Choosing Her Lover

For the smallest of moments, I think Charlotte is going to launch herself at Marcie, but then Michael’s hand is on her arm, his knuckles white.

Michael’s voice is cool. “You have a big mouth, Marcie. I’m not going to tell James you said that. If you don’t care for him, then fair enough; I know he can be abrasive sometimes. But don’t talk about what you don’t know. Before you go opening your mouth at random again, you might try finding out a few facts; such as how did James come by his limp?”

Marcie’s face is sour and pale. She stares back at him but doesn’t speak.

Time to show my colours. Let’s wave the flag for them….

“Michael, how did James get his limp?” I ask.

In fact, I’m genuinely interested. James Alexanders does not seem like the kind of man to get involved in a street brawl.

Michael’s eyes meet mine for a moment. So do Charlotte’s. They both know what I just did.

“He was shot,” says Michael. “A man was trying to murder Charlotte, but James shielded her with his body and took the bullet for her.”

Marcie’s eyes widen. I think mine do as well.

“Wow!” I say. “A real hero.”

“Yes,” says Michael, “a hero.”

“Yeah….” slurs Steve, his tone sarcastic. “A real hero….”

Charlotte breaks in, her tone acid. “Have you done anything heroic recently, Steve?”

“Apart from getting punched unconscious by Charlotte here…” finishes Michael. Steve blanches and finally….

…. finally….

…. staggers away into the crowd.

Marcie. Do you think you’re ever going to have someone who will volunteer to take a

“You don’t like me

“Not much, no.”

“Why not?”

me, upset my wife, and you just insulted my best friend. How’s that for starters? Now, go away and don’t bother us

she leaves,

and Marcie the Mouth,

seem

pull any punches, do

“She just insulted both my wife and

this evening, Kirstie,”

agape at Michael’s performance. Steve is sitting at the far

looks like a sulky

the kind of kid who’s discovered that all the chocolate chip cookies are

the one….

“Every word.”

Charlotte is nodding enthusiastically.

gunman was after Charlotte?

I couldn’t move fast enough to get the gun from him. I only managed to knock off his

Charlotte punched Steve? That’s true

you’d be happy to see from any professional; all but knocked

“Sounds good to me. Who taught

Charlotte, smiling into her

Ex-husband….?

head swivels. “You never

Chad. It just

but seems unsettled. His gaze alights on my

think you’ll have met him. He’s

introduce us then? I assume