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.

not finished. He continues. “Tell me, Marcie. Do you think you’re ever going to have someone who will volunteer

down. “You don’t like me much do you,

“Not much, no.”

“Why not?”

see…. So far, you’ve offended me, upset my wife, and you just insulted my best friend. How’s that for

she leaves,

and Marcie the Mouth, both seen off in one smooth

seem

pull any

wife and my

don’t think you’re going to have any more trouble with Steve this evening, Kirstie,” says Michael. He pushes my chin up with a

Steve is sitting at the far

looks like a sulky

eyes slide sideways to me. “You mean the kind of kid who’s discovered that all

I have to smile. “Yeah, that’s the one…. Is all that true?

“Every word.”

Charlotte is nodding enthusiastically.

was after Charlotte? You were

was, yes. I tried to stop the shot, but I couldn’t move fast enough to get the gun from him. I only managed to knock off his aim. James didn’t even hesitate. He simply

Charlotte punched Steve?

happy to see from any professional;

“Sounds good to me. Who taught you to box?”

ex-husband,” says Charlotte,

Ex-husband….?

swivels. “You never

I didn’t like Chad. It just didn’t work as a marriage. I’d be happy to

His gaze alights on my choker and his eyes

don’t think you’ll have met

you’ll introduce us then? I assume that’s who