The children are having another Christmas play. After rehearsal, I'm rallying my kids to bundle up to leave. The parents drop their children off, but we return them home. Jordan is my absolute favorite. She's a beautiful seven-year-old full of personality and an old soul. The naivety of the other children annoys her. It's comical to observe her interacting with them. Tonight, she comforts another little girl named Chelsea. I walk over and kneel, asking, "Everything okay? What's wrong?"
"Chelsea saw a monster, Miss. Jade." Jordan answers.
"Where?"
"The night we slept in the tents." Chelsea pouts.
"Really? Did you tell your mom about it?"
"She did, but her mom doesn't believe her."
Now hugging Chelsea, I say, "It must've been terrifying since you're still afraid. I can only imagine your fear."
"Miss Jade, I see it all the time, not just that night at camp!" Chelsea cries.
"Where?" I ask.
"It lives in my backyard!"
She begins weeping, but Jordan quickly kisses and embraces her, whispering, "Don't cry. Jesus will protect you."
Chelsea's family's home is an extension of the campsite. I assume she saw the tiger those nights, and now she keeps envisioning it in her backyard. I tell the church bus driver I'm taking Chelsea and Jordan home myself. I lock up and then inform Jordan's parents she'll be with me due to the comfort she brings Chelsea.
Her home is a beautiful log and glass mansion. The ice and snow make the woods picturesque as we drive up this steep driveway to their mansion on a hill. Her parents are Thomas and Teresa Jameson. Lovely couple.
After Chelsea and Jordan share their hearts along with Chelsea's fears, Thomas explains, "Believe me, Minister Jade, we took her very seriously. We even take turns sleeping with her at night, and we still allow her to sleep with us, but she claims she always sees it. We even had Pastor Gene over to pray with us." Thomas explains.
"We hoped the winter months would calm her, but she refuses to look out the window or sleep alone anymore." Teresa sighs.
I pray with them, and Jordan's family allows her to sleep over. The Jamesons have two other children. All four play together into the night. Their home has a theater, so their fifteen-year-old son entertains the children with movies. The Jamesons and I are in the kitchen drinking coffee and conversing well. I then asked, "Had either of you witnessed the tiger or only Chelsea?"
They shake their heads, but they're not revealing something. Thomas looks at Teresa, and she gestures yes. Then Thomas answers, "Jade, you know I work with the government, so I know everything that happens in this community, even the state. They claim this anonymous neighbor had a tiger that supposedly got loose, but that story is fraudulent. I have a few colleagues I confide in, and we could not find this person or this loose tiger. Once I learned it was a hoax, my coworker asked me, 'Then what did your daughter see?' I had never questioned Chelsea because I assumed she'd describe the tiger."
Abrupt, Thomas stops. I glance at him, then Teresa. We sit awkwardly until I ask, "Well, did she ever describe it?"
"Yes, and she said it came to church with you," Thomas answers nodding.
"What kind of description is that?" I scoff,
Squinting, Teresa answers, "We don't know, but she said it's a tall, naked rabbit?"
That description shocks me. I wanted to share my dream, but my describing the same creature will undoubtedly cause them to feel as if I'm this beast.
"Is it with me all the time?" I ask.
"We don't think so," Thomas answers, glancing at his wife.
"No, she only saw it once in church, once during Summer camp, then outside her window," Teresa answers.
Pretending I'm fine, we continue our evening. Afterward, Thomas and his son escorted me to my car. Now headed home, the ride down this dark, wooded road became eerie and frightening. If I were them, I'd move immediately!
Although it's below freezing tonight, I'm so hot driving home that I must cut the heat off and crack my windows and sunroof. By the time I get home, I'm soaking wet from sweat, just like I had been the night of my nightmare. All my heavy clothing left me feeling so nasty. I soak for over an hour in the tub.
Although I'm a wee bit traumatized, it was good to finally have a night consumed with thoughts of something other than Tristan. It's been well over four months since I've heard from him. Monique never called, so I never completed my work there. Blake informed me they received an interim CEO to Tristan's corporation only days after his announcement. Malcolm then informed Toni his home sold in less than a month.
I've never been a colossal dater, but I haven't desired to date since Tristan's disappearance. I don't even go out every Wednesday or Sunday with my church friends. Strangely, I miss and want Tristan.
Saturday morning, I'm driving to Lakeside Mall. The ride there goes past an army base. While driving, I noticed army jeeps and a few black helicopters approaching that base. Curious, I flip around and go up that exit. Unfortunately, it's blocked, and the detour leads me back toward the mall. After shopping, I’m headed back past the army base exit when I'm compelled to call Tristan one last time. My call goes straight to voicemail as if I've been blocked, but I leave a message this time.
"Hey, Mr. Black. It's been so long that I feel as if we're back on a formal basis. Unblock my number and give me a call, please."
Of course, he never calls.
