Romeo and Juliet

49- B

Different

Romeo slams my car door, but I don't dare say anything. I've been angry before—maybe not the same kind he is now, but probably just as intense. When my mom tried to calm me down, it only made things worse for both of us.

Romeo doesn't look the same as he did ten seconds ago. He is now an unrecognizable person.

I stay close, matching his long strides. He pushes the door open with his body and, even before we reach the counter, he demands, "Where is Michael?"

People at the tables turn to look at us. Two kids waiting in line with their mom for ice cream clutch her blouse and stare.

"There are children here, Romeo. You're scaring them," I say.

"The hell I care. Where is Michael? I know he's on shift."

The girl behind the counter looks puzzled but not scared. She glances around and then behind her at the staff door. "Please leave, Romeo. You don't want to do this."

"Shanty," he presses, then goes quiet. They stare at each other for what feels like a long time, and I am confused by the scene.

He must know her because he immediately quiets down. To have an understandable conversation, you must truly be connected or know each other well. I don't know which it is in this case.

He walks past the line, and no one says anything. Instead, they step away. He relaxes as we get closer, but his anger remains.

"He just finished his shift."

Shanty looks at me sadly and smiles. "Don't let him get to him, please," she says, turning back to the lady with her children.

That's all he hears before he heads out again. We take a turn, and I can see the back alley and a small parking lot. He looks around, and there's not much except for two cars—one of them is Michael's.

On cue, Michael walks out. His hand stops mid-air with his cap as he sees us. He looks puzzled, worried, then puzzled again.

"What do you want? I stayed away..."

Romeo doesn't give me time to process the scene before he jumps on Michael. They roll around, hitting each other.

"The fuck!" Michael groans as he shoves Romeo, but Romeo doesn't back down; he springs right back into the fray.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I struggle to muster any strength. Amid the chaos, I find my voice and shout, "Stop! Romeo, stop!"

Romeo grips Michael by the collar and throat, slamming him against the wall. Adrenaline surges through my veins, and I feel an overwhelming urge to flee. But for Karina's sake, I stand my ground. This is all for her, and it's not fair. Just wait until I reach her; she will listen to me.

"Where is my sister?"

Michael spits blood, his voice strained. "I don't know."

"You do. You brainwashed her. Where did you take her?"

I step closer, trying to pry Romeo's hands off Michael, but he is unyielding. Both of them look battered, yet my concern lies with the father of that child.

"She makes her own decisions. We haven't spoken in a while."

My phone rings again. I pull it out, irritation bubbling up at my mom for interrupting this tense moment, but my heart races when I see Karina's name.

"Please tell him to stop," she pleads.