Unmounting his cellphone, he turned the heat up and dialed a number. He placed the receiver to his ear and waited for a woman to pick up, “Hello, I’d like to order a tow truck. Yeah. Uh…” He couldn’t think straight while he wiped his face with a dripping wet arm, “Hold on.” He used the GPS and gave the address, “Thank you.” he sighed.
Calling his mother, as it rang, he let Cherish know about the truck, “They’re twenty minutes away.” He whispered. As Margaret picked up, Simon was bombarded with question after question, “They’re fine. We’re fine and we’re waiting for a tow truck…” He didn’t want to mention that his father and Jack were out looking for them in front of her. He knew her personality and understood that information would upset her, “We love you too. We’ll call you back later.” He said hanging up.
Staring ahead at Cherish’s car, he found himself growing more frustrated as his emotions settled down. His irritation came through his tone, “I’m getting the stuff out of your car.” Leaving before he had an answer, he shut the door hard.
Cherish didn’t emote any expression. She sat in the seat and stared out at the car from hell in silence. She hardly heard what he had to say before he left the car but winced at the force he used. Slowly, she lifted her hands to the vent before she glanced back at Jasmine who still whined. She put her sweet baby in danger and placed Simon into a situation of complete fear for what?
All his swirling thoughts came undone and to the forefront of his mind as he gathered anything important and of value from the front seat. He carried the baby bag, her items, and the car seat to his trunk. Locking her car, he returned inside with an awkward silence between them. He shut his eyes and rubbed his brow before he metaphorically put his foot down, “Cherish. This is it. Tomorrow we’re getting you a brand-new car with a phone built in. All the safety features and you will be getting maintenance on your car the same damn day I get it on mine. This is never, never happening again. I warned you about this damn car, but you insisted on getting that old run-down tin can. Why? For your pride? Even though I wanted you to…” Stopping himself, he released a sigh and knew he was playing the blame game. He was being too harsh, but wanted to get his point across, “…Do you have any idea how terrified it was not knowing where you were? I thought something…” He caught his breath and shut his eyes, “…I thought something horrible happened to you. I didn’t know what to do without you, I looked everywhere. It was like I lost you too…” He shook his head and lowered it, “…If I didn’t find you, Cherish. What do you think would have happened to you and Jasmine? What if someone else found you with bad intentions? Or Jasmine being in a hot car when the sun comes up? God damnit, that fucks me up just thinking about it.” he whispered.
Fresh tears mingled with the water in her eyes. He was right, what was she thinking? Slowly, her gaze traveled to him before her head dipped back in a sign of complete and utter guilt; weakness. Her hair hung limply over her face and shoulders. She couldn’t find the words to justify what she’d done. All of it was inherently her fault.
Lights appeared over the hill which signaled the tow-truck had arrived. Getting hooked up and ready to be taken away, the driver told Simon which shop it was being brought to and went on his way.
Cherish crossed her arms silently to herself and leaned against the door; staring out of the window. Everything he said messed with her head. She would have left he and Jr. behind to pick up the pieces again. Jasmine could have died just as easily as she could have. Anything could have happened in that time and the outcome could’ve been dire. She could feel how upset Simon was at her and that’s what tore her up the most. This man had been through enough and now could’ve lost a little girl he considered his. How could she do that to him?
Driving home, the interior was terribly silent, and the guilt weighed on his shoulders. He felt as though he was far too rough on Cherish. She was, after all, abused by angry, disgusting men and the last thing he wanted was for her to be afraid of him.
As they pulled into the driveway, she inhaled a deep breath and wiped her eyes with a chilled, damp hand. Jasmine had exhausted herself to sleep in the backseat. Now Jr. was up and hungry. Cherish’s mouth twisted to the side, “I’ll feed Jr. after I change my clothes. I’m so sorry.” She whispered.
This multiplied his regret by ten.
Without another word, as if running from her shame, she got out of the car and leaned into the back for Jasmine. Lifting her little limp body from the back, she held her close and hurried for the side door of the house. Unlocking the door with her own set of keys, she disappeared into the house. Tossing the keys in the dish, she should’ve felt washed with relief, but she was filled with nothing but disappointment in herself. She didn’t deserve the home she’d been lucky enough to receive. She didn’t deserve the man who cared for her with a wonderful family who felt the same. She didn’t even deserve the baby in her arms. After all
