in their speed as they got the loser out of the building.
“Thank you, sir,” the officer said. “We’ll be in touch with you tomorrow to get an official
statement, but this kid is a known offender who is clearly violating his parole, so it should be fairly quick.”
After shaking his hand, I turned around to see Kim lurking by the elevator. I escorted her
back into her apartment and sat her down on the couch.
“We’re going to have a little chat about getting you a safer place to live, but first, I need to know–”
She burst into tears, burying herself in my arms. Stroking her back, I held her tightly. “It’s
okay, baby, it’s over.”
Rocking her gently, I wished that I could take some of her stress away. “Can I make you
some tea?”
Kim shook her head, burrowing into my shoulder. “Please, just hold me for a minute.”
“Sure.” Stroking her back, kissing the top of her hair, I murmured, “Why did you ask if I sent
the guy?”
She began crying harder, which absolutely broke my heart.
“Whatever I did, I’m so sorry,” I murmured against her hair. “I’ll do absolutely anything for
you, sweetheart. I just need you to calm down, take a breath, and tell me what you need.
Did you think I sent someone here to check if you needed a security system?”
Kim shook her head against my shoulder, then finally sat up, reaching for a tissue on the
coffee table and wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry I freaked out,” she said softly.
“You can always freak out as much as you need to with me,” I said, rubbing her back.
After a few slow, deep breaths, Kim finally looked into my eyes. “I was scared that maybe
you sent someone to spy on me,” she nearly whispered. “I was worried that you were into
some shady things, and wondered if you were checking up on me.”
I was so stunned that I actually couldn’t speak for a moment. “Why would you think I was
checking on you? If I wanted to know something, I would call you.”
Her fingers nervously twirled her left earring. “I couldn’t help wondering if you were some
sort of, you know…criminal. One of those people that just gets the job done no matter what
rules they have to break.”
“Holy shit – baby, why would you think that about me?” I tried to keep the tension from my
voice, but I was clearly upset, and trying to decide how offended I should be.