A young immigrant woman flees her over-domineering family and a pre-arranged marriage in hopes of living a life of independence. But the cultural divide shock and making it on her own proves more than challenging — until she unexpectedly meets a man who could be the right one…
Jasmine had just enough time and money to run away. This would be the opportunity to escape her pending arranged marriage and break free from the unceasing demands of her overbearing father and his fundamentalist ways. No longer would she have to submit to traditions she didn’t believe in or adhere to a religion in which she had zero personal faith. For her, the fear of the unknown was far less foreboding than a future already pre-planned by tradition, with very little to no room for spontaneous experience.
Jasmine worked everything out. She would go as far as her $230 travel budget allowed and then find some cheap accommodations — a no-frills motel at no more than $40 a night or $280 per week. She could continue to freelance with just an internet connection and would not have to hide her writing gigs from her family any longer. Even if she could afford to rent an apartment, it wouldn’t be safe. She had to be able to zip up her overstuffed backpack and leave at a moment’s notice.
But, following a pragmatic plan would someday pay off. After all, she’d done plenty of research about getting into a college program and could maybe become a graduate one day. With the right combination of scholarships, grants, and savings, Jasmine could get her four-year degree and make a comfortable living. Better still, it would mean being able to live in the dorm. That would provide round-the-clock security.
What’s more, it would mean living virtually rent-free. Right now, during a good month, Jasmine earned $2,600 to $2,900. And slow months would yield substantially less, usually under $2,400. Although, staying in a cheap hotel, eating inexpensive meals, and paying her wireless bill would still be just shy of a bad month’s income. And, with the $4,758 she quietly squirreled away over the last several months, she’d have enough cushion for two months worth of expenses.
All she had to do was maintain her present workload. Within a few months, she could apply for college admission, starting off at a community institution and switching over to in a mere two short years. If she could fast-track the journey, Jasmine figured she’d have her baccalaureate degree in under three years.
Her most pressing concern was being able to escape and remain free. After all, it wasn’t like her father — even her mother — would let go without a fight. No. They’d use every guilt-trip trick in the book and then some. Maybe even threaten her. So, she had to steel her resolve.
An only child from an ostensibly ordinary family, Jasmine lived a decent and mostly boring life. Though there were occasional moments of joy and jubilation, those precious few memories were far outnumbered by the mundane. With thick, long, and flowing hair, deep brown eyes, and a rather striking face, Jasmine should have been among the most popular teens in school. But since she was forced to cover her face and was not allowed to date, high school was at best tedious.
She largely took after her mother. Beautiful but very submissive. Once a refugee from a terrible conflict, her mother Husna, was also a strong woman. Completely devoted to her husband and family, Husna prided herself on her deep faith. Still, she was very pragmatic. Her once jet black hair now contained gray streaks and a few wrinkles had begun to emerge on her face, not just from growing older, but also, from strict adherence to her sect.
Jasmine’s father, Dabir, was a coarse and somber man who constantly wore a moue across his face. He rarely put his disagreeable disposition aside for the sake of levity or even sympathy. In fact, he struggled to show the slightest empathy, most likely because of his strict upbringing.
Moderately educated but without a formal degree, Dabir relied mostly on lower to mid-management jobs to provide for his family. It was among his biggest motivations for pushing Jasmine into a pre-arranged marriage to Junaid, the son of a wealthy family and a successful businessman, in his own right. Given a head start, the young man strategically capitalized on the opportunity and made the most out of each subsequent deal.
Junaid was not only rich but handsome, a two-for-one under normal circumstances. But, much like her parents (and his too), her husband-to-be was unwaveringly engrained in tradition — at least, when it came to practically anyone but himself, which conveniently gave him the latitude to be a playboy.
Wed to him, Jasmine would have to long endure an insufferable existence, capitulating to not only her husband but to her parents and his parents alike. Not to mention, the real possibility of suffering through the agony and humiliation of an adulterous marriage. The very thought of such a controlling and demeaning situation was nothing short of exhausting.
Jasmine could not let this not-too-distant state of affairs become a harsh reality. It was far better for her own personal sense of self-worth and future professional career to take a chance. After careful deliberation, weighing all the pros and cons, the potential reward greatly outweighed any risk. Even if she wound up working a minimum wage job for years and years, that life would indeed offer many more times the freedom than being subjugated.
Jasmine meticulously worked out a thoughtful action plan. She’d travel light and swiftly. Only a sparse number of clothes, no traditional garb, her secret freelance laptop, a new phone, and at least a few days of snacks. (The phone her parents gave her she’d leave behind because it was equipped with a location tracker. The same discard plan held true for the debit and credit cards her parents gave her and monitored every single day.)
In the near future, she’d rely on cash as much as possible — at least primarily for a few months. Additionally, she could also transfer some of her freelance earnings from her secret online payment account she set up many months ago to a contactless payment account she’d installed on her new phone. Her cash on hand would also pay for her bus ticket out of the Great Lakes region all the way down to central Texas, where she planned to stay in a quaint little town outside of Dallas.
It was a very charming community, Jasmine had carefully picked out after much deliberation between a few different destinations. A small place with less than a thousand residents, located in the southwest, no more harsh winters to suffer through. In fact, its climate was much more like where her family hailed. Plus, it would offer that storied southern charm. Friendly people in a kind of old-fashioned world. Jasmine daydreamed about living there all the time.
Her excitement grew as the day drew near. But along with it, trepidation and some nagging anxiety. She had to follow her plan, painstakingly drawn up over many months, including a number of contingencies. It made her hopeful for a whole new life and a wonderful future she could experience on her own terms. She could practically envision every aspect.
In fact, during dinner the night before her escape, she got so caught up in her own thoughts, she fantasized about a free life and what it would mean. So much, her preoccupation became apparent enough to catch the attention of her mother.
“Please eat, dear,” her mother said after noticing her daughter had eaten very little. “I’m surprised you haven’t finished yet, given it’s one of your all-time favorite dishes and your father graciously agreed to let me make it for you without it being a special occasion.”
Jasmine looked up, her father just staring blankly, chewing his food with almost no expression on his face, while her mother daintily picked at her plate with her head down. The monotonous void of the moment caused Jasmine to snap out of her daydream and focus on her plan. She went over it in her head, detail by detail, while eating her dinner as if nothing was going on.
The prospect of being free put a mischievous smile on her face, to which her father responded, “When you’re married to Junaid, you’ll have the pleasure of serving him the same dish. I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.”
“Yes, yes he will! Jasmine has become such a fine cook,” her mother agreed. “Junaid will love such a treat! I think you’ll make a terrific couple!”
Jasmine knew not to show any disdain. It would only start a fight she couldn’t win. Objections would only lead to frightening ultimatums and tears would inevitably follow. It was far better to just nod her head, show submission, help her mother clear the table, then do the dishes.
