Part 2A Cherry Blossom Promise

When I got home, the air conditioning was broken.

I huddled under a blanket on the bed, waiting until one in the morning.

William called.

“Jasmine, something happened with Tara.”

“Her ex-boyfriend showed up again, her apartment is a mess, and she’s too scared to be alone. I’m staying with her for a while.”

I closed my eyes, taking a sharp breath.

“William, you could have taken her to a hotel, or called a female friend to come over.”

“You staying there, just the two of you, what kind of impression does that give? Aren't you worried people will misunderstand?”

“Misunderstand what? We’re just colleagues.” He dismissed it. “I’m like this with everyone, you know that. No one will think anything of it.”

I clutched the blanket tightly.

“I think I have a fever. The air conditioning at home is broken, can you…”

“Jasmine!”

He cut me off, a hint of impatience in his voice.

“Can you stop being so dramatic? I’m just helping a friend. She’s terrified right now, and you’re making a scene with me?

“Am I not good enough to you normally? Do I have to ignore everyone else and only pay attention to you?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Tara took the phone, her voice soft and tearful.

“Jasmine, please don’t misunderstand William… I was just so scared that I begged him to stay and protect me…

“Please don’t be angry. I promise I’ll give him back to you tomorrow.”

I hung up the phone.

The room was cold, so cold my bones shivered.

I wrapped myself in the blanket and lay down, curling into a ball.

My body grew hotter and hotter, my heart pounding as if it wanted to leap from my throat.

I struggled to get up.

I called 911 myself.

In the emergency room, after the doctor finished examining me, she frowned.

“Didn’t you know you were pregnant?”

“Why did you wait until your fever developed into myocarditis to come in!”

I stared at the report, my mind reeling.