Color Me Blind (A Divine Love Story Book 1) (4 page)

Lisa was okay with Vanessa taking shots at her, but not at Blake.  She put her finger in Vanessa’s face, “Now you wait just a minute.” 

Shawn interrupted them both, “Actually Jasmine seemed to be the brains behind the operation and Blake was the muscle.  She had him doing all the heavy lifting.” 

Justin couldn’t help it, he had to laugh.  He could just see the two of them trying to get away all because their friendship was in jeopardy.  Vanessa looked at him like she wanted to slap him too but she wasn’t crazy.  Lisa laughed because while they were ready to rip each other to shreds their nine year olds were plotting a getaway. 

Shawn joined in and Vanessa snapped, “I’m going upstairs to put a stop to this mess.” 

She stomped off upstairs and Justin said to Lisa, “Why don’t you have a seat and let’s just see if we can get to the bottom of this.” 

Vanessa came running down the stairs, “Their gone!  They aren’t anywhere upstairs!” 

Lisa and Justin got to their feet. 

Before panic
could ensue Shawn spoke, “Calm down, I sent Michael and Kevin out there to head them off in their escape.” 

The front door opened with Michael dragging a red-faced Blake by the collar
with a pink suitcase in his hand.  Kevin was pulling an irate Jasmine by one arm. The other was dragging her book bag behind her.  They released them once they were inside and stood guarding the door.  Jasmine and Blake were petrified.  They knew they were definitely in deep trouble now.

Justi
n took control of the situation, “Okay, now let’s just all calm down.  Everybody take a seat.” 

Everyone obliged.
Blake sat with his mom in a brown leather chair while Jasmine sat between her parents on the matching love seat.  The three teenagers took a seat on the sofa that completed the set. 

Justin asked Jasmine, “Why did you guys run away?” 

Jasmine was in tears, “Because you guys won’t let us be friends.  It’s not our fault his daddy is mean.  It’s not fair daddy.” 

Lisa’s heart broke for her.  She held on to Blake tighter. 

Justin replied, “Well no, I guess it’s not your fault, but honey what Mr. Jessup did to you and Blake was very bad.  We are just concerned for your safety.” 

“But Mrs. Lisa was really nice.  S
he cried too and she said she wouldn’t let it happen no more.  And she had her gun. She’s not scared of Mr. Jessup.” 

Justin
realized what Lisa must have gone through in order to pull a gun on her own husband to protect her offspring.  He felt so bad for his baby girl.  He could literally choke the life out of Frank for putting his hands on his child, but he didn’t have a problem with her and Blake being friends. 

Vanessa spoke up, “Jasmine
, I’m sorry that you are going to lose your friend, but your safety is more important and we simply cannot allow you back over there.” 

Lisa
begged, “Vanessa, I know this is horrible and I would probably feel the same way if the tables were reversed, but isn’t there something we can do?  We can’t punish them on top of what they’ve already been through.”

Kevin inserted himself, “Yeah ma
that is kinda messed up.  I mean I don’t know all that happened but those two have been running around here terrorizing us since they were rug rats, but they’re good kids.  It wouldn’t be right to separate them. They don’t even play with anyone else.” 

Vanessa threw her hand
s up, “I appreciate everyone’s sentiment, but life is full of hard choices. They will just have to learn at a young age how to deal with them.” 

Blake turned into his mother’s bosom and
quietly began to cry. Jasmine was hysterical with her tears and buried her face in her father’s chest.  He comforted his daughter as best he could and then made an executive decision based on what the Holy Spirit was guiding him to do. 

“Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do.  Lisa, Blake will be welcome over here anytime he wants to play with Jasmine
, but for the time being she’s not allowed at your house.  I know a couple of the counselors in town.  I will give you some numbers so you can do what you need to do to get your husband some help.  At the earliest possible convenience I want to have a
talk
with Frank.” 

Vanessa attempted to protest
, but Justin cut her off.

“Vanessa
, the situation has been dealt with.  It’s time to accept that.” 

She bit back whatever it was she wanted to say.  Her husband was a quiet non-confrontational man
, but when he made a decision that was that.  He turned his attention back to Lisa. 

“You’re not going to be in this
alone.  We have been neighbors for a long time and we consider you a friend.  We will help in whatever way we can to get your family back in one piece.  Thank you for being honest with us about what happened and for doing what you had to do to protect our daughter.” 