The moment her nightly chores were done, Jasmine went into her room, telling her mother she was going to read a book until it was time to shower and go to bed. The notion that such subterfuge was necessary incensed Jasmine. A woman, barely in her twenties who had to sneak around to keep her actions secret from her parents was infuriating. They treated her like a little girl, a child. But, were fully willing and happy to give her away to a man as his bride of which they knew so personally little about.
Jasmine sat quietly, counting the cash she had managed to stash away — $4,760 — her hands sweating, her stomach turning with anxiety. “Take a deep breath.” She told herself. “Focus and don’t be scared.” Jasmine quietly packed as much as she could in her backpack — the same one she used to carry until high school graduation and the same one she took to the local library time and again. Every item she put into one of the pockets, she would check off the list she’d previously memorized. Nothing superfluous could take up precious space.
While packing, she was careful to listen for her parents, particularly her mother. Either one could pop into her room at any time. Once full, Jasmine strategically placed the backpack under her bed, concealing it with an oversized comforter that draped over her bed, conveniently hiding it from plain sight underneath the frame.
The next morning, Jasmine woke early, having suffered through a mostly worrisome, sleepless night. She’d only have to keep up the charade of normalcy through her morning shower and breakfast. The most fretful and difficult part of the whole facade would be to get through the morning without one or both of her parents noticing she was wearing two sets of clothing. The outer garments, acceptable and preferred native garb that covered casual, western clothing commonly found in every shopping mall but never permissible to wear by her devout parents. What made it all the more uncomfortable were the layers that caused her to fidget unnaturally.
Jasmine ate a decent breakfast, though one a bit smaller than usual. During the entire meal, her father did not utter a word. Nor did her mother. Even though she’d experienced this awkward situation too many times to count, it was all that more surreal, given her steadfastness to carry out her getaway plan.
Still, Jasmine couldn’t help but second-guess, thinking perhaps this decision would end in an inevitable disaster. A resulting schism so wide and so irreparable, she could not at all imagine all the possible consequences. If caught prematurely, probably a swift and stern punishment. But, if found after she ran away, becoming another victim, one more statistic of the arcane and barbaric retribution known as an honor killing, was entirely possible.
No. None of those scenarios were realistically going to happen. She planned it all too well, too meticulously. Her parents would have no way of finding her. She’d be the proverbial needle in a haystack. A haystack of well over three hundred and thirty million people spread across an incredible 3.12 million square miles that is the continental United States. (This, not to mention she’d be at least nine hundred and forty-plus miles from her parents within a day.)
Such reassurances gave Jasmine the confidence she needed to get through breakfast and out the door with her backpack slung across her shoulders, telling her mom she was off to the library to tutor a friend and have lunch. “We may go to a movie after we finish eating,” she said, giving herself ample time for an hours-long head start.
At that moment, she paused, hoping her mother would look up to at least acknowledge her before she stepped out of the door. Maybe even a hug or kiss goodbye for the day. But, as always, no kind word in response or physical affection. Not a single expression nor any kind touch — merely a subtle, unemotional nod that did not take her attention away from her expected wifely duty.
The aloofness gave Jasmine all the more motivation to hurry out the door, knowing any delay could be a costly one. Every second she saved would ultimately be in her favor. Her haste actually made the journey all the more exciting. Every familiar sight she encountered along the way became surreal. Time sped by quicker than ever, only to grind to a bizarre stop when Jasmine arrived at the bus station. Then, her exhilaration immediately transitioned to uneasiness. But she couldn’t keep second-guessing herself — she had to stick to her plan and go through with it to gain the freedom she so deeply longed for.
With a nervous voice and shaking hands, she purchased a boarding pass to her to a location as near she could find to her pre-planned destination. Once there, Jasmine could order a ride-share and check into an inexpensive motel. But now, she had to wait for the bus — nearly an hour! What?! How could this be? She planned it out with such precision, the passenger coach should be leaving shortly. Instead, it’s delayed by almost an hour.
That was most definitely enough time for just about anything to go horribly wrong. Maybe her mother followed her because she left something behind? Perhaps her father spotted her going into the bus station by chance?
One dreadful scenario occurred to her after another. Jasmine felt like she entered some kind of devious, inauspicious time warp. The clocks on the walls seemed to slow to a cruel crawl. Even her phone’s clock app conspired against her, ostensibly refusing to keep accurate time. Although Jasmine did allow for some contingencies in her plan, waiting at a bus station only blocks from her parent’s house was not among them.
As she waited and waited impatiently, Jasmine realized she’d forgotten part of her plan. Still dressed in traditional attire, she’d be easily recognized by someone in the neighborhood. “That’s right,” she thought to herself, “I’m still wearing two sets of clothing.” She rushed to the women’s restroom, took off the outer garments, and stuffed them into an empty trash bin.
Now, she could put on some makeup. But her lack of experience would prove frustrating, struggling to apply it correctly. Wiping it off time after time went from inconvenient to dispiriting. Although, it did help to pass the time. What’s more, it kept her out of plain sight from passers-by walking in and out of her neighborhood — doubtlessly at least a couple or few would be acquaintances.
Satisfied enough with the way she looked, Jasmine finally emerged from the restroom, confident of her clever, nonchalant disguise. It made her feel relaxed, less anxious about being recognized. She began to daydream about her new life, considering all of the possibilities, focusing on the positives. Before she knew it, the bus was pulling up to the station. Passengers started to disembark after a few moments and those waiting to board gathered their luggage and belongings.
Jasmine got into the boarding line, nervously waiting her turn to make her way on and out of town. “Only a few more people and I’m home free,” she thought, the moment putting a big smile on her face. As Jasmine approached the door, just about to step on, her worst fear came true.
Only feet away stood one of her neighbors, a middle-aged chatterbox woman who routinely made everyone’s business the latest topic of her conversations — a true busybody if there ever was one. Although this neighbor wasn’t particularly close to either of her parents — much like just about everyone else around them — she’d undoubtedly go out of her way to mention that she had seen Jasmine going on a trip of some kind. Of course, this would be the opening, the lure to get Jasmine’s parents to share all the details.
Jasmine’s heart pounded. Sweat began to bead on her forehead and she could literally feel the makeup she so poorly put on start to run down her face. Any moment, she’d be recognized, unless she could somehow manage to board ahead of the person in front of her, an elderly woman who moved at a snail’s pace.
Jasmine turned her head away to avoid being seen. But realized that meant she no longer knew where her gossiping neighbor was. Stressed, she took off her backpack and wiped her face, but it was no use as her nervous perspiration continued. So she wiped her face again, accidentally bumping into the passenger boarding in front of her.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “I didn’t mean to…”
Before Jasmine could finish her apology, the elderly passenger stepped aside, kindly replying, “That’s okay, dear. Why don’t you go ahead and get on; the air conditioning will do you some good.”
