with the men and leaned down to her petite mom and planted a polite kiss on her cheek, thanking them all for inviting him.
Then, they headed back to his car. It was an old one, some late model American boat, but it had personality. He opened the door for her and she slid on to the wide seat, watching him close the door and walk around to his side. When he got in and started the engine, she said, “Thank you for coming to dinner. I think it was easier for my mom and dad with a guest there. It put them both on their best behavior.”
He laughed. “I don’t know your parents well, but I can’t imagine they would’ve gotten in a Jerry Springer brawl if I hadn’t shown up.”
She grinned. “No, but with Hank there, my dad might’ve felt outnumbered. Uncomfortable. I don’t know. I just feel like the dynamic was better with you there.”
“My pleasure,” he said. He turned so he was facing her, and despite the darkness in the parking lot, in the car, she knew exactly when he leaned in close, took her chin impossibly gently in his hand and placed his lips on hers. Her heart rate increased a hundredfold and she gasped softly and closed her eyes.
He pulled away and she popped her eyes open to see his wide. “Did I hurt you?”
Confusion at his question quieted her, and then she remembered. “No. No, not at all.” Kiss me again, you fool.
He leaned in as slowly as before and placed his lips on hers again. Nothing hard, nothing fast, just a sweet brush of his soft lips over hers. He inhaled and brought a finger up to her hair, pushing it behind her ear, being careful not to touch any of her bruising, anywhere that might cause an ounce of discomfort.
It was the most peaceful and yet heart-racing kiss she’d ever experienced.
The care he was taking with her made a rush of emotion flood her heart. And all too soon, it was over. He pulled back from her, keeping his eyes on hers as he settled back into the driver’s seat. He ran a hand over his lips, took a deep breath and put the gear shift in reverse and backed the boat up.
“You’re so beautiful, Jasmine.”
“So are you.” It had come out without thought. Sure, she thought he was, but that probably wasn’t the best response. She laughed. “I mean, thank you, and you’re very handsome as well.”
He chuckled.
“In fact,” she went on, “have you ever done any modeling?”
He flashed her a dubious look and shook his head. “No.”
“You should! You have the right build. Tall and slim. You make clothes look good.”
He stayed quiet, but his face tinged a little pink. She’d embarrassed him. “Seriously, that’s what designers look for. People who wear clothes well.”
He shook his head with a smile. “I’ve never thought of modeling before. I’m busy enough trying to get my massage therapy career up and running.”
She let her memory wander to the hour she’d spent under his magic hands earlier today. “You’ve got a real gift for that, too. See, you’re a man of many talents.”
They pulled into her apartment parking lot and walked together to her door. “Thank you again for the dinner invitation,” he said. “I enjoyed your family.”
“Really? I mean, I love them like crazy, but they’re mine.”
“Do you have any other family members?” he asked.
“A few. A couple cousins, an aunt and an uncle. And now that Mom married Hank, I have his family members too. A growing list of stepbrother, stepsisters, and in-laws. It’s pretty cool, actually. Oh! And a step-niece — an adorable little girl named Stella, five years old.”
He nodded with a smile.
“How about you? What’s your family like? Do they live here in town?” She watched his face transform from casual and happy, to something else. Something sadder. Had she stepped into an undesirable topic? “Oh, I’m sorry, I …”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll tell you. But it’s not a conversation to have while standing outside your door. Do you mind if we go in?”
She dug through her big purse for her keys and opened the door. He walked in first and looked around. It was a typical off-campus college student apartment, nothing to get too attached to, nothing she’d put too much energy into decorating. But suddenly, she wanted him to like it. “Make yourself comfortable. Would you like anything?”
He shook his head. “No. No, thanks.”
He settled into her couch and leaned back, one long leg bent at the knee and resting over the other. “So, my family.”
“Yes.” She smiled and sat beside him, shifting so she faced him.
“I don’t have any family.”
He said it matter of factly, but the reality of his words was shocking. She knew her eyes popped open wide. “None?”
“No. Although my parents were married when they had me, it wasn’t the first marriage for either of them, and they had other kids before me. Making them my half-siblings. Anyway, when I was born, it was a rocky time in their marriage. They stayed together for four more years, but during that time, it must’ve been hard to deal with an additional kid. So they passed me around to relatives. Aunts, uncles, family friends. They would each get me for six months or so, then they’d pass me on.”
Jasmine frowned. His first four years, he was passed around from family member to family member? She remembered enough from her child psychology class to know that the first four years in a child’s life were when the baby’s character, self-esteem, and knowledge of right and wrong were established. What if a baby never had the same face to gaze up into during that time?
“Finally, when I was not quite five, they’d had enough. My mother and my father decided to split up, and they put me up for adoption.”
“What? At the age of five?”
