Sparrows Song

Chapter 3

Work passed slowly that day, and Blake couldn't seem to take his eyes off the clock as he waited for the day to be over. His productivity today was shit, and he just wanted to go home and be alone.

Blake glanced at the clock one last time. Finally, 10 more minutes and he could get out of there, having put in a full day despite having little to show for it. He gazed absently at the clock remembering how frequently Jane had watched the clock yesterday during their visit. She had been anxious, impatiently waiting for something to happen, and he came to the sudden realization that maybe it had nothing to do with him.

He recalled now how for an instant she had smiled at him in such a warm, reassuring manner. Maybe she didn't really hate him. Maybe he had it all wrong and it wasn't him that she was afraid of. But she was definitely afraid of something. Or someone.

Blake left the building and got into his car, the idea taking hold in his mind, however improbable it might be. The logical portion of his brain knew the possibility that he was right was completely unlikely and that he had probably only formulated this idea because he couldn't cope with Jane's rejection. Still some instinct was telling him he wasn't wrong, and he had to know for sure. Jane had told him not to come back, but he couldn't follow her wishes until he knew for certain his hunch was wrong. He pushed the accelerator down, and turned the opposite way out of the parking lot, the decision already made.

He parked his car a block down and out of sight from Jane's house, and briskly walked to the door. It was 4:45, and if his assumption was correct, Jane's fiancé would be due home shortly after 5:00, so he didn't have much time.

Purposely, he stood close to the door so as to obstruct the view of him from the window and rapped three times. He wasn't sure what he would do if she didn't come to the door, but lucky for him after a short moment Jane answered, obvious shock written on her face seeing him on her doorstep for the second day in a row. She had only opened the door about 6 inches, but didn't seem to notice that Blake had stuck his foot just inside so that she wouldn't be able to close it on him.

"Blake, what are you doing here? I thought you understood you can't come see me again?" she said with obvious exasperation.

He smiled at her, an attempt on his part to seem well-intentioned, but to Jane his smirk looked predatory. Her eyes widened in fear as he put his hand on the door, pushing it open to allow himself entry.

"I know, I know. But there's just one thing I have to know before I leave you alone," he said.

Jane took a stumbling step backward, her fear mounting as Blake let himself inside. His 6'2'' frame was imposing, and his physical presence always had an effect on her. Especially times like this when he moved with determination. Worse yet was the familiarity she felt in his close proximity, the confusing way he made her feelings become jumbled. It was like being plunged into cold water.

Blake realized he was scaring her, but it couldn't be helped. He appraised her appearance briefly. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun and again she wore a large sweater that covered her completely. It was April, but unseasonably warm so that the sweater seemed out of season.

"Please," she pleaded, her voice wavering, "Please, you have to go now. Now isn't a good time."

"I just want to see something. It'll only take a minute," Blake replied, suddenly snatching her by the wrist.

Jane gasped, horrified. "What are you doing?" she demanded, as she attempted to wrench her arm out of his grip.

Quickly, Blake pushed up the long sleeve of her sweater. Nothing. Deftly, he switched to the other arm and looked. A bracelet of blue-purple bruises encircled Jane's forearm. Blake stared grimly for only a moment before Jane yanked her sleeve down with her free hand.