Romance
Knotted Roots - Part 14
Jane refused to leave me alone that night, she insisted that she stayed here. Everything was still moving in slow motion, delayed response and recognition to everything around me. Whenever Jane spoke, it was like my brain was attempting to translate the words before they made sense. I wandered the house, heavy footsteps thudding across the dry wooden floor. The endless memories framed and nailed to the walls. It was as if the home had lost a part of itself somehow. Wounded. “Jane, you needn’t worry yourself with me.” “Its better to be in a house of mourning, than a house of feasting.” “That doesn’t make sense. No one wants to feel this, no one should have to feel this!” My eyes trying to hold back the burning fiery from within. Surely she doesn’t want to experience my pain, my loss. The heaviness of it all was nearly suffocating! She should be enjoying a nice dinner, to be happy. Not here watching me drown in sorrow. Yet, it was comforting to have her around, and the best part with Jane was she carried no drama. The day seemed to have passed quickly, the sun was beginning to set off in the distance. That amber colored light trying to pierce into this gloomy home. I felt exhausted, as if I hadn’t slept in years. Jane had been sitting in an arm chair in the living room, while I sulked around the house. “Talk to me Jasper, you seem troubled.” Jane asked, her voice soft, a patient expression on her face. The way her eyes beamed with love, with life. I made my way back to the couch, sitting on its edge. “I don’t mean this in anyway towards you, Jane. But if I’m being honest, I feel abandoned.” Jane didn’t flinch, her smile steady across her lips. Her sundress is the only color in this dreary home. “Jasper, you’re never alone. Psalms 34:18 says, ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit.’ God doesn’t forsake his children. I can’t say I know what you’re going through or how you’re feeling, but I know how to listen.” Jane’s smile was infectious to say the least, the way her heart broke seeing me broken, yet resilient and poised in the face of death itself, was bewildering and beautiful all the same. It caused a shift within me, a surge of emotion and something else I wasn’t sure I truly recognized. With what little strength I had left, I rose to my feet, making my way to the small record player Pa had. He hardly used it since Ma passed, at times even I forgot about it. We only ever used it in rare memorable moments. I knelt beside it, sifting through the shelf underneath it for a particular record. Ah! With a swipe, I brushed the dust off the cover revealing the famous Patsy Cline single. I sat the record on the platter, watching the needle of the stylus sit into the fine grooves of the record as it began to play. The familiar musical intro of the song bounced off of the walls. Without speaking, I stepped in front of Jane, reaching out my hand to her. She silently accepted the offer and we began to dance slowly, as the song “Crazy” played softly in the background. Jane rested her head against my chest, I resting my chin atop her head. It was my way of expressing how much I loved her, and how I wouldn’t blame her if she walked away, to be happier with someone else, anyone else. I kissed the top of her head a few times as we held each other closely. Swaying as the lyrics spoke what was on my mind, to allow Jane to understand my current mindstate. When the song ended, Jane leaned back that warm smile never fading from her face, her eyes warmer than ever. “I love your kind of crazy, Jasper Black.” My chest fluttering, my eyes, dark and desperate for her words to be true, “I love you, Jane.” I breathed the words heavily, my forehead resting against hers. That’s when she pulled me into a kiss. The kiss was soft, yet there was so much depth to it, a raw vulnerability to it. I kissed her back just as gently at first. My arms encircled her hips gently pulling her into my body. I clung to her warmth, to her loving kisses, as if they were healing a part of my brokenness. When we pulled away from one another, we were both a little breathless, and she had brought a smile, a life source back inside me. “It’s getting late.” I breathed, “When are you going to understand that I’m not going anywhere?” My eyes were stinging with tears that I was able to blink away. “Why don’t you try to take a warm shower, Jasper. It may do you some good.” Her loving concern for my wellbeing was appreciated and adored. I nodded and began the slow ascent to the second floor, Pa’s room haunting my conscience as I tried to ignore its emptiness. I entered the bathroom, shed the clothes from my back, and entered into the steamy shower. The hot running water, as if washing away all of the tears that had stained my cheeks and soothing the internal pain and anguish within me. Jane was right, I did need this. I