When It Begins Again

10

Hours had passed, the sun had set as Jewel stared at the black starless sky.

Yet she had not heard a word from Jeston.

She'd been calling and to no avail had he answered. Trey, Carlos and Jomauld were driving around the city, scoping out hideouts to see if he was there with his friends, but they were unsuccessful thus far.

More than anything, Jewel just wanted her baby boy to be safe.

They'd been through so much and she assumed he was handling it like a pro. Besides their one conversation while baking cupcakes together, Jewel thought he was good, but she'd been wrong.

She was so focused on being the organized parent, that she'd lost focus on what was really important, her kids' wellbeing.

"Don't do that to yourself."

Jasmine said as she placed a glass of wine in Jewel's hand.

Jewel raked her hand through her hair.

"Feel like crap? I always thought I was the better parent than Carlos. I showed up, I gave those kids every ounce of me which...."

Jewel's voice cracked.

"Now my soon to be sixteen year old is missing without a trace and I have to take deep breaths because I can't slap the shit out of him when he enters this house."

Jasmine occupied the space on the couch next to her sister as she placed her arm around her.

"He's a teenager, they lash out all the time. I remember when you were fifteen, you ran away from the orphanage for three days. Until I found you and forced you to go back."

"That's different, I was running away from that hell of a place."

Jewel admitted, not seeing the correlation.

Their home was fun, she'd ensured her kids were well fed and taken care of. Even in the midst of the separation, she took less events to ensure that they got the best of her.

Yet it still felt like it wasn't enough.

"He's been breaking classes, drinking and having sex. God alone knows if it's been unprotected. I'm not ready to be a grandmother."

She placed her palm on her forehead.

Where had she gone wrong?

"I think you and Carlos both raised him better than that. Yes, he's acting out, but I'm sure he knows to wrap it up."

Jewel deadpanned her sister causing Jasmine to raise her hands up in surrender.

"I'm trying here."

"I know you are, but it's not helping. Not until Jes comes home."

A sigh escaped Jasmine's lips.

"I was trying to be nice but I'm going to give it to you raw and uncut."

Jewel stared at her sister.

"Jes is no longer a little boy and he wants that freedom. This has nothing to do with you and Carlos but Jeston finding himself. You need to cut the rope that's tied him to you and let him find himself on his own."

Jewel shook her head.

She couldn't do that. She didn't want to let him go.

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"The parenting books lied when they said it would get easier after the terrible twos."

"Baby, that was just the start."