chapter twenty five
1047 Words
When I opened my eyes I saw Maya.Her head rested on my shoulder , and her chest rose and fell softly.I'd never seen anyone look so peaceful.She was perfect , a master's sculpture , moudled from flesh and bones.I could've stayed there for years but something was tugging me.She needed help, and I couldnt ignore her.
I got up, carefully not to wake her and , and pulled my phone off the night stand to make a call.
''It's five in the morning,''the voice on the other side of the telephone said.
''I dont care what time it is , Jo.''
I walked out so Maya couldn't hear me.
''Someone I care about is in trouble.''
''Wha-who?''
''A girl am dating, her name is Maya , she runs a bakery downtown. There's this homeless guy who keeps coming up and harrassing her.Then last night he attacked me with a metal bar.''
''Whats he look like?''Jo asked.
He's small with thick glasses and dirty black hair and he slicks back.You wont miss the guy, he smells like rolled cigarrets, and he looks like he hasn't showered in years.''
''Nothing like that fresh , woke-up-in-a-ditch-smell.''
''It's disgusting, he's obsessed with her.He follos her around , he tries to attack any guy who talks to her.It's sick .And it's only a matter of time before he goes after maya.''
''What can I expect ?''
''I don't know yet.Nobody knows , but he's got some sort of mental issue.I don't know if it's a development disability or a mental illness -probably both.''
''Is he coherent or off in La la land ?''
''A little bit of both.None of that matters .You have a gun and you know how to use it .i'm worried that he's going to come back after what happened last night.''
''Sounds about right.''
''I want you to keep an eye on maya while she's at work .How soon can you get there?''
I'll be ther within the hour .
What's the place called?''
''Maya's Bakery.''
''Does she know I'm coming ?''
''I dont want to tell her, honestly , ut I don't want her to ahev to worry .I'll talk to her about it when she wakes up.
''If She's not okay with me being there ,I can't go on the property.''
''You can if she doesn't notice .I don't think she wants to bring the cps out. Just do your job .I'll add in a bonus if you catch the little shit.''
''Do you know his name?''
''No , and neither do they .Try and get something on him if you can.''
''I'll do my best .''Jo hung up.
I walked back into the room and laid down .I landed too hard and jolted the ed. Maya started to roll over , her arm rising into the air .Then she smiled and I stopped caring.That was gratification enough .I kept my eyes trained on her , studying the way her eyelashes fluttered before she opened her eyes to look at me . She reminded me of a wide -eyed child, still in love with the world .
''Hey.''Her voice was like honey, warm and sweet.
''Can you just keep doing that over and over? You've got my heart pounding.''
''You'll get more than one chance to see me wake up.''
She stood up.
''I'll take every opportunity I can.''
I got up , too and started making the bed .
''Millitary to the core .''She watched me fold the covers under the mattress .
''You can bounce a nickel on it''
I stepped back to look over my work.
She walked around the bed and wrapped her arms around my neck .''What would you do if I satrted jumping on iit?''
''I'd grab you and throw you down on the bed ,Then I'd tear off your clothes and slam into you , just so I can see the look on your face.''
She reached around and pinched my butt.''I wish we had time for another go.''
''Can I atleast make you breakfast ?''
''Yes .I'm interested to see your cooking skills.''
''I doubt they're as good as yours .''We headed downstairs .
''What would you like to eat ? I have pancake mix, eggs , bacon , sausage , biscuit mix.I could make us some white gravy with sausage.''
We walked into the kitchen and she looked into the pantry .''Are those chocolate chips ?''She asked pointing up to the highest shelf.
''Yes.''
''Pancakes with lots and lots of chocolate chips .''
Coming right up.''I pulled out the pancake mix and chocolate chps .''I did smething.''
''What?''
''Don't get mad.''I ducked down to pll out a mixing bowl and a measuring cup .
''I can't proise that .''
I sighed .''I can't have you going to work alone without protection,''
''I have a gun ''
''I'll bet it's c****d up and empty .''I measured out the mix and poured it into the bowl.
''Yes , but...'''
I gave her one of my desarming stares ,''I have a guy who I work with sometimes .He does private security .His name's jo, and we worked together in the Navy .I called him up this morning .He's going to be watching the bakery .I hope you don't mind.''
''No , not at all .Listen ,Archer .I know you're apprehensve .You want to make a good impression on me, and I feel the same way , but you don't have to keep apologizing and worrying that I'll run out the door .I'm her , and I don't plan on going anywhere.''
''You mean that ?''
She walked up behind me and wrapped her arms around me. Then she reached up to my ear and whispered .''Yes I do.''
I felt a shiver drop down my spine .''Alk right .''I turned to face her .
''I' going to make you a promise , and this time I mean it.''
''What's that?'' she asked .
''I'm done Im putting up a front any longer .It's just me from now on .The real me.''
''And I'll do the same,'' she said.
''No secrets , no lies , no worries.''
''It's a deal.''I kissed her .I turned back to the pancake mix and checked the box to see how much water to pour in.
- Writer