wrapped the towel around my waist, steam disappearing from my hot skin as I entered my room, shocked to see Jane there, sitting on my bed. “Ahem.” Jane peeked over her shoulder and was shocked to see me in a towel, although I don’t believe she looked disappointed. “Oh! I’m sorry! I’ll just…” “Well I can’t say this isn’t a pleasant surprise.” I said, holding her gaze, her speechlessness was adorable. “I’ll just be leaving, so you can dress.” Jane tried not to stare at my chiseled frame, and the blush on her cheeks brought a broad smile to my weary face. Jane shut the door behind her, and I chuckled to myself. This was one of those moments when my thoughts of having Jane to myself were nearly obsessive, the way I could let her know what she does to me, and repay her with praise and pleasure. However, that dream would have to wait since we agreed to abstain from sexual desires and focus on our relationship emotionally. “It’s safe now!” I hollered, a loose shirt and sweatpants covering my body from her curious and admiring eyes. Jane couldn’t help but laugh at herself as she entered my room again. “I know I told you I didn’t need this, but I sure am glad to be spending tonight with you, Jane.” “Me too, Jasper.” Jane went to the edge of my bed, motioning me to sit next to her. As I sat beside her, she reached out her hand for me to take, and I did without hesitation. That warm smile grew a little larger as my hand filled hers, and then she bowed her head. I wasn’t sure what she was doing at first until she began to speak; she was praying. “Dear Lord, blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Lord, you know Jasper’s pain, his loss. I ask that you remain with him now and always, as he learns to live this life without Pa, but be steadfast, knowing you are always with him, guiding him. May your love and mercy fall upon him, and may you bring peace to his worried heart. Give him the courage to continue to live as you live within us. It is in your precious and holy name I pray, Jesus, amen.” A tear escaped, dwindling slowly down my cheek. I didn’t realize I had tensed up until I went to let go of Jane’s hand and pull her into another hug. I don’t know what I did to deserve someone like Jane, to receive love like this, but I wasn’t going to waste it. Not even Grace could calm the brewing storm within me. I pulled the quilted comforter back and slipped underneath and cuddled Jane. “I love you, Jane.” “I love you too, Jasper.” We both became subdued by exhaustion and fell asleep clinging to one another under the quilted comforter.
By Sibley Shamra3 months ago in Chapters
Knotted Roots - Part 13. Top Story - October 2025.
I held onto Jasper, for what felt like hours, but it was only a matter of a few minutes. “I’ll be right back, Jasper.” I slipped out of his limp arms, as he slouched back to the couch. I made my way to the kitchen to brew up some coffee, hoping the warmth and energy would bring some kind of life back to Jasper’s eyes. I wasn’t sure what else to do, but I knew Jasper needed someone. Had he told Jane? Did anyone else know? Even I was in disbelief over the shattering news of his father’s passing. He was doing so well, enjoying the most of his life, especially recently, with Jasper being home. I needed to remain strong, for Jasper. His world just broke, the only family he had left was his father. He was all that remained of the Black family. While the coffee brewed, and the warm roasted smell wafted aimlessly in the air, I returned to Jasper, who had his phone back in his hands. It looked like he had just sent a message to someone, but I wasn’t sure. “Jasper?” He didn’t look up, his fingers slowly gliding over his glass screen. I sat down beside him again, and saw him looking at the few photos of him and Pa he was staring at. He clicked on one in particular, a photo with him, Pa, Jane and her parents, seemingly enjoying a barbeque. “You guys look great together…” I breathed, “He finally went to church that day.” Jasper croaked, his voice gritty. I didn’t know what to say, so I just leaned on Jasper’s arm, hoping it brought him comfort. We sat there, silently leaning against one another until I heard the coffee maker ding. “I’ll grab us a cup.” As I poured the hot brew into two coffee mugs I heard Jasper’s phone ring briefly, followed by his footsteps moving outside as he answered the phone. I sat patiently at the kitchen table awaiting his return but was soon spooked by Jasper slamming the front door shut, his steps rapidly approaching like thunder. “Who was that?” I asked, nervous that he was in such a rage, he had just lost his father, what else could have possibly happened?! “Like you don’t already know.” He gritted through his teeth as he leaned angrily over the kitchen sink. “Jasper, I…” “Why are you here Grace?” “I heard the sirens and saw them turning into your driveway. What happened