Every morning, Huey followed a familiar routine. He brewed a steaming cup of fresh coffee and enjoyed two hard-boiled eggs alongside avocado toast. To complete his morning ritual, he engaged in running and training.
However, on this particular morning, he found himself distributing missing dog flyers throughout the community and local departments. During this time, he also purchased a cane for Jazmine to ensure she could walk safely. Although he was uncertain about how she would react to it, he felt uneasy watching her limp on one foot.
He pondered whether she had eaten breakfast yet. He would have picked up something for her, but he was uncertain about her preferences or any potential allergies she might have. Although he had mentioned that he would visit later, an urge to see her again compelled him. Once more, he found himself standing at her doorstep, contemplating the effect this woman had on him.
As he reached out to press the doorbell, the door unexpectedly swung open.
"Can I help you?" a Caucasian woman inquired, standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her striking blue eyes as she crossed her arms.
For a brief moment, Huey questioned whether he had arrived at the correct residence; however, he quickly reassured himself that this was indeed the right house, having visited just the night before.
"As a matter of fact, I'm here to see Jazmine DuBois," he stated confidently. "Is she home?" He inquired, making an effort to avoid sounding impolite. The way she scrutinized him stirred a sense of discomfort within him. It reminded him of his initial experiences in Woodcrest, where the local white residents had regarded him with an unsettling intensity.
"And you are?" she inquired, tilting her head slightly and narrowing her eyes. As she awaited his reply, she tapped her foot with impatience.
"Huey Freeman," he replied.
"From where?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Across the street," he answered.
"Hmm," she mused, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "That's strange; I come here every week, and I don't recall anyone living across the street." Her tone conveyed a hint of attitude.
"I arrived here yesterday, at my grandfather's house. But that's really none of your concern," he replied, his tone revealing his irritation. He was clearly displeased with her probing questions.
"Absolutely it is my concern when it involves my daughter!" she retorted, her voice rising in intensity. The veins on her forehead became pronounced as she exhaled sharply in frustration.
Huey took a cautious step back. "Listen, ma'am, I'm not here to cause any trouble. I simply came to check on Jazmine and to bring her this," he said, presenting the cane he had brought for Jazmine. "I thought she might need it since Rocky is missing," he added for clarification.
"Have a good day," he said before turning away. The woman stood frozen, momentarily speechless.
Suddenly, Jazmine appeared on the doorstep her face tilted upwards, as if sensing the sound of Huey's footsteps.
"Huey... Is that you?" she asked, clasping her hands together.
Huey halted in his tracks and turned to see Jazmine's standing next to her mother. Her green, oversized sweater dress and pink leg warmers were a vibrant combination. Her hairstyle was different from the previous day; it was styled in an Afro, half pulled up into a high ponytail while the other half cascaded down past her shoulders. If only she could see herself, she would realize that she looked like a goddess.
Awestruck by her appearance, he cleared his throat before speaking.
"Yes, Jazmine," he replied as he walked closer to her. "It's me, Huey."
She beamed with a radiant smile. "You're here early! I thought you mentioned you'd be arriving this afternoon, but it's really no trouble at all. I'm really glad you came," she said, biting her lower lip in an effort to conceal her bubbling excitement.
"Good morning, Huey," she added cheerfully.
Huey couldn't help but notice the glossy pink sheen on her full lips—those alluring lips. It was as if she could read his thoughts, given the way her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth in response.
"Good morning," he said smoothly. "I was just checking to see if Rocky had returned," he lied. Although he hoped the dog would come back, the true reason for his early visit was that he genuinely wanted to see her.
"No, not yet," she replied sadly. "I left some food and water out for him," she added. A silence enveloped them before he continued.
"I finished the flyers, by the way," he mentioned. Jazmine's eyes widened in surprise. "I've already posted some around the area. I thought I'd save you the trouble." His sentence trailed off as she suddenly pounced on him, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"OhMyGodHueyThankYou SoMuchYourTheBest! " she said cheerfully.
"Uh, you're welcome," he replied, taken aback by her unexpected embrace. Jazmine quickly realized that she might have overstepped her boundaries. "I'm really sorry," she said, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "So... would you like to come inside?" she suggested, trying to redirect the conversation.
"Uhh..." He hesitated, glancing at the woman who had been observing their entire interaction with her arms crossed and a disapproving expression on her face.
"Jazmine, I don't think your mother would comfortable with that," he attempted to whisper, but Jazmine waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense, Huey," she declared, intentionally raising her voice so that her mother could hear. "I'm certain my mother would agree that any friend of mine is a friend of hers," she asserted, crossing her arms defiantly.
