Whispers that Scream

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jane

It was finally the day of the office party. Jane had worked from home Friday and now was getting ready to head back to the office to attend a party that she had almost completely forgotten about. Rafael hadn't. He had been by her desk almost every day she had been in the office the past two weeks to visit and flirt with her. He certainly hadn't forgotten her promise to save him a dance. He was so confident and seemed to know exactly the right thing to say to anything that came up in their conversations. Jane didn't want to admit it, but she was starting to fall to his charms, her defenses beginning to crumble.

She stood in front of her bathroom mirror and inspected her outfit. She was wearing a black cocktail dress with high heels and a necklace that fell just above her chest. Her hair looked amazing, and for once, she was pleased with what she was seeing. She gave a confident nod to the mirror before grabbing her purse and walking out the door.

She walked to her car, quickly glancing up at Adam's home, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. She was hoping that he would come down to talk to her before she left, but there was no movement as she got into her car and backed away.

She was stopping in Jupiter to pick up her mom who was thrilled to be invited to the party. Her mom wouldn't miss a party even if it meant she had to walk ten miles in heels to get there.  She pulled up to her mom's house, and her mother was waiting on the porch ready to go. Her mom was decked out, looking like she was going to a New York gala rather than to a small-sized office party in New Orleans. She got out to hug her mom and help her into the passenger side of her Sonata.

"Jane honey," her mom said while giving her a greeting hug. "Thank you so much for inviting me. I can't wait to see where my baby girl is working. I'm so proud of you."

Jane felt a surge of pride. "Thanks, Mom. That means a lot to me." They got into the car and had around forty minutes until they would get to the office which was plenty of time for forced conversations that she couldn't escape. Her mother jumped at the chance, wasting no time as if forty minutes wasn't nearly long enough for her.

The onslaught began. "So Jane, have you met anyone nice at work? Anyone that you see any potential with?" 

Jane rolled her eyes. It had only taken less than five minutes before her mother was ready to gossip about her romantic life. "I've only worked there for three weeks Mom, and I have been scrambling to get up to speed. I haven't had any time to start dealing with romance."

Her mother eyed her. "What about in Magnolia or one of Sarah's friends?" 

"No, I haven't met anyone in Magnolia other than Adam, and Sarah hasn't set me up on any blind dates yet. Thank god."

Like a shark smelling blood, her mother pounced. "Adam? Are you talking about the man who lives next door to you? Are you still friendly with him? I know you said he had autism and had some issues himself."

Jane instantly got defensive. "Yes, I'm still friendly with him Mom," she bit out. "He is a good friend of mine and has really helped me get my life back."

Her mother smiled sadly at her. "Jane I don't mean to offend him. I have no problem with the man, and will forever be thankful he was there for you in your darkest time. It's just..." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "You've been through so much already Jane." 

"I just don't want you to have to deal with someone who has such heavy burdens. It would be hard with Adam. After all the hardship you've gone through, I want my daughter to have an easy relationship. A relationship without the complications and struggles Adam would bring. I have no issues with his autism, but I think there are women out there who could better handle the complications that come with that. I just don't want you to have to handle that stress. You deserve some easiness in your life."