Duke's Jazz

May 2004 Jasmine Duke, was arranged to be married to Eva Sugarfield on her eighteenth birthday, which was in a month’s time. DUKE WAS ARRANGED TO BE MARRIED TO EVA SUGARFIELD ON HER EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY! Those thirteen words played over and over in my head as I walked the three blocks home from Duke’s family house. Duke’s marriage was completely political, considering both his family and Eva’s family came from money. Dukes, Dad is the founder and CEO of Black-Strom Logging and Lumber here in Washington. I was the only one who knew Duke was going into the military as a way to get back at his parents. Considering Duke's birthday was two days ago, making him eighteen when he signed up. Also, he leaves for Basic in two days after his wedding. It was my eighteenth birthday, June Fourteenth, but since I have always celebrated my birthday the day after it. Duke, even being my best friend in the whole world, never knew and never would know why. But knowing this secret is one of the many perks of being his best friend since grade school. Also, we basically grew up together, considering my grandmother was my only member and Dukes never had a problem with one more in their house of nine and his mother Ms. Black-storm always wanted a girl, since she was stuck with seven boys. So, in many ways, his family was my family. In many ways I wanted to cry. One, I was doing the walk of shame home, to give my first time to the man I love and can never have. Two, he was getting married in a month and I was invited. Three, he was leaving. Four, I was leaving this town to go to school. Five, I would be able to hang out with him on my eighteenth birthday. Lastly, I was going to lose my only friend and his family. I kept the tears from falling until I got home and I cried in my grandmother's arms, wishing none of it was true. June 2004 I sat in the church with my grandmother while I watched Duke and Brothers Carter, Richie, John, Paul, and Jack standing at the altar waiting for the bride. Sam, the youngest, was carrying a pillow next to the flower girl. I was sick to my stomach, and my grandmother said I had to come since Duke was my best friend and I was a member of his extended family. As I sat there with a fake smile and very real tears, I watched him get married. Afterwards, I watched them get into the car and leave for his trip to basic, considering they were going to get an apartment for Eva to stay while his was training in Fort Worth. When they were gone, his mother gave me a hug and told me that I was welcome to still come over anytime I wanted. I thanked her and went to find my grandmother so we could go home. Today is my birthday and I feel tired, nauseous, and my boobs hurt, but most of all, my heart still felt ripped to shreds in my chest. Rolling over to look at my calendar, I realize I never put my period week on the calendar like always. “s**t” I ran out of my room in shorts and a tank top and ran to the pharmacy and ran back home. Thank god, Grandma had a church social today. I took the test out of the box and peed on the stick and waited for those little lines to tell something…….