just now?” My voice rose with confusion, slightly defensive with the way Jasper’s unpredictable anger grew. His body was tense, as if he was trying to control every muscle, every reaction. His hands gripped the basin of the sink like he relied on it for support, for stability. “Jasper, why don’t you just breathe, calm down.” “Calm down?” He scoffed, as he turned so that I could see his face, I took a step back. There was a darkness in his eyes, his face contorted and unrecognizable. “Jasper, you’re not…” “No! I know why you’re here Grace. You can stop pretending now.” “Pretending?!” “You and your slimeball of a fiance are so eager to take this ranch, my heritage, my life!” Jasper’s anger was explosive, as if a nuclear reaction had just occurred. “I tried to love you Grace. I really did, and yet, I’ve been a fool this entire time. I was so blinded that I didn’t realize how bad you’ve manipulated me.” “Manipulated you?!” Jasper let out an exhausted, breathy, laugh. “Greg told me everything.” He said slowly, his eyes like a predator on mine, I was frozen. I wasn’t scared of Jasper, but there was an aura in the way he stalked around the kitchen table towards me, that made me tremble for a moment. “You and Greg think you can take this ranch from me.” His voice was low, twisted. His arm pinning me against a nearby wall in the kitchen, his face sinking so we were on even eye level with one another. “You thought you had this perfect plan, the way I crawled like a puppy to you, the way we made love that night. Oh, it was almost perfectly thought out.” “Jasper…” “No! You don’t get to play with my feelings anymore! I’m done tormenting myself for you!” Could he honestly believe that was why I was here? Have I not hurt as well? Or did he forget how it was when he left? I knew he wasn’t thinking clearly, influenced by Greg’s vile lies, if I had any ounce of love left for him, it was gone. I couldn’t love anyone who would intentionally destroy one’s reason for existing, to so carelessly attack one’s soul. Jasper needed to see the truth, that I never wanted his ranch, that I was here for him! “Who was on the phone?” I asked coldly, now that there was space between us. I was beginning to feel more secure, more bold. “Answer me Jasper!” “Like you didn’t tell him.” He said exhausted, his chest heaving. His eyes low, not even looking at me anymore. His muscles, slowly relaxing. It was as if I was watching him give up, to submit to something. That wasn’t the Jasper I knew. Sorrow swirled in my heart, and it was then that everything had begun to make sense. Greg was in town talking with the bankers, he must’ve seen the ambulance! “Jasper, I haven’t spoken to anyone! I’ve only been here, with you!” “Liar! He told me how you’ve been hoping for this day to come. How you only ever wanted him!” “Jasper, that’s not true! You know that!” “I don’t believe you!” “Jasper, I’m here because I love you! I know you don’t want to admit your feelings for me after everything you’ve been through! I know you’re trying to change yourself! To be different, to be with Jane. But you don’t need to change for me, Jasper! I loved you then, like I love you now, recklessly.” I shouted, a pure emotional release, no longer able to restrain myself. “If you loved me, you wouldn’t have crawled into bed with another man!” His hands slamming against the wall behind me, pinning me once more. “It’s not like I was yours to lose! Besides, I made a mistake, Jasper!” “I gave you every piece of me, Grace! For once, I wanted you to love me, without me begging for it!” I stood astonished, speechless. The black envelope, the bantering, how he held me in his room, against the sheets, the passion burning like an inferno. Looking upwards at his shadowy expression, that’s when I saw the tears that had been running down his face. “I think it’s time you left Grace.” “Surely you don’t…” “Leave!” Jasper’s booming anger was evident, and perhaps he needed space, time. He just lost his father, Greg calling him in his darkest hour and stirring things up in the midst of everything. As I slipped out underneath his arm, I slowly made my way to the front door, grabbing the cold doorknob. I looked back to Jasper in the kitchen. He had slumped down to the ground, head in his hands, and my heart churned with torment as I couldn’t ease his pain. I couldn’t because I was part of what caused it, and that tore my heartstrings like a broken chord on a guitar. When I got home, I ran straight to my room slamming my bedroom door and landing on my bed, trying to smother my sobs in my pillow. “Grace, dear?” It was my father, he rarely ever comes into my room, he always knew it was when I needed space, but his presence seemed to bring relief. “Papa! He’s gone!” My father just wrapped me in his arms as I curled into him like a little girl, and sobbed violently in his chest. “I know honeybee, I know.”
