Tough Love

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Dani

It's been two weeks since the incident with Eli's mom. We haven't been back since, which I'm thankful for. I don't know if I can deal with the embarrassment to be honest. Even if they can forget it and carry on, I know that I can't. The drugs seem to have kicked in a bit better, so my panic attacks are easier to manage. Eli's been working late with Ash most of the time. He drops me home, goes back to work and then gets back home close to midnight. I don't know what they're working on, and I don't want to ask. I've heard him talking to someone called Arrow on the phone, but I don't know what it's about. Maybe the whole working late thing is for this Arrow person.

Work has been crazy busy. It seems like coming up to Thanksgiving sends people to do stupid things. We've had a number of hostage situations and a few bank robberies. It's all been absolutely crazy.

It's a Saturday evening and Eli has been out with Ash again. I honestly don't mind him going out with his friends, but I do get a bit lonely now when I'm on my own. I've become so used to Eli's company that I miss it when he's not around. I'm not going to tell him this though, because I don't want him to feel like he has to choose between his friends and me.

I'm just setting dinner out when Eli sighs and says, “Dani? I want to talk to you about something...”

I tense up, expecting the worst. I hate these kind of moments. I never know what's going to happen or what's going to be said.

“Don't worry, baby, it's nothing bad. I promise. I want to teach you to shoot. I've got you a gun license and a gun, but I have to teach you to shoot in the range before I can hand it over to you...”

My eyes widen in surprise and also from confusion, so he explains.

“I want you to be able to protect yourself if I'm not here. There's going to be times I have to work late, or times I'll be called out in the middle of the night. You know what this job is like. We never know if or when we're going to get a terror call. I just want you to be prepared if anything was to happen. Even if it's just an intruder, I want you to be prepared. Are you willing to let me teach you?”

I think about it for a few minutes. It would be better if I can shoot for myself. I won't have to rely on Eli so much to protect me.

“Ok.”

“Good. We'll go tomorrow? It that ok with you?”

“Yes sir. Eli?”

“Yeah?”

“Could we go to the cemetery again please?”

“Sure. You want to go first thing in the morning?”

“If that's ok.”

“Sure thing. I've got to meet up with an old army buddy tomorrow night for dinner. I didn't think you'd want me to meet him back here, so we'll go to mine for dinner.”

I don't know if I'm relieved at this or disappointed with myself. Eli must see the conflicting emotions on my face because he questions me about it.

“I'm sorry, Eli. I'm sorry I can't be normal and meet your friends. I'm sorry you can't bring people back here. I'm just sorry I'm not normal...”

“Baby, you don't need to apologize. It's not a problem. I'd rather you feel safe than try to accommodate me and my friends. If you don't want people to come here, then that's fine with me. I didn't want to ask and make you feel uncomfortable, but I did want to let you know I won't be home til late again. Ok?”