Choices & Hasty Decisions (Sue Thomas FBEye)

Chapter One

Three weeks later

"You said what?" exclaimed Sue in disbelief.

This time her mother crossed the line. All the words of apologies that appeared on her blackberry couldn't appease the fury burning inside.

"Stop, mom. I won't play that game."

"You have no choice. She is dying. You cannot break her heart," replied her mother, the words appearing on the screen of Sue's Blackberry.

How did it become her fault? Sue wasn't the one who was deceitful, her mother was.

"Mother, what on earth were you thinking?" Sue yelled, knowing it wouldn't change the outcome, but, at the moment, venting made her feel better, much better.

"Sue, it's too late. She is expecting you on Friday night. What you tell her is your choice. We will talk later, darling."

Her mother hung up before Sue could reply.

Sue stared at her blackberry. Her choice? She wasn't left with any choice. Sue wanted to scream.

Levi stared from the floor. His mistress was pacing the living room, visibly irritated. He put his paws over his eyes and waited for the storm to pass.

"How could she? Now, no matter what, it will be my fault. I will never forgive her," she shouted. "What am I supposed to do? It's Wednesday night."

If Lucy had been here, Sue could have bounced it on her, but her roommate was at her sick aunt for the week. Without stopping her mumbling, Sue grabbed Levi's leash and her purse, and drove into the warm July night.

***

The sun was setting by the time Sue knocked on his door. After waiting ten minutes for an answer, she walked away. He was probably out. Why did she have that pinch in the pit of her stomach? She had no claim on him.

"Come on, Levi."

She pulled the dog down the stairs. She walked back to her car parked in front. The park from across the street appealed to her.

"Might as well take your walk here," she reasoned. "It will be different."

She walked briskly in the trail, not paying much attention to her surroundings, her conversation with her mother replaying in her mind. Instead of calming her, it had the opposite effect, winding her up. The trail took a sharp turn. She couldn't hear the runner that was coming from the opposite direction, panting heavily. He saw the dog at the last minute, barely avoiding him, only to crash into Sue, sending both of them tumbling in the bushes.

They were lying on the ground and it was getting dark. He recovered first and looked in dismay at the woman in his arms. He pushed a lock of golden hair behind her ear while lightly brushing her cheek with his thumb. She moaned softly before her eyes fluttered, her hand moving to her head. She was stunned. Slowly he sat her up with him, Levi coming to rest beside them. Her eyes finally focused on him.

"Jack?" she whispered before leaning her throbbing head on his shoulder and closing her eyes again.

He smiled. The evening was taking a turn for the better. For him, anyway.

He carried her to his apartment, followed by Levi. He noticed her car parked in front of his building. He guessed that for some reason she came to see him, but he wondered how come she knew he was running unless it was totally accidental. But it didn't matter. She was in his arms and it was good enough. He fumbled with his key while holding her up. She still felt wobbly and she was grateful for Jack's couch. He placed a pillow under her head and a cold facecloth over her forehead.