Jasmine happily thanked the woman, climbing aboard as fast as she could manage without making a scene and taking a seat on the opposite side, toward the back so her busybody neighbor wouldn’t be able to see her from outside the bus. But others were occupying that particular area, forcing her to sit closer to the front, the open door just shy of being perpendicular to the street. Jasmine could clearly see her gossiping neighbor as the woman walked by, peering into the bus through the open door. Just as their eyes were about to meet, the last passenger boarded, blocking the door as it closed and the bus drove away.
Jasmine looked at her new phone, acquainting herself with the device in safety, now that she didn’t have to worry about one or both of her parents walking in and discovering it. The ride would last for a full day, 24 hours. So, she had ample time to get to know it. Or would she? It was at that very moment Jasmine realized she had forgotten something — something quite important — a portable charger. She anxiously checked the battery — less than 30% left. Ugh. How could she have been so stupid? She let out an audible sigh, shaking her head and putting her phone into her lap. There’s no way the battery would last through the entire trip and that meant a number of inconveniences.
“Wait a moment,” she thought to herself, “My laptop has a full charge, I’ll just siphon off a little juice from it!” She smiled at her own inventiveness, pulling out her laptop and then attempting to connect a cable between the two devices. But, it didn’t work. Another sigh and shrug of her shoulders followed, prompting a young, college-age girl to offer a port from her own portable charger, “I’m surprised I remembered it. Most of the time, I completely forget and leave it at home where it doesn’t do me any good. Be my guest!”
Jasmine politely accepted the small gesture of kindness, but felt a little guilty, “Thank you, but I don’t want to drain your charger,” she said.
“Well, I don’t think it’s such a big deal. I’m more than happy to help,” the considerate passenger replied. “Besides, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who forgets things. In fact, you can hold onto it until we get there — my phone is fully charged and that will last about a day and a half, maybe even two.”
The good-hearted stranger then excused herself, pulling a tablet out of her carry-on and putting on headphones. “Oh yeah, not to mention, I’ve got some binge-watching to catch up on, too.” With that, she curled up her knees and pulled her hoodie top down, immersing herself. Not too long thereafter, she drifted off to sleep.
The long ride gave Jasmine a chance to think without much distraction or worry. She passed the time reading about her destination and going over her future plans. After several hours, she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer and fell asleep. When she woke, it was to a totally different landscape. During the last leg of the trip, she worked on a project or two, nearly finishing before the bus pulled into the station.
“Thank you so much!” She said, handing the charger back to its owner. “I really do appreciate it!”
“No problem. Since we’re in the same small town, I’m sure we’ll bump into one another — probably a lot sooner than later,” her new acquaintance observed. “I’m Aaliyah, but everyone calls me ‘Allie.’ Well, at least my friends do.”
“Oh, I’m Jasmine…it’s just Jasmine…I don’t have a nickname. Hopefully, I’ll see you around so I can properly repay your kindness.”
“Well, if you’re ever in the diner on the corner, you’ll probably see me again — it’s where I’m working during college. Just a few more semesters until I transfer. I finish up my associates soon and then it’s off to Dallas.” Allie explained.
“What a coincidence, I plan on enrolling at the same community college soon!” Jasmine excitedly replied, only to be momentarily overcome by a foreboding feeling. Her parents would never allow such a thing. They’d forbid her attendance outright and without any sympathy for her wishes. Jasmine began to frown, her disposition changed immediately.
“Are you all right?” Allie asked, putting her hand on Jasmine’s shoulder. “Something wrong?”
Jasmine shook her head, becoming aware she was no longer under her parents’ control. She’d spent so many years under their thumbs such negative feelings became second nature. She’d have to get used to a new mindset. A new attitude toward everything in life. This put a smile on her face and she replied to Allie, “Yes, I guess the long trip is catching up with me. I’ll see you sometime soon. And, thanks again for the charge!”
After they waved a mutual goodbye, Jasmine checked into a cheap motel with a kitchenette she found on the laptop she had from her parents. It was the same device she used to earn freelancing and had to keep concealed because she was only allowed to use the desktop in her parents’ kitchen.
Jasmine thought for a moment about unpacking and putting her clothes in the dresser drawers, and situating her toiletries on the bathroom vanity, but ultimately decided against it. She preferred being able to get up and go at a moment’s notice. Having to pack everything up again might take too much time. Although, it did give her time to think about what she needed.
So, she headed out to town and bought some toiletries. Then, a few outfits of casual clothes, because she refused to dress any longer in her traditional native garb. She also purchased a little makeup, though she still didn’t have much experience applying it, given she could only wear it occasionally until now.
Back at the hotel, she finished up the freelance writing projects she started on the bus. Now, it was dinner time. But with no food in the room, she decided to treat herself. That meant getting ready, which also meant having to put on makeup. To do it right, Jasmine watched a few YouTube tutorials and practiced until she was satisfied with how it looked. “Not great, but not bad, either,” she said aloud, congratulating herself while checking out her face in the mirror. Her stomach grumbling, she headed back out, only to face a very uncommon dilemma — she had to decide what to eat — something she had never really experienced before.
For all these years, her parents decided for her, mostly her father — there were no alternatives. But now, she had the freedom to make up her own mind. After a bit of mulling, Jasmine chose a fast-food restaurant. It was the first time she’s been in one and the first time she’d been out in public on her own without her face covered. It felt good but strange. And the food was tasty, it was sinfully delightful. She ate every bit, even taking the opportunity to lick the tips of her fingers — a forbidden habit not allowed at home under any circumstances.
As she licked her fingertips, Jasmine noticed a handsome young man dressed in what she thought to be modern cowboy attire, staring in her direction. He looked like someone on the cover of Southern Living magazine — shirt neatly pressed, with a bolo tie, fancy boots, crisp new jeans, and a thick, gorgeous head of hair, holding a cowboy hat in his hand by his side.
Ashamed of her bad table manners, she quickly wiped her fingers and face with a napkin. He smiled at her while putting his hat on a rack by the door, his grin causing her to blush with embarrassment. She looked away, then down to avoid eye contact, only to be horrified by a drip running down her top. Jasmine hastily dipped the napkin into her water and quickly tried to wipe away the mess. But she could feel the young man’s stare across the room and reluctantly looked up. Their eyes met and she blushed again, feeling more embarrassed than before.
As she attempted to clean up the setting stain, her heart began to pound. Jasmine felt him approaching as she tidied up as best she could. The spill remained visible, so she draped her arm over it, concealing the mess from plain sight.
“I’m Dallas; haven’t seen you around before. So, I thought it only proper to meet your acquaintance!” He said, extending his hand to shake. “Ya see, I’m the mayor and I like to know every one of my constituents. That is if you’re not just passing by?”
Jasmine daintily shook his hand, immediately noticing the coarse skin on his palms. “Hello, I’m Jasmine,” she replied with a quirky smile, almost incredulous that this seemingly too young, cowboy-themed individual was actually the mayor. “I guess the outfit threw me off,” she explained, hoping her reaction wasn’t too awkward or worse yet, insulting.
