Chapter 2: What Jasmine Knew
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
The little machine beside Jasmine's bed gave a soft electronic beep.
Andre still held the prescription bottle.
His thumb covered part of the label, but Monica's name was impossible to miss.
“Monica,” he said quietly.
She stared at him.
“What?””
“Your name is on this.””
“I can see that.””
“Then explain why it's in Jasmine's backpack.””
Monica looked toward Jasmine.
The girl immediately looked down.
“Jasmine,” Monica said, forcing her voice to soften, “where did you get that?””
Jasmine didn't answer.
Andre stepped closer to the bed.
“Baby, look at me.””
She did.
“Did Mom put this in your backpack?””
Jasmine shook her head.
“Did you?””
Another shake.
Andre's brow furrowed.
“Then who did?””
Jasmine's lips trembled.
“I can't tell you.””
Monica exhaled sharply.
“This is ridiculous.””
Tasha looked at her.
“Mrs. Hayes, she's scared. Please give her a minute.””
“I know my daughter.””
Andre turned toward Monica.
“Do you?””
Monica's eyes narrowed.
“What is that supposed to mean?””
“It means she's terrified of telling us something.””
“She has anxiety.””
Andre looked back at Jasmine.
Jasmine flinched at the word.
“No,” she whispered.
Monica folded her arms.
“See?””
Jasmine suddenly spoke louder.
“I don't have anxiety.””
Everyone stopped.
Andre crouched beside the bed.
“Okay. Then tell me what's going on.””
Jasmine looked at Tasha.
Then at Monica.
Then at the prescription bottle.
“I found it.””
“Where?””
“In Mom's bathroom.””
Monica's face tightened.
Andre noticed.
“You found the bottle in the bathroom?””
Jasmine nodded.
“It was behind the towels.””
Monica shook her head.
“Jasmine, you shouldn't be going through my things.””
“I wasn't!””
“You were.””
“I wasn't!””
Tasha stepped closer.
“Let's keep our voices down.””
Jasmine's breathing quickened.
Andre placed his hand gently over hers.
“It's okay.””
Monica pointed toward the bottle.
“She shouldn't have taken it.””
Andre's eyes snapped toward her.
“Taken it?””
Monica froze.
Jasmine looked frightened.
Tasha's expression changed.
“Has she taken any medication?””
“No,” Monica said immediately.
Andre stared at her.
“You answered pretty fast.””
“Because I know she hasn't.””
Jasmine whispered, “I didn't take it.””
Andre turned back.
“I believe you.””
Monica rubbed her forehead.
“Can we please stop turning this into something it isn't?””
Andre picked up the folded document.
“What about this?””
Monica's eyes locked onto it.
“Don't open that.””
Andre noticed her reaction.
“What is it?””
“Medical paperwork.””
“For you?””
She hesitated.
“Yes.””
“Then why is it in Jasmine's backpack?””
“I don't know.””
Jasmine suddenly whispered, “You told me to hide it.””
Monica's head snapped around.
“I never told you that.””
“You did.””
“When?””
“Tuesday.””
Andre looked between them.
“Tuesday?””
Jasmine nodded.
“You came into my room after Dad went downstairs.””
Monica's face hardened.
“And what exactly did I say?””
Jasmine's fingers tightened around the blanket.
“You said if Dad saw the papers, he'd leave.””
Andre went still.
Monica stared at Jasmine.
“That is not what I said.””
“Then what did you say?””
Jasmine's voice broke.
“You said, ‘He can't know yet.’”
Andre slowly stood.
“Know what?””
Monica looked at him.
“I was scared.””
“Of what?””
She said nothing.
Andre held up the document.
“What's on this?””
“Nothing that concerns you.””
He gave a humorless laugh.
“It's medical paperwork with your name on it, hidden in our daughter's backpack.””
“Lower your voice.””
“Our daughter is in pain, Monica.””
“And she's making this worse!””
Jasmine recoiled.
Andre immediately turned.
“Don't talk to her like that.””
Monica's eyes filled with tears.
For one second, she looked less angry than desperate.
“Andre, please.””
He stared at her.
“Please what?””
“Just give me the bottle.””
“No.””
“It's mine.””
“I know.””
“Then give it to me.””
“Not until I know why it was hidden.””
Monica looked toward the hospital door.
Tasha noticed.
“Are you expecting someone?””
“No.””
The answer came too quickly.
Andre followed Monica's gaze.
“Who are you waiting for?””
“Nobody.””
Then Jasmine suddenly whispered from the bed.
“She said they'd come if Dad found out.””
Andre turned.
“Who?””
Jasmine's eyes widened.
She looked at Monica.
Monica shook her head once.
Not a warning.
A plea.
May you like
Jasmine swallowed.
Then the hospital room door handle began to move.
