Shawn fell asleep with a smile on her face.
****
The next afternoon, Stacy parked in front of the local shooting range. She flipped down her mirror and took a quick look at herself in it. I don’t know why I care what I look like. I’m going to practice shooting a gun, not win Miss South Carolina. I don’t need to impress anyone. She got out of her car, grabbed her bag from the back seat and headed in to the range.
Randy was standing just inside the door waiting. From her vantage point, she was able to see out the front door into the parking lot and saw Stacy pull in. She smiled to herself as she watched Stacy walking towards the building. She admired the confident stride; not self-absorbed, but confident. Her eyes floated back to Stacy’s face. She was wearing aviator sunglasses and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She was beautiful, but Randy reminded herself that she was a friend and only that.
“There you are. Ready to show me how it’s done?” Stacy smiled as she pushed her sunglasses up on her head.
Randy laughed. “Well, I’m going to do my best. Let’s get started.”
A few minutes later, they were standing ready. “I’ll show you a few pointers and then you can try it on your own okay?” Randy grinned as she pulled her ear protection down over her ears and pulled her 9mm. She emptied her clip at the full distance, laid her weapon down on the counter and hit the button to run the target in.
Stacy arched her eyebrow as the target drew close. She could see that every single shot had hit center mass. “Show off.” She muttered.
“Maybe a little bit; but as you know, we don’t have the luxury of missing when it matters! Now you take a turn. Rule number one: don’t close your eye. Everyone thinks you should close one eye, but actually you can see better with both wide open.” Randy positioned herself behind and to the left of Stacy.
Stacy took her stance, pulled her ear protection down and raised her weapon. She could sense Randy move closer and tried not to be distracted. I really wish she would stop doing that… whatever it is exactly that she does that makes me so off balance.
“Take a deep breath and remember to breathe while you’re firing.” Randy said loudly so that she could be heard through the ear protection.
Stacy took a deep breath, aimed and emptied her clip at the target. She dropped her ear protection and pushed the button to bring the target in.
“Not bad newbie, not bad at all. Minus the two in the shoulder, they were all center mass. I’d say that’s pretty lucky.” Randy smiled at her encouragingly.
“You think so? I have to say, I have a little confession to make. This is not my first time at a range. I grew up shooting skeet and going to the range with my father.” Stacy laughed at the pouty look on Randy’s face.
“So you’re scamming me huh? I suppose you were here with your dad yesterday warming up huh?” Randy shook her head.
The smile immediately left Stacy’s face. “I can always use the practice. I’m not nearly as good with small arms as I am with rifles and shotguns.” She said quietly.
Randy noted the immediately change in facial expression and body language. Uh oh, I said something wrong. Way to go smooth operator. “Well, anytime you need to practice, just give me a shout. I better get going or I’ll be late for my shift.”
“Oh, okay. I don’t want to keep you. Thanks again for the pointers, I appreciate it. Stay safe tonight.” Stacy waved as Randy walked away. Well that was lovely Stacy. She probably thinks you’re a bitch now and a show off.
Stacy grabbed her bag and headed to her car. She ran a few errands on her way home and then settled in to watch a movie. Before she knew it, it was almost midnight. I should have explained why I reacted that way instead of letting her think God knows what. She reached for her phone to send a text message. Hey, it’s Stacy. I’m sorry earlier if I seemed weird. I’d like to explain, if you are willing to listen. She hit send and tossed the phone on the coffee table.
Fifteen minutes later, her doorbell rang causing her to jump. Now who the hell is ringing my door bell at quarter after midnight? She hopped up and stood to the side of the door. “Who is it?” She asked.
“It’s me, Randy. I hope I didn’t wake you.” Came the answer through the door.
Stacy peered out through the peep hole to confirm that it was indeed Randy, still in uniform. She unlocked the door and opened it. “Come in. What are you doing here?” She asked.
“Well, I figured since you just texted and I was almost home, I’d just stop by. I hope that’s ok, I don’t mean to intrude. I didn’t even think that you might have company.” She said quietly as she casually glanced around the room to see if anyone else was there.
“No, it’s fine. It’s just me and the TV. I just moved here a few weeks ago, so I haven’t really made any friends yet. The only people I really know here, besides people at work, are my sisters.” Stacy smiled. “Would you like to sit down? Can I get you anything, maybe a beer?”
“A beer would be great. I didn’t realize you weren’t from here.” Randy answered as she shrugged out of her bullet proof vest and dropped and her belt on the floor next to the couch. “I hope you don’t mind, but these things are so heavy and uncomfortable.”
“No worries. I’m sure