“Oh, that’s all right. I suppose it takes getting used to when you’re new to the south!” He observed, leaving Jasmine puzzled.
“Why would you say that?” She asked, feeling self-conscious the clothes she was wearing weren’t really in style and had just bought in town only hours ago. Then, her self-consciousness turned into paranoia. “Did you see me come into town? Was somebody asking if I’m here?”
“No, no; nothing like that,” Dallas assured her. “When you grow up in such a small community, you instantly know when someone isn’t from the area. And I can tell you’re not from the south, especially not Texas. Maybe somewhere around the urban midwest, perhaps even a big city?”
“It’s that obvious, huh?” Jasmine inquired.
“Yep, you stick out like a sore thumb. But don’t worry, ‘cause it’s really nice having some fresh new blood in town! So, you visitin’ kin? Or just on your way down to somewheres else?”
“Kin?”
“Ya know, relatives?”
“No — don’t have any relatives here. I just want to go to a university in Dallas and hear good things about the community college here..figured it was a great opportunity to see a different part of the country. Besides, it gets way too cold where I’m from!” Jasmine explained, feeling totally at ease, but a bit perplexed.
This must be the southern hospitality she’d heard about. A total stranger approached her with no nefarious or ulterior motives. He talked more like a cowboy than a politician. In fact, he walked like a cowboy (at least, in the way she imagined). Still, he did have a charming swagger, yet completely uncharacteristic of the typical politician. Overall, Jasmine adored him but remained a bit aloof out of an abundance of caution.
“How y’all doin’ this afternoon?” A man asked as he walked into the diner. “You, Mister Mayor?” He continued, walking directly over, extending his hand. “I hope Dallas isn’t makin’ us regular folk look bad!” He joked, shaking Dallas’ hand and chuckling all the while.
“This is Billy Jack. Billy Jack, this is Jasmine? Is it?”
“Yes, Jasmine! How are you doing Billy Jack?” She asked, extending her hand. The two shook, Jasmine felt Billy Jack’s coarse skin, just like Dallas’ hands. “Let me guess, you’re the Deputy Mayor?” she joked.
“Matter of fact, yes I am, Ma’am. But, not for long, I’m thinkin’ about me runnin’ for Congress. Time to straighten this entire country out!”
Jasmine blushed yet again. How could she be so out of touch? “Pardon me, Deputy Mayor, I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I’m about as close to a camel’s dry hump as I am to bein’ any sort of politician, Ma’am. I was just funnin’ with ya! No, ole Dallas is the real deal. I’m just a poor cowboy,” Billy Jack said. “Say, I’ll leave ya’ll alone…just thought I’d say ‘Hi’!” Billy Jack then excused himself, took a seat at a booth, and ordered dinner.
“Don’t mind Billy Jack’s hijinks, he’s just pullin’ your leg!” Dallas said.
“I see that, Mister Mayor!”
“Oh, no need for the honorific. Just call me Dallas. Only kids call me Mayor.”
“Mayor McLean, Mayor McLean!?” A woman burst into the diner shouting. “Mayor McLean, Mayor McLean!?”
“Oh boy,” Dallas uttered quietly under his breath to Jasmine.
“Mayor McLean, Mayor McLean! I’ve got a real problem!” The exasperated woman pleaded. “I’ve got to talk to you right away! Those teenagers are parking in front of my place and takin’ up all the spaces! Not to mention, old man Murph keeps lettin’ his dog do its business there too!”
“Okay, okay. I’m off the clock now, but I’ll talk to you first thing in the mornin’, Margo.”
“First thing in the mornin’ you’ll be out rustlin’ horses or something. But, I’ll catch up with you tomorrow. This is serious business! You should take your part-time job as mayor as seriously!” Margo barked, then stormed out.
“Part-time, Mayor McLean?” Jasmine inquired, cracking a smile. “That’s why your hands are so rough. You are a cowboy! Wait! You’re a cowboy whose name is actually Dallas McLean? You’re named after two Texas cities?!”
“Yep, I was born with no silver spoon in my mouth. I work for a livin’. But, I really care about this town, our community. So, a couple-few years back, I ran for mayor. Turns out, people like a good ole country boy runnin’ the show! Even if it’s only part-time! And by the way, it’s three, not two…middle name’s Tyler.”
“Now, <em>you’re</em> pulling my leg! There’s no way your name is really Dallas Tyler McLean.”
“Hey, hey, I’m not pullin’ anyone’s leg!” Dallas quickly retorted, pulling his wallet out of his pocket, presenting his driver’s license. “There it is, little lady. Dallas. Tyler. McLean. I’m as Texas as anyone could get.”
Jasmine laughed. She and Dallas spoke for a bit longer before inviting her to the upcoming weekend community picnic. That night, she drifted off to sleep faster than she normally would. Perhaps it was all the excitement she had experienced over the past two days. The motel bed felt comfortable and unlike her home growing up, there wasn’t any outside noise. No. Sirens, no. Honking horns, no. boisterous individuals or groups.
Several hours after she fell asleep, there was a dull thud that seemed to come from the door. It frightened Jasmine enough to get her attention. Another dull thud followed — its loudness increased along with the frequency — someone was demanding entrance. Before she could get out of bed, the door was violently shoved open, a shadowy figure stood in the doorway. Jasmine squinted trying to get her eyes to adjust to the contrast between the lights from outside and the dark in her room. Then suddenly, she could clearly see a man standing between her and the door. Rubbing her eyes to gain focus, she realized it was her father — he had found her and there was nowhere to run.
Jasmine’s heart pounded and her hair stuck to her forehead with sweat. It was too short a taste of sweet freedom. And she was already back in her parents’ grip — there’s no way this was actually happening. Jasmine thought about grabbing her unpacked backpack and barreling her way out, shoving the intruder out of the way and fleeing out the door, down the street until she could find somewhere to hide temporarily.
But the harrowing silhouette that was her dominating father would not let her pass, no matter what. No, this couldn’t happen. Jasmine had come too far and risked too much to simply be thrown back into the same hopeless situation. She took a deep breath and threw the covers back, pivoting to the edge of the bed. As she tried to roll off the mattress and grab the backpack, she could feel hands grasping her pajama top, pulling her backward. She rolled over forcibly to break the firm grasp, nearly falling out of the bed and onto the floor.
Just then, light struck her closed eyelids and she sprang up, rubbing her eyes with the palms of her hands — it was the morning sun peeking through the drawn window treatments. Jasmine looked around, the door remained shut and locked just as she had left it — there was no one in the room.
Her unrealized fears assuaged, she calmed down, regained her composure, slowly relaxed, and fell back asleep. Surprisingly, the next morning, she felt recharged and energized, ready to embrace her new life. But, she couldn’t get lost in the excitement.
