When You Left Me

Unexpected

( Jasmine )

I looked at Regi, my mind cluttered with pain. He sighed and helped me up. I leaned on him heavily as he guided me to his car. He put me in the passenger seat and then got in the drivers seat. "Are you heading back to the rehab center?" I nodded my head, to numb to do anything else. He said okay and drove off. It was quiet which gave me way to much time to think, so I started to softly sing, anything to stop thinking about the pain. As I got into the second verse of stairway to heaven, Regi stopped the car. I looked at him, seeing as how we weren't at the rehab center yet. Immediately I went on edge, the past times of men being alone with me weren't the fondest of memories. Regi must've noticed this cause he put his hands up. "Hey, I'm not Waydi or Shaun. I will never lay my hands on you Jasmine. I stopped because I wanted to ask you something before I dropped you off." Huh? How'd he know about Waydi? I got off my defensive mode and stared at him. "What?"  Regi looked out the window of his car, he seemed so far away. "Don't you think it's time you go back to Laurent? He's a mess you know." A ragged sigh left my lips and I stared out my window too. "I'm not ready to see him Regi. I can't. I don't feel like I'm good enough yet."
"That's the stupidest shit I ever heard Jasmine. It's an excuse and you know it! You just don't want to face what you leaving might have done to him." Yes that was true. I was frightened of seeing the damage I've caused. "I'm not better Regi, and after today I'm afraid that I'll never be." 
"What happened today?"
"I don't want to talk about it.... Please.." "Okay Jasmine, I understand. Sorry about speaking out of turn. I shouldn't have."
"It's okay Regi, just take me back to he center please." He said okay and began driving again. When we got to the center, I thanked him and ran inside. I bypassed all the nurses and just closed the door to my room, blocking out the world. I crawled into bed and curled up into a ball and cried myself to sleep. Days went by and I just stayed in bed. I ignored the sad pleas from Jason and Jonathan to play, I didn't take my medicine, and I wouldn't allow anyone in to see me. What happened with my mother affected me more than I thought it would and more than I cared to admit. In the midst of my reviving depression, I had sent the money to my older brother. My entire life savings which has amounted to about a good 10 thousand since I hadn't worked in a long time. I didn't care about the money, they could have it all for all I cared. Two weeks passed and I was staring up at the ceiling. I was surprised that none of the therapists or nurses bothered me about it. My phone rang and I was intent on ignoring it. But after the 8 phone call, I finally checked to see who it was. Bambii's name popped up and I answered. "Jasmine? Are you there? Jasmine?"
"Who else would answer my phone Bambii? Why do you sound like you ran ten miles without stopping." That's when I finally noticed she was crying. "Bambii, what's wrong?! Why are you crying?!"
".........Jasmine, I'm going into premature labor..." I dropped my phone from the shock and quickly picked it back up. "Okay relax and tell me what hospital you're at. I'll be there as soon as I can." She told me she was at Besthda hospital and I told her I was on my way. I struggled with how I was going to get there since I sent all the money I had to my brother. I couldn't take a taxi.... I picked my phone up. When the other person answered, I spoke in a pleading voice. "Regi, I need a favor."

When we had pulled up to the hospital, I thanked Regi for bringing me. "It's no problem Jasmine. I had talked to Bambii a few days ago and she had been worried about you. She said you weren't answering your phone calls."
"Yeah, I know. I was going through something but I'll push that aside for Bambii today. Are you coming inside too?"
"Naw, I don't handle pregnant women well, especially one who is freaking out about going into premature labor. But just call me when you're ready to go and I'll come get you."
"Thank you Regi. I'll see later then."
I got out the car and rushed inside.

( Regi )

I watched as Jasmine damn near flew inside Besthda hospital. I gave a small chuckle, Bambii was going to be even more irritated with mother goose coming her way. I stared at the hospital for ten minutes, a choice swirling in my head. I sighed and just decided to do it. I took my phone out my pocket and hit call. "Hello?"
"Hey Larry, it's Regi. I got something I need to tell you." I hoped I was making the right decision.

( end chapter )