AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 31
Jasmine
Icall my mom, hoping I catch her at home alone.Tyler is beside me on the sofa, his hand holding mine.And since my volume is turned up, I know he’ll be able to hear what my mom says.
She answers after the second ring.“Hello, Jasmine.This is unexpected.You called only weeks ago.”
“Hi, Mom.Yeah.I wanted to let you know that I met someone, and he asked me to marry him.”
Silence hangs in the air, and if it weren’t for the sounds of her breathing, I would think she hung up.I glance at Tyler and shrug, glad he’s next to me.
He squeezes my hand.
Finally Mom speaks.“Does he treat you well?Love you?”
“He does.”I flash a smile, seeing the truth of those words in his gaze.
As much as I love my mom, I won’t have my stepfather anywhere near the ceremony, so I don’t bring up the wedding.“I just wanted you to know.”
“Sweetheart, will you send me a picture?If I try to be there, I won’t be able to go alone, and the best gift I can give you is to keep that man far away.”
I can’t free someone who doesn’t want to escape, but I can toss out a lifeline.“I will.And if you ever need anything—a place to stay or hide—call me, okay?”
Tyler nods his agreement, which is no surprise.
“I’m okay.But thank you.”A voice bellows in the background.“He’s back, so I’m going to hang up.Love you.”
To dead air, I say, “Love you, too, Mom.”
Tyler takes the phone out of my hand and hugs me to his chest.
After several minutes, I sit up and wipe my tears.“Are you going to call your parents?”
“Later.After we’re married.Neither of my parents has called me in the last six months.They each have their reasons.And I know they love me in their own way.But I’m not calling them.They can’t occupy the same room without my mom coming apart, and I’m not choosing which one of them I should invite to my wedding.”
“It’ll be just us then.”I rest my head on his shoulder.“And that sounds pretty good to me.”
Something old,new, borrowed, blue.With our secret wedding a week away, trying to fulfill that tradition seems impossible.But I’m learning that impossible is sometimes an illusion.
After a knock, I open the door and Mrs.Grindle steps inside.
She holds out a small box that’s yellowed with age.“I want you to have this.”
“Okay?”I lift off the lid, and an antique brooch catches the light.“Mrs.Grindle, this is beautiful.But I’m not sure I can—”
“Please.I offered it to my daughter-in-law, but she’s more of a minimalist.Antique jewelry isn’t her thing.It belonged to my grandmother, and I’d love for you to have it.It can be yoursomething old.”
I glance down the hall at the garment bag hanging on my bedroom door.In it is the dress I purchased just yesterday.That’s my something new.
“Thank you.”I hold the jewelry to my chest.“This means a lot.”
“That’s why I brought it over.I knew you’d appreciate it.”She rubs my arm.“You’ve found a good one.I know you’ll both be very happy.”
I smile, happy tears brimming in my eyes.“Tyler is a good one.”
After a quick hug, she steps out the door.“James and I are headed to dinner, so I need to run.Give Tyler our love.”
“I will.”
