Chapter 16- Supporting Each Other

Austin was happy to see her after the entire day. He kept reminding himself why he had made the trip. But he hoped she would bring him out in the open soon because he could not spend his entire stay in the hotel. "Thank you for being so patient with me. I will find some time for us to visit some places in Chicago soon," she said. "I can't wait," he said holding her hand. He did not want to worry her but he wondered how long she thought that she could keep him a secret.

"I want to introduce you to my mother and brother. Just trying to bring you in gradually. Please bear with me," she suggested. Austin did not want to show how excited he was but he felt over the moon and thrilled that she was ready. Jasmine smiled basking in his enthusiasm. She saw it in her face. It was getting late and she did not want her mother to get worried and ask too many questions. "I have to be going now. It's getting late," Jasmine said getting up. Austin escorted her to the door. "Will I see you tomorrow?" he asked. "Of course," she said. "I will miss you until then," he joked. "Don't stay in the hotel all day. Explore the place and occupy your day," Jasmine suggested. "Can't without you" he smiled. "I will use the time to spend with God, get in the word, and maybe do some sightseeing until I see you," he admitted. Jasmine's eyes lit up after he gave his plans for the next day. Before she could leave, he pulled her into a hug and kissed her gently on the lips. "I love you, Jasmine Patterson." Jasmine felt goosebumps multiply on her skin and shivers run down her spine. "I love you too," she said waving goodbye. She felt giddy but warm inside at the same time.

Brian continued to stared at Jasmine nonstop the next day. "What?!" Jasmine asked annoyed. "Do you have a secret lover?" he asked. "Why don't you shut up?" she whispered. "Spill it before I put Mom on the bandwagon to get it out of you. Jasmine could just squeeze him for being so inquisitive. She pulled him into her room. "Why do you insist on torturing me? Go play with your kids," Jasmine encouraged him. Brian stared at her not allowing her to get out of it. He did not want to be this way but he could not afford anything to happen to her ever again.

"I don't have a secret lover. My friend Austin came along with me and he is staying at a hotel," she confessed. Brian laughed thinking she was joking. When he saw she was serious his eyes widened at her confession. "Austin, the guy you turned down for years?" Brian asked confused. Jasmine hated she had shared these details with her brother. "Omg, sis. Are you dating the boss' son?" Brian asked. "Just keep quiet about it until I am ready to tell Mom," Jasmine said.

"I want to meet him," Brian stated. "You will Dad when I am ready," Jasmine explained. Brian continued to grin. "Take that stupid grin off your face," Jasmine said mad at him. "This must be serious," Brian said. "Does he know everything?" Brian asked concerned about this relationship. "He does and still loves me," Jasmine shared. Brian was shocked at that reveal. He could not wait to meet the man who had stolen his sister's heart.

"I never thought I would see the day when you would fall in love?" Austin's sister laughed on the phone. "It's the first for many things, my beautiful sister," he teased. "A Christian and now you are in love. I love the influence Jasmine is having on you," she said. "How is mom?" he asked. "Don't change the subject. Mom is doing good," she admitted. "I am not changing it just moving on," Austin confessed. "Have you met her family?" Bethany asked. "Not yet," he said a bit disappointed. "I am sure you will. Remember she said I love you. I told you to give her time so continue to be patient," Bethany said.

"How did my baby sister get to be so wise?" Austin asked. "Watching my older siblings doing stupid things that I vowed not to repeat," she teased. "Wow," he laughed. "Well, you ask," she smiled. Austin looked up at his phone and saw a message from Jasmine. "I have to go," he said. "Okay, tell Jasmine hello for me," she said knowing her brother was trying to get rid of her. "Goodbye," he said hanging up the phone. "Come downstairs, I want to see you," Jasmine texted back. Austin quickly grabbed a jacket and put on a pair of jeans and a shirt. He was intrigued about seeing her.

Jasmine showed him all the sites in Chicago. They spent the day at the park and the beach. They enjoyed the entire day together and he was happy to be there with her. They got to pray together and simply enjoy each other's company. "My brother knows about us," she admitted as they returned to the hotel. Austin was surprised she told him. "How?" he asked. He was on about me having a secret lover going out and I had to tell him to shut up and mind his own business," Jasmine said. Austin laughed. He liked Brian already and could not wait to meet him. "I am happy you are finding this funny," she shoved him gently. "He has a sense of humor," Austin said.

"Are you going to tell your mother?" he asked. "I will but give me a few more days. The hard part is still ahead. I am going to be in the midst of all my family soon. That is where the healing begins. I was whispered about for years, pitied, and counted out," she admitted. "Well, your boyfriend can show up and stand next to your side," he suggested. "So, you are my boyfriend?" Jasmine laughed.

"I am and don't forget it," he teased. "I want you among my family who loves and supports me. That's my brother and mom. I don't care what the others think," Jasmine said. "Okay whatever you want," he smiled. "So, I take it today was about me going to have some days without you," he said. Jasmine nodded. "I don't like it but I will be here if you need me. I am only one call away. But remember you are not seeing that man without me by your side," he said. Jasmine smiled, "You are so protective of me." "Yes ma'am. It's because I love you," he said. They embraced and thanked God for each other.

Three days passed and Jasmine could not wait to get this reunion over with along with the visit to the hospital. She was ready to close these chapters in her life. She and Austin were in a good place and she was happy about it. Jasmine looked at the phone and saw sad emojis from Austin saying that he was missing her. She laughed at them and felt the same way. She looked around the hall and saw many familiar faces. Her Uncle Martin, his wife Grace, and her three cousins Tommy, Max, and Simeon. She saw other family members who were distant relatives whom she hardly knew but obviously, they knew her. She got many nods, hellos, and friendly glances. As she got some drinks, she stumbled across a conversation she was not supposed to hear. Her grand-aunt Mary was talking to a few relatives. "She looks beautiful," Cousin Joy announces. "Real nice, I hear she lives in Atlanta doing big things," Mary told the group of inquisitive family members.

"I hear her uncle wants to see her," Joy announced. The group of women gasped in disbelief. "What?" they began whispering to each other. Jasmine swallowed and shook her head. She hated being the hot topic for family discussion. "It's insane what he did to her," Joy indicated. "I think she is not over it. Look she is thirty and has no man, no husband, or children. It is so sad Mary said. Jasmine wished Austin was there to shut them down. How could they analyze her life when Auntie Mary had a cheating spouse and Joy battled depression and anxiety? There goes her family feeding on everyone's business except their own. Jasmine walked out boldly to give them something to talk about.

"I am not alone. I have Christ and I am dating someone. I am not that sad and scared little girl anymore. So, you don't have to pity me or think of me as weak and pathetic. There is more to me than what happened to me," she announced. Everyone was quiet and embarrassed that she caught them talking about her. "Enjoy the rest of your evening," Jasmine said feeling empowered smiling that the cat had caught their tongue. As she continued to walk the room her brother saw the happy smirk on her face. "What's going on?" he asked. Jasmine wondered how he always found time to annoy her. "Just giving our family something to talk about," she grinned. "Okay," he said lost. Jasmine looked up and saw her mother's sister approaching them. Jasmine knew she did not believe that Peter had raped her at first. It had created tension between her mother and aunt. Jasmine hoped that her aunt and mother's relationship could be mended as well.