Love Through Pain Read online

  The female officer wiped her eyes.

  They asked Javier questions about when he got there and what he saw. He answered all their questions, never letting her go.

  The police officers described the process, signed the police report, and quietly left her room.

  Perched on the bed, he held her close; his shirt was wet with her tears and snot. He didn’t care.

  “Please take me to my hotel,” she murmured against his chest. “I want to go home.”

  ***

  They pulled up to the valet, and Javier opened his door and jumped out his truck. He rushed to the passenger side, opened Jazmine’s door, and gently helped her out.

  She had shades on and kept her face down as they entered the hotel.

  Their pace was slow as they walked to the elevator. “Which floor?” He pressed the small, north facing, lit triangle.

  “Ten,” she answered, as the elevator doors opened.

  They stepped in, and Javier pushed the button. After a few seconds, the elevator slid open on her floor, and they walked out. Their footsteps were muffled on the plush carpet as he followed her down the hall, until she stopped and swiped her card.

  Javier stopped in the doorway. “Jazmine, if you need anything.” He pulled out a piece of paper with his number on it and handed it to her. “Call me.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced at the paper and took it, and then crossed over the threshold

  “Have a safe flight home.” He gazed at her, backing away.

  “Wait…” Jazmine said above a whisper. “Please, don’t go…”

  He gazed at her. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes…”

  He walked in behind her and closed the door.

  “Have a seat.” Jazmine pointed at a chair in the waiting area.

  He sat and didn’t say a word. If she needed a bodyguard, then that’s what he’d be.

  She pulled off her sunglasses, walked to her suitcase, and pulled out some clothes. “I need to take a shower.” Jazmine rushed past him to the bathroom. He heard the snick as she engaged the lock.

  ***

  As soon as she closed the door, she broke down crying, sliding to the floor in tears. Why me?

  Jazmine grabbed the counter, pulled herself up, and stared at her reflection in the mirror, and then threw her shades in the sink. She glared at the bruises and cuts on her face. Jazmine touched the handprint around her neck, getting angry. “Get your fucking self together; those bastards won’t win.” She hurriedly stripped her clothes off. “I’m stronger than this.”

  She stepped into the stall, turning on the shower, and stood under the spray of water; she grabbed the washcloth and started scrubbing her body, trying to wash off all the memories of those monsters. She must’ve been in the shower for an hour—it felt like it—stepping out, she dried herself with a towel, and rapidly put her underwear, T-shirt, and jeans on.

  Javier looked up when she opened the door.

  “Do you feel better now?”

  “Yes, I almost scrubbed my skin off.” Her chuckle sounded like a dry rattle as she took a seat in the chair next to him.

  He stared at her with those amazing hazel, blue eyes. “You’ve hardly slept.”

  “Every time I close my eyes.” She balled her hands into fists. “I feel their hands on me.” Taking a deep breath she continued. “I can still smell their colognes.”

  He leaned toward her, grazing a finger under her eyes.

  Her eyes got wide, and she leaned away. Please not him too, she thought.

  “Not like that, I just wanted to wipe your tear away.” He pulled back and held his palms up.

  She smiled, wiping her cheeks with her T-shirt. “Javier, thank you.”

  “Call me Javy, and please stop thanking me. Any person with a heart would’ve helped you.”

  “So many people passed by, and no one offered to help me.” She took his hand. “You’ve been heaven sent. I didn’t know people like you and your mother still existed.”

  “She raised me right.” His smiled which brought out his dimples.

  “Maria is amazing, please tell her I said thank you for everything.”

  “I will.” She released his hand. “Why do you have to leave so soon? What if the cops need to ask you some more questions?” He was concerned.

  “I have to get back to work. I gave the cops all my information.”

  “What do you do?” She understood what he was doing. He was trying to get her mind off the mess her life had turned into.

  “I’m a Market Research Analyst.”

  “What’s that?” He shifted forward.

  “Well, I help companies understand what products and services customers want. I usually organize focus groups, sales data, and I’m the one to develop strategic plans,” she excitedly explained.

  “You like what you do?”

  “Yes, it keeps me busy, and I get to travel all the time,” she yawned.

  “Your body needs rest.”

  “Okay.” She got up and walked over to the bed. “But please, don’t leave.” Jazmine hesitated.

  “I swear Jazmine, I’ll be here as long as you need me.” He gazed at her with those sincere eyes.

  She slipped between the sheets, and within seconds she was asleep.

  Javier stayed up the entire night watching her. Every once in a while she would wake up, making sure he was still there. It’d been three nights since the rape, and for some reason, she slept better when he was around.

  She woke up early in the morning, and he was still in the same position, with his elbows on his knees, and his chin rested on his hands.

  “You didn’t sleep?” she asked, concerned.

  “I’ll be okay. Do you need a ride to the airport?”

  She slipped out of bed. “Yes.” She packed her suitcase, and grabbed a new outfit.

  That day was the last day she saw Javier Martinez, but he called her once in a while to check up on her—until she changed her number.

  Chapter Four

  Four months later

  “I’m coming,” Maria yelled, with her hand on the knob.