The winter holidays have passed, and spring is nearing. Miraculously, after my visit, Chelsea said her monster stopped coming. Her parents accredit my genuine love, prayers, and concern for Chelsea, freed her from this imaginary fear. I was pleased, and freeing Chelsea also freed me. I was ready to date. I met a nice guy through church named Shane. He's saved, and he works in government as well. We have been on a few dates, and I'm really starting to like him. He lives off the lake and drives a sporty Bentley. He owns a couple of dogs and has a son from a previous relationship. Shane is thirty-two, and his son is twelve. He and his high school sweetheart are now divorced. They're still friends today, but they just married too young.
Shane and I are out to dinner, and he's discussing his fascinating job as usual.
"This information is classified. I shouldn't be telling you any of this stuff! If we break up, you can ruin me!" He chuckles.
"Oh Mr. Top Official, trust me I know you're only sharing what you legally can. You're not fooling me." I laugh.
Still laughing, he teases, "Yes! Keep believing that so I won't have to--"
Mid-sentence, he's interrupted by, "Hey, Officer Knobs."
It's Tristan. As my mouth dropped open, Shane jumped up, hugged him, and kissed Tristan on the lips! That kind of greeting assures me they're very close.
"Man! What are you doing here?" Shane asks as he embraces him again, but Tristan's eyes are fixed on me when he says, "Introduce me to your beautiful friend."
"Oh yes, I'm sorry, babe. Tristan, this is the beautiful Jade Warring. And Jade, this is the incomparable Mr. Tristan Black. He saved my life during my time in the Navy!"
"Charmed Ms. Warring."
"Is Monique here?" Shane grins.
Monique? Now Tristan's with Monique? I'm getting sick to my stomach. What kind of twisted lifestyle does this guy lead? Did he think he was running a harem? I'm so offended by him acting as if he doesn't know me, but I'm the game master. If he wants to play this "I don't know you" game, let's play!
"Monique returned to Trinidad," Tristan answers.
"Oh wow, sorry to hear that. Is she coming back?" Shane probes.
Transfixed, I watch Tristan, awaiting his sick reply. He glances my way, then answers, "We'll discuss her later. Enjoy your date, and maybe you, me, and Ms. Warring can go out on my yacht tomorrow evening."
"We'd love to!" Shane answers, gesturing for me to agree. I smirked, and then Shane said, "Great! See you tomorrow!" Tristan pats his back and then walks away.
I refuse to upset Shane because he's on a natural high from seeing Tristan. He's going on and on about how awesome, fantastic, and phenomenal he is! I put on my Oscar-winning performance for him and listened as if interested. While Shane boasts of Tristan, I'm observing how wonderful he looks. Due to the winter months, he's paler than usual but still darker than most. He's grown a little more hair, making him look more office-ready than army-ready. His hands are well-manicured. His clear polish is still shiny. But those eyes made me want to cry when he walked away. Tristan's gorgeous, and those eyes are spellbinding.
Although he's not running his business, he looks and acts more like a businessman today—no joking or tactless conceited remarks. Shane just talked and talked as I discreetly watched Tristan. If only he knew how I've longed to find him all these months. I must've observed him for fifteen minutes, and he never cracked a smile. Where's my outdoor, fun-loving Tristan? Had the now yacht-owning billionaire overtaken him? I was curious to find out, and tomorrow evening couldn't come fast enough. We're now driving to drop me off at home. Shane had finally come off his Tristan high. Deep in thought, Shane asks, "I wonder what happened? Tristan was really into Monique. I hoped they'd make it despite everything." "Despite what?" I ask. "Oh, it's too complicated, and I don't want to reveal my friend's business without his approval. He's a great man. You're going to like him! You'll see!" Shane seemed nervous as he escorted me to my door. We kissed good night, and then he left. Wide-eyed, I gl
I'm in the office with a new client when Pastor Gene calls me. I thanked her and told her we'd meet next Tuesday."Hello, Pastor Gene, give me one second," I say as I lock my office for the day."Hey, Jade. I just wanted to check on you. We've been missing your after-service fellowship as of late. All is well?""I appreciate your call, Pastor Gene, and yes, all is very well. God has opened doors for me. I have four new clients that I'm simultaneously trying to accommodate. I've never had this much business since I started. I miss you all very much, too. Once I'm done, I plan to take a vacation. Hopefully, no major deals come along so that I can relax.""Well, we don't want to hope against your blessing!" He chuckles."You're right." I laugh."Well, you sound good. I'm glad. I needed to get in touch with you for Mrs. Connors as well. Her chastity seminar is in a week or two, will you have time to help? She's been incessantly requesting you since she met you on her son's yacht.""Really
