****
Stacy was restless and irritated, although she didn’t know why. She had been home from work for over an hour and had zero motivation to do anything. She picked up her phone, seeing no messages she angrily tossed it aside. What is my problem? PMS? No, it’s not that time. I feel like I could totally go off on someone.
It had been three days since she texted Randy about going to the range again, but she had received no answer at all. The least she could do is reply and tell me to fuck off. She was pissed, her ego was bruised and she hated to be ignored. She picked up her phone again and typed a quick text to Randy. Are you ever going to respond to me or are you ignoring me now? She hit send and then decided to go for a run.
A mile and a half later, she had finished her loop and was rounding the corner in front of her apartment when she literally ran right into Randy. Again.
“Jesus Evans, don’t you ever watch where you’re going? I hope you’re more observant in the fucking lab! You’re like a train wreck looking for a place to happen!” Randy shouted at her, pushing Stacy back away from her.
Stacy blinked, taken back by Randy’s harsh tone and words. “I.. I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” She noted that Randy was still in uniform and was probably just getting home from work.
“Well no shit Sherlock. Pay attention to your surroundings; you’re going to get yourself killed or worse, someone else killed. You don’t have any business working out in the field if you can’t be aware of your surroundings better than this.” Randy huffed and headed towards her apartment door.
Stacy was still stunned by Randy’s overreaction and it took her a minute to process the outburst. Her anger got the better of her and she stomped after Randy, cutting her off as she got to her door. “Well excuse me for living Officer High and Mighty. Who died and announced that you were assuming the throne? I said I was sorry; no one was hurt, what is your fucking problem? And furthermore, why the hell can’t you be polite and at least answer my text messages?” She shouted back at Randy.
“I am so not in the mood for this female bullshit tonight. The last thing I need to deal with right now is an immature, spoiled brat who thinks the world should revolve around her and heaven forbid if someone doesn’t answer her goddamn text messages.” Randy pushed past her and opened the door.
“Excuse me? Immature? Spoiled brat? It looks like the pot calling the kettle black since you’re the one throwing a temper tantrum like a two-year old all because I ran into you by accident! Grow up and pull your head out of your ass. I’m surprised you can get your big ass head through this door with your over-inflated ego!” Stacy hadn’t realized that she had followed Randy into her apartment without invitation as she yelled at her. “It’s no wonder you’re single, what kind of woman would deal with your ego?”
Randy turned around slowly to face Stacy; her face was pale. “Get the fuck out of my house.” She said in an oddly quiet and calm voice. She held the door open for Stacy, not making eye contact with her.
Stacy closed her eyes briefly. She knew her mouth had the power to get her in trouble and now she had just probably ruined the only friendship she had in this town. “I’m sorry.” She whispered as she passed Randy and walked out the door without looking back.
Randy closed the door with a slam and flopped down on her couch. It had been a hellish shift. She and her partner had responded to a hit and run call. The woman had been hit by a car and was in bad shape when the EMT’s had sped away with her to an open location nearby where the life flight helicopter was waiting to transport her. A scoop and go is what the EMT’s refer to bad one’s like this one had been. Ordinarily the scene wouldn’t have affected her like this, but the woman had been pregnant. Randy’s own parents had been killed in a car accident on New Year’s Eve when she was eleven. With no other relatives, she had spent the next 7 years in foster care until she aged out of the system. They heard later in their shift that the mother died in the recovery room after surgery and the baby was clinging to life in the ICU. She rubbed her face. Now, to make things worse, she had just acted like a complete asshole to Stacy for no reason other than her own stupidity.
She stood up and headed out the door, stopping in front of Stacy’s apartment door. I really don’t need this tonight, but I made this mess so I should clean it up before it gets worse. She held her hand up to knock but the door swung open before she could. Stacy shrugged her shoulders in annoyance as she looked up; clearly she wasn’t opening the door for her but instead to leave.
“Did you stop by to tell me to look outside before I open the door officer?” Stacy said in a sharp tone.
Randy shook her head. “No, I was just about to knock..”
“I could see that genius. What is it that I can do for you now?” Stacy interrupted.
Randy could feel her face redden. “God, why is it that we can’t have a normal conversation? I came down here to tell you sorry for blowing up at you!”
“Really? Sorry until the next time right? I’m surprised your ego…” Stacy’s eyes went wide open as Randy grabbed her arm, propelling her backwards into her apartment, slamming the door behind them.
“What is it with you and