  She swung the door open, and there stood an African-American woman. She moved a strand of her black hair to the side and took off her sunglasses.

  “How may I help you?” Maria stared at the stranger.

  “Mrs. Martinez, you don’t remember me.” The lady smiled ruefully.

  Crossing her arms over her chest, Maria didn’t answer. She just looked blankly at the woman. Maria pressed her lips together. Her visitor seemed familiar, but she wondered from where.

  “You and your son saved me,” the woman spoke low.

  Maria’s hand covered her mouth. “Oh my God, Jazmine.”

  Jazmine’s lips curled up into a smile. “Yes.”

  Maria rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her, and hugged her tight. “I’ve often wondered how you were doing.”

  Jazmine tensed in anticipation of her embrace, and then moved back. “I can’t complain,” she declared, not being able to look her in the eyes.

  “Come in.” She ushered her in. “You can join me for lunch, and we can catch up.” She led her to the kitchen. “Sit.”

  Jazmine placed her purse on the counter and sat.

  “Jazmine, you’re beautiful.” Maria touched her cheek. “Last time I saw you, you were still swollen.”

  “Thank you.” She blushed a little.

  “Sweetie, thank you for the flowers and gift card, but you didn’t have to.”

  “That was a small thank you gift.”

  Maria picked up the house phone and dialed.

  “Javy,” she sang into the phone.

  “Yes.”

  “Jazmine is here,” she announced, looking over at the pretty young woman seated at her kitchen table.

  “Who?”

  “Jazmine.”

  “She’s there?” He sounded excited.

  “Yes.” Maria smiled. “She came to see me.”

  “M
a, tell her not to leave, please.”

  “But you’re two hours away.”

  “It’s Friday, I’m on my way. Ask her if she’ll wait for me?”

  She moved the phone from her ear and covered the mouthpiece. “Jazmine, Javier is about two hours away; he wants to know if you’ll wait for him?”

  Jazmine eyes twinkled as she smiled. “Yes, I can’t wait to see him.”

  “Did you hear her?”

  “Yes.” He hung up.

  She placed the phone back on its cradle. “He’s been worried about you. He said he hasn’t spoken to you in months?”

  Jazmine lowered her eyes. “I was ashamed.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Maria marched over and took her hands.

  Her eyes filled with tears. “I know that now.” She sniffed. “After the doctors ran the tests, and I filed the report. I needed to go home where no one knew what happened to me.” She swallowed. “I’m even seeing a therapist; everything was back to normal until—” Jazmine closed her eyes.

  “Until?” Maria implored.

  “Nothing,” Jazmine sighed. “I have my good days and bad days.” She pulled on her shirt.

  ***

  Javier was on his way home after work, when his mom called and told him Jazmine was in town. Four months had passed since he’d last seen her. He spoke to her a few times on the phone, and then all of a sudden, she wouldn’t answer his calls, and he wondered if she was okay. Javier could never shake her out of his mind.

  He didn’t mean to slam the door, but he was anxious to see her.

  When he entered the kitchen, they both stared at him.

  He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Jazmine; damn. The word flittered through his mind, and he was temporarily struck silent. She looked totally different than he’d thought she would. She sat on a stool with her legs crossed, in a black button down shirt, and khaki capris. She stared back at him with chocolate brown, almond shaped eyes and amazingly long lashes.

  She jumped off the stool and ran right into his arms. “Thank you.” She kissed his cheek with her bow shape lips and held him tightly.

  He didn’t really know what to say, but holding her in his arms felt right. “You’re welcome.” He hugged her back, feeling a bump on her stomach.

  She pulled away, gazing at him. “I didn’t know you were in the Navy.”

  “Yes, it’s been nine years.” He eyed her midsection.

  She observed the rank on his collar. “You made chief in such little time.” She pulled on her shirt, strolled back over to the stool, and sat.

  “Dedication, I guess.” He strolled over to his mom and kissed her cheek. “Bendición.”

  “Que Dios te bendiga.” His mother kissed and hugged him back.

  “Javier, isn’t she beautiful?” His mom rose from her seat and walked over to the stove. “She looks like a different person.”

  He didn’t answer. He couldn’t stop gawking at her; he hadn’t known she was that pretty. He even checked out her ass when she walked away. Jazmine was petite and curvy in all the right places. She still had that crazy hairstyle, shaved on one side, but longer on the other, but it fit her. He noticed the small scar on her left cheek from that night.

  “So, how have you been? I’ve tried calling you, but I guess you changed your number.” He placed his hands on the island, faced her, and leaned in.

  “I did. I just wanted to forget that night ever happened. I was back home where no one knew what I went through.” She couldn’t look him in the eye. “Talking to you would bring back those memories.”

  “I’m sorry, you should’ve told me. I would’ve stopped calling you.” He was disappointed; he thought he was lifting her spirit.

  “Don’t be,” she continued, pulling on her clothing. “I missed talking to you.” She finally looked at him with those alluring eyes. “I wanted to call you, but I erased your number.”

