Trip to the park

As soon as the door closed behind the pair, Brenda tenderly pulled him in for another hug. Her voice was soft as she spoke. “John, I’m so sorry you had to go through such a traumatic experience. Are you going to be ok?”

John calmly answered, “It’s not easy, Mom, but panicking does nothing for me. I’m worried and terrified at what might have happened, but right now, I’m just hoping she is somehow alright.” His relaxed response was completely opposite the chaotic thoughts that ran wild because of his mother’s simple question. ‘Ok, how can I be ok?’ A scene of the blonde tomboy being flayed alive was playing in his imagination. ‘My mind keeps running worse scenarios of what Meadow could be going through right now.’ His sullen look hid the complex emotions he was experiencing beneath the surface.

His mother’s arms pushed back on him, and while holding onto his shoulders, she examined him to confirm the truth of his claim. “You’re taking this better than I expected you to, honey. I honestly was prepared for you to be a mess once we got back home.”

“Like you said to me earlier, Mom, I’m an adult now,” John responded with a rueful smile. ”Joking aside, I am fine. I really just want to clear my head. I’m not sure if I’m comfortable being in my room right now, I will probably focus on Meadow in there. If you don’t mind, I’m going to head over to the comic shop to get away from these thoughts if only for a moment.”

Brenda stared at his pained expression; she seemed like she was about to pull him into another hug and break out crying again. Instead, she started to walk away. “Clearing your mind is a sound idea, honey, take some money,” she said as she started digging through her purse. “I heard you tell the officer that you went to Meadow’s because you spent all of your allowance and needed to borrow money, so here’s $40. Don’t worry about spending it all.”

John looked down at the two twenty dollar bills in his hand. “Mom, I wasn’t really planning on buying anything; I just wanted to browse to distract myself.”

“I know, John. I wanted to give you the option if you felt the urge to buy something there or go somewhere else.” She’d paused for a moment while lightly shaking her head. “I personally don’t want you to go anywhere, but your father told me to give you some space. Make sure you keep your phone on and answer my calls, I will be checking on you regularly.”

He pocketed the money and gave her a quick hug. “Thanks for understanding. I won’t be gone too long.” He turned to leave.

Once he left the house, he pulled his cell phone and the card Jasmine gave him out of his inventory. As he keyed in the reporter’s phone number, he thought about how his conversation with Brenda went. ‘I really wasn’t sure if Mom would let me go. I’ll give Dad a call later.’

“Took you long enough, John,” Jasmine’s sensual voice greeted him snidely as soon as she answered the call. ”Come meet me at the nearest entrance of that park you claimed to have been in.”

“Uh, yeah sure, I’ll be there in five,” he awkwardly answered. He wanted to say more but she ended the call after getting his confirmation. “Wow, so rude,” the Gamer said to no one and saved the woman’s number in his phone, embarrassed by the sudden realization that he now had a woman's number that wasn’t Meadow or his mom.

He did his best to suppress the worry he had for Meadow and enjoy the warm summer sun. ‘I safely got away with everything. Mom and Officer Jones believed my story. I wonder if that was because I was believable or if my doubled Charisma played a part. I kind of wish I put my points into something easier to confirm how effective it is.’ John let his thoughts wander as he rushed over to meet up with Jasmine.

The small park was a beautiful sight on the edge of the neighborhood. The park had two playgrounds for small children on opposing sides of a pond. It was a relaxing place John enjoyed going to when he needed to clear his head.

John saw the reporter lightly rocking on one of the swings. He admired the brown-haired beauty as she jumped up and rushed over to him. ‘I really turned down a chance at sex with that,’ he accosted himself as a slight blush started to form while he thought about Jasmine’s earlier advance on him.

“Glad you were able to make it, John,” she greeted him with a smirk in her seductive voice after stopping right in front of him. Jasmine was so close that if she took a half step forward, their chests would be touching. “I was scared mama bear wouldn’t let her cub leave the nest.”

“Me too, my mom has ignored the request for space over much smaller events. Especially with the way she reacted in front of Meadow’s. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she flew us out to be with my father on his business trip,” he responded, just as surprised at how it worked out so well.

“Glad it worked out. I want to delve deeper into these powers of yours, but first we should find a place you’re comfortable talking. Does here work or would you like to go somewhere else?” the reporter asked excitedly.

“This place works, I usually come to this park at times when I’m feeling down. There’s a small stone bridge behind that big tree over there,” he pointed at a large tree situated near the edge of the pond, “I relax on that bridge enjoying its tranquil atmosphere.”

“Sounds like the perfect place for us to talk.” She grabbed his hand and began pulling him along. “Come on, let's go, we have a lot to discuss. The quicker we do, the faster I’ll be able to honor our contract.” John was embarrassed by how much he liked the feel of Jasmine’s hand that dragged him over to the bridge. She leaned against the stone and took out a cigarette. “Alright John, tell me your story.”