Note from the author:
Based upon the ratings I've received from part 1, I realize I should have waited and submitted the story as one piece, but I was anxious to get things going and thought that I could generate some heightened interest for part 2.
If you haven't read part 1, please do. (It's a quick one page read.) Otherwise, part 2 will not make much sense.
In any case, please enjoy part 2, the conclusion of 'The Exiled One'.
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Greg's view
When I knocked on the door, it opened almost immediately which made me think that he probably heard the rumble of the Porsche. It any case, our conversation started.
"Are you Jason Hampton?"
"Yes."
"I've come here to talk to you about Jennifer."
I couldn't tell if he about to shut the door on me or not, but he had an angry look.
"Did she send you here?"
"No. She definitely does not know I'm here. Frankly, if I had told her I was going to see you, I don't know if she'd have said 'please do' or 'please don't'."
"Look, I've been trying for the better part of a year now to forget about her, not remember her. Maybe you should just...."
I interrupted him.
"Look, Mr. Hampton, please don't shut me out. I've traveled nearly 4 hours for the opportunity to speak to you. I wouldn't have come all this way unless it was really important. I believe it's a matter or life or death."
He looked at me inquisitively for a few moments, then spoke.
"Alright. Come in."
After walking in, I noticed that his place really appeared to be a bachelor pad due to the lack of any woman's touch around. I found this to be an encouraging sign.
"I just fired up the Keurig. Would you like some coffee?"
"Yes. Thank you."
"And stop with the 'Mr. Hampton', just call me Jason."
"Ok, Jason."
We proceeded into the kitchen area, made our coffees, and sat down.
Jason started, "OK, what's going on with Jennifer?"
"I'm a project manager for a large company where she came to work for me about 11 months ago. During that time I've watched her steady decline into total despair. She's not doing at all well. Recently I had my girlfriend invite her over for dinner where we finally pried the story out of her.
"Look, Jennifer's best friend Sally and I both left multiple messages with her mom to call. She never returned any of the calls. She didn't even bother to take her cell phone with her."
"I don't have an answer for you with regard as to why she left her cell phone, but with regard to the messages, you may have been more successful whispering into a hurricane wind. Almost immediately upon arrival, Jennifer's mom was diagnosed with early on-set dementia, meaning at the time she had little or no short term memory. I strongly doubt that Jennifer got any of those messages. The Jennifer I've come to know would have returned those calls in about 2 seconds. In the meantime, Jennifer has been busy getting power of attorney over her mothers affairs, selling the family home, and having her mother committed to a nursing home. All without help. And now, the nursing home is sucking away all the home sale proceeds. The last time Jennifer went to see her mom, mom had no idea who she was. She's all alone."
"I didn't know any of this."
"Look, I understand that Jennifer holds a substantial piece of the 'blame pie' in what happened between the two of you, and you have every right to be angry over what happened, but hear me out. Before I was a project manager, I spent 14 years in HR. Believe me, I know all too well the bullshit and shenanigans that can occur in the workplace. Let me tell you that coercion by a older male superior on a younger, attractive, unsuspecting woman, married or not, happens more often than you think. I'm not sure you realize the power and control these men can cultivate. The power to affect one's financial livelihood and future can have tremendous influence and can surely catch someone 'off guard'. We, 'we' being my psychologist girlfriend and I, both believe that Jennifer is a victim here. Her inability to recall a lot of the details of that night make us believe that she very well may have been drugged in addition to being supplied alcohol. We believe that the event was the result of a carefully planned seduction. There was no real relationship between the two of them and she told you what happened immediately. That has to mean something. True, she may have acted foolishly, but her sole motivation for working late so often was purely to make life easier for the two of you in the long run. It was never her intent to take things where they went. As far as she is concerned, there is only one man for her and that's you, Jason. But since you didn't come looking for her, she's giving up hope. She's never going to make it without you. She hasn't dated anyone since the split. She's knows she messed up big time and is paying a heavy price for her mistake. So, if there's even the smallest ember left burning in the fire, I'm asking you, no begging you, to please come talk to her."
Jason didn't answer me immediately. He did, of course, but he didn't have to. The answer was written all over his face.
Jennifer's view
I spent a few days over at Evelyn's house. It was nice to have a friend again. Although it didn't really change anything, it was good to finally tell someone what I was going through. Evelyn guaranteed me that better days were coming, starting with Sunday where the two of us were going to have a 'day of beauty', facials, manicures, pedicures, massages, etc. I figured that she must have money and/or political clout to arrange all this for a Sunday. Afterwords, she said that that we were meeting Greg at the club for a special dinner. With all that she's done for me, I couldn't very well say no.
Greg's view
When Evelyn and Jennifer arrived at the club, they both looked gorgeous. I had a private dining room that overlooked the golf course all arranged. Everything was in place, so I just prayed that everything went well. As soon as we arrived at the table and sat down, the questions began.
Jennifer said, "Hey, why are there four place settings? You guys aren't trying to set me up on a date, are you?"
Evelyn answered, "Do you remember when I mentioned that I knew of someone that might to able to help you?"
"Sort of."
"As it turns out, Greg does."
Jason had quietly come out from behind a privacy screen that led to the kitchen area and was standing behind Jennifer without her knowing. He looked like he had just walked out of a magazine as he was wearing a handsome, dark blue suit.
Greg said, "Yes, I'd like to introduce you to a new friend of mine. This name is Jason....Hampton."
"Hi, Jen."
Jennifer whirled around to see Jason standing there, holding a rose just as if he was on 'the Bachelor'. Her eyes were as big as saucers and her mouth agape. For two or three seconds it was as if time stood still, then she'd became totally unglued. She sprang up from the table and wrapping him in a bear hug.
"Oh, Jason. Jason. Please forgive me! Please take me back! I need you. I need you."
Jennifer was crying so hard she nearly fainted. Jason caught her before she could slip to the floor. I helped him to get her sitting again and a few minutes later she seemed better.
"Jason, did you come to take me home?"
