"What happened to your face?"
Jesselynn was snapped out of her studying trance when she heard her friend's voice cut through the silence and forced her attention from the thick book she had previously been reading.
Roxanne's had currently been practicing her stitching on an old doll that had been lying around the office when she noticed an old scar on Jesselynn's chin. It seemed somewhat deep, well had been. Maybe not dangerously deep, but had required stitching once in her lifetime.
Jesselynn placed two fingers against her jawline, for she knew what she was questioning about. She knew exactly what had happened, but wasn't sure if she was ready to go into full detail regarding the background of the previous wound.
"Uh, I got in a car accident once, when I was a little kid. Some glass went flying and a shard got my jaw. It was a major wound, but it was deep enough for stitches. I remembered it being the worst thing when I was a kid. I forget about it sometimes, actually. It's been there for so long it's like I was born with it." Jesselynn explained tracing the faint scar with her fingertips, remembering the night when it happened. It still haunted her.
Roxanne grinned half-heartedly at her while she tugged against the thread gently, "How old were you? You talk like you're such the old woman." Roxanne joked, teasing smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she looked up at her from under her eyelashes.
Jesselynn just rolled her eyes and chuckled, "It's 'cause I am! Age? Oh, I think I was about ten, if I remember right. My parents and I were coming home from an event at my school. I can't even remember what it was now." Jesselynn continued, her smile and chuckle becoming more forced than actual humor.
"What happened to your parents? I bet they're proud of you right now! I mean, you're a surgeon and a surgeon for the military at that!" Roxanne complimented, smile stretching across her mouth as she glanced up at her friend.
Jesselynn was silent for a moment. She never really had to explain that her parents were dead to someone before, because they either knew already or didn't even care to ask about it.
"Remember that car accident I just mentioned? They died in it." She said simply, staring down at the words in her book, just finding something to occupy her hesitant eyes.
Roxanne was silent for a moment as she paused in her work to look up at her, feeling guilty for pushing the subject more than she should have. She watched as Jesselynn avoided her eye and shot her eyes back down at the doll underneath her skilled hands.
"Oh...I'm so sorry." She said quietly as she began to finish her work, finding it harder to be in the same room now. That and she knew it was getting late and should go to bed before it was too late.
As Roxanne gathered her things and scurried out the door, Jesselynn felt tears roll down her eyes as she relived that day suddenly. She remembered being so happy that she was with both of her parents at the same time. Just them together. After Justin was born, the three didn't have very many times alone together like before. Most of their time was devoted to Justin or work. Of course, Jesselynn was important to them and they'd feel completely and wholly terrible if they made her think otherwise, but with a small toddler around the house kept them on their toes. Especially a little boy during his "terrible twos" phase and his habit of throwing things. Who knew that day would have ended in such disaster.
February 10, 1944
Jefferson, Oregon
Jesselynn, Edward, and Alyssa Thorne
"Jesselynn Rose, if you don't get your little self out here, you're gonna get left behind!" Alyssa Thorne called out to her young daughter who was with a group of girls, conversing about the upcoming recital.
Jesselynn swung her head in the direction of her mother's voice and moaned loudly, "Momma, do we have to go now?" She whined, enjoying her time away from the house and the chaos her baby brother seemed to be ensuing.
Alyssa arched a brow and placed a hand on her hip, "No, we cannot. It's almost nine o'clock! It's about an hour past your bedtime," She said taking her daughter's hand when she finally trudged closer to her after waving farewell to her friends.
Jesselynn just sighed loudly, but decided not to argue with her any longer. She had made that mistake once. She definitely knew now to never argue or fight with her or any adult.
Her usually wavy brown hair was curled delicately and pulled back in one tight ponytail with two, curled strands on each temple. She wore her best dress, which was a short-sleeved white dress with a red belt and matching shoes that reached nearly her knees. She loved the dress dearly, ever since she first saw it at the store and practically begged her mother to buy it for her. She ended up getting it as a present for her early birthday, which had been days before.
