Trouble

“Like throwing up and stuff, but it wouldn’t die.”

I cut my eyes to Courtney, who’s studying her phone. “Did you know this?”

Her brow furrows, and she looks up at me. “What happened?”

“Chartreuse is poisonous?”

“Pfft, no she’s not.” Court rolls her eyes, shaking her dark, curly hair. “Ollie, stop scaring Aunt Sly.”

“It’s true, Mamma! She won’t kill you, but she can protect herself!”

He seems so proud, I decide to go to the table and sit with Courtney rather than make him take his freaky friend to her cage. Judge Judy is midway through her lecture, but the expression on my friend’s face pulls me away.

“Hey, is something wrong?” I put my hand on her forearm, and she gives me a weak smile.

“It’s the usual.” She glances to where her son is absorbed by his frog and lowers her voice. “He’s back.”

“Dammit,” I whisper. “I’m sorry, Court. What can we do? Tell me. I’ll help however I can.”

“You focus on getting your business back on track. I’ll worry about my personal life.”

She tries to play it off, but I can tell she’s worried.

It makes me worry, and I rub my hand up and down her forearm, thinking. “What happened? Anything new?”

“Oh, he’s still going on about his son and wanting his son. I’m scared he’s going to try something.”

“Does Ollie know what to do if he shows up at school?”

“Yeah, and I’ve talked to his teachers. They’re all aware of the situation.”

Fine lines trace the corners of her eyes, and it aches in my chest. “You don’t need this stress. I wish there was some way I could help you.” Chewing my lip, I nervously try, “What if we moved to a different place? So he can’t find you?”

“He’s not going to run me out of another apartment. Anyway, he’d just find us again… He always does.” Her voice simmers with quiet anger. “I need a gun.”

Fear tightens my throat. She might be right, but I’m afraid bringing a gun into the mix could get the wrong person shot.

“Do you know how to use a gun?” We’re speaking just above a whisper, leaning close.

“I’ll learn.”

My mind is racing, and I think about anything else we might do. She’s talked to the school. She’s talked to me. “What if we renewed the restraining order? You said the first one had expired… Maybe we could get a permanent one.”

“What good is a piece of paper if he’s determined to get what he wants?” She’s so frustrated and angry, and while I can’t relate, I can empathize.

“I won’t leave you alone. If anything, you’ve got me here.”

Her eyes tighten, and I wish I had something better to say. “Thanks.” She squeezes my hand. “I’ll figure it out. But enough of my shit. How did it go today with Spencer? Any progress?”

Shaking my head, I think about our session. He was so cocky in his office, acting like he was going to drop his pants to see me squirm. I’m glad he didn’t, because I don’t know what would’ve happened. I’m not sure how I’ll respond if he decides to test my boundaries. I’m only human.

He didn’t, though. He started talking, asking questions like he wanted to open up and get to know me. Then I put my hand on his scar, and he shut down so fast, it made my head spin.

I have no evidence, but my instinct tells me that white stripe across his shoulder is the key to why he’s alone. Why one minute he’s over the top possessive, then the next he slams invisible doors in my face.

“One minute he acts like all he wants from me is s-e-x.” I glance towards Ollie, who is singing along with the theme to PAW Patrol and doesn’t seem to be paying attention. “The next, he’s asking questions like he wants something deeper. I feel like a yo-yo.”

“You are not a yo-yo. You’re an intelligent woman with a killer bod. You could get any man you wanted, and you deserve one who will treat you like a queen.” She’s defensive and awesome, even in the face of the fear I know she’s feeling.