J's Story Shot: New Day Rising
It was the top of the year and Jasmine finally had a moment to reflect. The holiday parties, dinners and gift giving were done. She’d survived all the questions on when she was going to get a man. The jokes about getting too old to get a man. She’d dodged all the requests to watch her cousin’s kids so they could duck out and spend time with their spouses. More importantly, she finessed her way out of a forced blind date at her cousin’s Renee’s New Years party.
“There is someone I want you to meet.” Renee dressed in a off the shoulder winter white sweater over winter white dress slacks.
“Renee, you promised you wouldn’t try to partner me up for this. You said it wasn’t just for couples.” Jasmine looked around pointedly at all the couples mingling around the room. It wasn’t hard for her to figure out who Renee wanted her to meet. Mark, Jasmine husband, had just opened the door for a little dumpling of a man with a landing strip down the middle of his head. She gave Renee a “really” look.
“Give him a chance. You can’t judge a book by it’s cover?”
“Yeah and apparently you can’t assume someone is telling the truth because they say ‘I promise’.” Mark obediently brought the new guest over and introduced him to Jasmine. “Jasmine this is my buddy Paul. Paul this is my wife’s cousin Jasmine.”
“Nice to meet you,” Paul’s voice was so high it could break glass.
“Nice to meet you too.” Jasmine said trying not to stare at the landing strip. Being 5 foot 4 inches tall, it was rare that she towered over a man. Why didn’t he just shave his head? That can’t be natural hair loss. It literally, looked like he took a shaver and ran it down the middle of his head.
“Mark, I need you to help me with something.” Renee pulled him away and left her two love connection targets alone.
“It is a bit striking isn’t it.” Paul said patting his head. “It was a bet that I loss. I can’t cut it off until the first of the year so as you can imagine I’m looking forward to the clock striking midnight for more reasons than one.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.” Jasmine was embarrassed by her behavior. “No need, look can I be blunt. You aren’t really my type. I’m not into women with big hair.” He eyed her natural curls, “And I definitely like them with a little less meat on their bones. However, it is New Years Eve so I’m willing to put my preferences aside and get at you.”
“Get at me?” Jasmine’s nose curled as if she smelled something bad. She quickly fixed her face and said, “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.” She walked straight to the hall closet grabbed her coat and exited out the front door. Once she got in her car she text Renee, “Please tell Paul I’m not into A-holes so I saved us both the trouble and left.”
Now a little over a week later she was on a beach, breathing in fresh air and watching the sun rise. This year she would not be roped into anymore situations, she would live her life on her own terms and only God would be able to tell her different. Little did she know that the jogger approaching from a distance would be a part of this year’s holiday cheer.