Her mother chuckled nervously as she approached Huey. "Hey, you're Huey, right?" she inquired. "I apologize; where are my manners?" she exclaimed, feigning surprise while placing a hand on her chest. "I'm Sarah Silverman, Jazmine's mom. It's a pleasure to meet you," she added, her smile appearing somewhat forced.
"Likewise," Huey replied as they exchanged a respectful handshake. Sarah clapped her hands together and said, "Enough chit-chat," while gesturing for Huey to come inside. As Sarah attempted to assist Jazmine with the entrance, Jazmine interjected firmly, "Mother, please, I can do it myself."
"Jazmine, you really shouldn't be on your feet," Sarah suggested gently.
"Mom," Jazmine said in a warning tone. "Please, I can do it on my own," she added sharply, her irritation evident in her voice.
"Alright, alright," Sarah replied calmly. Turning to Huey, she instructed, "Huey, make yourself at home. I'll finish preparing breakfast."
Huey observed as Jazmine made her way toward the sofa. Her gait had improved since last night, indicating that some of the swelling had subsided; however, he could still see that she was struggling a bit. Concerned, he rushed to her side and offered his assistance for the remainder of the journey.
Jazmine smiled warmly. "Thank you," she said kindly as they settled into their seats. He heard a scoffing sound from Sarah, who was shaking her head in disbelief while continuing to cook.
"Are you okay?" Jazmine asked, noticing his silence. "Yes, of course," he replied, clearing his throat.
"How's your ankle feeling?" he inquired with concern.
"I had trouble sleeping last night, but I feel a little better now," she admitted. "My mom had a doctor come by to take a look at it," she said, closing her eyes in embarrassment. "He prescribed me some Motrin for the pain," she explained.
"That's great," he said, nodding in acknowledgment.
"Thanks," she replied, her smile returning. A silence enveloped the two of them, and he felt a pair of eyes boring into him. He turned to find a set of icy blue eyes fixed on him, glaring as if they were daggers piercing through the air.
Throughout his conversation with Jazmine, he had noticed that this woman kept stealing glances in his direction, occasionally sipping her drink. However, whenever their eyes met, she would quickly avert her gaze and redirect her attention to the stove.
Jazmine sensed that something was amiss, and she instinctively knew it was connected to her mother. Feeling a wave of discomfort wash over her, she invited Huey into her room. Huey couldn't shake off the unpleasant expression he had seen on Sarah's face earlier, yet he felt a sense of joy at the prospect of being alone with Jazmine.
Her room was expansive and adorned with vibrant colors, resembling a space fit for royalty. Jazmine settled onto her bed and patted the spot beside her, beckoning Huey to join her. As they sat together in silence, Huey found himself lost in the depths of her eyes until Jazmine finally spoke up, breaking the stillness that enveloped them.
"I'm sorry my mom was rude to you," she said, her voice laced with sincerity. "She can be quite protective of me," she confessed, a hint of vulnerability in her tone.
"It's alright, Jazmine. I understand," he replied, his voice calm and reassuring. A moment of silence enveloped them, and Huey felt its weight pressing down on the conversation.
"So, does your mom live here with you?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Oh no," she responded, shaking her head emphatically. "She visits twice a week." A sigh escaped her lips as she continued, "She manages my finances and takes care of my personal shopping." She paused for a moment before adding, "She likes to keep the house tidy and insists on doing everything around the house, even though I'm perfectly capable of handling it myself."
Huey held her hand gently as he listened intently, offering his support without saying a word.
"She even had the audacity to suggest that I need an aide to come in and groom me," she said, her voice laced with disgust. "I don't need a goddamn aide. I can bathe and dress myself. I know how to do my own hair and makeup. Heck, I even know how to do my own laundry!" A light laugh escaped her lips, a spark of defiance illuminating her expression.
"Every day, I strive to learn new ways to combat the stigma that my disability equates to incapability," she expressed passionately.
Huey felt a wave of sympathy wash over him, intertwined with admiration for her strength and courage. He couldn't help but be impressed by her intelligence and resilience.
"I'll admit," she continued, "there are many things I still need assistance with, which is why I have Rocky, and I'm not ashamed of that at all," she revealed. "But there is so much I can do on my own." Her voice cracked as she spoke. "And people like my mom refuse to see my potential," she said, tears welling in her eyes. "I wish others could understand that even though I am blind, I am not handicapped," she wept, burying her face in her hands.