The boys knew their father had said the final word on the matter
and there would be no more fireworks, so they got up to leave the room. 

Vanessa knew her husband and he would do everything he cou
ld to help that drunken bastard. There was no need for her to fight it.  She would never admit it, but deep down she was grateful that Blake and Jasmine would be able to still be friends.  She discerned Blake would always have Jasmine’s best interests at heart even though she didn’t want to believe it.  She knew all too well what it was to have your innocence snatched too soon and be thrown head first into reality. 

She stood up and reached for Jasmine’s hand, “Come on baby
. Let’s go clean your face.” 

Jasmine took her hand. 

“Come on Blake you too.” 

Vanessa
extended her other hand.  He looked to his mother to see if it was okay.  Lisa nodded. 

Vanessa said, “Lisa why don’t you go start breakfast for them
. I’m sure they haven’t eaten anything yet.  I can’t imagine they ate last night.” 

Lisa smiled.
Vanessa could be as mean as a snake or as sweet as a Georgia Peach.  She knew it was her way of apologizing because no one but Vanessa Monroe cooked in her kitchen.  Lisa’s way of accepting it was by going into the kitchen and throwing something together.

In the kitchen Lisa took out eggs, butter, bacon and pulled grits from the pantry.  Vanessa had the children sitting at the table and gave them paper towels to clean their faces.  She pulled Jasmine out of her seat and took her over to a corner in the kitchen to examine her
to see what all had to been done to her.  She wanted to curse when she saw the welts on her baby’s skin.  She went over to Blake and pulled up his shirt and saw his was ten times worse.  His were old and new.  When she realized why he had so many more she wanted to cry. 

She asked him, “Did you try and protect Jasmine?” 

He nodded.  She grabbed him and hugged him as tears ran down her face.  This little boy was just determined to work his way into her heart no matter how hard she tried to resist.

“
I’m sorry baby.  I’m sorry this happened to you.  Thank you for what you did for Jasmine.” 

She reached for Jasmine an
d held them both.  Her tear-filled eyes met Lisa’s and her heart ached for her.  She’d never been a fan of Frank’s, but she couldn’t deny that Lisa had always been a great friend and neighbor despite the difference in their skin tones.  Jasmine’s wounds would heal likely by the end of the day, but the scars that Lisa and Blake had may just take a lifetime to heal. 

She released the kids and asked them, “Are you guys okay?” 

They nodded. 

Jasmine asked, “Are we gonna get in trouble for trying to run away and for taking Shawn’s money?” 

Vanessa laughed, “Under the circumstances we will let that go, but if I ever catch either of you stealing anything again I will break every one of your fingers off.  Do you understand?” 

In unison they said, “Yes ma’am.” 

She continued, “If you ever want to talk about this don’t be afraid okay.  You can talk to me or Lisa or my husband okay.” 

They nodded. 

She asked, “Y’all hungry?” 

They both nodded vigorously. 

She smiled, “Okay I’ll go help Lisa with breakfast.”

∞∞∞

Three weeks later Justin parked his truck and walked into the obscure bar far off from the main road.  He had been helping Lisa look for Frank by using his contacts at the police station.  They found him but before he let Lisa know he wanted to have a private man-to-man conversation with Frank.  Justin didn’t like confrontation but when it came to his baby girl all of that went out the window. 

He opened the heavy wooden door.  H
is senses were assaulted with cigarette smoke and country music.  The first thing he noticed was he was the only dark spot in the bar.  He wasn’t concerned about it though.  He came there for one purpose and one purpose only. 

He looked around trying to spot Frank.  He saw couples dancing on the dusty make shift dance floor.  There were several patrons
at the bar tossing back shots.  He spotted Frank in the very back sitting at a table alone.

As
Justin approached Frank he ignored all the stares he received from the other patrons.  Frank’s head was down.  He was staring into his beer mug like it had the answers to life’s enigmas.

Justin casually pulled out a chair and took a seat.  Frank was so drunk it took him a second to realize someone had joined him.  Moments later he looked up.  They stared at each other not saying a word for a long while.

Justin finally spoke up, “You don’t look well Frank.  Your wife has been looking for you.”

“Mind your business Justin and get the hell out of here.  This isn’t exactly the kind of place you should be frequenting.”

“I don’t plan to stay long.”

Justin reached into his jacket and pulled out a revolver.  He sat it down on the table casually and looked Frank dead in the eyes.

