pter 49
Chapter 49
When he glanced toward the bathroom, Jasmine said, “Mom’s in there taking a shower.”
Thorne nodded and asked, “Did you ask Mommy to come over here to shower?”
Jasmine shook her head. “Nope, she brought her clothes over by herself.”
Thorne didn’t pursue the topic further. After chatting with Jasmine and telling her to get some rest, he turned and left.
Still in the bathroom, Charlene heard some noise and knew Thorne had come by, but she couldn’t hear what they were discussing.
Jasmine hadn’t fully recovered from her sickness, and the medicine made her drowsy. Seeing it getting late, Charlene decided to lie down in bed with Jasmine after her shower.
Jasmine snuggled into her arms, rubbing against her shoulder nook. “Mommy, you smell so nice and feel so soft.”
She felt the softest comfort in her mother’s embrace, even more so than in Vesta’s arms. But knowing Charlene wasn’t fond of Vesta, she kept that thought to herself.
Jasmine fell asleep quickly.
Exhausted herself, Charlene soon drifted off, too.
Since falling ill, Jasmine had a habit of kicking off her blankets. Maybe out of worry, Charlene woke up a few times during the night to tuck Jasmine in, making sure she wouldn’t catch a chill before she could comfortably get some shut–eye.
Charlene didn’t get much rest that night and woke up at dawn. Jasmine was still sleeping as Charlene quietly got out of bed and peered out the window, spotting Thorne jogging below as expected. He usually ran for about an hour before returning.
After getting ready and changing her clothes, Charlene went downstairs to make breakfast.
Half an hour later, she handed off the remaining tasks to Latonia, ensuring Jasmine didn’t have a fever flare–up, before grabbing her purse and car keys and heading out.
Not long after she left, Jasmine woke up and couldn’t find Charlene, asking, “Where’s Mommy?”
Latonia replied, “Mrs. Henderson had to go out.”
Jasmine pouted. “Oh.”
Latonia smiled. “But she made sure your breakfast was ready before she left.”
That lifted Jasmine’s spirits somewhat. Still not fully recovered but feeling hungry, Jasmine freshened up and went downstairs for breakfast.
Shortly after, Thorne came down and also noticed Charlene’s absence. He asked Latonia, “Where’s Mrs. Henderson?”
“Oh, Mrs. Henderson has gone out,” she replied.
Thorne didn’t ask further.
Meanwhile, after returning and grabbing a quick bite, Charlene was about to head to the office when the doorbell rang. She saw her neighbor, Mrs. Sullivan, and her daughter Sally through the door’s camera.
Opening the door, Charlene greeted, “Mrs. Sullivan.”
Mrs. Sullivan looked worried. “Ms. Ross, Sally’s grandmother is sick, and I must take her to the hospital. Could you please drop Sally off at school for me?”
Since Jasmine and Sally’s preschool was on the way to her office, Charlene agreed.
Twenty minutes later, as Charlene was looking for a parking spot near the preschool, she spotted Thorne, Vesta, and Jasmine. Jasmine looked well. She bounced along while holding hands with Vesta, enjoying herself. As for Thorne, he stood beside Vesta, thoughtfully shielding her and Jasmine from the traffic and pedestrians.
Sally also noticed Jasmine. “Charlene, it’s Minnie!”
Charlene smiled softly, “Yes, honey. I see her.”
“Who’s that beautiful lady holding Minnie’s hand? Is she Minnie’s mom, too? Does Minnie have two mommies?” asked Sally.
