Chapter 32: In the Blink of an Eye

*Jasmine*

“Hannah, what’s gotten into you?” William asked, shock coloring his eyes. “I’ve never seen this side of you before.”
That makes two of us, Jasmine thought. But she was glad that her mother was finally finding herself again, even though she was sad that her parents might be getting a divorce, and she was furious with her father, all at the same time.
“Let’s talk this out,” William said, holding his hands out in surrender.
Hannah shook her head. “Not this time, William. I’ve played the part of the dutiful society wife long enough, and I’m tired.” She sank onto her chair, tears filling her eyes. “I’m tired, William. Go back home, and I’ll see you there.”
“But Hannah—”
“I said to get out,” she growled. “I’m calling a lawyer today, and I don’t want to see you until the court date.”
His lips curled into a snarl. “Well, you can’t keep me from seeing my daughter—”
“Dad, you haven’t spent much time with me this summer, anyway.” Jasmine let out a deep breath. “And I’m going away to college in the fall. I just hate the thought of Mom being alone.”
“Jasmine....” Her mother took her hands, rising to her feet as she looked into her eyes. “Do not waste one precious moment of your life worrying about me.” Then a smile lit her lips. “I’m finally going to be able to live again.”
Jasmine nodded as tears sprang to her eyes, wishing she had known this side of her mother all along.
“Fine! If that’s the way you want it! I’ll see you in court!” William marched past them, headed toward the bedroom. Slamming noises resonated from the bedroom, and then her father came out a moment later with his suitcases packed. He stood in front of them, reasonably calm. “I’m sorry everything happened this way, Jasmine.”
Jasmine scoffed. “Dad, I’m not the one you should be apologizing to!”
“Do not take that tone with me, young lady!”
“That’s enough,” Hannah said, suddenly appearing older than her years.
William nodded. “Fine! See if you can make it on your own!” Then he walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Her mother collapsed on the table, sobbing.
Jasmine wrapped her arm around her mother, not sure what to say. At a time like this, Jasmine knew the best thing to do was to just be there for her. For the first time in her life, Jasmine felt she was getting a glimpse of the person her mother actually was. Jasmine was finally seeing her not as her mother, but as a woman. Jasmine just hoped her mother would be okay after she left for college.
“Mom, I can go to college in Maine—”
“No!” her head snapped up. “This is my mess to clean up. I just waited too long to do it.” Jasmine handed her a tissue, and Hannah took it, dabbing at her eyes. “But being able to raise you was worth it. No matter what, I’ll always have a room for you, wherever I am.”
Jasmine nodded as reality sank in. “Mom, you were going to ask him for a divorce after I went to college. Weren’t you?”
Hannah let out a deep breath, relenting. “I was going to wait so you wouldn’t be dragged through this mess. But after seeing you so happy with Zain and then you figured it out for yourself, I could no longer wait.” She patted her hand. “We’ll enjoy the summer, and then I’ll go home and make arrangements.”
“Mom. By then, Dad could clean everything out and leave you with nothing—”
Hannah chuckled through her tears. “He knows better.” Her eyes met her daughter’s. “I had a trust fund and inheritance from my family when I married your father, so I’ll be fine.”
Jasmine scoffed. “Is Dad’s name on it, too?”
Her mother smiled, shaking her head. “No. I’m not stupid, dear.” She dabbed at the corner of her eye. “Your father didn’t like it, but there was no way I was going to take the chance... just in case this happened.” She waved her hand dismissively toward the door. “So, yeah. I’m fine.” Then she tilted her head to the side. “So, do you still want to get your car?”
Jasmine shook her head. “No. Not now. But let’s spend the day together. Why don’t we go shopping, if you feel up to it? Or we can just stay here, have lunch ordered in, and talk.”
Hannah nodded, smiling. “No, I don’t want to talk about it right now. But I’d love to spend the day together.”
Jasmine nodded, kissing her mother’s head. “Mom, I’m so sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Hannah patted her hand, rising to her feet, dabbing at her eyes again. “Let me fix my makeup, and I’m taking you to brunch.”
Jasmine nodded, realizing her mother was smarter and more resilient than she had ever imagined before. “I’d love that.”
Jasmine had another cup of coffee while she waited for her mother to come out, glad she had planned to spend the day with her parents. At that moment, she realized how much time she had been spending with Zain this last summer before she left and guilt reared its ugly head.
Her mother came out a moment later, her makeup redone, and her clothes changed. “Ready?”
Jasmine nodded. “Mom, I’ll cancel my date tonight with Zain, and we can—”
“No,” her mother cut her off. “You go out tonight and enjoy yourself. I’ll be fine.” Then she placed her hands on the sides of her head as she looked into her eyes. “As I said before, do not waste one precious moment of your life on me. Okay?”
Jasmine smiled as tears filled her eyes. “Mom, every moment I spend with you is precious. It’s never a waste.”
Hannah pulled her arms and held her tightly. Then she kissed the top of her head and released her. “Now! Let’s get you something special to wear tonight. Shall we?”
Jasmine nodded, smiling. “Sounds good.”
At that moment, she realized their lives had changed in the blink of an eye. But that was how life was. Her mother had protected her from it all these years and Jasmine had never known. It made her wonder what else her mother had protected her from. But this day was about her mother, not her. If not anything else, Jasmine wanted to ensure her mother would be well cared for after she left for college... no matter what.