Jasmine

19. 'A Typical Day'

By the time Jasmine wakes up Tuesday morning, Brandon has sent her a text reading: 

Hey, let me drive you home again later. 

It isn't phrased as a question. Jasmine replies in any case confirming. After last night, Jasmine was both afraid and excited about seeing Brandon again.

She puts a little more effort than usual on her outfit the next morning: her favourite black skirt, which is high-waisted and has a big belt - showing off her figure - and a copper blouse with black leather pumps. She wants to impress Brandon, but obviously nothing too over the top since she'll be convening tutorials today.

After lunch, Jasmine, having the rest of the afternoon to herself, decides to pay some attention to her paper. It's on Matthew Gregory Lewis' The Monk. Her paper is now beginning to gain focus. She wants to discuss the Frankenstein complex in the Monk, which is the fear that what man makes (such as a computer, or a portrait more relevantly) could end up becoming supra-conscious and destroy him. But, more generally Jasmine wants to explore the alternative, post-enlightenment psychological worldview of the supernatural as it presents itself in Lewis' Monk: where the Numinous is not an objective 'Other' but a manifestation of the imagination. Jasmine is happy to send her revised critical analysis by 4 o' clock and takes a walk to the lawns for some fresh air. 

Around 5 Jasmine leaves the computer lab, going to the 1st year parking area.

Jasmine opens the front passenger door and climbs into the car. Brandon smiles at her more than usual. Jasmine thinks it's because of her outfit. Brandon leans in and says I missed you so much, before giving her two soft long pecks on the lips. Jasmine is thrilled by him. She plays with her (covered) toes when he backs away. They gaze at each other and laugh when one of them starts smiling. This happens about three times. And then Brandon gets a call. From what she can pick up it's one of his brothers - she isn't sure which. He's asking if he has plans for this Saturday and immediately Jasmine remembers her conversation with her mother yesterday. 

When Brandon hangs up, he divulges that it was Malcolm, who he reminds Jasmine is another of his four brothers. "He wants me to babysit. You up for it?" 

Jasmine is perplexed. "You want me to go to his home? Isn't he one of your more prejudiced brothers?"

"Not prejudice, just not particularly friendly."

"It's a pass for me, hun."

"I can't accept that."

"I beg your pardon?"

"The more I think about it, the more I want you to go. I want to see what you're like around children."

"Oh. Well, I'm not the best with them but I do like kiddies. How old is he/she?"

"5. Her name is Samantha. She looks a lot like me. Love her to death."

"Love you to death too, so I'm one to understand," Jasmine inserts rubbing his hand. They both blush at each other and there is a tense air of expectancy, but nobody comes near the other and the excitement fades. 

"It's not really obvious at first but you also resemble your mother," Jasmine speaks.

"Oh, you noticed that too? People always say we look alike, but the older I get, the less I see it."

"I still see it: your small blue eyes, cute forehead and light blonde hair. I wonder what your father looks like..."

"Like Edwin."

"Oh? So, he real handsome then."

"Stop that," Brandon reproaches. 

"Stop what? I'm calling it how I see it."

"I get jealous."

"When you're such a cutie patootie!" Jasmine expresses tickling him.

"Stop," he commands taking her hands off him. "The way you said "real handsome", it struck a nerve."

"But he is real handsome. I can't lie."

 "You're upsetting me!"

"Tell me why? I'm stating the facts. It bears no weight on how I feel about you."

"When you say "real handsome" it sounds like there's an underlying sexual attraction, and that's inappropriate to me."

"Attracted to Edwin? Darling that's ridiculous."

"So you should use your words carefully. Rather state that he's quite handsome and leave it there."

"Okay, I get it. I'm sorry Brandon. I'm definitely only attracted to you in that way. There's no space for anyone else."

"Good. Glad to hear it," he expresses before they both laugh. Brandon starts the car and as he drives Jasmine asks him about his thoughts on meeting her mother before Sunday. Brandon says, "We could do it today, unless of course you're too tired?"

"I'm better than yesterday, so we can. Do you have your ID with you?"

"Yup. They need it?"

"Yes they do. You leave it with them for your visit and take it on your way out."

"Okay."

"Oh my gosh, she's gonna love you!"

"Stop, she won't," Brandon voices, cheeks pink. Jasmine stops teasing, squeezing his hand. Even as they walk off Jasmine takes his hand, and they walk into the apartment building together. The security guards, who probably thought Jasmine was going to be a nun, are shocked to see her with Brandon. This makes her very self-conscious, but she doesn't let go of Brandon's hand. Her face is cast downward throughout their interaction with him.