By Sibley Shamra3 months ago in Chapters
Knotted Roots - Part 12. Content Warning.
It was about midday now, and I was about to go back outside when I realized I hadn’t heard from Pa this morning. Was he still sleeping? It was unlike him, he was usually up as the sun rose over the mountains, and with everything going on with Grace, concern grew rapidly, a heaviness sinking in my chest as I climbed the stairs as if they weren’t even there. Pa had been doing more lately, and it was of slight concern that he was doing too much. Pa’s door was still shut, I leaned my ear against the door as if hesitant to open the door, afraid of what I might find on the other side. Hoping to hear his gentle snoring, instead of the deafening silence. Unable to hear him, I swung the door open, and Pa was on the floor as if he had fallen. I rushed over to his side, desperate to see him awake, breathing, anything. Nothing! Fumbling with my phone, my fingers shook with fear, and I had to focus to press the three numbers, 9-1-1. “Hello? Yes, I need an ambulance!” I gave them the address, and a blur of emotions crashed like a tsunami! “Pa! Wake up!” I held him in my arms, unsure of what to do, praying that the medics would arrive before it was too late! What if it was already too late? I could hear the sirens in the distance, thankful they were almost here. “Come back to me Pa! Come back!” I screamed, my face wet with tears. “Hello? Medics!” “I couldn’t respond, my voice was gone, only the sounds of my sobs could be heard as if a haunted echo in the house. I heard the medics making their way upstairs, and everything tuned out, a ringing and buzzing sound filled my ears, as they rushed in. “Sir, you need to let him go.” One of them said as two of them had to physically rip me off of Pa’s body. I didn’t know what else to do, so I hugged the stranger, tears like rivers burning down my face “Pa…” “My team’s working on him, come on, let’s go downstairs.” “No! I can’t leave him…” “You don’t want to remember him this way. Trust me.” Several other medics had hooked up countless wires and machines to him, another had begun CPR. The medic holding me was able to walk me out of the room, my eyes never leaving him, “I should’ve checked on him sooner…” I croaked, finally slumped on a couch downstairs. “You did what you could.” My body went into shock, I felt numb, my eyes felt empty and my heart barely beating. Jumping up when I heard the footsteps of the medics making their way downstairs. I moved towards the hall where the stairs meet the living area and front door, when the medic grabbed me again. “Pa?” I saw the group of medics wheeling the stretcher, a white sheet covering the top of it, “Where is he?” The medic had to use all of his physical power to restrain me, “He’s…” “No! Don’t say it!” “I’m sorry, sir. He’s gone.” “Bring him back! Bring him back to me!” I screeched. The medic holding me back, tried to comfort me, hugging me back as I grieved. “Sir, do you have anyone you can call? Anyone who could stay with you?” I nearly collapsed in exhaustion, the medic had finally got me to sit back on the couch, the realization of Pa’s passing sinking in. “Sir?” I looked up to him, unable to remember what he just asked me. “Do you have anyone that can come, maybe sit with you?” I had no strength left in me, not even to respond to him, so I just nodded. Pulling out my phone, I stared at it blankly for a moment. Who should I call? Jane? Grace? Both of them? The medic seeing the phone nodded, said his condolences again, and made his way to the ambulance out front. I couldn’t think, tears blurring my vision with every blink, thoughts of “what if” tormenting me. I didn’t even flinch when the door flew open, a figure slowly approaching me. I was unable to look anywhere but the screensaver on my phone. All I could focus on was Pa.
