Split Love

CHAPTER 7

SATURDAY, September 22, 2018

- Uncle Richard! - Jasmine's smile grew on her face when she opened the door of her house and saw her uncle standing on the porch. The man was taller than she was, and to hug him, Jamie gave a little jump of excitement.

- Hello, birthday girl! - Richard returned the girl's hug, and she kissed his face.

At the age of 60, Richard Keller's hair had reached a grayish tone, with mixtures of white and brown, and his brown eyes were already marked by the wrinkles around them. Richard Keller wasn't Jasmine Davenport's biological uncle; in fact, he was the best friend of her father. Jamie always had him in her life, he was with her in all the important moments of her life, whether happy or not. Despite never confessing, Jamie saw Richard as the father she barely remembered. Richard was her figure and father example.

- I missed you. Why did you take so long to visit us?

-I know I should have come earlier, but I needed to come to Hartford, and I got my boss to send me as close to your birthday as possible.

- No expenses with the plane ticket?

- No expenses with the travel. - He said with a smile.

With his arm around Jamie's shoulders, they walked into the living room.

- What did I say about not coming to visit us more often? - Debra questioned him, getting up to a hug.

- I know Debra, I know. I'm sorry.

The three of them sat on the couch for over an hour as they chatted, catching up on the news. Richard told about his work in Chicago - he worked at the DMV, so he always had good stories. The biggest city Jamie had visited was Hartford, so when Uncle Richard told her about the big capitals he had visited, she was always impressed.

Following Jamie's birthday tradition, the three of them got into Richard's rental car and drove to a particular restaurant in the next town. For as long as she could remember, they'd been going to that spot - The Iron Rail.

With walls half white and half with old bricks, a black ceiling, and a wooden floor, the restaurant was simple but had something that the child Jasmine loved - the back wall was entirely made of glass, allowing the view of the train track that passed very close from the restaurant.

Although she was no longer transfixed by the passing train, Jasmine, Richard and Debra still sat at one of the tables next to the large glass wall. Jamie was the only one to order a cheeseburger, Richard and Debra chose one of the restaurant's dishes.

- How's Jordan? - Richard asked right after the waitress took the orders.

- He is very well. - Jamie knew that just like his grandma, Uncle Richard also had hopes for their relationship, so she avoided telling about the man's visit a few months ago.

- Still want to be a surgeon in Hartford?

- Still wanna be a surgeon in any big city on the East Coast.

- Oh, Jordan is a past matter, Richard. - Her grandma's speech caught Jamie's attention. She knew that Jordan would never be "a past matter" for her grandmother.

With narrowed eyes, both Jamie and Richard stared at Debra.

- I don't understand. Does Jamie have a new boyfriend? - Richard asked, perplexed. But his question left Jamie perplexed.

What?

- Boyfriend I don't know yet, but someone in sight. Isn't it true, Jamie?

Jasmine knew that moment would come, but not like this. Not in front of Uncle Richard.

In a silent battle of gazes, her grandmother's raised brow silently challenged her. Debra knew Jasmine wouldn't be able to walk away from the subject in front of Richard, and she did it on purpose. Jamie was sure of that.

- I don't understand, Grandma. Who are you talking about? - Jamie said, along with a fake smirk.

- The man you were together at the Spring Festival. I've been told he's very handsome.

- What man? - Richard asked, feeling out of place.

- Too bad it wasn't you who told me about his existence.

- Because he's nobody, grandma. Please. - Jamie pleaded. Her blue eyes fixed on her grandmother's identical ones trying to get her to stop talking.

For a few minutes, they sat in silence. Jamie felt betrayed, and she wondered at what moment her grandma had found out. Months passed, why hadn't she questioned her sooner? She waited all that time. Why?

The waitress brought their chosen drink.

- Who is he? - Uncle Richard's strong and slightly hoarse voice reached Jasmine's ears. Like a child who has played a prank and been caught by her father, for a second, she hesitated to look at him. But she did.

- I already said. He is nobody.

- If he's nobody, why was the whole city talking about it? - Like an inquisitor, Debra asked.

- He saved me, okay grandma? I almost got run over by a car, and he saved me. I don't know who he is, but I needed to thank him.

- Who almost ran over you? What happened?

- What is it? - Jamie bristled. - A police interrogation? I thought we came here to celebrate my birthday and not to be asked who I talk to on the streets.

- J. - Richard had a worried look. - We care about you.

- I know, Uncle Richard. But that was months ago. Why didn't you ask me before? - the question was directed at Debra.

- I knew you wouldn't tell me.

- I can't tell something that doesn't exist. I can't list the people I talk to every day. Or are you going to question me again, like when I was a kid?

The memory brought tears to Jasmine's eyes, and silence fell over them again. Fixed to the train tracks, the memory of being questioned every day until her fifteenth's was vivid. The non-existent school tours, as well as the trips with her friends, everything and everyone had to be reported to the two people in front of her at that moment.

- Jamie.

She didn't turn to her grandmother that time even though she heard her soft voice filled with regret.

The waitress appeared with their dishes, and in silence they ate. What a wonderful birthday night, she thought. When they finished, Richard withdrew without a word.

- Jasmine.

- You should have asked me as soon as you knew. But you waited until Uncle Richard was here. - The girl's voice was soft but showed her sadness and a little tiredness.

- I'm sorry.

- Okay. But don't do that again, grandma. I'm not a kid anymore. If you wanna know something, ask me. And if something, someday, exists, I will tell you.

Jamie reached for Debra's hand that was on top of the table, assuring her that everything was fine even though, inside, Jamie felt betrayed.

As the train started to pass, following their tradition, Richard appeared with a chocolate cupcake. A simple lighted white candle was on the top of it.

- Happy belated birthday, J. - He said, placing it in front of Jasmine.