My thoughts went back to the first time I saw her on the street. She was thin, frail, and covered in bruises, yet she held onto her baby, begging for help. Over the past few weeks, she had gained weight, and her color had returned to normal. She looked healthy once again.
Another thought came to me - Suzy with Dannie, playing and laughing. The happiness that radiated from Suzy's face when she found out she was pregnant again. "I really wish for a girl this time around!" she had exclaimed joyfully as she danced around the house.
Sadly, the baby was a girl, but they both died. Tears stung my eyes as I remembered seeing Suzy's mangled body.
Suddenly, Jasamina's feminine hands wrapped around me, pulling me out of my thoughts. I didn't even realize she had woken up. "Stop thinking about it... Whatever it is, it's hurting you so badly. Stop thinking about it, please," she whispered.
I wrapped my arms around her, inhaling her sweet scent. It was the first time in two years that someone had offered me comfort. Even the strongest of men need comfort every once in a while, and I wasn't even one, but I desperately needed the warmth she was offering.
"It's not easy. Trying to forget is not easy," I said, my voice coming out gruff as I held her.
She pulled away slightly to look into my eyes. "You mustn't forget, it would take a long time if you try to. You just have to learn to live with the pain. To look forward, instead of backwards," she paused, "Can't you tell me what it is? It might help... talking about it."
I hesitated. Would it really help? Nothing could lessen the pain and guilt I felt. The memories of that last day kept haunting me. "Did it help when you did?" I asked, feeling my resolve waver. I wanted to tell her everything.
She hesitated, then nodded. "It lessens the burden, talking about it, especially to a person that might understand." she whispered.
Her face was so close to me that I suddenly had the urge to kiss her again. An urge I've not have in two years, suddenly I'm having it twice in a day.
I was about to lower my head again when she gasped, her eyes widened as she stared behind me.
I followed her gaze to land on everything I bought from the mall. I smiled a bit. "I went shopping for little Jaimie."
JASAMINA
My eyes caught sight of the several wrapped items behind Tanner. My lips couldn't keep the gasp from escaping as I sat there, puzzled. What on earth could they be? My gaze shifted to the beautiful baby stroller, and confusion swept over me. Was Tanner shopping for a baby? I turned to face him, baffled.
"I went shopping for little Jaimie," he said, seeming uneasy. He scratched his head a bit, "I thought he needed a few things."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Tanner was shopping for Jaimie? I gingerly made my way towards the baby items and the beautiful stroller, overcome with emotion. Tears filled my eyes as I raised my trembling hands to caress the beautiful things before me.
Tanner walked over to stand beside me. "I noticed that he doesn't have one, and your arm hurts from carrying him all the time. So I-"
Before he could finish his sentence, I turned around and threw my arms around him, my whole body shaking. "Thank you...! Thank you....! Thank you so much....! God bless you for all this....! Thank you....!"
Tanner wrapped his arms around me, trying to tell me that it's okay and he's accepting my appreciation, but I couldn't stop thanking him. This man had no idea what he just did for me. Jaimie had limited things, and all those things were still bought by him. Seeing all these new things for my baby made me feel like I was floating on clouds.
He had to put in more effort to untangle himself from my fierce embrace, and he cupped my cheeks, forcing my eyes to meet his. "It's alright, Jasamina. You are welcome." He added a smile, "Now, stop making us uncomfortable and start sorting through the items."
I gave him a watery smile, and I couldn't help myself, I kissed him soundly on the lips. The act was impulsive and made my cheeks flush. Tanner seemed to understand that it was part of my excitement because he gave me an indulgent smile as I pulled back.
"You're right, you're right. I have to sort through them, park and arrange them." I couldn't keep the awe from my face as I walked back to the products.
I unwrapped the wrapped ones, smiling so hard as I saw the clothes, the toys, the everything. Jaimie can't pull my hair if he's holding his toys. I turned to thank Tanner again, but he had already left the room. I smiled in gratitude and went ahead to start unpacking.