He wanted to comfort her but hesitated to invade her personal space. He allowed her to cry for a moment before she wrapped her arms around his waist and whimpered, pressing her face against his chest. Jazmine couldn't see his facial expressions, but she could feel the rapid beating of his heart. She found solace in the warmth of his body and the intoxicating scent that surrounded him.
Jazmine sensed Huey withdrawing, and he gently lifted her chin.
"Jazmine," he spoke softly, his voice resonating with a deep yet smooth timbre. "They say that blindness is an unfortunate handicap, but true vision does not rely on the eyes." Her eyes widened as she absorbed his words.
"I believe we all experience acute blindness at times. Life is a continuous journey of striving to open our eyes. I am just beginning my journey, and my vision is not fully clear yet," he continued. "When I reflect on my life, I realize that I fell in love young, married young, and achieved success at a young age," he declared passionately.
"I once believed I could see my future clearly, but I was mistaken. My career as a writer has suffered immensely; it seems that no one is interested in purchasing my books any longer. Their enthusiasm has waned. Even my wife has lost interest in me, feeling that I am incapable of making her happy," he confessed.
"You should understand that even with the ability to see, I remain blind to the world," he continued. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and he gently wiped it away with his thumb.
"Jazmine, I do not perceive you merely as someone with a disability. Instead, I see a strong, beautiful, intelligent, and independent woman who possesses not only immense potential but also the ability to transform how others view the world," he said, gazing at her with deep compassion.
"Huey," was all she could manage to say, feeling profoundly moved by his words and rendered speechless. No one had ever addressed her with such fervor and sincerity.
From the moment Huey first met his wife, he felt an immediate connection; however, it took several years of shared experiences and understanding before he fell deeply in love with her. Although his feelings for Nicole remain strong, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to Jazmine in a way that is both exhilarating and confusing. Many might argue that such intense emotions could not develop so quickly; nevertheless, the sensations coursing through him feel undeniable, as if his heart were performing acrobatics beyond his control.
He hardly knew Jazmine, yet in this moment, all he desired was to hold her close, to shield her from the world, and most importantly, to feel the warmth of her lips against his. As he leaned in slowly, cupping her cheek with his palm, she shivered at the unexpected tenderness of his touch. It was astonishing for her to realize that such a strong man could possess such a gentle touch. The warmth of his breath mingled with hers, signaling just how intimately they had drawn together.
In that fleeting moment, just as their lips were on the verge of meeting, the door swung open with sudden force.
"Jazmine!"
Sarah exclaimed as she burst into the room.
Jazmine's heart raced, and she instinctively pulled away from Huey. "Mom, you could have at least knock" she retorted, irritation lacing her voice. She found herself torn between two frustrations: the shock of her mother's unexpected entrance and the abrupt interruption of the intimate moment she had been sharing with Huey.
She closed her eyes and bit her lip, contemplating how tantalizingly close she was to experiencing the sensation of his lips against hers. Overwhelmed with desire, she inhaled deeply, acutely aware of the warmth that spread between her thighs.
"What is happening here?" Sarah inquired, her tone laced with suspicion. Her gaze shifted to Huey's hand, which had inexplicably found its way onto Jazmine's thigh. Then, she noticed her daughter's flushed complexion.
"What were you two doing?" she pressed. Realizing the inappropriate nature of the situation, Huey quickly withdrew his hand and stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"I was just leaving," he said as he excused himself, his voice tinged with an air of finality. "Yes, that seems like a wise decision," Sarah replied, her expression marred by a look of disgust that lingered on her features.
"Huey," Jazmine interjected, urgency threading through her tone. "Please don't go," she implored, her eyes wide with concern.
"Jazmine, I can't stay," he responded softly, regret lacing his words. "There are things I need to take care of." Despite the yearning to remain at her side, he felt increasingly unwelcome, particularly under the oppressive weight of Sarah's icy blue gaze that pierced him with an unsettling chill.
She let out a deep sigh, resignation evident in her demeanor. "Oh, okay." As he approached her, he gently took her hands in his—a gesture that seemed to soothe the frayed edges of her nerves.
"Goodbye for now, Jazmine," he said, a hint of warmth creeping into his voice and eliciting a smile from her.
"Goodbye, for now. Huey," she replied, her cheeks flushing with warmth despite her sadness.
"Ahem."
Sarah cleared her throat and tapped her foot impatiently. "I'll walk you to the door," she stated, folding her arms across her chest in a gesture of finality.
She guided Huey toward the front door, her demeanor resolute. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mis—" he began, but before he could complete his sentence, she abruptly interrupted him by slamming the door in his face. With a sigh of relief escaping her lips, Sarah turned to find her daughter glaring at her with an intensity that felt almost lethal.