“Not quite five, but almost. I had my fifth birthday in a group home with about twenty other kids.”
She grimaced. “And they just left you there?”
“Yep. Never saw or heard from them again.”
She shook her head, unable to imagine it. “What about all those relatives who had taken care of you? Didn’t they want to adopt you?”
His expression froze and he went speechless.
“I’m sorry …,” she said, touching his arm. She hadn’t meant to hurt him or insinuate anything. She was just trying to figure it out.
“Nope. I don’t know the full story. I mean, I was four, you know? I still had my parents’ last name, and that was it. It didn’t take long before I forgot them altogether. My life was now the group home for orphans, and then, I started being assigned into foster care. I stayed with one family for nine months. That was my longest stay. Other than that, it was a few months in one place before moving to the next one.”
Her head was spinning. His childhood had been so different than hers. She could barely relate to what he’d been through, so she focused on her outrage at his parents for putting him through it.
“Do you ever feel like doing a search? Finding your birth parents? Giving them a piece of your mind?”
“No. No way. Not for one second.”
“Why?”
“Why would I? They obviously didn’t want me then. I don’t want them, now.”
Jasmine nodded. She could understand. Good for him. He was on his own in the world, completely on his own. He had beaten the odds, grown up, got educated, was supporting himself. But was he lonely? She couldn’t imagine life without family.
She moved her hand to his, and gripped it. He looked up, his locks falling away from his face as he did. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
There was so much about him she didn’t know. How had he survived such a dubious upbringing? Had he been a wild child? Did he have abandonment issues?
He actually put a smile on his face and said, “Don’t be. I didn’t tell you that to make you feel sorry for me.” He laughed. “Although that may be a strategy to make you like me. The sympathy factor?”
She rested her gaze directly on his. He didn’t need to do anything special to get her to like him. Despite only knowing him for one day, she’d landed on that realization herself. She liked him. “No.”
“Okay,” he said with a smile. “Look, I’m not sure why I told you all that. I usually don’t offer it up. If people ask me about my family I usually just brush it off. I guess I wanted to confide in you becauseyou’ve got this openness, this friendliness. You seem trustworthy and easy to talk to.”
She smiled. She liked hearing his perceptions of her.
“So, when you think you’ve got family problems, and one of your parents is driving you crazy, just stop and think that most people with no parents would give anything to have even one. Kind of puts things in perspective, you know?”
She gave a slow nod. “Wow, you’re right. Even my dad, who made bad choices and broke my mom’s heart.”
“All people make mistakes. It’s human nature. God forgives us for them, through His son who paid the ultimate price for our sins.” He stopped quickly and gazed up at her.
“You’re a Christian?” she asked. To look at him and hear his story, that would be the furthest guess from her mind.
“I’m trying,” he replied cautiously.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m reading the Bible and I’m trying to get into prayer. It wasn’t something I had growing up, but I’d like to give it a try now that I’m an adult.”
Jasmine nodded, seeing him in a whole new light. She’d been raised in the church. Of course, she had parents, in particular, a mother who had taken her there every week. Her mom had set the example, and Jasmine didn’t think anything of it. It was just their routine. And while she was there, she met great people, learned how to sing and talk about Jesus, and learned the right way to live. Although she’d engaged in her fair share of bad behavior, she’d never strayed too far from the Christian principles that were ingrained in her.
But looking at Dax, she had to wonder. Erase her mom from her life — would she seek out church? Seek out the Bible and prayer? The fact that he was trying, as he put it, without any guidance or adult leadership whatsoever, made her admire him even more. “That’s wonderful, Dax.”
His face flooded with a relieved expression.
“I’m a Christian too.”
“Then I’m sure I have a million questions for you. Stuff I jot down that I’m not sure of, when I’m reading the Bible. Stuff I hear in the news and wonder about the Christian view. As I said, I’m just starting out.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “There’s never been a day that I haven’t believed in Jesus. However, I don’t have any answers for you. It’s not about knowing the answers, or taking a test. It’s about believing. And living your life in a way that Jesus is reflected. I don’t go overboard. I mean, I’m not overly demonstrative about it. But I believe.”
“Could we talk about it sometime?”
Sometime. The open-ended question made her think that maybe he wanted their friendship to go further than just this weekend. Or, maybe that was just wishful thinking. Maybe it had just slipped his mind that in about thirty-six hours, she was leaving New York for good.
“Sure.”
He rose to his feet. “But not tonight. You must be exhausted. You need to get to bed and wake refreshed for your graduation day tomorrow. Do you need anything from me before I go?”
