His phone vibrated and it took him out of his fantasy. It was Jazmine texting him.
Jazmine: You're so close but so far away!
So corny, Huey rolled his eyes. But she had a point. Maybe they could sneak out but that was a bad idea. It would be too cold outside and they would catch their deaths.
Huey: It's just after midnight. Shouldn't you be in bed?
Jazmine: Can't sleep. Wbu?
He inwardly groaned at text lingo.
Huey: Me either. How did things go at your house?
Jazmine: It was good. Mom really missed me and wouldn't stop talking. Daddy asked a lot of questions about you though.
Huey: What questions?
Jazmine: He wanted to know what we did when you were with me, what we did today, and if we're going to be hanging out before your trial. Oh and if we had sex.
Huey: What did you tell him?
Jazmine: I said no. I can't tell him something like that. I can't even tell Mom because it's you and she has always been uncomfortable around you.
Huey: Are you rethinking this marriage thing?
Jazmine: Nope! Not even a little, Huey Freeman. You're in it for the long haul now, buddy!
Huey: Damn, now I'm rethinking this.
Of course he was only joking but luckily Jazmine knew him and his sense of humor.
Jazmine: You think you're so funny:/
Huey: Because you let me be funny.
Because she allowed him to put down his guard and relax around her.
Jazmine: Whatever, funny man. I'm going to bed now. See you later.
Huey: First thing tomorrow.
Even though it was Saturday, her parents still had work to do in their offices. They had to get paperwork ready for trials on Monday. After they left, Jazmine took a quick shower and threw on warmer clothes. She didn't want Huey scolding her again.
She walked outside to everything blanketed in a sparkling white. It hadn't even been a year but she almost forgot about how the snow looked and how it felt outside. It was cold but the sun was shining and the snow looked so majestic.
"Jazmine!" Huey called out across the street and she walked over to him. "Don't just stand outside like that." He opened the door for her and they walked in his house. It was warm and smelled clean.
"Hey cutie pie! I didn't get to say hi to you yesterday," Granddad walked over to her and grabbed her in a hug.
"Hey Mr. Freeman," she hugged him back, feeling sad that he moved slower than he used to. He still seemed healthy though which was a blessing. She was sure that he would stay young at heart.
She and Granddad talked almost nonstop which didn't seem to bother Huey as it usually did. He seemed relaxed for once which was a rare sight.
The next two weeks went by quickly. She called in to work for another week and spent the time with Huey and her family when they were home. It felt natural to be next to Huey and she was pretty sure that it was obvious they were together.
It was three days before the trial and everyone was packing to go to Arizona. Jazmine had already finished and was sitting on her bed, biting her fingernails. It was a nasty habit but she was so nervous about the trial. She wanted to ask Huey how he felt but she knew he would probably lie to her to protect her.
There was a knock on her door and Tom came in. "Hey, Daddy."
"Hi, Jazzy, I just wanted to talk to you about something."
She pulled her knees up to her chest and made room for him to sit down.
He looked uncomfortable and he finally blurted out a question that she knew was coming. "Are you and Huey an… item?"
Should she tell him the truth or keep lying to him and going behind his back? It wouldn't be kept a secret forever and if she lied to him now, it will hurt him more later on.
She took a deep breath and came clean. "Yes and no Daddy. We decided that we do like each other enough to try this relationship thing out but we wanted to wait until after the trial. In case something happens."
"How serious is it?"
She had to think how to word her answer. "I think it's pretty serious dad. I mean, this is probably a few years too late anyway."
"Yeah, I kinda had a feeling when you were kids. I just don't know about this,Jazmine."
"What do you mean?"
"Honey, I see the way you look at him and even the way he looks at you is different and it's pretty obvious. But I've seen how he treats you sometimes and your mom and I are left picking up the pieces. When you guys were younger it was a little cute even though you cried all the time because we thought it was just a young boy picking on a little girl like they always do. But when you got older, it was on more serious matters. When he left you behind two years ago, you were hurt. We heard you cry at night and we didn't know what to do except give you your space to work things out on yourself."
"But that was in the past, Daddy. Huey has changed and he wouldn't do any of that anymore."
"Huey wants to work in politics. What do you think is going to happen when you get older? He's going to be gone all the time. He'll be gone for months and come home and still work late nights. He won't be around all the time for you like he is now."
"Daddy, I will be prepared for it. Huey really is a great guy and what he wants to do is going to be for the best."
"Huey is a good guy. There's no doubt about that fact but I know you. You won't be happy when he begins to put work before you because that's what politicians do. You're going to be lonely again when that happens."
She couldn't say anything to that and listened as Tom kept talking.
"I do like Huey. I know that he's very blunt and honest and he has big dreams. Just think about this. Try to sort out love and… lust," his skin changed colors as he said that word in front of his only daughter. "And try to imagine your life in the future. Would you be happier with him in a relationship or as friends?"
He got up and started to walk to the door. "Daddy? What if I still chose to be with him in a relationship? Would you think any less of me even if you turned out right?"
"Of course not. You're about as smart as Huey and you know what you're doing. You'll make the right decisions when the time comes and you won't regret it. But remember that if it doesn't work out, you'll still have your mom and me and we won't judge you for anything."
"Thanks, Daddy. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Jazzy."