Approaching Jazmine, she reached out to gently caress her hair in an attempt to soothe the tension. "Jazmine, I know you're upset," she said softly.
Jazmine pushed Sarah's hands away in frustration. "Why did you have to push him away?" she exclaimed, her voice rising with emotion. "He's my friend! He has been so kind to me, and—"
"And what?" Sarah interjected sharply, folding her arms defiantly once more. "You consider his attempts to get into your panties a kind gesture?" She scoffed dismissively, shaking her head in disbelief at her daughter's naivety.
Jazmine pressed her lips together and let out a deep sigh.
"Jazmine, for crying out loud! You almost slept with that man!" Sarah's voice began to rise in intensity. "I can see the desire in his eyes—the way he looked at you. He wanted you," she shouted emphatically. "In bed," she added for emphasis.
Jazmine shook her head in disbelief.
"Haven't you learned anything from that last asshole?" Sarah asked.
"That's not true, and he's nothing like Shawn!" Jazmine protested. "And you don't know him!" she argued.
"And you do?" Sarah laughed. "Did you know he had a wedding band on his finger? Huh?" she revealed.
"He's married! Jazmine, Married!" Sarah exclaimed.
"His wife left him," Jazmine said weakly, feeling somewhat taken aback by the situation.
"It doesn't matter. He is still married, Jazmine," Sarah replied, maintaining a calm yet serious demeanor. "You don't fool around with a married man, period." She shook her head disapprovingly.
"I wasn't planning to fool around with him!" Jazmine protested defensively. "We were just having a conversation," she insisted.
"That's nonsense," Sarah exclaimed, her frustration rising once more. "You were all over each other. If I hadn't walked in when I did, who knows what might have happened?" She rubbed her temples in an effort to alleviate the tension building within her.
Jazmine groaned, "You're overreacting. Besides, it's really none of your business. I'm twenty-six years old! I'm not a child."
"Jazmine, I understand that you're an adult, but you don't perceive things the way I do. This world can be a harsh and unforgiving place, filled with so much malevolence, and I want to protect you," she said earnestly, gently taking Jazmine's hands in hers.
"Protect me from what exactly?" Jazmine retorted, pulling her hands away forcefully. Sarah gazed into Jazmine's eyes as Jazmine met her gaze. She could see the tears beginning to form in Jazmine's eyes.
Unfortunately for Jazmine, she couldn't see her mother's tears matching her own. Her lips quivered as she continued, "The last time I checked, evil was standing right in front of me," her voice laced with palpable rage. Sarah gasped, covering her mouth in shock at her daughter's words. Jazmine turned away, reaching for the cane that Huey had bought for her, and retreated to her room.
Sarah stood frozen in disbelief as tears streamed down her face. She understood exactly what her daughter meant; she was acutely aware of the resentment Jazmine harbored towards her—resentment rooted in the fact that Sarah was the reason for the death of her late husband, Thomas DuBois. Approaching a picture of herself with Tom and a young Jazmine, she gazed at it and felt an overwhelming sense of regret. She blamed herself for robbing her only child of a normal life. Jazmine would never have a career, a husband, or children of her own to care for. Instead, Sarah had to watch helplessly as her daughter suffered because of the choices she had made.
Most significantly, she realized that she had irrevocably lost the bond she once shared with her daughter.
"Oh, Tom," she whimpered, clutching the photograph tightly to her chest. "I'm so sorry," she whispered softly.
Ignoring her mother's pleas, Jazmine slammed the door shut behind her. She crawled into bed, burying her face in her pillow as a muffled scream escaped her lips. She didn't want to think about her mother at that moment; instead, she focused on Huey. A smile crept across her face as she recalled how close he had been to kissing her. She yearned for his touch once more. However, her mother's words echoed in her mind regarding his marital status. Despite the fact that he was separated from his wife, Jazmine knew deep down that becoming so intimate with him was a mistake. A wave of guilt washed over her as memories surfaced of how a marriage separation had impacted her father's life.
Her mother was correct; she could not meet with him again.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss," Huey began to say, but before he could finish, Jazmine's mother abruptly swung the door shut, slamming it in his face. Huey stood on the doorstep, momentarily stunned by the abruptness of her action. That woman certainly had a way about her, he thought, shaking his head in disbelief. Returning home, he attempted to focus on his novel; however, as the hours passed, his thoughts drifted back to Jazmine. Despite their brief encounter, he felt an undeniable connection with her.