She looked up from the ground to see her father waiting for them in his old truck, making Jesselynn smile a wide, joyous smile. Usually, just one of her parents would pick her up after practice, but tonight they were both there. It was her final rehearsal and she was so nervous about the upcoming recital, it calmed her nerves to see both her parents encouraging and supporting her.
She slipped from her mother's strong, tender grasp and ran to his side of the cab, throwing herself in his arms the second she wrenched the door back.
"Daddy! You actually came! I knew you would, you promised!" She said happily as he tried to pull her off of him and placing her in the seat beside him, still hugging her tightly by her small shoulders.
"Of course! What kind of Daddy would I be if I lied to my favorite little girl in the whole wide world!" He said with a laugh, squishing her small frame up against his side as his mother climbed into the seat with a smile slowly stretching across her mouth.
Jesselynn's brows creased in confusion, "But...I'm your only little girl, Daddy," She responded confused.
He said nothing but looked over at his wife who just rolled her green eyes and smiled. Jesselynn looked up at the two and grinned, thinking it strange that they always seemed to be talking, but never using words. Her Grandma said that some couples are just that way. They get so in love and they can just read each other's minds, really.
"Momma, Daddy, when do you guys think I'll be like you?" She questioned, interrupting their "conversation".
Her father said nothing and let his wife reply, "What do you mean, sweetie?"
Jesselynn let out a breath, preparing for a long speech, if necessary, "Well...Grandma told me once that sometimes, when two right people meet, they fall so in love that they can read each other's minds. I was wondering when I'll find my person and I can read their mind. When I do, I want us to be just like you two, so I was wondering when I will be." She explained, adding emotion with her hands and facial expressions.
Alyssa just laughed softly while her father, Edward, started the vehicle, "Well, if I have any say in this, it will be a very long time until you find this 'person'." He muttered, suddenly realizing his daughter's age, which was ten years, and how fast she seemed to be growing up. That or they need to watch their words more around the young, learning girl.
Alyssa continued to chuckle softly as she wrapped an arm around her daughter's shoulder and pulled her close to her side, "I don't want to hear anymore of this 'right person' business, but when you are older, you will definitely know when you meet him. There's a certain feeling you get that, some days, makes you want to hug 'em or just put 'em in a headlock." Her mother said with a grin, rubbing her shoulder as she tried to give some "motherly advice".
Jesselynn giggled as she looked up at her mother's face, which was now lighted dimly by the lights outside their vehicle, "And what was Daddy? Hug or headlock?" She asked curiously with a smile.
Alyssa smiled a wry smile and looked over at her husband who was concentrating on the road ahead of them and bent down to where her lips were equal with her ear.
"Definitely a headlock." She said quietly and gave her wink which made a chorus of giggles erupt from the girl's mouth.
It was silent amongst them for a while as Jesselynn continued to giggle, making her parents grin in return. It had been a long time since the three of them had really had time to just enjoy each other's presence in nearly two years. Ever since the news of Alyssa's pregnancy with Justin, things had been very different in the family of three's life.
"I'm glad Daddy and you picked me up this time. I love my bubba, but he can be annoying and very hoggy with you two!" She said crossing her arms against her chest while her mother just stroked her curly hair lovingly.
She just smiled, "That's just how it is with new babies, Jess. When you first came, your Daddy and I barely got to spend any real time either until you turned five and went to school. They take a lot of time and attention from everything and sometimes, even everyone. But, trust me, in a couple of years Justin will be able to go to school also and we'll all be able to spend time together," Alyssa explained, encouraging her daughter that the toddler days were soon over and paused, hesitant of what she should say next and if she should really say it, when she made up her mind, her voice was quiet, "all five of us."
That caught Edward's attention and his focus went from the road to his wife's face, "What the hell do you mean all five of us?" He questioned, brows furrowed in complete confusion and worry.
"Swear, Daddy." Jesselynn interrupted, tapping his elbow.
He ignored her and waited for his wife's response.