She came slowly to her feet. Another one of your kisses would be good. She could’ve said it. She was such a flirt, she would’ve said it to anyone else. Anyone she wasn’t interested in, just to make them laugh or feel good. But it was different with him. If she said something like that, even though it was exactly what was on her mind, she’d make herself vulnerable. She’d put herself out there, and risk him knowing exactly what she was thinking.
And she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt that way about anyone.
So, she just walked him to the door, thanked him for the conversation and said goodnight.
* * *
The next day, her face hurt.
She’d slept through the night, so she hadn’t kept up with the pain pills every four hours. A whole night lying on her cheek had caused her right one to swell. She rose slowly to a sitting position, then standing, made her way to the kitchen. Her cell phone rang while she was swallowing the big pill.
“How are you feeling this morning? Happy graduation day, by the way,” her mom said.
She groaned. “Mommy, my face hurts,” she wailed.
“I’ll be right over,” and her mom broke the connection. Not fifteen minutes later, Leslie was ringing her doorbell.
Jasmine spent the day with padded ice packs on her face, keeping up with the pill schedule, watching her mom pack her apartment belongings into boxes and suitcases and feeling so blessed to have her there. At four thirty, she put on her dress and shoes, and took another peek at the makeup collection in her bathroom. She’d be careful not to press, but she’d have to apply some. The fewer stares she drew due to the hideousness of her bruises, the better.
About twenty minutes later, she emerged.
“Wow, you can barely tell,” her mom exclaimed.
She chuckled. She was just being nice, but even Jasmine had to admit, it was an improvement. They made quick plans, settled on a meeting spot after the ceremony, and Jasmine headed off.
The ceremony flew by. Not unlike how four years of college had flown by. People had told Jasmine when she was selecting a college, “These will be the best four years of your life.” And they absolutely were. She’d matured from a child to a young adult. She’d learned how to work hard, to discipline herself, to make her own decisions. It was difficult not to get teary-eyed when she hugged friends who, in a lot of cases, she would probably never see again. Except for a handful of close friends in her fashion marketing program who she would stay connected with, her classmates would disperse on the world and go make it happen for themselves. Life was changing. Quickly.
She met up with her parents and Dax after the ceremony. Her mom pulled out a camera. Jasmine cringed internally. She put up with photos with all the combinations — her, Mom and Hank. Her and Dad. Her and Dax. Her and Mom.
After the ceremony was a reception where she introduced everyone to her favorite professors and friends. Then on to another restaurant dinner. The whole thing felt surreal. She was breezing through her final day as a college student. Her final day on campus. Her final day in Ithaca, NY. From now on, she wouldn’t live here. Probably wouldn’t even come here except for alumni events.
Wow, she was an alumnus. Unbelievable.
Her thoughts turned to what came next. “So guys, where am I going tomorrow?”
Her parents all looked up and began talking at once. Jasmine laughed. They were all inviting her to come stay with them. Which, she supposed, was better than having no invitations at all.
“It probably doesn’t surprise you, knowing me as you all do, that my plans extended no further than my graduation ceremony tonight. Now that that’s done, and I have two ‘homes’ to choose from, I have no idea where to go now.”
Leslie said with a smile, “The beach is awfully pretty this time of year.”
Tim said, “She’s not going for a vacation, Leslie. She needs to start looking for a job. Pittsburgh is a better place for that than a little sleepy beach town.”
Leslie’s shoulders tensed, and Hank’s hand unhesitatingly came up and began a quiet massage. “What’s wrong with a short vacation before she starts the work of her job search? Besides, she can write resumes and send emails from Pawleys just as well as Pittsburgh.”
“Do you even have wifi?” he asked.
“Of course we do.”
Jasmine made a Timeout sign with her hands. “Whoa, folks. I’ll make sure I spend time in both locations this summer. While I’m looking for a job, I’ll spend time in Pittsburgh and Pawleys. But I guess I’m feeling like I’ll start at Dad’s place. He can help me get the job search kicked off, then I’ll go spend a week or two at the beach to relax while I’m waiting for interviews. That sound good?” She swung her head from her dad to her mom, and neither of them objected.
“Okay.”
Dax cleared his throat. “What time do you plan to leave?”
Jasmine shrugged. “No specific time. Mom did most of my packing today. It’s not that long a drive to Pittsburgh. Mid-morning?”
“How about I come over about nine and load the car for you?”
Her heart fluttered at his suggestion and she couldn’t think of a single reason to decline it. So she smiled and agreed.
* * *
Graduation was over. College was done. Parents were happily farewelled. The apartment was packed. Two cups of coffee from her recent run to her favorite shop sat on her counter. All that stood between putting her student days permanently behind her, and facing her future as a (hopefully soon) working adult, was seeing Dax one more time.
Her doorbell rang exactly on schedule, its buzz echoing through the now empty apartment. She pulled the door open and the smile that formed on her face at the sight of him was one of joy. And from her vantage point, it sure seemed like the one he returned was just as joyful.
