Chapter Twelve

Jayme barely closed the door before she saw headlights pulling into the driveway. Assuming it was Rex, she went back outside. But she noticed it was a car instead of a truck and wondered who it could be at that hour. As the car pulled up and shut off, she saw a figure get out but the headlights shining in her face was too much to make out who it was. Then he spoke.
“Jayme, I’ve been waiting for two hours, where have you been this late?”
“I was with a friend.” She said as she walked up to Steve.
“A friend? A male friend?” Steve said.
“Yes. I’ve known him since I was like, I don’t know, born.” She said.
“Well, I had to see you.”
“How did you find me?”
“Simple, I looked up the address.” Steve said. “Why, did you not want to be found?”
“Well, no, that’s not it…” Jayme said. “I just came here to look for a house, spend some time with my parents.”
“Well, I had to see you…” Steve said and stepped to her, wrapping his arms around her for a tight hug. “I have something for you.”
“Oh?” Jayme said, looking to see her parents in the living room. “Come on…” She said, leading him outside.
“My parents are up, it feels improper to introduce you so close to my husband’s death…” Jayme explained. “Get in, we’ll go for a ride so we can be alone.” Jayme said and climbed into his car.
Getting in, Steve started the car and backed out of the driveway. “Where should we go?”
“Turn right here, we’ll go to the city park.”
“Aren’t they closed after dusk?” Steve asked.
“Probably but we should be alright.” Jayme answered. “Here, turn here.” She pointed to turn left.
Driving down the long driveway leading to a park deep into the woods. The park had trails throughout the woods where you could ride bikes, walk or jog. Although the evening was cold, they got out of his car and Jayme led him to the start of a trail.
“I thought we could walk and talk.” Jayme said.
“Yes…” Steve agreed then stopped.
Seeing him stop a few hundred feet down the trail, Jayme stopped and stood before him. “What are you doing?”
“I said I have something for you.” Steve said and handed her a small box.
Opening the box, Jayme saw it in the dimness of the moonlight. Taking it from the box, she walked to the light post to get a better view. Seeing that it looked just like a ring she had lost in the past, she was astounded. “Wow, I can’t believe this…” She said, slipping it on her finger. It fit perfectly.
“What?” Steve asked.
“This ring is identical to a ring I used to have.” Jayme said, still looking at the ring.
“Really?” Steve said, seeming surprised.
“Thank you, Steve, but… what does this mean, you buying me a ring like this?”
“No, don’t worry, Jayme, it’s just a ring, not a proposal…” Steve smiled.
Jayme merely nodded her head, still looking at the ring. With her other hand, she slipped it in his and began walking down the trail again. All she could think of was the ring and it’s coincidence. She could hardly concentrate on what he was saying. And Steve was pouring out his heart, putting it on a vulnerable pedestal.
After walking for nearly thirty minutes, they came to the end of the trail, ending where they started. Jayme walked towards the car, knowing it was late and she was growing exhausted. It was when Steve grabbed her by the arm, pulled her toward him, landing her against him, face to face. “I can’t stand to be away from you…” Steve said and found her lips in the darkness.
The kiss was passionate but to Jayme, something didn’t feel right. She pulled back and looked up at him. It’s late and I’m tired. Please take me home.”
“When will I see you again?” Steve said before letting her go.
“That depends.” Jayme said. “It depends on when you’re available to come and see me. I’ve already got my mind made up, my home is here, in Hillman.” Jayme said.
“Well, then, I’ll keep my schedule open for you.” Steve said and opened the passenger door for her.
With a note of gratuity, Jayme climbed into his car. Steve shut the door then walked behind the car to his drivers door and climbed in. “I wish you would just come back to Greenville with me, even if just for the night…” Steve said in a low voice as he started his car.
Jayme looked over at him. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m ready for that yet…” Jayme answered.
“No, I didn’t necessarily mean to have sexual relations, just for the company, mostly.” Steve added, leaving the park.
“Still, I’m not ready to be that close, intimate.” Jayme confirmed her answer. “Maybe some other time.” She said.
Within ten minutes, Steve was in Jayme’s driveway. “I guess I’ll see you then next chance I get.” Steve said just before Jayme opened her door.
Leaning over, Jayme kissed him on the cheek before climbing out of his car. Steve watched until she disappeared inside the house before backing out of the driveway. As Jayme closed the door, Paige walked up behind her.
“Who was that?” Paige asked.
“Oh, that was… Steve. He’s just a friend of mine.” Jayme said and walked past her mother. “I’m tired, I’m going to bed.”
Not another word was said as Jayme went up the stairs, almost feeling guilty for having a date with a man so close to her husband’s death but she couldn’t escape the thought of him cheating on her for three years. She almost felt spiteful towards his memory.
After using the bathroom, Jayme went to her room where she changed into her pajamas and laid in her bed with the book she had been reading. It wasn’t long before she fell asleep with the light on, book still in her hand. At some point during the night, Jayme placed the book on the nightstand and turned off the light.
The following morning she woke with Scott on her mind, after having a dream about him. It was not a good dream, she woke feeling hurt and betrayed. It put her in a bad mood for the morning and she knew she couldn’t go back to sleep.
Climbing out of bed, she went to the bathroom first to relieve herself. Then she gathered clean clothes and took them to the bathroom. The hot shower woke and refreshed her but she was still bad-tempered. As she washed her body, she felt the ring run across her skin. Looking down, she slid off the ring, rinsed it in the water and brought it closer to her face, in the light.
The resemblance the ring had to the one she lost was extraordinary. She was almost convinced it was the same ring, but that was impossible. How could’ve he ever find the same exact ring. It was all too coincidental. With no clothes on, she went to her room, removed the ring and dropped it into her top drawer.
After dressing in casual, comfortable clothing, Jayme stepped down the stairs, going into the kitchen. Finding a note on the table, her mother had left her some eggs and bacon in the microwave. Jayme heated up the food while she made some toast and poured a glass of milk.
Sitting at the kitchen table, Jayme ate while she read the local morning paper her father had left behind. She saw the help wanted ads and other classifieds, looking to find anything interesting. But the only thing that sparked any interest was the late season yard sales.
After eating and cleaning up her mess, Jayme started a load of dirty laundry and went from room to room, cleaning and straightening up. Running the vacuum, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, just behind her belly button. Instantly, she felt ill and switched off the vacuum before running to the bathroom.
Collapsing on the floor, she vomited everything in her stomach but still continued to heave. Her stomach hurt so bad she was in tears and suddenly, she encountered a bout of diarrhea. Knowing she would need another shower, she stripped off her clothes and climbed into the bathtub. Her stomach continued to hurt and cramp but the intense nausea had subsided momentarily.
Drying off, Jayme wrapped the towel around her and went into her bedroom to dress in clean, jogging clothes. After brushing her hair, Jayme laid down on the bed. It was the only way she could get at least minimal relief.