Alyssa sighed, wishing she hadn't said anything, at least for now, "While Jesse was at rehearsal, you were still working in the barn with your Dad, and your Mom had Justin, I went to the doctor's. I was worried about some things and I knew that I couldn't just hold it off any longer and well...Turns out there's going to be a third Thorne child in our little family." She explained in a soft voice, almost as if Jesselynn wasn't in the middle of their argument.
Jesselynn paid no attention to them because her focus was elsewhere on the road. Jesselynn could spot a tan animal far off down the road and wondered what it was. When she saw it approach the road, her eyes jumped from the animal, which she could now see was clearly a deer, to her father beside her, who was still focused on his wife beside her. He exchanged the occasional glance, but didn't really even try to focus on the road, which made Jesselynn's heart begin to race.
"Daddy?" She questioned quietly, interrupting her parents conversation as she tugged on his sleeve again, trying to gain his attention.
"Not now, Jess. Your mother and I are trying to figure things out." He said never moving an eye from Alyssa in front of him.
Jesselynn sit back in the seat, knowing her father must have been angered now by the harsh tone in his voice. Maybe, he'd catch the deer or the little animal would just be smart for once and stay in the ditch where Jesselynn knew they'd all be safe, but her beating heart only encouraged her fear even more as they were approached the turn where the deer roamed around the edge of the grass, now hearing the old truck and seeing it's headlights.
Jesselynn bit her lip as she watched her father turn his head and then he spotted the deer, but it was almost too late. Alyssa sucked in a deep gasp while Edward panicked and meant to hit the brakes, but only missing and tapping the gas.
That's where Jesselynn figured it was her turn to try something new, in hopes of saving her parents, herself, and the innocent deer caught in the middle of Edward's ignorant, unsafe driving.
"Daddy! Don't hit the deer!" She screeched as she crawled across his lap slightly, gripping onto the wide wheel with fear in her voice.
"Jesselynn, no!" Alyssa screamed as she tried to yank the small girl from the steering wheel, already knowing it was too late for anyone to do something.
All Jesselynn could remember about the rest was seeing her father's face as he turned to her, capturing the terror on her face for the very last time. He glanced up at Alyssa as she clutched onto their daughter tightly, he went to reach out for them, but was immediately stopped when he felt their tires give out and just let the rest of the vehicle do whatever the road intended. This meant that they had flipped at least once, smashing into a nearby tree that threw all three of them; smashing Alyssa's head against the glass and Edward feeling something punching into the skin of his neck, falling fast asleep forever in seconds.
When Jesselynn finally woke up hours later, she could hear the sound of frantic voices trying to communicate with her or whoever they hoped and prayed were still alive in the shattered remains of her father's old, treasured truck. She could still feel her mother's arms around her waist, but they were limp and lifeless as she stared down at them.
Her head pounded and she couldn't feel her left leg from the knee down. She looked down with blurry, smeared vision to discover that the truck door was bent and shoved her leg against it. Her heart began to race again, remembering everything that had happened and feeling the terror and panic well up inside of her once again.
She looked up to her mother to see her green eyes frozen in terror, but what horrified her and made sob-filled gasps appear was the sight of a large shard of glass sticking out from her right temple, streams of now dried blood all over her arm, clothes, almost all of Jesselynn's body, and some of the nearby window pieces and car door.
Jesselynn's small form began to shake as she tried to crawl away from the horror, but cried out when the door tapped her left and glass shifted and poked all around her. The frantic voices got louder and she could hear someone trying to find the owner of the small, terrified voice.
At that same time, Jesselynn spotted her father's figure and tears filled her eyes as still-present sobs shook her body along with the fear. From his neck down, his cold blood stained everything around him. His fingers and hands from where he must have tried to pry the dismembered tree branch from his neck was covered in blood and his left hand remained at his collarbone, eyes closed as whatever was left of his body was slumped over, as much as he could around the branch that came from his window.
The one who saved her had to maneuver her small, fragile frame from the smashed car door and the tree branch that killed her father as she was finally lifted from the shattered windshield, that had been blocked by fallen tree branches and other things that the truck had tossed up on their way down the hill.
