Kill You

30~ Arguement

It's been two days and Noah won't talk to me about the offer. I've tried to bring it up but he always shuts it down quickly.

However he keeps bringing up Delilah.

"Why didn't you tell me you also had a sister?" He asked one night after dinner. I wash doing the dishes while he wiped down the counters.

I sigh and scrub harder on a plate. "Because we were focused on Elizabeth" I lie slightly. Noah scoffs and throws the rag in the sink next to me.

"Thats bullshit" he calls me out. I close my eyes and stop my scrubbing for a second. Noah's voice relaxes and is calm when he speaks next.

"Just because these past few... months have been busy doesn't mean we can't talk"

"Busy? We were freaking kidnapped, started a fire, taken again, had to escape and now we've been sent a letter for an assassination job!" I throw the sponge I was holding down and laugh lightly at the end.

"Busy doesn't describe what's been going on. Maybe it's all catching up to me and I need to process. For fucks sake Noah because a damn storm I was brought into this" I step away from the sink and throw my hands up as I talk.

Noah glares at me with his arms crossed. "No one is forcing you to stay. You can leave if this is too much for you"

I roll my eyes before shouting. "Jesus! I never said I didn't want to leave! I'm just realizing that I'm going to be apart of this"

Noah's body tenses but I know it's him holding his stance. He, just like I do, wants to walk away from this conversation. I sigh and try again.

"Look, I'm going to go down to the dock and visit Tom. I'll be back tonight and we can talk, okay?"

Noah looks at me and nods slowly. Our bodies relax and I sigh, happy to have a plan.

I walk over and kiss Noah on the cheek. "We'll talk tonight I promise" I murmer. Noah hooks his arm around my waist and kisses me deeply.

"If you don't show up I'll hunt people down" he warns as I walk out the door, Judge trotting after me.

"I have no doubts" I smile and walk off the porch.

~

Tom is an old black man who is very kind and lives in the small town at the end of the island. He goes out every morning and catches as many fish as he can to sell at the market. Every Wednesday and Sunday I personally walk to the docks to help him get his catches to town and helping before buying a fish he's picked out for Noah and I.

Today when I arrive, he's already gotten everything loaded and ready to be taken into town.

He smiles widely at me when he sees me. "iuvenes amica"

I smile back. "You're early" I claim. Judge trots over and sits at Tom's feet, watching his hands for the treats he always seems to have. "Yes. I wanted us to have an early day. Maybe we get ice cream" he says while scratching behind Judge's ears.

"I'm always down for our ice cream trips" I smile and walk over to the cart full of ice and fresh fish.

Judge leads the way and Tom and I pull the cart. We've been silent today, in our own heads. It's nice though, not awkward or tense. Just two good friends enjoying each other's company.

But about halfway through walking Tom does speak. "What's on your mind?" He asks in his deep, experienced voice.

"Oh... just" I click my tongue and hesitate. Tom doesn't look at me or say anything, he waits for me to figure out my words.

"Noah and I had a sort of... fight. All week really..." I start. Tom hums in response. Comforted he's listening, I continue.

"Well I had a younger sister who drowned when she was young. And he had a younger sister who was murdered. And I've known about his sister since the day I met him but he just found out about mine. And he's upset I didn't tell him sooner"

Tom nods slowly before he speaks. "Well Noah needs to grow up, people don't need to share everything. But I am certain your man just wants to know that you feel like you can tell him everything. Never belittle yourself amare, remember that"

I smile and nod. My head feels better and I know tonight will be good for us.

~

The day is long but Tom and I get a lot done and a lot sold. Tom as usual tries to pay me but I protest and so instead he buys us ice cream. As usual he gets his vanilla with coconut shavings while I try something new again. Today was strawberry with shredded lime.

Our walk back to the docks is nice and filled with me asking about his wife, Matilda, who is currently feeling a little sick. Tom says she'll get back on her feet in no time and I believe him.

When we get to his boat, Tom gives me a hug and gives Judge a treat before loading his boat and starting the engine. I wave and watch him leave, treading the sunset painted waters.

When I get back to the bungalow its dark outside and the porch light is on. My stomach grumbles as I walk up the steps and as soon as I open the door I smell something delicious. I walk into the kitchen and take a deep breath, smiling as I realize Noah's cooking.

Judge pads over to the corner where his dog bed is and circles around before laying and huffing, defeated from the long day.

"Oh you're cooking" I claim as I slide next to Noah by the stove. On the griddle is shredded pork sizzling, small tortillas beside it on the counter. I've always cooked for us except for that one time at the restaurant during the storm. That seemed like years ago.

"Yeah I figured you were tired" he shrugs and wraps his arm around me, pulling me face under his chest. I take a deep breath smelling the ocean and grilled meat on his shirt.

"I appreciate it" I mumble and hug him tightly. It's hard to remember that just hours ago we were arguing.

"Of course. Now sit down, food will be ready in a minute"