Love in the Minor Key

Chapter Eleven: Jasmine

“Is he the bad brother?” Gabriel asked, his face full of fear.

“I wouldn't have brought him here if he was the bad brother,” Hope shook her head with a reassuring smile. “He's the really good brother. He was the one that was good our mommy until she passed away.”

“What's your name, Brother?” Gabriel asked the man.

“My name is Dan,” Dan replied, sitting next to the boy. “It's nice to finally meet you. Hope has told me so much about you. She says you like Shrek. Is that true?”

“It's my favorite movie,” Gabriel nodded with a big, innocent grin. “I've watched it at least 21 times in the past week. I watch it in the morning when I wake up, after school, and before I go to bed.”

“It's my favorite movie too,” Dan laughed, feeling a strong bond beginning with his brother. “I don't watch it that much but I mention it where I can. All Star and Rufus Wainwright's version of Hallelujah on my mix CD.”

“Nothing beats Hallelujah,” Gabriel added. “I don't think I have heard a bad version of that song. I really feel the pain and heartache when I hear that song.”

“Well spoken words,” Dan nodded. “What other music do you like?”

“I am profoundly diverse in my taste in music,” Gabriel explained. “I'm into Kanye West, Lorde, Frank Ocean, Future, Christine and the Queens, Kayne, MCR, Muse, La La La Land Soundtrack, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco,  Evanescence, Spice Girls,  One Direction and any classical.”

“I am convinced you are my mini me,” Dan smiled at the boy. “You're impeccably intellectual for your age.”

“I started college when I was three,” Gabriel shrugged. “I have a bachelor's degree in music production, and I am going to start college and get a business degree, then finally, a law degree.”

“So you have options?” Dan raised an eyebrow, the boy nodding. “Your first major made you even more like me. I'm a composer. I have music in films. My most well known score is for Sensation Castle and The Return of Beverly King.”

“Two incredible films,” Gabriel nodded. “I enjoy your work, Big Brother. It's very enlightening.”

“Well it's time for Gabe to get his lunch,” Hope butted in, not being disruptive. “I have to take him to the cafeteria.”

“Can Danny take me?” Gabriel asked hopefully.

“He goes by Dan, Sweetheart,” Hope corrected, “and he can if he wants to.”

“I'll take him,” Dan smiled, Hope leaving to grab the nurse. “By the way, Gabe, you can call me Danny.”

Gabriel smiled a bright adorable smile as the nurse walked back in. As they were walking to the cafeteria, he looked over at the bright eyed boy and saw Jasmine with the genuine smile only he knew. He had his mother's eyes and they glimmered the way Jasmine's did. He had the Sandy brown hair that Jasmine naturally had, though she kept her hair bleached. As Dan looked at the bouncy boy, he had a flashback.

It was a cold December night, and he had snuck out of the house to get away from the abuse his family was causing. He was walking through the Manchester streets when he bumped into her. Her hair was freshly bleached and her hair was up in a pony tail, poking through her winter hat. Her black and white striped jumper poked through her gray peacoat and she had on a pastel pink skirt, finishing the outfit with some gloves, gray boots, and a black purse. Her cheeks were naturally blushed from the cold air, but her eyes were painted gray, and her lips the brightest, sexiest red Dan had seen.

“Oh hey!” Jasmine smiled as he walked up to her. “I wasn't expecting to see you another week!”

“I know!” a seventeen year old Dan returned the smile. “How's my sister?”

“She's doing okay,” she answered. “She's staying with her friend tonight so I get a whole night and morning to myself.”

“Since we're here,” Dan suggested, “why don't we grab some dinner? I was heading to my favorite cafe anyways.”

“I would love to,” she nodded, them walking to the cafe.

Dan snapped back to reality when they stepped into the cafeteria. The nurse took Gabriel to the proper line, leaving Dan to go get whatever he pleased. He got in the Starbucks line, grabbing a cinnamon chai latte before jumping in the pizza line. He grabbed a couple slices of cheese pizza and a garden salad. He grabbed a bottle of water before paying for his food. When he found the boy sitting down, the meal the boy had reminded Dan of the first meal he ever made for Jasmine.

To say Dan was nervous was an understatement. He had snuck out of his home, rented a hotel suite, and invited the twenty-seven year old woman to spend the night. He didn't have time to make it be a genuine date, but he had time to cook. He got out a cookbook and made a simple spaghetti meal. He had just put everything on the table when there was a knock on the door. When he opened the door, his jaw dropped.

Jasmine was beyond stunning, with her blonde hair up in a professional undo and her face painted red and black. She had on a sexy red string laced dress, which pushed up her breasts and accentuated her body in the right places, underneath a black kimono. Her legs were blanketed by fishnet stockings and her black ankle boots made her about three inches taller.  She was wearing the jewelry he bought her, and it complimented her appearance as if she, herself, was a work of art.a

“You look incredible,” Dan gasped. “You're so dressed up, and here I am in a T-shirt and jeans, not making this memorable and shit. God I'm terrible at this.”

“You don't have to dress nice,” she reassured, “or make everything romantic to make a night memorable.”

“You deserve better, though,” Dan whined. “You're gorgeous, smart, and so fucking talented. I'm just a shy eighteen year old virgin that can't even get a date right.”

“This is good enough for me, Dan,” she argued. “You've done more than enough for me. How about we eat some dinner and I'll make you a less awkward man?”

“Danny!” Gabriel yelled, snapping Dan out of his thoughts before they could get X rated. “I feel funny.”

“What do you mean by funny?” Dan asked, but before the seven year old could answer, he went completely unconscious.