  “You’re here now.” He could feel his nose beginning to flare, remembering that night. “Did you come back because they caught those motherfuckers?”

  “No. They don’t have any leads on my attackers.”

  “What?” His hand balled up into a fist. “You mean to tell me no one saw anything,” he barked in a stern voice as he claimed a stool

  She shook her head.

  “Hijo.” His mom patted his shoulder. “She’s been going to counseling, and her life is falling back into place.” His mother served him a plate. “No lo menciones mas.”

  “Jazmine,” he said above a whisper. He waited for her to look at him.

  She glanced up, gazed into his eyes, and then looked away.

  He already knew the answer without asking her.

  “Ma, can you please excuse us for a second.” He watched Jazmine.

  “Why?” his mom asked.

  “Please.”

  “Okay.” She cleaned her hands on the kitchen towel. “I have to pick up Carlitos. I’ll be back. Jazmine, it was good to see you and know you’re okay.” She kissed her cheek and left the kitchen.

  Neither one of them said a word until they heard the front door open and close. He sat in front of her and cleared his throat. “Please don’t say that baby was conceived that night.”

  She finally met his gaze. “I can’t…”

  He didn’t know what to say. He slammed his fist on the counter.

  Startled, she jumped.

  His jaw tightened. “That’s why you should’ve gone to the hospital that night; they could’ve given you the morning after pill.”

  “It doesn’t matter now, does it? This baby is here, and I hate it.” She turned her head. “But I have to learn to live with it.”

  “If you hate that baby, why are you having it?”

  “Because it was too late when I found out I was pregnant.” A tear escaped her eye. “And even if I had found out earlier, I don’t think I could’ve had an abortion.”

  He arched his eyebrow. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m giving it up for adoption.” She grabbed the counter and stood. “I didn’t ask for this baby—they did this to me.” Jazmine started crying.

  He rose, walked over to her, and placed his arms around her. She clutched his biceps.

  “I have no one to talk to. My family and friends don’t even know I’m pregnant.” Her words were muffled as she spoke against his chest. “They think I’m on a long business trip.”

  He tightened his hold on her and rubbed her back. “I know you don’t really know me, but I’m here whenever you need to talk.”

  She calmed down, and he let her go.

  “Have you talked to an adoption agency?”

  “I have an appointment next week.”

  “I can go with you.” He handed her a couple of napkins.

  “You would really go with me?” She wiped her tears with the paper.

  “Yes, I will.”

  They heard the door open and close. “We’re home,” his mother yelled. “I’ll be upstairs.”

  Someone ran into the kitchen. “Tio!” Carlitos jumped into his arms.

  He picked him up and kissed him.

  “Bendición Tio.”

  “Que Dios te bendiga?” Javier placed him down.

  “Ben-di-ción?” Jazmine repeated, wanting to know what it meant.

  Javier’s smile was lopsided and sexy. “It’s a Puerto Rican tradition; it’s a way to show respect. It’s asking for blessing.” He sat in front of her. “And then you’ll say, may God bless you.”

  “Hi Jazmine.” Carlitos waved, looking at her.

  “How do you know Jazmine?” Javier inquired.

  She giggled. “We met before, but how did you recognize me?”

  “You’re crazy hair.” He giggled.

  “When?” Javier was curious.

  “I asked her what was she was doing in your room. And her face was ugly.”

  Javier arched his eyebrows. “Carlitos, show some respect.”

  “Javier, it’s okay. He’s just s
aying what he thinks.”

  “He knows better.” Javier gave him the look. “Go do your homework.”

  His nephew pouted and stomped out of the kitchen.

  “He was just being a kid.” She glared at him.

  He stood and walked into the living room. “He’s taught to respect women; if he doesn’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it.”

  She got off the stool and followed him. “But he was right. I must have looked like a monster to him. May I?” She pointed to the sofa.

  He gave her a look, arching his eyebrow.

  She sat and got comfortable.

  “I’ll be right back.” He strolled back into the kitchen to get his plate of food.

  Chapter Five

  Javier wandered back into the living room, with his plate. Jazmine had fallen asleep on the couch. With the pillow twisted against her neck, she looked uncomfortable.

  He placed the plate on the side table and strolled over to where she slouched on the cushions, bent down, and picked her up. Minute lines bracketed her mouth, and darker shadows framed her eyes. He wondered if she was having a hard time sleeping. She must have been really tired, because she didn’t move a muscle. Javier took the stairs carefully, one by one, to keep from waking her. He reached the top, opened his old room door, ambled over to the bed, and set her in the middle of the mattress.

  He pulled the sheets around her shoulders and tucked her in. He took a long time studying her, and a strange need to protect her flowed through him.

  He quietly left the room and crossed the hall to his mother’s room. Javier knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” his mom’s voice was muffled through the thin wood.

  He opened the door and walked over to her sitting area, where she was watching her novelas.

  She looked up at him. “Sit.” She patted the seat next to her. “Que paso?”

  He sat next to her and rested his head on the back of the chair, looking over at his mom. “She’s pregnant.”

  His mother picked up the TV remote control and turned off the television, giving him her full attention.