Brendan’s eyes were as big as saucers when I finally let him in the door. “I’ve been calling your name for almost five minutes V! I was about to break the door down!” I was so sorry for scaring him this way. I had just zoned out when I began to think about that dark time in my life. It was almost as it if was happening all over again. “I’m sorry Brendan, I was just …I was just.. thinking.” He didn’t pretend to even know what I meant but I think we both knew it was time to clear the air completely about what was going on. I moved to the couch and took a deep breath and told him about everything that had happened to me eight years ago and just a few thousand miles away. I could tell he was getting more and more upset as I disclosed more and more details. His hands sat clenched on his lap and I could hear his breathing get stronger and louder. “How could he get out so soon?” How could he know where you are?” I didn’t have the answer to either question. I know he should have been behind bars longer than eight years, so I don’t see how he could be free and walking around now. I don’t even want to think about what lies he could have told to get out early. It didn’t make any sense to concentrate on that now. He was out and he had to be dealt with. Brendan held me as tears rolled down my face. I didn’t even have the strength to try and keep my distance. It just felt good to be in his arms. I didn’t know how things were going to go from now on but I felt like I could depend on Brendan to get me through whatever it was. I was caught up in his scent when suddenly my house alarm started to go off. It shocked us and I ran to the front door to turn it off. I hoped I had gotten there in enough time to stop the company from calling me. They always made such a big deal when they called to verify if the homeowner was safe. At times they made me feel like they didn’t believe I actually lived there. Five minutes later and no call had come in. I got off easy that time. Or so I thought.
Brendan went out to the car to get his bag so that he could stay with me for a while. I know that we would have to get some ground rules established because I know we would have a hard time with us being so close. Well I know I was going to have a hard time. I can’t help but still feel the lingering strength of his hold on me. I watched as his lean frame bent over to get his gear out of the trunk. This could be trouble for me. I moved away from the door just in time for him not to see me staring him down like a piece of meat. A car moving up the street caught my eye. It was a dark Mustang, just like the one I saw the night of the PTA meeting. It backed up and turned the other way and left. I hope the sight of Brendan let him know that I would not be alone. I don’t know if this would keep him away, but I know I would feel safe in my home. Brendan walked back in the house and I said I would make some lunch while he got settled in his room. I led him upstairs and down the hall to the room right across from mine. I joked with him by asking if he snored I would have to close the doors. I was really more concerned about me sneaking across the hall if my will power ran out. He laughed and said that he didn’t know if he snored because he was sleep at the time. I thought that I could plan a little experiment and find out myself. I left him to get settled and headed to the kitchen to make lunch. As I surveyed the refrigerator I was glad I had stopped by the grocery store the day before. I gathered food to make us some sandwiches and then noticed an unfamiliar bag in my vegetable tray. I picked it up and it was an artichoke. I was deathly allergic to them and can’t imagine picking one up by accident. I went to toss it in the trash but as I turned it over I saw it had a label on it with handwriting. It read “Have one on me V”. I started shaking and thinking back. I wondered how he could have gotten this close to me and I didn’t know. Was he at the store or, God forbid, in my home? Nervously I went to the back door and make sure it was secure. I fumbled with the lock and was still struggling to get it closed when Brendan walked up behind me and startled me. As I spun around to him he saw fear in my eyes. I told him what had happened and he drew me close. “I won’t let him get my V baby, I promise you that” As scared I was, I believed him.
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