I Was So Close To Quittin’ Time…
I decided to walk out the door.
This would be the first time I am walked away from a case. But I just was not the same man I used to be.
As I went for the door, I heard Veronica call out to me.
“Jack!” She said, more as a statement than a question.
“Yea hon?” I said back, without turning around. Though I did stop and look down. I felt defeated.
I was alive but was it for the better?
“Jack, where are you going?” Veronica asked. “You can’t walk away from this now.”
“I thought you were downstairs helping your sister clean.” I replied coldly. My emotions were drained and I was in dire need of a
drink.
“I was.” Veronica said. “But I wanted to check up on you, see how you were holding up.”
“Well my clothes are still on and I’m not tied up, so I guess take that as you will.” I joked. This time I did turn around and smiled.
Veronica did not look amused. In fact, I thought I caught a hint of tears.
“But, but I thought you were going to help us now.” She said. “Charlotte kept you alive. She never leaves anyone alive. I thought maybe it was fate, you know? Like you were meant to help us.”
“It wasn’t fate darlin’. That man just shot his load a little too quickly. He came after you before the job was done. She was aving you, not keeping me alive.” I tried explaining the cold, hard facts to Veronica. It didn’t seem like it ws sinking in though.
Veronica walked toward me.
She grabbed my left shoulder with her left hand. I immediately felt calm but not relieved.
I knew a big decision was coming. It was a decision I was not really prepared to make.
Veronica did not speak but her eyes were doing all the talking and asking.
she wanted me to stay. Not just for the clean-up either. Veronica wanted me to see this through to whatever end.
Did I really want to see this through?
All I had to do was walk out that door, head down the street, and I was gone. There was nothing keeping me in this God forsaken town. Nothing to hold me.
Veronica was holding me though. Physically now…
She wrapped her arms around me and began to sob into my chest. But I guess she held me emotially as well. There was a draw to this girl.
Charlotte may have the Web, but it was Veronica who had me stuck.
I embraced Veronica as she pressed herself against my chest. More out of instinct than anything else. This was a girl who was looking for help. Would Jack Midnight be the one to turn her down?
Will I let my past failure keep me down? I missed Mr. X once, let him slip away.
I knew deep down in my heart this was my chance for redemption.
I pulled my head away but I did not let her go.
When she looked up at me I kissed her forehead.
“I guess I’m not going anywhere.” I said slowly, almost with a sigh. Through her sobs I caught a smile.
She might not have been the devil her sister was but she still knew how to work a man.
Women were going to be my downfall.
Veronica broke away. Her breathing returned back to normal; the tears were gone.
She led me back downstairs where her sister was finishing up cleaning her chamber of fun.
Charlotte exchanged the sexy teddy for sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Her hair was rolled up in a bun. And she still had on her heels.
Classy broad.
“So you’re back?” Charlotte said, without looking up.
“I came back for seconds.” I said.
Charlotte wasn’t amused.
