Lightyears Series - Episode 5: No Disrespect

“I didn’t break up with you.  We had a fight…and we needed time to cool off.  We would have worked it out eventually.”

I shook my head.  “I don’t think we would have.   I don’t get over people telling me that they never loved me…that no one ever could love me…that I was way out of your league, that I was nothing but white trash.”

“What are you talking about?  I never said any of that.  I would never say any of that.”

“CHIP, play JRBU.”

Jake’s voice played, “Jordana, I am relieved that things are out in the open.  I am glad you know now that I have never loved you.  It was fun slumming with you, but how could you think I would ever love you? I was just getting back at my parents for divorcing.  I could not love white trash like you.  You will never amount to anything.  No one will ever love a girl like you who sleeps with other men and passes someone else’s daughter off as mine.  We are through, and I hope you get all you deserve.”

Jake’s eyes widened.  “I know that sounds like me, but I did not say any of that.  I don’t know who faked my voice to send that to you, but it was not me.  You have to believe me.”

“It matches your voice print.”

“Then someone patched together parts of my voice, but I did not say that nor could I ever.  How could you ever think that I would say that?”

“We had that fight, and then the next day, this was left for me.  As angry as you were, it made perfect sense that you would want to stick it to me and hurt me.”

“Which is why I don’t understand why you kept it.”

“Because proving that recording wrong became my sole mission in life outside of work and our daughter.”

When I saw the stricken look on his face, I said with grave deliberation, “I am sorry.  I tricked you.  I knew I would know by the look on your face whether you sent it.  You clearly didn't.  I didn’t think you did because we have a connection…and I could not reconcile the connection with that recording, but who knows?  You could have been a talented actor. Again, I am sorry.”
 
“I am relieved that you really didn’t believe I sent it.  The question is who did because I take issue with someone making you think I don’t love you…and never have.  That is absolute rubbish.  I loved you before you ever loved me.  Who would send that to you?”
 
“Oh, I don't know. Maybe the person who got a DNA test done on my daughter…and once she found out that Zariah was yours, tried to prove I was an unfit mother because I travel the galaxy with her in tow, so she could take my daughter and raise her.  I have had Child Services investigate me so many times that they banned her from filing any more complaints against me.”
 
He stared straight ahead.  “My mother.”
 
“I don't know for sure, but she is an Engineer and has the ability to put that recording together…and she is the person in your family who hates me.  I don’t think she liked you dating a white girl, but that is neither here nor there.  She is the only one who caused me trouble about Zariah after you were captured.”
 
“I don’t understand her interest in torturing you and Zariah.  I cut them out of my life when they made me choose you or them.  I chose you.”
 
“I don't know.  It is possible it is not her, but who else would want me to believe that you never loved me…and that no one would ever love me…”
 
“The fact that she tried to take my daughter away from her mother is a problem whether or not she was the originator of that recording.  I am starting to see why you are hesitant to be with me again.”
 
“I am surprised that you still would want to be with me considering that bombshell I told all of you.”