After an in-room, impromptu breakfast, courtesy of the snack machine around the corner, she visited the local community college, applying for a part-time library job. Jasmine planned to work on campus to supplement her freelance writing and take courses at the same time. With a little luck, she could finish her associate degree in under two years. Hopefully, that would be enough time to stock away a little bit of money, transfer to a university in Dallas, and reap the rewards of a market-applicable, four-year degree.
The day flew by and the next was hardly more than a blur. But Friday was different. It was not only her first on her own, without her parents dictating where and when she could go, it was also her first day in the community college library. Although that helped the morning hours pass, time still slowed to a crawl once she left the campus in the early afternoon. Jasmine still had the rest of the day and by the time she finished her freelance work, it wouldn’t be all that much later in the day.
Jasmine dutifully sent off the work once it was done to her client, then dressed to go out for dinner. On her way, she ran into Aaliyah. “Allie!” She yelled to get her bus ride acquaintance’s attention, waving her hand in the air enthusiastically.
“Jasmine! It’s good to see you! I’m on my way to work. Say, how would you like a nice, big breakfast? I get free meals at the diner, so it’s no problem at all.”
“I’d normally take you up on that offer but I just scarfed down some snacks and I’m pretty full. So, thank you, but I’m not all that hungry.”
“Then how about a cup of coffee, maybe a danish to go with it?” Aaliyah asked.
Jasmine smiled and accepted, accompanying her new friend to the diner. They enjoyed a cup of coffee and munched on a couple of muffins, talking about their plans for the future, and exchanging phone numbers, when the subject of the community picnic came up. Jasmine expressed her hesitation to attend, but Allie encouraged her to go.
“Are you sure? I mean, I’m new here and have only really met two people — you and Dallas.”
“You mean the Mayor? Dallas McLean? He’s the one who invited you?” Aaliyah inquired.
“Well, yes. Is there something wrong?”
“Not at all. Sounds just like Dallas. He’s a nice guy, don’t you think?”
“Certainly! I’ve never met someone so friendly — other than yourself, of course!” Jasmine exclaimed.
Allie politely thanked her new friend and again encouraged Jasmine to go to the community picnic. After a bit of back and forth, Jasmine agreed. She excused herself to get on with her day. Aaliyah invited her back for lunch or dinner, making it Jasmine’s choice. “Say, if you’d like a free lunch or dinner at no cost tonight, just come back by and I’ll take care of you.”
“Maybe for a quick bite late afternoon? I’ve got a lot to do today so I won’t have to work tomorrow,” Jasmine explained.
“I guess that’s a ‘yes’ on the picnic, then? Good for you! It’ll be fun! It is every year and this should be no exception!”
Jasmine returned later in the day, enjoyed a nice meal at the diner courtesy of Aaliyah, and then went back to her motel to finish up some freelance work. An uneventful night followed and she even slept in late the next day. When she awoke and began to get ready, she realized she didn’t know what to wear. Worse yet, she didn’t know if any of her clothes were appropriate. Jasmine phoned Aaliyah and asked her for advice. Uncomfortable with her limited wardrobe, Jasmine invited Aaliyah to the nearest shopping mall where they met just over an hour later.
“Now, this is a cute outfit and it goes so well with your hair and eyes,” Aaliyah said, holding it up.
“You think so? I like it! But, what about the other one I just tried on? Which one’s the best?”
“Get both of them and mix and match!”
“Are you sure?”
“Sure, I’m sure. In fact, I’m taking the first one you tried on and we’ll go together! How’s that sound?”
“Fantastic!” Jasmine shouted out joyously. “That way, if we meet anyone weird, we have one another as an escape, right?”
“Indeed,” Allie agreed. “Plus, it will give us the opportunity to double up on the pecan pie!”
“Pecan pie?” Jasmine asked with a perplexed look on her face.
“Oh, come on, you’ve never had pecan pie before?”
“I’ve never heard of pecan pie…you mean the nut? That’s made into a pie?”
“Girl, you’ve been missin’ out. It’s perfect after some southern barbecue!”
“Now you’re going to think I’m really weird — I’ve also never had southern barbecue, either.”
Aaliyah couldn’t believe what she heard. But, having a somewhat similar background, she knew it was entirely possible. Although her folks were immigrants from the same country as her new friend, Allie’s parents both came over very young and were raised in mixed households, with mostly American values and lifestyles, and only marginal native cultures were observed.
Still, it was enough to carry some of those traditional practices but not enough to be considered a real part of the community. Aaliyah understood just how strict some families could be, though she did experience it to nearly the same degree. It was at this moment that Allie truly realized Jasmine didn’t just happen to pick this small Texas town. There were bigger reasons behind her presence and they scared Aaliyah.
“Okay, let’s get you cultured southern style!” Allie proclaimed, preferring to think about the good times ahead. “Let’s meet outside the park right after noontime so we can make a fashionably late entrance together!”
A few minutes after noon struck, the two met up and walked into the event, side by side. They browsed about the various tables and booths set up by different vendors, offering everything from honey to crafts to jewelry and more. Country music filled the air but the style took Jasmine by surprise. Some of it sounded a lot more like top-ten pop, while other songs had a rock tinge — bluegrass also made appearances, but all of it kept the crowd lively. She even found herself tapping her foot and patting her hip now and again.
“It gets in your ear and sticks!” Aaliyah noted. Personally, I love just about any kind of live music. But there’s something about old-style country I like the most. It’s corny, I know, so don’t judge me too harshly.”
“I like the more upbeat stuff, like the song we heard when we first arrived,” Jasmine said.
“Funny, it’s one of my all-time favorites, too!” Dallas interrupted.
There he was. Dressed again like a modern-day cowboy, complete with a stylish hat and boots. “How ya’ ladies doin’ this fine afternoon? Have y’all had the chance to get some chow?”
“No, not yet,” Jasmine answered for both of them, staring at Dallas’ hat.
“Well then, no sense of goin’ hungry when there’s so much good grub ‘round. Let’s see what’s cookin’ over yonder, cause it sure smells good!”
The three walked past a few tables, browsing over the food before picking up a few baskets of barbeque samplers and a huge slice of pecan pie, enough to feed four — perhaps five — dessert. They picked out a table and sat down to eat, changing small talk while enjoying their meal. As they divvied up the ginormous pecan pie, Allie received a text.
“Oh boy, I’ve got to take my dessert to go. One of the other girls isn’t feeling well and I’ve been asked to finish her shift at the diner. At least I’ll pick up a couple of extra hours and a few tips.”
“I suppose that means it’s up to the two of us to tackle this tantalizing, tasty treat,” Dallas observed, motioning to Jasmine while waving goodbye to Allie.
Dallas dug right in, wasting no time eating his slice, only pausing to wipe his mouth and lick his fingertips occasionally. It was obvious he truly loved the dessert, consuming it so quickly it made Jasmine nearly gasp. She didn’t want to appear ill-mannered and only took a small bite of her slice. But even such a small taste unleashed its robust flavors — a mix of sweet, buttery crunch with a savory nutty aftertaste. She’d never had anything quite like it and that fact led her to enjoy every bite all the more — each one a savory treat. Dallas was right in his seemingly exaggerated description.
