Chapter 24: The Law and My Father
*Jasmine*
After Zain left, Jasmine stormed back toward the condo. “Well, Dad, I hope you’re happy.”
“We’re packing up tonight and leaving for home in the morning!” her father yelled behind her, quickly catching up.
“No! I’m not leaving!”
“Oh, yes! You are!” Her father grabbed her arm and turned her around. “You will do as you’re told, young lady!”
Jasmine scoffed, looking at him as if he had just lost his mind. “Not anymore, Dad.” She yanked her arm away and walked past him and into her room, locking the door behind her.
“Jasmine, maybe we were being a bit too hasty—”
“You think, Mom?” Jasmine huffed as she started packing her things. She looked at the huge, plate glass window in her room. Since they were on the first floor, she could easily set her things out the window and then climb out. Surely, Zain would come back for her if she called or texted him.
But there was no way she was going back to Maine with her parents. She had planned to go to college from here anyway, and she had already sent her things ahead, so this wouldn’t be a problem. And if her parents cut her off, she would get financial aid and pay for college herself. She was tired of her father using money as a tool against her.
“Jasmine! Open this door!” her father yelled from the other side.
“No! Leave me alone!” she quickly packed her things as her father pounded on the door. She needed to leave before her father decided to do something rash, like bar the windows and the doors to keep her caged.
She just hoped that Zain would go along with this. She had no idea where she could stay, but maybe Zain knew of a place where she could stay temporarily until she either went to college or they went to Las Vegas.
But she would need money to do it. As she threw her things into her suitcases, she planned to get a job to save up enough money over the next few weeks before she left. And if her parents wouldn’t accept Zain, then they wouldn’t accept her.
Jasmine was tired of her parents controlling who she went out with, what friends she made, and more. They were determined for her to become a member of society, whether she wanted to or not. She preferred to look at people for who they were. Not for their bank accounts. She had known some skeevy boys that treated girls like dirt but were deemed okay to date because they came from an influential families. Well, she was done!
As soon as her bags were packed, she opened the window and slid her suitcases outside as quietly as possible. Then she climbed out the window, picked up the suitcases, and headed toward the parking lot before her father knew she was gone. Jasmine was sure she only had a few minutes before they put two and two together.
Jasmine got out her cell phone, sat on her suitcases, and texted Zain, Can you come back and get me?
A few minutes went by, and then he texted, Where are you?
In the beach parking lot, where your Uncle Miguel parks his food truck, she replied.
I’m on my way, he texted back.
I’ll be waiting. She hit send and then cut off the phone. Then she looked around and realized she was sitting in the open. If her parents knew she was gone, she would be easily found. So, she moved her suitcases around the corner, out of view.
She hated that this was how she left home, but it was her own parents’ fault. If they had just accepted Zain as her boyfriend, then none of this would have happened.
Zain pulled up a moment later and threw his truck into park, then walked toward her, a crease between his eyes. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
She nodded. “Do you want me, Zain?”
He nodded. “More than anything.” Then he quickly took her suitcases and threw them into the bed of his truck. He opened the passenger door, and she quickly climbed inside. He pulled out onto the main road a moment later. “Do your parents know?”
She shook her head as tears filled her eyes. “No. After you left, my father announced that we were leaving to back home to Maine tomorrow morning.”
Zain’s head snapped up. “Seriously?”
She nodded. “My father told us to pack our things and that we were leaving in the morning, but I told him there was no way I was going, and then locked myself in my room and started packing. If I was going anywhere, it would be with you.” Jasmine bit her lower lip and released it. “I just couldn’t leave you. Not without saying goodbye, at least.”
“Come here.” He stretched out his arm to her as tears slid slowly down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, but you were the only one I could call.”
“No, don’t be sorry at all!” He smiled as he looked out the front windshield. “You were supposed to call me.” His eyes met hers, filled with concern. “If you ever need me, I’ll be there.”
Jasmine nodded. “Thank you, Zain. But the only thing is that I don’t have a place to stay.”
Zain chuckled. “Yes, you do. You’re staying with me.”
Jasmine laughed without humor. “Oh, I’m sure your mother would really like that.” She let out a deep breath, her voice filled with sarcasm. “And I promised my mother I would wait to have sex until I was married.”
He chuckled. “Who said anything about having sex?”
Jasmine laughed, shaking her head. “Okay. Now, I’m totally confused. If I stay with you, then that means… in your room.”
He laughed, obviously enjoying her discomfort a bit too much. “My sister’s room is empty at my mother’s house. I’m sure my mother won’t mind you staying there for a while.”
Jasmine was afraid to ask, but she had to know. “So, for how long is a ‘little while?’”
He shrugged. “For the rest of the summer, I’m sure.” A broad smile spread across his face as he made a right turn. “Also, I’d bet my Uncle Miguel will give us jobs, too. That way, we can save up for college or Las Vegas, if you want.” He kissed the top of her head.
She looked into his eyes. “Do you still want to go to Las Vegas?”
Zain nodded, smiling as he scrunched up his nose. “Yes, of course! Why? Don’t you?”
She nodded, looking out the window at the streetlights illuminating the streets of Miami. “I was just afraid... after what my father said—”
“Don’t worry about it.” He shrugged. “He can’t have me arrested. You’re eighteen and are free to do as you like... as far as the law is concerned.”
I let out a deep breath. “But the law and my father are two different things entirely.”**