Frank was visibly disturbed.  He wasn’t necessarily scared of the gun just shocked by such a bold statement from a man as peaceful as Justin.

Justin said, “If you ever touch my child again I will kill you.  Understood?”

Frank stared in disbelief for a few moments. 

“Listen Justin
I’m…”

“I don’t care.  There is no need for a discussion.  I just need to know that we understand each other.”

Frank sat back in his seat and took another sip of his beer. 

“We understand each other.”

Justin put his gun back in his jacket.  He walked out of the bar as quietly as he walked in.

Part Two:

Chapter 5: 
Temper, Temper

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and months turned into years.  Before they knew it Jasmine and Blake were in high school. 
They were 17 and in their junior year.  They managed to stay the best of friends through elementary and middle school even though Jasmine shed her tomboyish ways when she got to high school.  She was not into running around outside with Blake anymore, but she managed to still have a love for video games. 

She was no
w into make-up, skirts and high heels. Her new affection for all things feminine bonded her to Blake’s mother.  She had always admired Lisa’s beauty.  Jasmine thought her mom was beautiful, but she never celebrated it.  As a matter of fact she always downplayed it.  It seemed to Jasmine as if her mother went out of her way to be plain and not stand out.  She never understood why because she loved being a woman and she loved being beautiful.  So she went to Lisa to learn all the tricks of the trade. 

Lisa had been happy to help.
Her relationship with Frank was strained to say the least and she always wanted a daughter.  Jasmine so perfectly filled that void for her.  With Lisa’s help Jasmine had blossomed into a shapely exotic beauty standing five-feet-seven-inches.               

Her beautiful bushy head of curls had become
her trademark.  She became captain of the cheerleading squad her freshman year and had maintained her title through her junior year.  She was a straight-A student and was experiencing high school to the fullest. 

Blake had sprouted up to a
lean handsome six-foot-three carbon copy of his dad.  His rugged good looks were the only thing his dad ever gave him as far as he was concerned.  His popularity rivaled Jasmine’s as his talents led him to the football field.  He wasn’t so shabby in the classroom either.  He and Jasmine always competed in their academics, but he was currently beating her by half a point for the first time since they started high school. 

Even though Blake was good at football and it helped with the ladies
, he didn’t want to pursue it beyond high school.  He just had a lot of anger that he wasn’t in denial about because of his issues with his dad.  He figured hitting people legally would allow him to deal with that anger in a positive way.  He had his sights set on being a lawyer. 

After the incident when they were nine his father was absent from his life for two years while he got help for his drinking
.  His parents attended marriage counseling during their separation.  His mother refused to let his dad come back home until she was sure he was no longer a threat to Blake.  He had never laid a hand or a belt on him since that night. 

He knew his mother loved his dad with all her heart and he wished he could feel half of what she felt for him, but he didn’t.  He hated his dad and they pretty much just stayed out of each other’s way. 
             

It was the oddest thing to hate someone and still want them to accept you, to still want a relationship with them. 
When they did have to be around each other Blake was always respectful and tolerant.  It hurt him that his father never came to any of his games, but he tucked it away along with every other hurt of which his father was the root cause. 

When Jasmine finally started coming back to
his house they were in high school.  Frank treated her with less respect than he would a dead cockroach.  Out of all the goals Blake set for himself, at the top of his list was not to be anything like his father.

Jasmine’s father had stepped in to the fill the void Frank le
ft.  He taught Blake how to throw a curve ball, a spiral, how to fish and how to fix cars.  He was the father Blake wished he was born to.  He had a great appreciation for Justin Monroe and he would be forever grateful. 

Jasmine would tease him that he
r father spent more time with Blake than he did her.  After all his boys graduated and left for college Blake helped Justin fill the void of not having a son to teach things to.  Justin tried to teach Jasmine, but her philosophy was as long as Blake knew how to do it she didn’t need to know.  She considered Blake her other half. 

They both had their choice of the cream of the crop when it came to dating.  Jasmine was dating the captain of the basketball team, Robert.  Robert
was six-feet-three-inches and was the color of rich mocha.  His hair was always neat sporting deep waves and he kept his face clean shaven.  Blake was involved with the class president, Melissa, a perfectly proportioned blonde with dark gray eyes and smooth milky white skin. 