Jasmine made it a conscious point to pace herself, minding her table manners as best she could. Although, she did take the opportunity to scrape every bit of the crumbs and filling off the plate.
“I see you like it,” Dallas noted as she finished.
“Yes; it’s delicious! Good thing there’s none left or I’d eat the whole thing!”
Jasmine and Dallas chatted for a few moments and he invited her to be his guest at a fundraiser he’d be attending on Sunday night. Jasmine is hesitant, so she texted Allie to ask for her advice. Aaliyah was quick to respond with an enthusiastic “Tell him yes!” Jasmine did just that, agreeing to meet him at the event early in the evening, excusing herself thereafter as a couple approached Dallas, wanting to speak to him alone. She would have stayed a bit longer but politics bored her way too much and she’d rather pay Allie a quick visit.
“So how’d it go?” Aaliyah asked, inquiring about Jasmine’s time with Dallas.
Jasmine answered coyly, looking toward the floor as she replied, telling Allie he invited her to a fundraiser.
“Well, you’re sure making an impression on him. That’s great, he’s cute and you two should go out sometime on a real bonafide date. You know, let him take you to dinner and a movie. If that goes well, watch the sunset down by the lake — it’s very beautiful, not to mention, romantic.”
Jasmine could only blush and politely shake her head, dismissing the notion, “I don’t think so. He’s nice and all but it’s not like I’m going to be around here for the rest of my life. I’ll be transferring in less than two years, anyway.”
Allie smiled, challenging Jasmine’s outlook, “A lot can happen in ‘less than two years’ and ya’ never know when Cupid will strike!”
“Hey Allie,” a voice from the other side of the room called out, “How about a little attention for table eight? They’re getting restless!”
“Call me later,” Allie said to Jasmine, “I’ll help doll you up…make you irresistible, girl!”
That last comment got Jasmine thinking. She didn’t have the right outfit to wear — again. The second time she’d been without the appropriate attire and she lamented it probably wouldn’t be the last, either. The minute she got back to her motel, Jasmine looked up fundraisers, carefully examining the images. But these were mostly in upscale, metropolitan locations, and not in southern urban settings. She certainly didn’t want to overdress and draw unwanted attention.
Jasmine called Allie after her friend got off from work at the diner, “Would you mind going shopping with me again? I’ve got to get something to wear to the fundraiser.”
Aaliyah happily obliged and the two agreed to meet at the same mall, where they could sneak in a light lunch well before the fundraiser. After hitting a few stores, Allie found the right outfit for Jasmine. It was a bit dressy, but not too fancy. “I’ve seen folks before and after these shindigs and this is what they wear. It’s perfect for the occasion!”
Allie was right. The moment Jasmine walked through the door, she blended in nicely. Most of the girls wore similar outfits and she caught the eyes of more than one guy as she made her way into the venue. Clearly, Allie made the right call and it was already paying off. People mingled, making small talk with one another as Jasmine sized-up the situation. Oddly enough, she didn’t see the one person she was supposed to meet.Winding in and out of one room after another, Dallas remained conspicuously absent. She began to feel as though she’d been stood up and the emotion grew, along with an awkward uncomfortability he might not show. Gradually, as time went by, Jasmine’s incredulity transitioned into anger. She decided to wait for a little while longer, giving him the benefit of the doubt.
A few vexatious minutes later, her patience paid off, “Lookin’ for someone, little lady?” A friendly voice asked from behind.
She turned with glee to say hello and play off her unease, “Oh…I was just…just getting familiar with the place. I only arrived a couple of moments ago, myself.”
They chuckled together, each knowing the other wasn’t being entirely truthful. “Sorry about my tardiness but I almost ran over a puppy. Poor thing was out in the road.”
“Is it hurt?” Jasmine asked, concerned for its wellbeing.
“He’s fine. Got him in my truck right now, fixed up with food and water.”
She couldn’t believe what she heard and demanded he take her to see the puppy. Dallas readily agreed and Jasmine gasped when she saw a brown labrador laying on a blanket in the passenger’s seat, with two portable bowls filled with food and water. Dallas wasn’t joking or making an excuse.
“Can I hold him?”
“Sure thing! Have yourself a nice cuddle. But, I’m not responsible for any messes.”
Jasmine eagerly picked the petite canine up, “Well, you’ve been chewing on Mr. Dallas’ towel, I see!”
“Oh yeah,” Dallas agreed, “Makes you one mischievous rascal, now doesn’t it?”
“Say, that’s a perfect name, Rascal!”
“I wouldn’t go namin’ him yet — still got to take him to the vet’s office tomorrow — find out if he’s chipped and just got off someone’s property ‘round here.”
Jasmine reluctantly capitulated, putting the puppy back on the towel in the truck, with a sad sigh. “Yeah, maybe a family with a little boy or girl is missing him. If so, I’d like to help reunite them.”
“No problem there. Let’s give him a little time to relax and nap. We won’t be far and I can’t keep avoiding those good folks in there. Tell you what, you keep me out of trouble tonight, and tomorrow I’ll pick you up and we’ll take the furry little fellow over to the vet’s office together.”
They went back inside and had a great time. Jasmine met many of the locals and even enjoyed a couple of pecan pie bites. “These are adorable and I love the cute doilies,” she said, seeing them so well presented on a buffet table, but potentially regretting indulging in one too many. Though, she loved each bite, savoring the treats.
True to his word, Dallas picked Jasmine up the next morning and drove straight to the veterinarian’s office. “We’d like to know if this critter is equipped with a chip,” Dallas told the vet tech at the front desk.
“Sure thing…let’s take him back into the room to the left and we’ll find out in a jiffy,” she responded.
“I really appreciate it!”
Jasmine held the puppy while the tech ran the scanner over its shoulders and near its rump, just to cover all possible bases. “Nope; he isn’t chipped. Would you like the Doctor to give him a quick look over?”
Dallas and Jasmine agreed and the vet examined the puppy, declaring he was in excellent health and ready to go to a good home. “I guess I’ve got some extra indoor space where I can set up a bed for the little guy.”
“Rascal,” Jasmine corrected.
“Pardon me, Ma’am…Rascal.”
They visited the pet store, picking up a fluffy, comfortable bed, some toys and treats, and a water and food dish set. Jasmine volunteered to walk him when she could. “I’ll be back this afternoon for a nice long stroll!”
The next couple of days were uneventful, though still exciting. During that brief time, she experienced a number of things she had not before — including taking care of a puppy. Among her favorites when she wasn’t freelancing or working in the community college library, was taking a stroll alone in the park without her father chaperoning, Rascal happily leading the way. Another was the freedom to stream edgy sitcoms and indulge in delivery pizza during the evening.
