Alice's Asylum

Chapter Three

The next day, I unpacked and made my room look a little homier. I had my books piled in a corner and my clothes all tidied away in the wardrobe and drawers. On my bedside table were a lamp and the book I was currently reading.

In the afternoon, Tessie came down to see Mom and I. She was six months pregnant with her second and it showed clearly.

“Mom!” Tessie staggered up the driveway while my brother in-law parked the car behind mine. Tessie threw her arms around our mother then smiled at me.

“Hey.” I hugged her gently. She squeezed me then held me at arm’s length.

“You look good, Jazzy.” I smiled.                                    

“Thanks. You too. How’s my nephew?”

“Little terror as usual.” Tessie rolled her eyes and smiled fondly. She adored her firstborn.

My brother in-law, Jonathon, opened the passenger door to his car and helped his son out of the car. Little three year old George jumped down and ran to us.

“Unca Jazpur!” I scooped up my nephew and held him close.

“Hello Georgie.” George giggled and touched my face with one of his chubby little hands.

“Not Georgie!”

“Georgie porgy, pudding pie. Kissed the girls and made them cry.” I blew a raspberry on his stomach. George giggled and kicked his legs in delight.

Jonathon came up to us and put an arm around his wife of two years.

“He’ll be a heartbreaker that one. How’re you doing, Jasper?” Jonathon held out his hand and I placed my free hand in his and shook it.

“Good. You?”

“All good. Done my back in getting another crib sorted for Rosa.”

“Rosa?” Mom asked. She looked surprised.

“Oh goodness, I thought I had told you!” Tessie gasped, putting her hands to her face.

“We’re having a little girl.” Jonathon told us.

“A niece?” I smiled at them both. “Congrats.”

“Thanks Jazz.” Tessie smiled at me.

“Bored...” George grumbled in my arms. We all laughed and Mom led the way inside.

****

“So, you’re off to work in the loony bin tomorrow?” Jonathon, charming as always, asked.

“Mental institute.” Tessie frowned at her husband.

“Yes I am...” I looked down at the lukewarm tea that I had made for everyone (orange juice for George and Tess).

“You nervous?” Tessie asked me.

“I suppose. I mean it’s not like I haven’t seen the worst before back down at the Texan Military... But I’m not sure about what might be in store for me tomorrow.”

“I hope it goes well.” Tessie smiled warmly at me.

“I hope so too.” I watched George who was playing with two plastic toy cars on the carpet by Tessie’s feet. My nephew had the same golden hair as Tessie, Mom, Dad and I had. It wasn’t curly like ours though but a straight crop like his dad’s light brown hair. His eyes were blue as crystals like his mom’s. He was just as beautiful as his mom.

****

At six, George was getting tired so Tessie left with Jonathon. As Mom was saying goodbye to George and Jonathon, Tessie pulled me aside.

“What’s up?” I asked her.

“I saw the way you were looking at Georgie...” She told me quietly.

“Ermm... Yeah... Your brother hasn’t turned into some sort of paedophile since we last met.” Tessie laughed, clutching her bump with one hand and holding herself up with the other.

“That’s not what I meant.” I supported my sister with one arm and ran a hand through my blonde curls with the other.

“What do you mean then?”

“Well... Have you ever thought about having a family someday Jazz?” I felt confused at the topic.

“Not really no... I mean I haven’t met any gal that I would like to settle down with.” Tessie smiled sympathetically.

“I know a really lovely girl that you would get along with...?” I shook my head.

“No sis. I mean it’s very nice of you and all but... I’ll find the right one soon.”

“Alright. Well... I hope you find her soon. You would be a great dad. Georgie adores you.”

“I hope Rosa will too.” Tessie beamed at me.

“Rosa Jazz Franceska sound good to you?” It still shocked me to hear the name Franceska instead of Whitlock. Tessie Franceska ever since she had married Jonathon. Then I understood the middle name.

“Jazz... After me?”

“Yep!” I felt a swell of emotion fill me up.

“Tessie! Hurry up!” Jonathon called. I quickly hugged Tessie, trying to be gentle. She hugged me back and we then walked up to the car. It was all ready to go. I hugged my sister one more time.

“See you later, sis. Love ya.”

“I love you, Jazz.” Tessie got in the passenger seat and I shut the car door behind her. I moved back from the car, next to my Mom. I could see George in the back seat on his booster but he wasn’t interested in the goodbyes. He was napping. Jonathon was focused on the car but Tessie was waving goodbye to us. She smiled at me. I mouthed thank you to her and she smiled even more.

The car drove off and Mom and I watched it go.

“She’s right you know.”

“Huh?” I looked at my mother, surprised.

“You should think about settling down with a family.”

“Maybe I will when I get back to Texas.”

“You’re going back then?” I nodded, watching Tessie’s car fade in the distance.

“It’s where I belong.”