Before she chickened out, she stood on her tiptoes, reached for his face and rested her lips on his. She had no idea why. It seemed like a good idea.
He tipped his head when she ended the kiss and laughed. “Good way to start the day.”
She stepped back and motioned him in. “I got you coffee.” She led him back to the kitchen.
“Even better.” He took a sip as he closed his eyes. Jasmine decided she liked guys who enjoyed things so much that they closed their eyes to savor it. Like coffee. And kissing.
He set the cup down. “Looks pretty empty around here.”
“Yeah, my parents all helped last night. It was a little awkward.” She shut up quickly and looked at him. “Not complaining!”
He laughed. “You don’t have to censor yourself around me. I notice people with parents tend to joke about what a pain they are. But it’s good-hearted, I’m sure.”
“Yeah. It was just weird, you know? With the divorce and all.”
He nodded. “There were a few tense moments, but all in all, I’d say they did pretty well. When’s the next time they’ll all be together?”
Jasmine thought about it, her eyebrows moving up into her bangs. “I can’t imagine. My wedding, maybe?”
He laughed. “Okay. So, a while, then.”
He looked so good. Shorts hugged his tanned legs, his feet in athletic sneakers and a tee-shirt casually thrown on. He was the epitome of casual, and yet, all those clothes seemed custom-made for him, like they couldn’t possibly look better on anyone else. He could just as well be showing up for a photo shoot than to help her load her car.
“Let me load your car and then I’ll finish the coffee.”
She nodded and led him to her empty bedroom. All that remained were the furniture that came with the place, her suitcases, and whatever boxes her dad couldn’t fit into his car when he left last night. He hoisted the biggest of the boxes and she admired the way his biceps bulged at the effort. She pulled the handle out of her suitcase and rolled it to the front door. He followed her to the parking lot and she unlocked her car.
They carried her belongings outside, and soon it all sat, surrounding her car. He studied the trunk and the back seat and then methodically inserted everything like it was a big jigsaw puzzle. It was one of those tasks that was uniquely male. Her dad had always packed the car for a roadtrip, never her mom. It was an innate talent, finding just the right combination to make best use of the limited space.
Closing the trunk, he rubbed his hands together and smiled at her. “There. You should be good to go.”
“Thanks,” she breathed, then remembered. “Don’t forget your coffee.”
“Ahhh.” He followed her back upstairs for the last time. She wrangled her key off her key ring and placed it on the counter, as her landlord had asked her. The place sparkled like it never had while she was living there, and smelled of the Clorox her mom had cleaned it with last night.
She took a deep breath and let it out. She turned to him. He’d been watching her, holding his tongue. She shrugged and stuffed her hands into her pockets. Might as well go for honesty.
“I wish I’d met you more than three days ago.” Darn those tears welling up in her eyes. What would he think of her sentimentality?
“Me, too.” He brought a gentle hand up to her face and used a thumb to brush her cheeks, then trail down to her chin. Then he looked closer. “Your bruises look better today. You heal well.”
She broke out in a laugh. He did, too.
“Look,” he said, “I’ve been thinking about how to say this. I’d like to stay in touch with you. If you’re game. I know that sounds crazy. You’ve made a lot of friends here in your four years. I came in at the tail end. But I …”
What? She wondered. You …
“I like you.”
Her words rushed out on a beaming smile. “I like you, too.”
He studied her eyes, his own lips moving into a smile. “Really?”
“Yes.” Who knows what they’d be like if they had more time together? Why couldn’t they have met a year ago? Two? Three? But regardless, they did meet, and now neither of them wanted it to end. Maybe instead of being part of her student life, Dax would somehow become part of her post-college life.
God knew what He was doing. She just had to trust that.
He pulled out his cell phone and handed it to her. She went to his Contacts and entered her number. Then she retrieved her own cell from her purse and gave it to him. He did the same.
“Call me,” she said. “Or text me. Friend me on Facebook. Send me a Private Message. Or a Tweet. Or a pic on Instragram.” She laughed. “The opportunities are endless.”
“But no texting and driving.”
“Absolutely not.”
He leaned in and this time, the kiss started gentle and careful, and moved into passion. He buried his hands in her hair, and she was starting to debate delaying her trip when he pulled away. “Drive safe.”
“Okay,” she breathed, feeling a little dizzy.
He lifted his coffee cup. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“Don’t mention it.” Her heart rate returning to normal, she let him walk her to the door. Standing in the doorway, she stopped and turned, looked back, remembering the fun experiences, and yes, some heartache too, that had occurred in this apartment. College days were ending, the end of an era.
But boy, the future was looking exciting too. She said a quick thank You to God in her head, and walked into the next step of her life.