Page 18 of Tempted

Chapter Six

Jasmine’s heart pounded with anticipation as she rang the doorbell on the large oak door. It had been way too long since she’d seen her daughter but she was only granted two supervised visits a month and she’d missed the last one because the family Star had been staying with had got the time she was supposed to visit wrong. Since then her daughter had been moved to a group home. It was only a matter of time before Jasmine got her back.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a tall thin woman with graying red hair answered the door. “Yes, may I help you?” Light brown eyes surveyed Jasmine from head to toe.

“I’m Jasmine Brooks. I spoke with Ms. Vance to see—”

“You’re Star’s mother? Of course! Please, come in. I’m Theresa Mayer.” The woman opened the door wider, allowing Jasmine entrance. “Star will be so pleased you’ve come; it’s just what she needs. Lately…” she broke off with a frown.

“What? Is everything alright with her?” Jasmine’s heartbeat quickened.

Ms. Mayer paused for a moment before answering. “Well, she hasn’t spoken a word since she’s been in our care. She doesn’t interact with the other children and she basically keeps to herself. I’m just worried that the longer she goes without speaking, the harder it will be to draw Star from out of her shell.”

It was during her first visit with Star after her release from prison, that Jasmine learned Star had stopped speaking. No one could give her a reason why, but she didn’t need one. She blamed herself for not choosing another course of action to solve her problems. Now because of what she’d done, her daughter silently suffered.

“I had hoped after my last visit, she might talk again. Ms. Mayer—”

“Theresa. We don’t stand on formalities here. I’ve only worked at this home for a few weeks, but in the time I’ve spent with Star, I think there’s something much deeper to why she doesn’t speak. I think your being away is part of it, but not entirely. We’ve sent her to a child psychologist, but if she won’t open up, they can’t help.”

Jasmine nodded. “Yes, I understand,” she sighed. “May I see her now?”

The other woman nodded. “Of course. I just thought I should warn you so you won’t be alarmed when you see her appearance.”

Jasmine’s heart felt as if it had sunk to her feet. “Her appearance? What do you mean?”

“You’ll see. Please, follow me.”

Jasmine followed Theresa in silence, wondering what the other woman had meant about Star’s appearance.

She didn’t have to wonder for long. When Jasmine walked into Star’s room, the little girl was curled up in a ball on the windowsill, fast asleep.

Star looked so thin!

It looked like she’d lost at least five to seven pounds, which was very noticeable for a child of nearly six.

“I’ll go wake her. The poor dear hasn’t slept much since we told her about your visit.” Theresa made a move to go to Star, but Jasmine grabbed her arm.

“No. Please. I’ll do it, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course. I’ll be just downstairs. Can I bring you up something to drink?”

“No, thank you.”

Jasmine waited until Theresa was gone and she heard footsteps going down the stairs before going to her daughter. Gently at first, she tapped the little girl’s shoulders. “Star? Baby? Mommy’s here.”

The child stirred a little, but didn’t wake up.

Jasmine gathered Star in her arms and carried her to the narrow twin bed in the center of the room. Her daughter weighed next to nothing. The once cherubically round face was now thin and hollowed. Taking a seat with Star on her lap, Jasmine rocked her daughter as tears streamed down her face.

“Star honey, wake up, Mommy is here,” she whispered against her daughter’s ear.

This time, Starwoke up. She stared at Jasmine with large soulful eyes that looked bigger than ever in her thin face. They widened temporarily in what appeared to be near disbelief before a small smile curved her lips. Before Jasmine could say another word, Star threw her arms around her mother’s neck in a near choke hold. Though it was difficult to breathe, Jasmine didn’t mind. She wrapped her arms around her baby’s small body.

“I missed you so much honey,” she gasped the words, but still it felt good to hold Star again.Jasmine didn’t know how long they remained in each other’s embrace, but it didn’t matter.

“Sweetheart, I have a new job, which pays pretty decent money. Do you know what that means?”

Star shook her head, the little smile still on her lips. Jasmine stroked the side of Star’s face. She was such a beautiful child with thickly-lashed chocolate brown eyes, even mahogany skin, a heart-shaped mouth that curled at the corners when she smiled, and a cute button nose. She’d grow up to be a great beauty one day. There were times when Star was just a baby, that Jasmine would stand over her daughter’s crib just to watch her sleeping. Even now it amazed her that this gorgeous child belonged to her.

---