The last thing Jesselynn remembered was the terrifying realization that her parents were dead and she was alone before she let out one final cry of sheer, utter pain before going unconscious.
As the elderly Jesselynn sat on the edge of her soft bed, she couldn't help but let a single tear slip from her tired eyelids. The memory of that night was just as strong as it was the night it happened. Her young mind hadn't been able to grasp the fact that she would no longer live a happy life with her parents, brother, and grandparents. Her grandmother had passed away some months after the accident from a sudden heart attack and her grandfather could barely take care of himself let alone a toddler and a small girl.
Jesselynn had been alone since such a young age. It still broke her heart now to think of her mother's last words, the discovery of her pregnancy.
Even now in her old age, Jesselynn couldn't help but wonder how things would have been if she had never had touched that steering wheel. Maybe they would have just had bad damage to the car. Maybe in about nine months time she and Justin would have been welcoming a little brother or sister into this world... Maybe she wouldn't feel this life-long guilt that completely ate her soul and heart each and every second of the day.
She sighed and grabbed the photo album by her bed, hoping to drown out those terrible memories with something different and hopefully happy.
The first thing she realized was it was a baby album. It was for her youngest boy, Frank Jr. who soon gained the nickname Frankie J. There was a picture of him lying on a small hospital crib and underneath was the words, "Baby's First Six Years".
She flipped the pages with a smile and saw her newborn boy in her husband's arms, surrounded by their little "army" of children who had crawled around to see the new addition to their large family. Jesselynn still remarked at the remarkable appearance of the two. Jesselynn really didn't know what Frank looked like at the same age as Frankie, but she knew as he grew, he was almost an exact replica of his father. Yes, like almost all of her children, he had her light green eyes, but everything else originated from Frank. His looks, facial expression, mannerisms, style of speech, even the posture sometimes were exactly alike.
It also hurt to see the photo album before her, for she knew her small children still hadn't been able to visit her. She missed them all so much, but she wondered if they even wanted to see her anymore. She knew she was sick, but why wouldn't they come and give her support? Where was her beloved Frank, Melanie, Michael, Jessica, Frankie, Samantha, and Sammy when she needed and desired them most?
Her heart ached and she closed to album, deciding to try another nap as she slowly laid back against the mattress, letting out a deep breath as she stared at the wall in front of her.
She knew it was still early, but she was so ready to call this day a night and wrap it up. As she closed her eyes, she hoped and prayed -like she did every night- that tomorrow was the day her family was going to come and take her home and far away from this stupid facility.
Yeah, sorry this took completely forever to finally make! I got really busy this weekend and I was going to update yesterday, but I went to the doctor's yesterday and learned that I'll most likely have to start taking blood pressure pills soon so I was freaking out about that (not the best way to handle that situation, might I add)
Okay, let's see if I can give you a creative question, hmmm...
Creative Question: Why do you guys think Jesselynn seems to be so fond of Roxanne? Yes, they are close friends now, but Jesselynn is slowly realizing that she thinks of her like a sister? Could this be some kind of guilt-war she's having? Like, seeing Roxanne as the younger unborn/deceased sibling from the memory? Let me know what you guys think of, please!
Okay, I guess I really don't have much to say besides, thank you so much for reading and sticking with me! It means so much to me, you have no idea!
Oh, also, soon, I shall be getting to the chapters relating to Call of Duty: Black Ops. So, yes, this story will play through that storyline, but you will read it through Jesselynn's eyes. So, basically, I'm going to try my best to not rush into the missions and roam around the "behind the scenes" (if you will) and try my complete hardest to not turn Jesselynn into a Mary-Sue!
Which, by the way, if you guys have any kind of hints or tips or advice of whatever! Please, let me know in either a review or message or something. I would be so happy to hear from you guys and it would definitely be very, very, VERY appreciated!
Once again, thank you millions for sticking with me and sorry if the story is seeming slow!