Family Secrets

CHAPTER 1

Jasmine listened attentively to her mother on the other line inviting her to the family reunion. She closed her eyes trying to hold back the tears. The last thing she wanted to do was see her family. Jasmine did not have good childhood memories. The years of abuse were not ones she wanted to remember. Sandra listened to the silence on the other end. She felt so guilty when she found out what her brother did to her daughter. Sandra knew her daughter had gone through turmoil no child should experience. 

Jasmine finally spoke to her mother. "Mom, I don't know." "I know it is hard for you but not all your family is bad. After your grandmother died we all drifted apart and we need to come together again because life is so short," her mother pleaded. "Mom, give me some time and I will let you know," Jasmine said. "Okay, baby. How is work? How are you doing?" she asked. "Everything is good," Jasmine admitted. "I am so proud of you. You are doing big things in Atlanta working at that company as a lead accountant. I always knew you would do big things, Jasmine. You were always so intelligent," Sandra bragged proudly. 

"I wish I was intelligent enough to tell you what Uncle Peter was doing to me," Jasmine confessed. "That was not your fault. You were a child threatened by an adult. You cannot blame yourself. I blame myself. I knew something was wrong but I never imagined you were being abused," Sandra said sadly. "Mom, he had you all fooled. He thought he was smarter than everyone else until you caught him in the act," Jasmine explained.

Sarah closed her eyes remembering that horrific day. She had left home for work and quickly returned to get a forgotten item. Uncle Peter was not expecting her. Like always he waited for opportunities to target Jasmine. Sarah slipped into her daughter's room to discover her brother abusing her daughter. She lost it and attack him. That day they threw him out of the house. When the police went to question him he fled town scared of being caught. The family later discovered he had abused one of his cousins as well. 

"I am sorry you went through that experience," Sarah said. "I know mom," Jasmine admitted. "And how is your dating life? Have you met anyone special?" she asked. Sarah was concerned that her daughter avoided the dating scene because of the abuse. "I am dating occasionally but there is no one special," Jasmine admitted. Sarah prayed her daughter would see how beautiful and valuable she was. "Well, I am praying for you and can't wait until you meet someone special," Sandra said. "You and I both," Jasmine agreed. Many times Jasmine wished she could forget her past and be lifted up from the secrets that ruined her life. She loved her mother for holding her down but longed for more love and safety. Jasmine heard a knock at her door and looked up and saw Austin Harris.