You're Free to Leave Me
Follow Me Boy, Back Porch
Midday, Monday 22 June
Smoke curls up from the clove between my fingers. My elbows rest on the porch banister as my eyes scan the back courtyard. The door behind me clicks open and heavy footsteps cross to beside me at the banister. I glance over at Adonis and look away, dragging on the cigarette.
"Lena told me you were looking for me," he says.
I turn towards him. "Karina told me that there could be trouble for Fiona. Is there anything more I can do than I am now to help you keep her safe?"
His eyes turn angry, but he keeps his face blank. "No. What exactly did Karina say to you about her?"
"That she's special and needs to be watched. That's all." I can tell that there must be more to it. A lot more, otherwise he wouldn't be so unhappy right now. He doesn't look like he believes me.
The anger has touched his face now. "There is nothing you can do to help, got it? And I wouldn't get too comfortable in Karina's room."
I stand up straight and step towards him, our faces only inches apart. "What do you mean?"
He laughs scornfully and says, "Do you really think she could fall for you? She runs this business. She is the best at this business out of everyone I have encountered in my life. I doubt you are anything more to her than a client. I know what you make. That must be pennies compared to what you'd make normally."
I want to feel anger. I want to punch him. But all I feel is doubt. Was that "I love you" real or not?
"Thanks for the warning, Adonis." I turn away from him and lean against the banister, finishing the clove in my hand and reaching for another.
I hear Adonis walk across the wood boards of the porch and the door close behind him as he leaves. Lighting the next clove, I stare back out over the courtyard, Adonis's words sticking in my mind.
[CLOSED]
Midday, Monday 22 June
Smoke curls up from the clove between my fingers. My elbows rest on the porch banister as my eyes scan the back courtyard. The door behind me clicks open and heavy footsteps cross to beside me at the banister. I glance over at Adonis and look away, dragging on the cigarette.
"Lena told me you were looking for me," he says.
I turn towards him. "Karina told me that there could be trouble for Fiona. Is there anything more I can do than I am now to help you keep her safe?"
His eyes turn angry, but he keeps his face blank. "No. What exactly did Karina say to you about her?"
"That she's special and needs to be watched. That's all." I can tell that there must be more to it. A lot more, otherwise he wouldn't be so unhappy right now. He doesn't look like he believes me.
The anger has touched his face now. "There is nothing you can do to help, got it? And I wouldn't get too comfortable in Karina's room."
I stand up straight and step towards him, our faces only inches apart. "What do you mean?"
He laughs scornfully and says, "Do you really think she could fall for you? She runs this business. She is the best at this business out of everyone I have encountered in my life. I doubt you are anything more to her than a client. I know what you make. That must be pennies compared to what you'd make normally."
I want to feel anger. I want to punch him. But all I feel is doubt. Was that "I love you" real or not?
"Thanks for the warning, Adonis." I turn away from him and lean against the banister, finishing the clove in my hand and reaching for another.
I hear Adonis walk across the wood boards of the porch and the door close behind him as he leaves. Lighting the next clove, I stare back out over the courtyard, Adonis's words sticking in my mind.
[CLOSED]