It was a typical end of the workweek. Jasmine had an early but short shift at the library. As she walked off the campus, she called Allie, inviting her to lunch. Aaliyah accepted and the two decided to meet in the park shortly thereafter.
Just before Jasmine entered the green space, she saw a man walking toward her who looked eerily familiar. At first, she couldn’t place him. But, as he grew closer and closer, he recognized him. It was Zayd — one of her father’s closest business partners. What was he doing here? If he recognizes Jasmine, he’d surely tell her father where she is.
Jasmine felt like running in the opposite direction but thought it would be too big a spectacle and that meant unnecessary risk. Better to nonchalantly walk past and hope Zayd wouldn’t recognize her. “He probably won’t know who I am. After all, he’s never seen me in makeup and dressed like this.”
Still, a feeling of dread welled up inside as he approached. Jasmine kept her head down, second-guessing her move, trying to stay calm. Only a few more steps and he’d pass right on by without recognizing her. As he strolled by, Jasmine couldn’t help but look back, just to see if he’d do the same. But he continued on his way, not turning his head once. She sighed in relief and walked briskly to meet with Aaliyah.
During lunch, Jasmine couldn’t help but replay the near-miss in her head over and over again. What if he did see her but just didn’t acknowledge it? What if he actually did recognize her and had already called her parents? They could be on a plane and in town in a matter of hours. A nonstop flight only takes two-and-a-half hours. She knew because that was part of her original plan — to go by plane or train — but neither were affordable. So, an excruciatingly long bus ride was the only pragmatic option.
She greatly treasured her newfound freedom and now, it could all go away in the blink of an eye. At any moment, her parents could show up and take it all away. She started to realize she seriously needed a backup plan. Although Jasmine planned out her escape thoroughly, she never really considered an alternative. And now, that oversight may very well cost her dearly.
“Hello! Hello! Are you listening?” Allie inquired, snapping her fingers and waving her hands in front of Jasmine’s face. “Okay, what’s wrong?”
“Sorry, I just got sidetracked in my mind. I didn’t mean to ignore you.” Jasmine apologized but definitely wasn’t comfortable sharing any sordid details about her not-too-distant past. She knew Allie would most likely understand but didn’t want to put any undue worry on her still new friend. “I’m not feeling all that well…better go lie down for a bit.”
“Okay, if you want to play it that way, I get it. But, when you’re ready to talk about what’s really going on, I’ll be here for you.”
That night was a mostly sleepless one. And the next day didn’t bring much solace when Jasmine found herself in the same precarious situation. There Zayd stood again, and this time, right in front of the entrance of the community college library where she was scheduled to work in mere minutes.
Jasmine couldn’t be late as any infraction may result in serious consequences, like losing her free education via working in the campus library. “Of all the places on earth, why here?” She quietly thought to herself. “What’s he doing here anyway?” Jasmine puzzled over his seemingly inexplicable presence then realized he used to work for a textbook publisher.
Now, he was some type of liaison and probably filling in for a subordinate or colleague. Her guess was confirmed when the head librarian and provost shook Zayd’s hand.
“What a coincidence!” The head librarian exclaimed, “I’d like you to meet Jasmine, one of our students and part-time librarian.”
Jasmine froze.
“Oh, don’t be shy my dear. This is Zayd, he’s a textbook publisher and here for a brief visit.”
“Nice to meet you, Jasmine,” Zayd greeted her, shaking her trembling, sweaty palm.
Jasmine could only mutter a meek “Hello, pleased to meet you,” now terrified he’d surely recognize her. “This is it. I’ll be back in hell in no time at all,” she worried to herself, feeling sick in the pit of her stomach.
“My, you’re a nervous one, aren’t you. Well, it’s not so scary, meeting new people.” Then, he turned to the provost and head librarian, “Now, let’s take a look at some of the revisions coming for next semester. Fortunately, there’s not much difference between the present edition, so it should be a smooth and easy transition for professors and students alike!”’
He hadn’t recognized her — even after being introduced face to face. She felt an enormous relief slowly calm her nerves and wash away her fear. Still, she wasn’t about to hang around and let him figure it out. So, she walked to the back of the library and began sorting returned books — a chore most of the employees dreaded and put off. That gave her a perfect excuse for not being at the checkout desk and kept her mostly out-of-sight.
The minute her shift ended, Jasmine went straight over to Dallas’ house to walk Rascal. The puppy exploded with delight when she walked through the door, enthusiastically wagging its tail with impatient anticipation of a lengthy stroll. After a lap around the park, Jasmine took Rascal to meet Allie. “He’s so adorable!” Aaliyah said, petting and hugging the puppy. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a family, even though you and Mr. Mayor haven’t had an official date yet!”
“Come on! It’s just a puppy!”
“I know, but this is precisely what young couples do before they get married — adopt a puppy and then have children! By my count, you two are already well on your way to the altar!”
“That’s ridiculous! Besides, it’s like you’ve already said, we haven’t even been on an ‘official’ date yet. Anyway, I’ve got to take him back, I’m a little behind with my freelance work and I don’t need any distractions.”
When Jasmine arrived back at Dallas’ place, she felt bad about leaving Rascal alone. “Maybe I’ll just take you with me and you can keep me company while I work. You’ll be a good boy, now won’t you?”
Jasmine got right to work, Rascal obediently laying on the floor at her side. Every now and again, she’d pause for a short break and take Rascal out. When she finished, she walked Rascal back to his new home, knowing Dallas would soon return after work. On her way back to the motel, she got an email notification with a spam-like urgent subject line, “Your help is needed immediately!”
After she got back to the motel and logged onto her laptop, Jasmine reluctantly opened the email, fully expecting a scam message. Instead, it instantaneously filled her with panic — it was from her father — her mother was hospitalized in poor condition. Her father pleaded for her to return immediately to see her mother one last time. Jasmine gasped in guilt. True, she couldn’t stand the way her mother treated her but still loved her the same.
Jasmine picked up her phone, noticing her hands shaking uncontrollably. She called Allie and told her about the email, giving her friend all the details. The particulars set off Aaliyah’s intuition, she felt something wasn’t right and told Jasmine to stay put and not do anything until they could talk in person.
“Okay, so tell me again, what’s going on?” Aaliyah said, rubbing Jasmine’s shoulder, handing her a cold bottle of water.
Jasmine took a deep breath, took a small sip, and told Allie the whole story. She cried, recounting some of the most egregious instances, explaining she couldn’t stay with her parents any longer once they announced her impending arranged marriage.
Allie hugged her, reassuring Jasmine. Then asked to see the email. Looking it over, Aaliyah grew incredulous, scowling after reading it a second time, “I think this is straight up BS! There’s no way this is real, girl!”
“What do you mean? It’s got my father written all over it! It’s got to be from him — this isn’t just some kind of 419 scheme. I’m telling you, it’s legit.”