This guest room runs circles around my hotel suite. It smells like lavender and vanilla, my favorite. The fireplace is burning, and the atmosphere is so peaceful. I put on the gown at the foot of the bed and fell asleep. Soon awakened, I looked at the clock at 3:54 a.m. After using the bathroom, I sit in front of the fireplace. Suddenly, I hear faint yelling. Tiptoeing to my room door, I crack it, and It's Mrs. Connors ordering someone to do something. I hear a dog growling, and she yells, "Get him out of here!"I'm terrified of big dogs, so I lock my door, and thankfully, I do. Seconds later, I heard the dog running up the stairs. He's barking and growling right outside my door. I am petrified!"Where's Tristan?" I hear a man ask. I assume it's Mr. Connors."Get him outta here!" Mrs. Connors screams.Seconds later, I heard all this tussle and bustle. I see shadows under my door. It's several men fighting to get this dog out of the house. They must've slammed against my door ten times
After Tristan drove off, I felt very uneasy, as if someone was watching me. I leave the lake, and as I approach my front door, I'm startled by Toni calling my name."AHHHH! Toni! You're going to give me a heart attack!""Sorry, but Pastor Gene needed me to deliver this immediately. It's from Mrs. Connors." Toni says, handing me an overnight envelope.I hear rustling in the bushes, so I suggest we go inside. I open the package, and it's a first-class round-trip ticket to New York. She wants me to visit her ASAP. Dropping the envelope, I plop down on my couch."I saw Tristan's white Porsche leaving here. You two fight?"Sighing, I answer, "I don't know what to call what we do. He and I can't accomplish going on a date, yet I have his mom inviting me over to vacation with her!""Is that a bad thing?" Toni squints."No, but it's not good either. Toni, Tristan isn't a good guy. I want him to be, but he just isn't. His mom wants me to tame him somehow, but I can't."I tell Toni of the mass
"Tristan wasn't home, but we refused to leave you hiding there alone. What's going on? Why are you in danger?" Pastor Gene asks. I tell him of the demonic visions I keep having that have come to pass. I then explain how I believe Tristan is symbolically represented within these nightmares. "Pastor Gene, I just discerned he would do something awful to me." "Then, you're right! We need to get you far away now." "Not until he's detained somehow! I can't leave. If he's free, I know he'll come for me." "Well, you'll just have to stay at my home." Pastor Gene lives in a gated community, so my evening ends peacefully, and now it's bedtime. While sleeping, I was awakened by Tristan's scent. Soon, I feel him touching me. Suddenly, I envision him entering my room. He's only wearing shorts as he walks very slowly towards me. I begin to undress. I'm now lying on my back nude. But once he starts undressing, I say no and start covering myself with the comforter. He snatches the comforter and
I feel silly at my Pastor's home after two days. Neither Tristan nor Mrs. Connors have called, so I tell my pastors I'm ready to return home. They tell me their door is always open for me to stay with them, so if I get home tonight and can't rest, return. They even give me a key. I thank them and then leave. I pull up to my condo, and Jason comes out to greet me."Hey, Jade! I was worried! Where'd you go?""Hey Jason, I was over to my pastor's home.""Everything okay?""Yes. I just overreacted to... nothing. How are you? You just missed me?" I grin."Let's go inside." He says, panning our surroundings.My home feels so peaceful. I left my oil warmer plugged in, so it smells great. I tell Jason to follow me into my bedroom, and then I plop face-first onto my bed. I lie there for a few seconds before rolling onto my back to face him. Jason looks stressed."You alright?" I ask as I sit up."Tristan came to visit me two mornings ago. Were you at his home?""Yes, why?""Did you know he's a
"Pastor Gene, I don't need that warning. With all due respect, sir, you're terribly mistaken! Someone needs to tell him to stay away from me, not for me to avoid him!"Almost tossing my chair, I storm out. Once I get in my car, I call Blake. He answers, "Hey, Jade.""Hey...Blake, has Pastor Gene talked to you about Tristan and me?""Briefly, why?""What did you tell him?""He asked me what kind of guy he was and to tell him what I knew of your relationship.""Tristan and I never established a relationship, so what did you say about me?""I said I didn't know if you were still with him, but last time I talked to you, you were.""Blake, when were he and I ever in a relationship? You know full well I had been with Shane!""Well, Shane said you left him for Tristan."People are idiots! I begin wailing from anger and hang up the phone on Blake. I'm so upset I was unaware my nose was bleeding. By the time I get home, I look like a vision from my nightmares. Blood has run down my mouth, down
After my vacation, I returned home renewed. Knowing Monique was out of Tristan's life pleased me. She probably was obsessed like Alex and went to his base to see him and got killed. I stop by my office in the evening to check messages, and my floor is covered in letters from the mail slot. I've been requested to attend an executive meeting for The Black Corporation. They're hiring under new ownership, and via Tristan Black's recommendation, I should be hired in any area of design. Gloria Vasala has signed the letters, and upon checking my office voicemails, she's also left two messages. I was hesitant, but I left a message letting her know I was on vacation and to confirm I'll be at the meeting.Now home, I put my phone on speaker to hear my messages. Pastor Gene called looking for me last Sunday, Wednesday, and today. I stick my tongue out at the phone, hang it up, and get into bed. This meeting is on Tuesday, so I get pampered all day on Monday. Once again, I want to be flawless w