“Lots more. Probably close to 500. I lost count many years ago.”
“Did you love them? I thought you were only supposed to have sex with people you love.”
“No, I didn’t like, much less love any of them. Some were nice men, but a lot weren’t.”
“Did you ever have sex with men who were married?”
“Unfortunately, most of the men I’ve had sex with were married.”
“Don’t you feel guilty for doing that?”
“Nope. They are the ones who should feel guilty. I felt sorry for their wives, though.”
“Did you have sex with other men while you were married to my Dad?”
“Not for the first six years or so. Then when I did and your dad found out, he offered me a second chance if I would stop. I didn’t even seriously consider his offer. My problem was that I didn’t want to stop, so he finally divorced me. I don’t blame him one bit. It was all my fault.”
“Didn’t you love him anymore?”
“Yes, but I loved myself more. I thought that the attention and money of powerful men and what they could provide me was better than what I could get from your father. Boy, I was wrong, oh so wrong.”
“How much older are you than my father?”
“Honey, we’re about the same age. There’s only a few months difference.”
“But you look so much older.”
“That’s because of the years of lack of proper nutrition, adequate sleep, drinking, smoking and not enough sun.”
“Are you going to try and take my Daddy from me and my mother?”
“Sweetie, I don’t think I could do that if I tried. Your Dad is rock solid in keeping his word and his commitments to others. . . Oops. I think I hear someone coming down the stairs.” Jessie ran into the kitchen and started making coffee and getting out breakfast dishes.
“Jessie, what are you doing downstairs so early? I hope you didn’t disturb your father’s . . . guest.”
“You told me not to bother her.”
“Good girl. What do you think we should fix for breakfast today?”
“Duh? It’s Saturday morning. Time for pancakes and bacon.”
Jasmine came in wearing one of Abby’s shirt and pants. They hung off of her skinny body.
“Can I help?”
“As long as your hands are clean, you can help Jessie set the table. She will have milk and I will drink coffee. Would you like some coffee, Jasmine? The half and half is over there, and we have Splenda or real sugar.”
Ignoring Abby’s slight, Jasmine replied, “Thank you. Where are the cups?”
“In the cabinet up and to the left of the stove.”
“Abby, if there is anything else I can help with while I’m here, I’ll be . . . ”
“Just keep your room straight. That’ll be enough.” Abby gathered her nerve and spoke. “Jasmine, I apologize for the harsh things I said to you last night. As you might be able to tell, I’m very protective of my family.”
“That’s completely understandable.”
Breakfast was just about ready when Tim came in. “Something smells great.” He paused to judge the tension in the atmosphere in the kitchen. Thick but passable.
“Pancakes and bacon, Dad. I’ll get your coffee for you.”
“Thanks, Jessie.” He sat down across from Jasmine. Abby was still in the process of cooking. “Good morning, ladies.”
The women said, “Good morning” simultaneously, almost like they had rehearsed it.
“Abby, I really need to do the lawn work this morning because it’s supposed to rain this afternoon. Would you mind taking Jasmine to Walmart to let her get some things for herself?” Abby stood still while contemplating his request.
Before she could respond, Jessie jumped in, “Mom, can I go too? Please.”
“No, you need to stay here with your father and do your own chores.”
“Awww.”
Abby announced. “Jasmine, we can go whenever you’re finished eating. I need to put on some regular clothes, but my chores can be done any time today. I assume we’re going to use our credit card, Tim?”
“Yes.”
“How much of our money will she be allowed to spend?”
Tim began to look angry again. Abby tried to defuse him.
“Calm down. I’m just wanting to know how much. Whatever amount you think best is fine with me.”
“I was thinking we could afford enough to buy her three outfits plus accessories.”
Jasmine interrupted. “That will be more than enough. I’ll pay you back whenever I can.”
Tim responded, “Don’t worry about that. Just get yourself healthy. We can afford to help you.”
Abby was in between a smile and a frown as she finished sipping her coffee and waited for Jasmine to eat her last pancake. Jasmine folded her pancake up like a tortilla and dipped it in syrup. Jessie was fascinated and started imitating her.
As soon as Abby and Jasmine got dressed, they left for Walmart. Once the two women were out the door, Jessie attacked her Dad with questions.
“What should I call your ex-wife, Dad? I don’t know her last name.”
“I think she still uses my last name. Why don’t you call her Aunt Jasmine?”
“Okay. But she’s not really like a step-mother or something, is she?”
“No, Abby is your one and only mother. You will never have a step-mother.”
“Mom sure seems jealous of her. I guess it is weird to have someone in the house your husband used to bang all the time.”
“Jessie! Sometimes I can’t believe what comes out of your mouth. Your mother may be jealous, but she has no reason to be. Yes, Jasmine and I WERE married, past tense. Your mother and I ARE married, present tense and future tense.”
“What if Mom wants me to spy on you two in case I might catch you guys messing around?”
“Good Grief! It won’t matter. Spy on us all you want. I intend to help Jasmine with all my clothes on. Is that clear enough for you?”
“Don’t get mad at me, Dad. Geez. What are you planning on doing to help her besides letting her stay here?”
“I don’t know. She needs a place to stay and a job too.”
“Isn’t she going back to prostitution?”
“I hope not. I will try my best to help her get a job that pays enough for her to legally support herself.”
“Now that I’ve seen Aunt Jasmine cleaned up, I can see why you thought she was attractive. She does need to gain some weight though. I like her. She is blunt and doesn’t treat me like I’m a little kid. I hope she stays a while.”
“Jasmine has always had many good qualities. I hope you get to see some of those and none of the bad ones. Sweetheart, I greatly appreciate your willingness to help us help her.”
“Sure, Dad. Well, speaking of helping, time for my chores.”
*****
ABBY AND JASMINE
“Thanks, Abby. I know taking me shopping is not something you really wanted to do.”
“As Tim says, helping someone usually means doing something out of your comfort zone. You probably picked up that having you living with us is way out of my comfort zone.” She chuckled.
“You’re a lucky woman, Abby. Jessie is a delightful young lady and Tim is the nicest man I have ever known. I guess that makes me the stupidest woman in the world.”
“Jasmine, when Tim and I were dating, his spirit was the most broken I have ever seen in a man. At first, he would only go out in groups to try and avoid the semblance of a close relationship. Even then, he seldom smiled, much less laughed. It took a long time for Tim to open up to me. He was very badly scarred by what you did to him. It seems funny now, but at one time, I fantasied that if I ever ran into you one day, I would look you in the eye and thank you for throwing him away, so ‘Thanks Jasmine.'”