I fix my hairand straighten up around the apartment. When there’s nothing leftto do, I pace, anticipating her arrival. After what feels likeforever, the intercom buzzes. Katie says hello in her usual upbeatvoice, and I let her in. Waiting for the knock on the door, I’mfeeling depressed and anxious. I hope she doesn’t hate me when Itell her what I have to say. And I pray that after everything issaid and done with Fournier that she will take me back.
When she knockson the door, I take a deep breath and let her in. Damn, why doesshe have to look so hot? She’s wearing black tights that show offher perfect ass, a form fitted sweater that cuddles her waist andknee-high black boots. When she walks past me, she smiles, walks tothe kitchen counter and puts her purse down before turning aroundand hugging me. I try to loosen up and hug her back, but I’ve gotto stay rigid and strong in my conviction.
“What’s wrong?”She asks, feeling my coldness.
“I need to talkto you, Katie,” I say, motioning to the couch.
Her smiledisappears, as she takes a seat. I sit beside her. Her pretty eyesstare into mine, “Has something happened? Is your dad ok?”
“It’s not that,Katie. I’ve just been thinking a lot about things lately and…”
“And you don’twant to be with me?”
“Of course, Iwant to be with you, sweetie. It’s just that there are a lot ofthings going on in my life that could be very dangerous to you ifyou were caught with me. I’m totally crazy about you, and Icouldn’t bear the thought of you getting hurt.”
“Dammit, Jules.We’ve had this conversation before. Don’t pull this shit on meagain!” Her face looks angry and hurt.
“Katie, please,just listen to what I have to say. I need you to hear me on this.It’s important.”
She folds herarms in front of her and slumps back into the couch, turning hereyes away from me, “Fine, say your piece.”
Before I begin,I put my hand on her leg. She jerks away.
I tell herabout Slinky and what happened today at the restaurant with Tankand Fournier waiting in his car on the street. Her eyes widen, andshe briefly looks at me. Next, I tell her how I saw Tank andanother Neanderthal, the guys that hurt my father, on the securityclip downstairs. She says nothing, but a look of concern comes overher.
“I just thinkit’s best that we cool things until I can come up with a plan todeal with Fournier once and for all. Then, he’ll be out of my life,and I won’t have to worry about him hurting anyone I careabout.”
She shakes herhead and tears fall from her eyes. Again, I reach out to her andagain, she rejects me, “Are you finished talking yet?” she says,defiantly.
I sigh knowingthat she’s not on board with my request, “Yes. I’m done.”
“First, I havea question to ask you. Why don’t you let me talk to my cop friendat the station about Fournier? I’m sure he knows all about the guy.Maybe he would have an idea on how to…”
“No.” I sayflatly. “Having a cop show up at his bar with Allen’s mother, ishow all of this started. Fournier is an evil sonofabitch but he’snot stupid. He’s been around for a very long time, and nobody hasever mentioned that he’s ever been busted. To me, that means he’swell protected. Calling the cops would only antagonize him further.He has to be taken down another way, so that he won’t get back upagain.”
“You’re nottalking about killing him or something, are you?”
“Do I look likea murderer to you? Although, if he came after you or tried to hurtmy father again, I wouldn’t hesitate to end him.”
“So, what’syour big plan then?”
“I don’t haveone yet. I just have to get lucky and find out his weaknesses. OnceI know that, I’ll have a better idea on where to strike.”
“You do knowthat what you are saying is crazy, don’t you, Jules?”
“Yes. Of courseI do. I feel like I’ve been transported into the fucking TwilightZone.”
She nods thensays, “Ok. You’ve made your point about not going to the cops, now,I have something to say, and it’s your turn to shut up and listen.I’ve purposely not brought this up since you and I started seeingone another because I know how hurt the subject makes you feel, butit’s time I got something off my chest.”
I look at her,wondering what she could have been hiding from since we’ve beentogether, “What is it?”
“It’s aboutAbby, your little sister.”
Immediately, myback tenses and my walls start to go up.
Katie turns tome with tears still rolling down her cheeks. This time, it’s shewho reaches out. She gently rests her hand on my leg and continues,“Please, Jules. Don’t get mad or close off. Please just let me talkto you about her for a moment. I need you to know how I feel.”
I have toremind myself to take a breath, and I feel my lips purse and mybrows furrow. With all the horrible shit going on, why does shehave to hit me where it hurts the most and mention Abby?
“There’s apoint to me bringing up what happened to your little sister, Jules.Be patient and hear me with open ears. When she came to live withmy family, I instantly loved her. She was the sister I alwayswanted, beautiful, kind and generous. At first, she would miss you,especially at night. She would crawl into bed with me and I wouldhold her and sing to her. She told me that you used to do the samefor her when she was afraid. The only difference was, she idolizedyou. She thought you were so
