When a heart stops By Loudest thoughts
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CHAPTER 1
“Jewel, are you up,” Elis called out with her piercing voice.
She waited for a second and pushed herself against Jewel’s door. Unfortunately, it was locked from the inside.
She chuckled and knocked gently on the door.
Jewel heard her mom earlier but wasn’t ready for her long speech. She threw a pillow over her head when the third knock landed on the door. Elis was persistently knocking which was irritating her daughter.
“Mom that’s enough already, I’d be out in a minute.” She said squirming under her pillow.
“Good, because James is here.”
“James?” She yelled out to her mom.
“Yes, James, the boyfriend. He’s been waiting all morning.” Elis said gently with her ears against the door.
Jewel snorted and hit her head in her palms, then her alarm rang. She stretched her arms to the small clock on top of her bedpost to turn off the alarm when her eyes caught the note on the clock.
“Oh my God, Carla.” She jumped off her bed and straight to her wardrobe.
“Are you okay, baby?” Her worried mom asked when she heard her wail.
Jewel hurriedly took out her blouse from yesterday and sniffed it, then threw caution to the air. “This should do.” She took off her nightgown and slipped it on.
Rushed to the washroom and gaggled on her mouth wash. Jewel rushed to the door and picked up her sandals and bag she left right by the entrance from yesterday.
She placed the shoes inside her bag and pushed the door open. Her mom stumbled as she was still behind the door.
“Sorry, mom. See you later.”
“Sorry and that’s it?”
“Not now mom. I have to go.” She turned around to face her mom who was still holding on to her face.
Jewel, run her hand through her hair and left her mom still staring.
Elis followed her abruptly.
“Brunch is ready and your boyfriend is still waiting.”
Jewel, forced herself to face her mom again when she mentioned her boyfriend. She forgot he was still in the house.
James who was behind the pillar dividing the hall quietly peeped when he heard his name. He caught a glimpse of Elis and smiled.
“Mom, tell my boyfriend to call me next time he wants to visit.”
“Jew…l…”
“Mom, save it. I’m late and again, James should have called.” She turned around and bumped into him but James grabbed her before she could fall.
“I was trying to warn you about that.” Her mom said and left them both staring at each other.
“Emmm babes, I’ve got to go.” She managed to say instead of the usual affectionate greetings.
She slipped out of his grasp without another word and rushed to the door, leaving James speechless in the centre of the room.
“Jewel.” He thundered across the room,” His forehead sunk in and his eyes suddenly went red.
She paused immediately and stared at him.
“You were saying?” She frowned.
“We need to talk.” He said rather calmly.
“And I need to be somewhere right about now. Do you have a problem with that?” She asked sarcastically.
He sighed. “No, see you later then.”
“Thank you, babes.” She rushed to hug him and intended stealing a kiss but James held on to her face for a few minutes. They both seemed lost and didn’t want to let go.
Elis who was seated at the brunch table kept smiling and misguidedly dropped a spoon.
The two love birds paused and glanced at her. She mouthed sorry and turned away to the kitchen.
James holding on to her waist, laughed. “Do you think we have time for more?” He winked.
“No, I have t……”
“Yes, you have to go.” He let go of her waist and scratched his forehead.
“We would talk when I get back.” She muttered.
“The hundredth promise but I’d be patience until you make time for us.” He sighed heavily.
“Thank you so much, James.” She happily gave him a quick peck and rushed off through the door before he could hold her back.
James instantly frowned and wiped the lipstick from his lips with the back of his palm. He walked to the curtains, pulled it aside and watched as Jewel drove off and the security closed the gate. He then chuckled with another scowl.
His mother-in-law came at that moment and he looked back forcing a smile on his face.
“I’m so sorry about earlier.” She apologized for Jewel's behaviour.
“That’s fine, we’d work it out but do you have any idea where she runs off to every Sunday morning?”
“My dear, I wished I knew. She’s been this way for the past four years.” She said uncomfortably.
“What about pops?” He further asked.
“He’s too busy to even notice.”
“I’m sure, it’s nothing serious.” James encouraged her.
“I hope so,” Elis said and invited him over to the brunch table.
James forced another smile and walked over to her end.
**************
Jewel drove on top speed and constantly ignoring the traffic lights.
She hit her brake abruptly, smiled and rolled down her glass and then took off her shades.
She rushed out of the car after spotting Carla at the entrance.
With her arms opened for an embrace, Carla just looked on for a while and brought out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She took out one and lighted it.
''Come on,'' Jewel muttered feigning anger.
''You are late today,'' Carla said with a puff.
''I know and I'm so sorry,'' Jewel said and rushed into her arms.
Carla hesitated to put her arms around her, so Jewel let her go.
"You'd have to make it up to me then." Carla poked her nose.
"You got it. Now let's go home."
"Home? Same home?"
"Yes, or where do you want to go."
"A hotel or any place which isn't home." She threw the cigarette on the floor and lighted another one. "You want one?"
"No, I don't smoke and it's fine, we'd get a hotel on our way from the restaurant."
"Goodness, I'd get decent food," Carla yelled.
"I guess someone missed me." Jewel smiled and made a mental note.
"In your dreams." Carla hit her gently.
"No arguments on that. Let's get going already."
She dragged Carla along to her car.
Carla let go of her hand and turned back to the writing on the giant gate.
She shook her head and walked to the other side of the car.
"Are you okay?" Jewel asked.
"Not really, but I'd miss this prison I called home for the past twenty years." She said and was lost in her thoughts.
"Ten years."
"What's that?" Carla queried.
"I mean, you were only brought here after the mental institution and juvenile didn't work."
"Five years each in those centres were even hell than this place." Carla pushed her tears back.
"You know I've got you right?"
"I'm not exactly sure Jewel."
She frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"
She asked and Carla just kept staring at the two vans that passed by earlier.
"Who did you tell I was getting out today?"
"You haven't answered my question and y....."
"I'm not going to ask again. Who else knew I'd get out today.?” She yelled angrily.
"Calm down. You said to tell no one."
"You little brat," Carla kept ranting while walking towards her.
"You called me a brat?"
"Get down."
"What?"
"I said get d....." Carla was saying while rushing to Jewel's end.
She jumped on her, pulling her to the ground.
Suddenly, the entire prison yard became chaotic.
Gunshots making noise and Carla still shielding Jewel with her body.
**************Read the next episode on alltheblacks.com
