When You Left Me

Do I Deserve You?

Laurent

I woke up to a empty room and even emptier heart. I looked at the other bed in the room and still didn't see Larry. It wasn't fair. How come he got to see Jasmine but I couldn't? I knew that I was being unreasonable but I didn't care right now.

I got up and made my way to the shower, maybe I could wash this stupid depression off. After getting out the shower and dressing, I decided that I didn't want to do anything today. I wasn't in the mood for fans or anyone else.

I wanted Jasmine and my twin but since I could have none, no one would have me. I sat cross legged on the floor and turned the tv on.

Game day for one.

________________

Jasmine

I woke up sore and uncomfortable as fuck. This couch was like sleeping on the ground, hell the ground might have been better. I had forgot for a split second that I was in the hospital lobby and panicked but when I saw Larry's head of twists pop up, I relaxed remembering. He walked over to me.

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry to be taking you away from Bambii and your daughter."

"Non don't apologize. Like I said all those years ago, you are my sister and I will always take care of you." I had to stop myself from crying and just smiled in return. We got up to leave and when we got to the car I asked if maybe he should've told Bambii.

"I already told her. Don't worry, I can multitask Jasmine." He laughed and I felt so much pain fly away. It made me yearn even more for Laurent. I wanted to ask Larry about him but what if he told me that Laurent moved on?

I would deserve it. As I told Larry directions to the center, I was getting more nervous by the minute. I didn't want to be judged and even though I knew Larry wasn't the type of man I was still anxious. When the building came into view and Larry read the words on the sign, his head whipped towards me. I refused to look at him. He parked his car in the visitors lot and we sat in silence in the car.

"Look Larry, if you don't li--"

"I'm proud of you Jay." Larry had cut me off and I stared in amazement at him. He was proud?

"You do realize where we are right? I was admitted with no problem. They didn't even hesitate, I am crazy!"

Larry begin to laugh, his eyes watering up. My increasing worry deflated and I just sat there.

"Jasmine, I've been known you were crazy. But that doesn't stop my love for you nor Laurent's. Jasmine, when you love someone their faults are irrelevant. I love the woman that you are and I am proud of the woman you're trying to be. I don't understand how you don't see how much strength one must have not only to face their faults, but to attempt to fix them. I was scared that when you said you were getting help that you would go down the wrong path but this is good. I applaud you sis, you're growing up and standing on your own two feet." I maneuvered myself to be able to face him and hug him.

"You have no idea how much that means to me Larry. I was so scared that you would be ashamed of me. I can't express how happy I am." Larry softly cooed to me while he held me as though I was a child.

"You know.... You should call Laurent Jasmine." I pulled away from the hug and looked Larry in the eyes.

"What if I'm not ready? What if I freak out and run away again? I don't want to keep hurting him Larry."

"Jasmine, as long as you are away from Laurent, he will always be hurt. My brother lives and breathes for you Jasmine. He carries on in the hope that you'll decide to come home one day. Are you not ready?" Was I? I truly didn't know the answer to that question and that scared me. I didn't want to cause any more issues for Laurent if I wasn't ready to be with him completely. So I got out the car and walked to the backyard of the center. Larry followed obviously waiting for his answer. When we got to the back, I saw Jason and Jonathan playing. They noticed me and waved at me, happily saying.

"Hey Jasmine" in unison. I smiled brightly and waved back, my heart filled with joy. Larry looked back and forth between me and the boys.

"Friends of yours?"

"Yeah, they lost their parents in a crash and they been here ever since I have. We created a bond but I heard from the staff that their mothers sister found out and was planning to adopt them. Makes me a little sad, I wouldn't have minded taking them." Larry gaze turned thoughtful and he stayed quiet. He took his phone out and was texting someone. I closed my eyes, the breeze was slightly cool. It felt amazing.

"So, you gonna give me a tour sis? I'm curious to see how the center looks on the inside."

"Okay, let's go." I showed Larry around the center, introducing him to the nurses and even my therapist. Jason and Jonathan hit it off with him exceptionally well especially after Larry mentioned that he had a twin as well. He couldn't escape them and he didn't seem to try to either. I knew Larry just had to be an amazing father. The day soon passed and Larry and I went to my room.

"It's not to shabby sis. I'm glad that you were treated so well. But as much as I've enjoyed the people here, I would prefer not to eat here. So get dressed and we will go out okay?" I just told him okay and went to freshen up. I had put on a pair of dark denim jeans and a black long sleeved thermal shirt. We got in the car and left.
After driving for twenty minutes, I was a little confused.

"Larry where we going? I don't recall any restaurants this way." Larry just glanced at me and kept driving.

"Larry?" I couldn't keep the fear out of my voice, my fear of men coming full force.

"Relax Jasmine, I would never harm you. Just be patient." I was on edge but I decided to trust Larry. We pulled into a crowded road and I saw the Palm Beach Airlines sign pop up. I was so lost but I tried to remain calm.

"Larry, why are we here?" When we got to the front of the airport, Larry stopped the car and looked me dead in my eyes.

"Jasmine, waiting for you at the front desk is a ticket to San Francisco which is where Laurent is at. He is alone Jasmine, there's no one there not even me. I believe you are ready so Eleni will be waiting for you in the lobby, I told her to be there at 6 which is when your plane would be arriving there. So it's your choice sis. Will you keep hiding away inside the rehab or will you finally decide that you and Laurent suffered enough and go see him?"