By Sibley Shamra3 months ago in Chapters
Knotted Roots - Part 11
Grace woke up the next day in disbelief, her childhood sweetheart, Jasper Black, in love with Jane?! It was hard to believe. Although, who could blame him, I haven’t necessarily been a saint, or really fair to him. Grace was honest with herself, slowly brushing her hair while reflecting in the mirror. Her mother startled her, breaking her from her thoughts as she entered after a light knock. “Grace, honey. You’ve been sitting up here all day. What’s going on?” “Nothin’ Mama.” “Are you having second thoughts about Greg?” Mama always seemed to have a way of reading me. I wasn’t sure how to answer her, I loved Greg, but I also loved Jasper. Now that he’s moved on, could I? Did I want to? “This is one of the most important decisions of your life, sweetie. Take all the time you need.” With her kind words, Mama left the room. I was alone in my thoughts again. Maybe I should go for a ride, it had been a few weeks since I took Spot out. I grabbed a hat from the rack by the door, and made my way to the barn.
By Sibley Shamra3 months ago in Chapters
Knotted Roots - Part 10
Ever since Jane and I started dating, we had gone on a few dates, went horseback riding, and the day I looked forward to the most, finally rolled around. It was Sunday, the day he got to learn more about this God he became infectiously curious about, and the remainder of the day would be with Jane. Jasper got dressed, and quickly descended the stairs, “Pa!” “In here Jasper!” Pa was sitting in the living room, dressed well, suspiciously well. “What’s this about?” I asked him, curious about his fancy attire. “Well, I was hoping I could join you today, if that’s okay?” A broad smile spread across my face, “Come on old man, can’t be late to get Jane!” And with that we were off to Jane’s. Pa remained in the truck, while I retrieved Jane from her front porch.
By Sibley Shamra3 months ago in Chapters
ABondThroughTheFire
Jared Kinard held the passenger door open for Savannah as they left the café, the brisk evening air wrapping around them. She slid into his sleek black sports car, its leather seats still warm from the heater. The tension from her meeting with Darrius lingered in the silence between them.
By BeeSparrow3 months ago in Chapters
ABondThroughTheFire
The city never slept, and neither did Jared Kinard. He sat in his unmarked car, the rain streaking down the windshield as the night stretched endlessly before him. The rhythmic patter against the glass was a familiar backdrop to his restless thoughts, though tonight it felt heavier, as if the city itself was bracing for something. He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel, his gaze scanning the deserted street outside. Another case. Another innocent life on the line.
By BeeSparrow3 months ago in Chapters
ABondThroughTheFire
The Mastermind Miles away in the sprawling penthouse of Kinston Tower, the city’s skyline glittered like a galaxy of artificial stars. Nathaniel Kinston, the enigmatic founder of Kinston Dynamics, stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass of scotch in hand. His reflection stared back at him, cold and calculating.
By BeeSparrow3 months ago in Chapters
PhantomRhymes Chapter 2
The bass thumped like a second heartbeat as Aaliyah stepped out of the car, the club’s neon lights washing over her metallic shawl like moonlight on chrome. Tresa adjusted her signature glasses. Livia checked their passes. Meka grinned and pulled them all forward but Aaliyah’s mind was already ahead, her heart thumping in time with the distant music.
By BeeSparrow3 months ago in Chapters
PhantomRhymes
Chapter-1: ScreamsIntoTheWind The night started in Aliyah's apartment, an eclectic space half-lit by orbiting glow orbs and soundtracked by a playlist that bounced between galactic jazz and old-school R&B. The kind of place where style hangs on racks like art and secrets are poured over glasses of chilled plum liqueur.
By BeeSparrow3 months ago in Chapters
