Chapter 14: She Has My Heart

*Zain*

The next day, Zain knew that Jasmine wasn’t going to be at the beach, so he opted to go to the batting cages instead, and then spent the rest of the day at home. He almost went to the beach anyway but knew it would remind him too much of Jasmine.
Want to go to the batting cages? Zain texted Raphael.
Well, hello, stranger, he texted back. To what do I owe this honor?
Sorry we haven’t spent any time together yet. Zain sighed. So, do you want to go or not? If Raphael wanted to go, then fine. But he wasn’t going to beg.
A moment passed and then Raphael texted, I’ll be there in half an hour.
See you there.
Zain showered and then dressed in a baseball shirt and shorts, donned a baseball cap, and headed out. It had been a month since he had gone to the batting cages, so it was time. Even though Zain was out for the summer, he needed to make sure to take time to practice. He wondered if Jasmine would like to go with him sometime. He smiled, imagining her in a baseball outfit in a batting cage. He laughed, knowing that none of the guys would get any practice in. But then again, she could surprise him. And if she didn’t know how to bat, then he could always teach her.
But for now, he had to concentrate. As much as he missed Jasmine, he needed to practice. And it was only for just one day anyway. He would see her tomorrow.
Zain threw his baseball bag over his shoulder and headed out, but his mother stepped in front of the door, blocking his way.
“Good morning, Mama.” He kissed her cheek.
She touched his baseball bag. “I’m glad to see you haven’t abandoned the game.”
“Never.” His smile faded, his expression serious. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to the batting cages.”
She nodded. “I’m glad of that. But may I have a moment of your time?”
Zain laughed as he took her hand. “Mama, why the formality? You know you always have my time.”
She smiled, sliding the ball bag from his shoulder. “Come sit with me for a moment.”
“Mama, I’m meeting Raphael—”
“He’ll wait,” Maria cut him off.
Zain let out a deep breath, nodding. “Yes, of course.” He offered his mother his arm and she took it. For her to stop him like this, it must be something serious. “Would you like to go to the patio?”
Maria nodded. “Yes, please.” She smiled as he walked outside with her and sat beside him at one of the picnic tables.
“Mom, what did you want to speak with me about?” Zain sighed. “Is this about me not spending much time with the family since I’ve been home?”
His mother smiled. “I don’t expect you to spend every waking moment with your family. You’re a grown man now. But I would like some of your time.”
Zain nodded. “Yes, of course. I’ll do better while I’m here, and I’ll also see what I can do about coming home from college to visit a bit more often.”
Maria nodded. “Thank you.” She thought for a moment and then asked, “So, who have you been spending your time with?”
Zain smiled. “Mom, I’ve met someone. Her name is Jasmine Hunt.”
“Hunt?” Her head snapped up. “Is she a nice Cuban girl?”
“No, Mama.”
“Is she Spanish? Puerto Rican? Mexican?”
Zain shook his head. “No, Mama, but she has my heart.”
Maria scoffed. “She has your heart?”
Zain nodded. “Yes, she does.”
“Zain….” His mother placed her hand over his as she looked into his eyes. “Don’t forget your promise. Your vow to your father—”
“Madre, I’ve not forgotten, nor do I need to be reminded,” Zain cut her off, standing. “Now. I must go. Raphael is expecting me.”
“Not yet,” Maria replied, shaking her head. “Sit. This will only take a moment.”
Zain studied her for a moment and then slowly did as she asked. “Yes?”
“I forbid you to see her again.”
Zain rose to his feet, chuckling. “As you said, Mama, I’m a man now. And as a man, I can make up my own mind.” Then he looked directly into her eyes, his smile gone. “And I will not stop seeing her.”
Maria stood abruptly. “You would go against me... against your family... for a girl?”
Zain smiled. “She’s a woman, Mother. I’ll gather my things and I’ll stay with Raphael for the rest of the summer.”
“No, Zain!” His mother grabbed his arm. “I forbid it!”
Zain brushed off her arm. “Mother, I’m not a child, and you can’t stop me.” He turned to walk away, but she stepped in front of him.
“Zain, then answer me this: Do you love her?”
Zain turned to stare at his mother. “What?”
She took a step forward. “Son, it’s a simple question. Do you love her?”
Zain thought for a moment and then nodded. Even though he hadn’t told Jasmine yet, he knew he already loved her. She had engraved her name on his heart without knowing. “Yes, Mama, I love her very much.”
Maria placed a hand on his arm. “Don’t throw it all away, everything you’ve worked for, for any woman.”
“I don’t intend to.” Then he kissed the top of her head. “I’ll have my things out tonight.” Then he turned toward the door.
“Son, you don’t have to go,” his mother called after him.
He turned back to face her. “Madre, the days of you telling me who I can and cannot see, what I can and cannot do, are over. I love you, but I’ll be back for my things later.” Zain let out a deep breath. “Mama, it didn’t have to be this way. You’d have liked her.” Then he turned and left.
Zain walked purposefully to his pickup truck, slid into the driver’s seat, and slammed the door closed. He sat there for a moment and then hit the steering wheel, unable to believe what his mother had just told him. He always knew that his mother wanted him to marry a Cuban girl or a girl of Spanish descent, but you can’t help who you fall in love with. And he was in love with Jasmine.
Zain started the truck and was ready to pull out when he saw his mother standing on the front porch.
“Stop!”
Zain’s head snapped up and his mother had tears in her eyes.
“Stop, Zain!” she yelled, waving her arms.
He threw the truck into park and sat for a moment, thinking. Then he turned off the engine and got out. “Madre, this is not up for discussion. My mind is made up.”
“I know—”
“Now....” he cut her off. “You can either be a part of our lives or not. The choice is yours.”
A crease formed between his mother’s eyes as she took a step down off the porch. “You would turn your back on your family for this woman?”
“Mom, I don’t want to,” Zain replied, tears filling his eyes, too, threatening to spill over. “But you’re the one who’s making the choice for me. Make no mistake about it.” Zain turned to walk away.
“Bring her over,” she shouted. “I’d like to meet her.”
Zain froze, and then slowly turned. “You forbade me from seeing her one minute, and now you want to meet her?” He shook his head, looked at her in disbelief.
His mother closed the gap between them and took his hand. “Yes. I’d like to meet the girl who finally won your heart. I’ve never seen you this serious about a girl before.” She shrugged as she patted his cheek. “I’d like to meet her.”
Zain thought for a moment. “Mom, if I bring her here to meet you, you will treat her with respect.”
“Even if you are a man, I am still your mother. Do not presume to tell me what to do,” she replied, looking sternly into his eyes.
His eyes never wavered. “When it comes to her, I will.” He headed toward his truck again and opened the door. “Let me know when it’s good for you and I’ll bring her over.” Zain always knew this day would come. But he hadn’t expected it to come now.
Just One Weekend
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