Mike and Jade

This particular scene from “No Surrender” was one I wrote long before I wrote the book. I had always envisioned Jade and Mike as being kindred spirits, both so deeply wounded- one by society and one by another person- that it would take a drastic event for either one of them to make a move.

I always wanted Mike to find Jade at the campgrounds and realize the depth of his feelings for her. I wanted it to take him completely by surprise and I needed it to hit him like a ton of bricks. I also needed Jade to be in a position that was vulnerable and allowed some of her true feelings to come out.

It was also very important for me to show Jade’s insecurities in everything she did. Her shame at how her body looks is something she never let go and I adored the fact that Mike never, ever saw that. He didn’t understand her need to cover herself and he immediately attributed it to his own insecurities and shame that Rebecca had instilled in him. He was grotesque and unlovable.

Kindred Spirits.

I will have more to post here about Mike and Jade and their individual creation, but for now, here is one of my most favorite scenes with them…

Enjoy! Only a few days until “Our Legacy”

___________________________________________________________________________

Mike made his way through the campgrounds and worried about what Rebecca had done to Jade. It wasn’t like her to not be back when she said, or at least to call. He knew she went camping to clear her mind and try to figure out what to do about work, but when he ran into Rebecca, again, it made his senses go into overdrive.

Something wasn’t right.

He walked through the beautiful grounds and could easily see why Jade liked it. The scenery was beautiful and calming and the people around seemed nice and comfortable with each other. He walked to the area where the office said she set up her campsite and looked around. He saw a few people sitting out by the bonfire and he walked up, smiling.

“Hi. I was wondering if you knew if Jade was anywhere around here? I think her campsite was close by, but I can’t find her.”

The young family smiled at him and nodded.

“Jade was here, but I think she left last night,” the woman said. “She wasn’t feeling well and told us she was going to head home. Her tent was down the end of the block. I thought she was gone because we usually see her for dinner. The kids love her.”

Mike smiled his thanks and walked down the street. He was getting increasingly worried and thought back to how many times she had seemed to be feeling off lately. His heart raced as he walked quickly down the street.

He saw the tent set up where the woman had told him and he called to her. There was no answer so he decided to check if she was inside. He unzipped the side and looked into the plush tent. Her things were still set up and the sleeping bag and pillow looked untouched. Her bag and clothes were neatly in the corner, but she wasn’t there. He stepped out and zipped it closed. Maybe she was in the bathroom?

He walked to the picnic table and sat down. He would wait a few minutes and see if she came back. He realized it was getting much cooler out and he thought about starting a fire in the pit, but waited. She should be back by now. What should he do?

“Jade?” he called out as he walked down the wooded path towards the bathrooms. It was getting dark and he felt a small sweat break out over his brow. This was wrong. Something was terribly wrong. It occurred to him that over the short time he had gotten to know Jade, he had fallen for her, hard. He didn’t even know when it had happened. It was like one moment she was in his life and everything was simply better. He never had that before. What he thought he had with Rebecca was nothing compared to what he felt when he thought about Jade.

The more these thoughts occurred to him, the more panicked he became. What if something serious had happened to her? What if Rebecca had hurt her? What if he never saw her again? He reached the bathroom and ran inside, startling a few women.

“Sorry, I was looking for someone,” he said and walked back out. “Jade?” He raced behind the wood bathroom and found a couple of teenagers making out.

“Did you see a woman with long blonde hair, late 20’s, about 5’6, pretty,” he described and they shook their heads before moving to continue their make out session.

Mike ran back towards the campsite and checked his phone, knowing there wouldn’t be any service. His eyes filled as he felt his despair grow. Maybe she went home. Maybe he was overreacting. Maybe he was right and he had led Jade into a terrible situation. Rebecca wouldn’t care about Jade if it weren’t for him.

It was getting much darker out and he watched as the people gathered around their bonfires and he felt such a longing to be one of them. He wanted to be with Jade. He had been so blind.

“Mike?” a quiet voice called to him as he stood in the middle of the path.

“Jade?” he turned and saw her standing there. “Oh thank God!” he pulled her into his arms and hugged her, not thinking about anything other than her being safe.

“What’s wrong? Is everyone okay?” she asked worriedly after he stepped back.

“Yes, I mean everyone is fine, but I didn’t know where you were. I thought something happened to you,” he looked at her and there were deep circles under her eyes and she looked incredibly pale, even in the sunset.

Was she shaking?

“Oh, I’m okay. You should go,” she said softly and went to walk when she wobbled and he caught her.

“Hey, hey, what is it?” he held her and felt her trembling.

“I just need to sit down,” she said tearfully. “I’ve been a bit off balance all day and I was trying to get back to my tent to leave, but it seems to be taking a long time. Maybe you could help me?”

He held his arm around her and they walked the short way back to the tent. He unzipped the door and she went in, sitting down and putting her head in her hands. Mike came in with her and took the lantern, lighting it and illuminating the area.

“Okay, so tell me what’s going on,” he said as he looked at her.

“Nothing. I’ve just been feeling a little off lately and I think I lost track of time. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” she wiped her eyes.

“It’s okay, we’ve just been terribly worried about you,” he took her hand and she pulled it back, not meeting his gaze.

“Can you go? I don’t think you should be here,” she was sweating and shaking, two things that shouldn’t be together. “I’m so hot,” she pulled off her shirt, revealing a tank top underneath.

“Jade, please let me help you,” he ached to hold her, to comfort her.

“No, I’m fine alone,” she tried to cover her body, obviously embarrassed. She saw him staring and grabbed a towel, covering her chest. “I’m sorry.”

He was so worried about her and had no idea why she was covering herself.

“Why?”

“You don’t have to look at me,” she held her head and sighed. “I don’t want you to be grossed out.”

He didn’t know how to respond to that.

“Gross? I hardly think that word comes to mind when describing you,” he reached and tentatively smoothed her hair back.

She finally let her tears fall and curled up on the sleeping bag. “Did I really just say that out loud? I think I need to rest,” she closed her eyes.

“Jade, you’re scaring me here. You aren’t making sense and you’re obviously sick. We need to go to the hospital.”

“No, I’m just going to stay here. You should go back. I’ll be fine.”

He sighed and watched as she shivered. He was really worried. It wasn’t that cold out. He was confused by her sweating.

“Jade, look at me,” he smoothed her damp hair off of her face.

“I think something is really wrong,” she said fearfully as she opened her eyes and they seemed to almost roll back into her head. “I’m cold and I’m tired.”

“I’m going to call for an ambulance,” he went to get up when she grabbed his arm.

“No, please don’t leave,” she said softly. “I’m scared.”

He felt his eyes fill as he nodded. “I won’t leave. I just need to get help.” He quickly got out of the tent and raced to the people sitting at the bonfire nearby. He told them there was an emergency and they needed to find a way to call for help. He turned and saw Jade trying to move inside the tent.

“I’m here,” he rushed back to the tent and got in, gently gathering her in his arms and holding her to him, trying to get her to stop shaking. He pulled the towel off of her and held her against his chest.  “We’re going to fix this.”

She lay in his arms and fought the darkness that threatened to envelop her.

“Mike?” she whispered, her face against his shirt.

“It’s okay. I’m here. I’ve got you,” he said softly.

“You’re such a good man. I always wondered what it would be like to lie in your arms,” she murmured before she blacked out, her head rolling back.

He held her to him and felt his heart breaking. “You just hold on for me, okay? Jade?”

There was no answer and he prayed that help would get there in time.