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Chapter 21
Maranda
I took two deep breaths as I sat in my car. I never thought it would have been so hard to leave Brian's side. I turned the key, now determined, and started for the apartment.
I was growing too edgy. I pulled a gun on Brian for goodness sake. That proves I'm on the wire. I have to end this and end it soon.
I climbed the many stairs and just as I entered the apartment the phone rang. I literally slid across the small office floor when the phone was on its third ring. I picked up the phone and brought the receiver to my ear on the floor.
"Your timing is impeccable I'll say that much. At least I know you'll never be late."
"I'll take that as a complement. Shall I wait until you're off the floor?"
"I don't even know how you know that. I'm on edge as it is."
"It's no big deal. I'm still in DC and the phone hit the floor. I'm not following you." He chuckled.
I was just relieved. "We have to end this on Sunday. I can't take another day."
"You'll be sent to jail."
"I already knew that. I don't care. As long as it ends, I don't care."
"And your affair with Mr. Littrell?"
Mr. Littrell? It's been what seems like months since I've referred to Brian as Mr. Littrell. It seems so business like, so impersonal, the way it's supposed to be.
"What of it?"
"Maranda, come now, you don't expect him to stay with you after this do you?"
My voice caught in my throat. I hadn't really, truly, put any thought in that matter and Jake knew it. He was not so subtly bringing it to my attention.
Brian…Mr.Littrell…couldn't possibly stay with a liar. With a paid liar, who although protected him, spied on him? Not just once, but like a stalker, daily, hourly.
No, no her could not stay with me. Not with a liar. I'm now prepared for the grieving I may do. I have opened my heart and this will be the consequence. Just as my working for these people, I will pay; I will spend years if not my life in jail.
"I do not."
"There was a hesitation. You hadn't considered it, but I'm glad you've come to realize that he could not, would not stay with some one who watches, stalks even, lies-"
"Yes, Jake, I understand." I said fiercely, not allowing him to bring to mind something I already knew. "What is this news that you thought waking me at 4 would make me happy?"
"I have you an appointment with the President himself."
I sat straight, slamming my head on the desk. I sucked n a breath, rubbing my head fiercely, trying to keep fierce words, that seemed on the tip of my tongue, from leaving.
"You OK?"
"Yeah, just shocked. And I think I got a bump on the head. Look; get me a plane ticket for tomorrow morning. I'll go to the meeting with the President, then I'll get back by 5 and go on air. Go to my office. I don't care, um, say I called you from Hawaii and I need those papers she typed. Get them, check them, then add what's on floppy at my house. Then, and this is the most important, burn and break everything that has to do with the Watchers…everything."
"Do you want me to burn the building?"
At first my thought were that he meant the Watcher's building, and that held some appeal, but then I knew he meant my apartment building.
"No, just gather what stuff I have and pay off my rent."
"Got it. I'll e-mail you our confirmation number tonight."
"Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it."
Jake was silent for a moment. "I know that was hard, so I'll just say you're welcome and hang up." With that the line was dead.
*At
the same moment*
Brian
I lay on my bed tossing my basketball up and catching it.
I told whoever was at my door to come in.
"Brian, can we talk?" It was Nick.
"Yeah." I sat up against the headboard and spun my basketball on my index finger.
"Are you mad at me?"
"Yeah, but not really."
"Huh?" Nick sat on the bed and gave me a look that said he didn't get it.
"I'm mad I'm just hearing about it, but I'm not mad because you knew I'd be mad and you were just looking out for me."
"You said that the long way on purpose." Nick smiled,
"Yeah, but I had to get you back some how."
"Don't worry, when V fixed my computer she showed how for to shove my foot in my mouth. And today, when she said she knew…that only made it worse."
"I know, she's great though." I smiled.
"Oh guess what!"
"What?"
"Lacy and are an item."
I gave him a 'really' look and he nodded happily. He showed me the ID bracelet that looked two sizes too small.
"Doesn't that hurt?" I tried to pull the bracelet a little ways from Nick's writs and it went no where.
"A little, but I'm gonna get it made bigger." He looked at Lacy's name on it and smiled.
"Aww…this is great."
"Really?"
"Yeah now they guys will get off my case. I know for a fact she used to call you Nicky-Pooh 24/7 and I'm willing to be bet 20 bucks that not only does she still do it, but she's gonna keep doing it."
"Well I aint betting."
I laughed hard at that. "I knew it."
"Well she's coming over in an hour. We're gonna cook out."
"Nick, Nick, Nick." I shook my head in a disapproving matter.
"What?"
"Kevin
is going to cook out." I smiled.
Nick nodded, very agree able. "Hey, when Veronica calls tonight have her
come. We'll get Mandy to come, too." Nick laughed. "For once Aj's
is one with out a girl."
Maranda
I call Brian at 5 and he invited me to a cook out and swimming at Nick's. I accepted, but said I'd be there around 7 because I had some work to get done first.
It's 6:30 and I got a whole lot of nothing done. I've been thinking about seeing Brian the whole 2 hours I was suppose to practice my new speech. Not only that…what to say to the President of the United States that has the power to help or not help me!
The only thing I did get done was pack up the very few things I unpacked and fixed that stupid smoke alarm. Considering I don't really live here I figured it was the least I could do. That and I wasn't getting anything else done.
At 6:40 I decided to get showered and changed. I dressed in a blue stripped bikini that I just bought…I don't swim much so I had to get a new one. I put on a pair of ripped shorts over the bottoms and a baggy tee over the top. I slipped on a pair of sandals and made one last checklist of my belongings so if I stayed out late I could just go straight to bed.
When I pulled up at Nick's it was 7:15. The front door was open again, but this time I made sure it was shut after I came in.
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