Still Frame

I open my door to find Jason looking at me warily. Not that I blame him, I’ve had to shoot him three times since I’ve been back.

“Hey Anita.”

His downtrodden look pulls at my heart strings. Sometimes I’m just no better than the monsters. I really shouldn’t have shot him that third time. Yes, I realize that I said third. Reaching for his arm I pull him into my home and lean against the closed door.

“What brings you here Jason?” See I can be polite.

“I came to apologize… so long as I won’t get shot at for it.”

His quick grin flashes across his face and I can’t help but smile in return.

“I won’t shoot you for apologies. Only remarks.”

We smile at each other and he pulls me into a tight hug.

“I really am sorry Anita. I honestly didn’t think it would bother that much. I mean, don’t shoot me but, he’s always just been Death. I guess I just assumed it was like any other interaction with him. I didn’t realize he’d hurt you emotionally.”

Uncomfortable with the subject I pull away from Jason’s arms to finish fixing my coffee. Taking a moment to enjoy the flavor of mint mocha with real cream and sugar on my tongue I lean back in a chair and close my eyes. Opening them I see that Jason is still standing where I left him. Waving him to sit down beside me I set my cup down and meet his eyes.

“Is there something more wrong Jason?”

He looks down at his folded hands on the table.

“I was sworn to not tell you this.”

His eyes taking on a pleading light as they held mine again.

“You know I’ll protect you from anyone. Who is telling you not to tell me whatever this is?”

Jason looks over his shoulder before leaning in close to me.

“Jean-Claude, Asher, Richard, etc. Everyone thinks you should be kept out of this. Personally, I think that since it involves you, you should be involved too.”

I sit up straight and hold Jason’s eyes.

“What involves me?”

“Promise you won’t shoot?”

At my curt nod Jason rushes on with his news.

“I heard Jean-Claude and Asher speaking the other night about Edward. Apparently Richard ran into him in Los Angeles when he was there for that teacher convention last week. They had an argument….” Jason trails off at the look of horror on my face. He gets up and pulls me up and onto his lap. Stunned as I am, I let him.

“Do you want me to finish?” I nod my head slowly as each word processes.

“Well, they had an argument and now Richard has thrown the gauntlet, Jean-Claude’s word, and Edward is expected to be in town within the week. I don’t know more than that. I just felt you should know.”

I nod and rise from his lap. Checking my gun I reach for my coat. “Let’s go.” Jason follows me to my jeep. As he buckles himself in he turns to me.

“Anita, where are we going?”

I growl low in my throat.

“Richard’s!”