What was I thinking? He chastised himself as guilt washed over him for nearly kissing another woman and feeling tempted by the prospect. He was still married to Nicole and was determined to fight for his marriage. It would be naive to believe that what he felt for Jazmine was love. After all, how could he possibly love someone he had only met 24 hours prior? He understood that while he was undeniably attracted to Jazmine, his true love remained with his wife.
Despite his best efforts to push Jazmine from his mind, he could not deny that this woman occupied his thoughts incessantly. His reverie was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the doorbell ringing. When he opened the door, he was greeted once again by the unpredictable,
Sarah Silverman.
"What on earth does she want now?" he pondered to himself.
"Can I help you?" he asked, his tone laced with boredom.
"Hello, Huey. I apologize for disturbing you this evening, but I came here because I need to discuss Jazmine with you," she stated earnestly.
His brow furrowed in confusion. "Why do you want to talk to me about Jazmine?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. "Is she okay?"
"She's fine," she replied, pressing her lips together to suppress her emotions. "May I come in?" she asked politely.
He hesitated for a moment, then stepped back and opened the door wider. "Sure, come in," he said, gesturing for her to enter. As soon as she crossed the threshold into his home, she began to take in her surroundings with keen observation. She nodded her head in approval.
"Your grandfather has a lovely home," she remarked, her eyes scanning the room for any clues that might reveal more about the situation.
"Thank you," he said plainly. "Would you like to sit?" He attempted to be polite, though his patience was beginning to wane.
"Oh no," she replied, declining his offer. "I won't take long; I had a prepared speech, but I'll just get straight to the point." With that, she retrieved an envelope from her purse and placed it in front of her, tapping her fingers on the table.
"For you," she said, extending the envelope toward him.
He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Open it," she instructed calmly. He slowly opened the envelope, and his eyes widened in surprise.
"That's ten thousand dollars," she stated confidently. "It can all be yours," she continued. "All you have to do is stay away from my daughter," she requested.
He chuckled, rubbing his chin in disbelief. "So, you came down here to bribe me with money?" he frowned. "All because I helped your daughter?" He scoffed derisively. "Woman, you're out of your goddamn mind," he said aggressively.
She clenched her teeth and balled her fist in anger.
"She doesn't need your assistance; she has me!" Sarah exclaimed, her voice laced with indignation. "I know men like you. You feign a desire to help the poor, sweet, innocent blind girl, but your true intention is to manipulate your way between her legs!" Her words were delivered through clenched teeth. "I will not allow you to take advantage of my daughter," she hissed at him.
"Ms. Silverman, If I had any intention of taking advantage of your daughter, I would have done so already," he replied coolly, stepping closer and causing her to retreat in trepidation. "She has visited my home, and I have been to hers. She was alone with me in the dark," he stated, locking his gaze onto hers. "At that moment, I could have easily had my way with her."
Feeling threatened, she averted her gaze. He continued, "I'm not that kind of man, and quite frankly, I don't feel the need to explain myself to you." His voice was stern as he added, "You don't know me, but I know people like you who think they can buy their way through anything." With a sudden movement, he thrust the envelope against her chest. She flinched at his unexpected aggression.
"Let me show you the door," he said, striding toward the entrance and opening it for her to leave—just as she had done with him moments before.
"I don't want your money. Now get the hell out of my house," he declared brutally.
She exhaled sharply, her breath escaping in a huff as she stepped through the doorway. Pausing, she turned to face him.
"Please, I beg you. She is incredibly fragile and naive. If you truly care about her, you would understand that my intentions are solely to protect her," she pleaded with an air of desperation.
"If you genuinely cared for your daughter, you would realize that she is far more intelligent and resilient than you seem to believe," he retorted, beginning to push the door shut. She quickly placed her hand against it to halt his motion.
"Listen, I would really appreciate it if you refrained from mentioning this conversation to Jazmine," she said, her eyes filled with concern.
"I won't bring it up," he stated as he closed the door behind him. However, she halted him once more. He let out a sigh of exasperation.
"Another thing, you no longer need to help her locate Rocky. I've already hired a private investigator who believes he may have located him, so your assistance is no longer necessary," she disclosed. "Thank you, and goodnight," she added, making an effort to maintain a positive rapport with him.
" Great, now goodbye," he said, slamming the door shut. That woman had some nerve coming to his house and accusing him like that. He couldn't believe she had the audacity to attempt to bribe him with money. She didn't need to pay him to stay away from Jazmine; he had already resolved not to see her anymore.
It wasn't that he felt threatened by Sarah—he didn't—but he realized he needed to concentrate on winning Nicole back. Regardless of any feelings he harbored for Jazmine, he couldn't abandon his marriage so easily.
At least not without a fight.