They double dated a
couple times, but neither of their significant others seemed to appreciate their intimate camaraderie.  This was the first time Blake and Jasmine had found blatant resistance to their friendship, other than Blake’s father.  It was something they weren’t prepared to handle because they didn’t know any other way to behave.

Blake was in the locker room after football practice.  He and
Damon were chatting about practice.  Other than Jasmine, Damon was Blake’s only other close friend.  Damon was an army brat that ended up at their high school sophomore year.  He and Blake hit it off the first time they hit the field together.  Damon was mixed and a stocky five-foot-eleven.  His green eyes, creamy brown skin and short curly black hair made him a chick magnet.  He embraced his mixed heritage with pride though his features were more prominent from his African-American parent than from his Caucasian one. 

Blake
said, “Man, you slammed into John like a freakin’ truck today.  What was up with that?” 

Damon
cut his eyes over to John and then back at Blake, “He was pushing up on one of my ladies today right in my face.” 

Blake laughed, “That’s cold dude.” 

Damon shrugged. 

Blake said, “You keep it up I’m going to be your only friend.” 

Damon grinned, “You, me and Jasmine.  I’m cool with that.” 

Blake shook his head. 

“Man, these cats are whack.  I ain’t trying to be down with any of them,” Damon confessed.

John walked up to
Damon and Blake.

“Hey
Damon.  Try that mess off the field without coach there to get in between us.” 

Damon
didn’t respond, just got in his face.  The noisy locker room went silent as everyone turned their attention to the altercation. 

Blake grabbed
Damon’s arm, “Yo, chill out fellas.” 

Damon
continued to stare John down for a few more seconds then backed up. 

Damon
said, “I already said what I had to say on the field.  You can respond anytime you feel like you’re up for it.” 

Blake knew this was about to be ugly. 

He stood between them before John could respond, “Come on Damon.  It’s time to bounce.” 

John’s friends pulled him back and told him to let it go. 

As Blake and Damon were getting ready to leave one of John’s lackey’s said, “Hey Blake since you’ll be busy babysitting Damon tonight I guess that makes Jasmine free for me to sample what you’re obviously tapping on the side.  I know she ain’t satisfied with you white boy!” 

The locker room erupted in laughter. 
Blake’s temper went from zero to 100 in a finger snap.  It was now Damon’s turn to stop Blake from plowing his fist into somebody.  He knew Blake was very protective of Jasmine.  When Damon reached to hold him back he was surprised by how strong Blake was.  He almost wasn’t able to keep him under control. 

Blake said, “If I ever catch you anywhere near Jasmine I will kill you.
” 

Blake’s face was so calm and so serious that
Damon thought he might actually mean it.  The heckler didn’t like that cold look in Blake’s haunting blue eyes, so he laughed it off. 

“Whatever man.”

When they were out of the locker room and heading to Blake’s truck Damon said, “Dude, you’re kinda scary.  What the hell was that?” 

Blake was still pissed. 

“Sorry man, he just pushed a button.  I don’t play like that about Jasmine.”

Since the opportunity presented itself and Damon had always been curious he asked, “And why is that?” 

Blake just stared at him for a moment then said, “
I don’t know why, but I’ve always known she was mine to protect.  I just can’t explain it.  I won’t let anything or anyone hurt her ever again.” 

To
Damon it sounded like Jasmine had been cosmically assigned to Blake.  If that were true so much about them made sense.  He wanted to ask about the “again” but decided to let it go.  They didn’t see Jasmine and one of her squad mates, Rachel, walking up to Blake’s truck. 

Jasmine
asked, “Did I hear my name?” 

Startled Blake turned to face her. 

“Hey Jaz.  Yeah you did, but it’s nothing to worry about.” 

She gave him the once over, “B, your
ears are red. Who pissed you off?”

Before he could respond John and his crew were headed out to their cars.  Instinctively
, Blake pulled Jasmine closer to him and watched them like a hawk silently driving his threat home.  Jasmine wanted to snatch away. She wasn’t a child, but the look on Blake’s face was a little intense so she let him do whatever he needed to do.  She knew he could be overprotective of her.

Rachel
asked, “What the heck happened in the locker room?”

Damon
didn’t believe in women getting caught in the crossfire of something that was between men. 

“Come on ladies, how bout we go grab something to eat.” 

He looked at Blake to make sure it was okay, Blake nodded.  They all piled into Blake’s black F150 quad-cab.  They agreed on pizza, so Blake headed to the local pizza joint.