Trust in Love

Chapter 7

Justine didn't hear from Jared for the next couple of days, which was a good thing. After her fight with Ada, things at home were decidedly tense. She didn't think she could deal with any more drama.

Nigel had a conference to attend on the weekend so Justine was kept busy helping him prepare for it. He needed a special book from the library so Justine went to go pick it up for him. She ran into Jared on her way back to Nigel's office.

'There you are! I was looking for you,' Jared said cheerfully.

'How are you?' she greeted politely.

'I'm great,' he replied. 'I was wondering if you'd like to come for a drive with me this weekend.'

Her heart leapt at his invitation, but she knew she had to turn him down.

'I don't think so,' she said regretfully.

'Why not?' he asked curiously. 'Did I do something wrong?'

'No, it's not you,' she answered.

'What is it, then?' he demanded.

'I don't want to leave my mom right now,' she replied.

'Why? Is she sick?'

'No, she's just being difficult,' Justine said.

'I see.'

Jared pulled out his cell phone.

'What's your mom's number?' he demanded.

'What?' she asked incredulously.

'Your mom's number. What is it?'

'You can't call her. She'll go crazy!'

'I can and I will. What is it?'

She recited the digits to him, feeling a lump in her throat.

'Mrs. Blake? Hi, this is Jared Compton. I took your daughter to the gala a few weeks ago...Yes, we had a good time. Listen, I'd like to take your daughter for a drive tomorrow and she won't go...I see...No, I don't think a chaperone is necessary, thank you...No, I will not violate her. She will be perfectly safe; you have my word...My intentions? Mrs. Blake, I think you're being a bit unreasonable...Nothing happened when she came to my house for dinner the other night....Pottery class? No, we weren't at a pottery class...I'm sorry she lied to you, Mrs. Blake. Mrs. Blake? Great. She hung up on me.'

Justine stood there in shock.

'I can't believe you just did that,' she said incredulously.

'Your mother is a piece of work,' Jared stated. 'No wonder you can't get away from her.'

Justine was dismayed at the thought of her next conversation with her mother. It was not going to be pretty.

'Why did you lie to your mother about going to my place? That really ticked her off.'

'I really wanted to see you,' she answered tearfully.

Jared rubbed her back.

'Well, I think you have a choice to make, Justine. You can let Ada keep ruling your life or you can grow up and live your own life.'

'I really have to get this book back to Nigel,' Justine said, trying not to cry.

'I see. Well, you know where to find me when you make up your mind,' Jared replied, walking away.

*******************************

Justine's mind was in a turmoil all afternoon. She dreaded going home. She saw Nigel safely away with his lecture notes and his itinerary. She stayed at the office a bit later than usual, cleaning up and filing. Finally, she could put it off no longer. She drove home.

When she walked in the front door, she saw Ada sitting in her chair in the living room.

'Hi, Mom,' she said brightly. 'How was your day?'

'Terrible,' Ada answered. 'My daughter is a liar and that snake in the grass phoned me.'

Justine sighed.

'I'm sorry I lied to you, mother. It was just dinner at Jared's house.'

'Just dinner. I bet it was just dinner. He meant to have you for dessert, probably,' Ada retorted.

'That's not true, Mom! He's an honorable man.'

'There's no such thing as an honorable man, dear. They all want one thing and once they get it, they'll leave you in the dust. Pregnant, poor and alone.'

'You watch too much t.v., mother. Real life isn't like that.'

'Oh, really? What about Mrs. Barton down the street? That slutty daughter of hers has three children by two different men and she hasn't even been married once! I didn't raise my daughter to be like that and I sure as heck don't want to see you like that now!'

'I'm not a slut, Mom!' Justine cried, feeling a tear roll down her cheek.

'You're behaving like one, sneaking around and seeing him behind my back. Who do you think you are? You mark my words. He's going to dump you like yesterday's trash.'

'He's not going to dump me, mother. We're not even together.'

'Not yet, but you will be soon if he has anything to say about it. Trust me. I've seen his type before.'

Ada didn't elaborate and Justine didn't want to hear any more.

'I'm leaving,' she stated, trying not to cry.

'Good. Get out of here. Go and be a slut somewhere else!'

Justine slammed the door on her way out. She knew she shouldn't be driving, but she drove anyway. She didn't know where to go. She couldn't go back home yet; she was too upset. She couldn't believe all the things her mother had said. They were awful, just awful.