“No, no, that’s not what I mean. I don’t doubt it’s from your father, but I think it’s a ploy to get you to go back home. Don’t you see? There’s no details here…not a word about what she’s in the hospital for. Not to mention, no hospital name or when she might get out. Tell you what, let’s call a couple of hospitals near your parents house and we’ll see if your mother is actually there or not.”
“Fantastic idea! I wouldn’t put it past my father to try to trick me into going home.”
Jasmine phoned two hospitals closest to her parents’ place without luck. But, the third confirmed Allie’s suspicion. An attending nurse told Jasmine her mother was in the hospital recently, but it wasn’t serious, just a small cut that didn’t even require stitches, “She was only here for a couple of hours at the most…nothing to worry about, my dear.”
Over the next few weeks, Jasmine settled back into a routine again, able to relax and enjoy her independence. Jasmine and Dallas casually enjoyed each other’s company more often, taking turns training Rascal. All the while, her and Aalyiah grew closer, sharing their experiences openly.
During the same time, Jasmine became more attracted to Dallas, with the romantic feelings reciprocated. However, her personal life and her professional life didn’t enjoy the same fulfillment. Her freelance income became more inconsistent and unreliable, forcing her to work longer hours at the library, which didn’t pay nearly as well.
Fortunately, those circumstances seemed to come to an end (at least for a little while) when she received an alert to bid on a big freelance project. After a little negotiation and offering a discount, she is awarded the project. The client and her communicate via email to go over some of the details. But he wants to meet in person, which makes her feel a little apprehensive. Finally, she agreed to meet him in person at a coffee shop in order to discuss the work and collect half her fee.
The meeting started awkward but transitioned into a positive experience. Jasmine managed to land the big gig. She collected half the money, with the rest due upon completion. “So, if you give me a check now for fifty percent, I’ll start on your project immediately and give it priority.”
“That works for me; thank you for taking time out of your day to meet in person. I look forward to working with you in the future, as well.”
Jasmine thanked the man, excused herself, and happily left the coffee shop. The moment she walked out of the place he made a call, “Yeah, it’s Frank…your daughter is here…just like I told you. So, have the rest of the money ready, I’ll pick it up this afternoon and give you all the details. You’ll see it definitely wasn’t a wasted trip for you to come all the way down here.”
Meanwhile, Jasmine couldn’t keep the good news to herself. She phoned Aaliyah on her way to the bank. She deposited the check while chit-chatting, taking Allie’s advice to wait until the check clears before starting on the project, “Just put it in your account and wait a day or two before you put any time and effort into this gig. That way, you’ll know if he’s legit and if it’s bogus you won’t regret it.”
Late that afternoon, Dallas picked her up and took her on a date. They enjoyed an early dinner, with a delicious slice of pecan pie for dessert, and then went to a movie. Their evening ended with a kiss and googly eyed “good night” when he dropped her off at the motel. She waved goodbye as he pulled away, shutting the door behind her.
Moments later, a knock on the door. Jasmine enthusiastically rushed to open it, thinking it’s Dallas. But to her surprise, her father stood right in front of her, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to take you back home, where you belong. Your mother has been worried sick and now, we can reunite our family. Please, pack your things and we’ll fly home.”
Jasmine was in such shock, she submissively began to comply, when Dallas unexpectedly returned, “Just wanted to say goodbye again — but not for good. You know, if you’re happy here in our little town, you’re an adult — you don’t have to leave, if you don’t want to.”
“Don’t listen to this nonsense. I’m your father and your mother and I love you dearly. You should be home with us. Now, go ahead and get your things together…you have a life waiting for you.”
“I’m not sure where you’re from, mister, but I can tell ya, that’s mighty rude down in these parts. The way I see it — being the mayor and all — this young woman is an independent one. I suggest you leave her be or I’ll have to roust the sheriff and he’s a dude you definitely don’t want to tangle with,” Dallas threatened sternly.
“Fine. But I am still her father and I know what’s best for her! I’m not going to let some idiot redneck tell me how to run my family! Jasmine, you think it over and <em>when</em> you change your mind tomorrow, give me a call,” her father defiantly, before walking away in a huff.
“Well now, that’s one angry individual. Too bad he’s got such control issues, cause that just won’t go around here.”
“How did you…why did you come back?”
“Oh, I don’t want to name names but, someone you’re close to here filled me in. No gritty details mind you — just the big picture stuff. So, I figured this moment would come sooner or later. Hope you don’t mind me wathcin’ out for you!?”
“Thank you! Thank you sooo much!”
“Well, don’t go thankin’ me too much. I think your father is right. At least on one count. You need to pack your things.”
Jasmine couldn’t believe what she just heard. Why would Dallas say such a thing? Especially given the scary circumstances. “What? You’re not serious — are you?”
“Sure I am. Why don’t you gather up your stuff and I’ll take you somewhere safe. Somewhere your sourpuss pops won’t find ya!”
“You mean like a safehouse?”
“Actually, I was thinkin’ about my house. Rascal would love to have you stay for a spell. Maybe a bit longer, perhaps?”
The next morning, Jasmine awakened to the aroma of a freshly cooked breakfast Dallas had prepared for them to share. Dallas attempted to get her to open up about the situation of the night before, but she refused. Not wanting to push her, he excused himself, “Okay, I’ll let you pick your own time. I’ve some mayoral matters to attend to. Meet me for lunch later?”
“Sure, I’ve got a few errands to run and some freelance work to do. I’ll see you in a bit at the cafe.”
As she finished running her errands, Jasmine got the eerie suspicion that someone was following her. Without warning, Jasmine’s father aggressively approached her from seemingly out of nowhere, angrily grabbing her by the arm and forcibly pushed her through an open door and into an idling car. He hurriedly got into the driver’s seat and started to speed away.
At that very moment, the local sheriff cut him off with his patrol car, bumper to bumper, lights flashing, sirens wailing.
The sheriff rapidly exited his cruiser, his right hand on his firearm and his left fully extended in the stop position.
Jasmine’s father reluctantly complied with the verbal halt order and put the car in park, slowly getting out of the vehicle with his hands up as ordered.
Jasmine remained in the car, frightened, shaking from the ordeal, trying to get a grip on what’s going on, puzzled by a mysterious figure who sat motionless, concealed by the glare of the sun.
As the sheriff took her father into custody, arresting him for attempted abduction, Dallas emerged from the patrol car’s passenger seat.
He walked over and opened the car door, signaling it’s safe for her to step out. “One of the perks of being the mayor is approving the sheriff’s annual budget and I just happened to mention last night I was quite concerned for your safety and he might want to keep a close eye on your father.”
Jasmine felt an immense sense of relief. She hugged Dallas tightly as she could, kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you! Thank you for all of this! I just don’t know how I can ever repay you!”
“Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. What’d say, we have a little lunch and a big, sweet slice of pecan pie!?”
