Mean Streak

Both brothers eyed him, smirking, waiting to see how he would react. Rather than be goaded, he ignored them, and instead he looked out the grimy window above the kitchen sink as though checking the weather. Then, carrying his coffee with him, he headed for the bedroom.

“What’s going on in there, anyhow?” Norman asked, nodding toward the door, which had remained closed throughout the night.

“Your sister’s being seen to.”

“We know that,” Will groused. “What’s taking so friggin’ long?”

“Have we worn out our welcome?”

“Far as I’m concerned, you weren’t never welcome.”

“We’ll be on our way before long,” he said. “Oh, Norman?”

“Huh?”

“Better watch that chair.”

“Huh?”

He kicked the back legs out from underneath the chair. Norman went over backward, landing hard and splashing his enraged face with what was left of the milk in his cereal bowl.

Will, reacting too quickly to think about the shotgun, rolled off the sofa and came up like a sprinter leaving the blocks.

He dropped his cup of co

ffee in time to catch Will’s chin with an uppercut that sent him staggering backward. Moving quickly, crushing the coffee cup beneath his boot, he grabbed the shotgun, swung it up, and aimed it at the brothers, freezing them in their tracks as they were lunging for him.

Emory opened the bedroom door. “What’s going on?”

Keeping his eyes on the brothers, who were still poised to attack, he backed his way over to Emory where she stood in the open door. “You feel okay about leaving Lisa for the time being?”

“Yes, I think she’ll be all right.”

“Good.”

“Sure as hell, I’m gonna kill you,” Will said through his clenched teeth.

“Not today, you’re not.”

He took the pistol from his waistband and passed it to Emory. “If either of them moves, don’t stop to think about it. Pull the trigger. Got it?”

* * *

Dumbfounded, she nodded her head once. He slipped past her into the bedroom.

Norman and Will stood facing her, breathing hard with wrath, reminding her of snorting bulls. Norman said, “Who is that son of a bitch?”

“I don’t know.”

“Bull. Shit,” Will said. “You two are in cahoots. Barging in here like you own the damn place. What are you up to?”

“All I did was come here to take care of your sister.”

“She would’ve done all right without you.”

“Possibly, but I’m glad I could help.”

Norman asked, “You really a doctor?”