Reverence

Chapter 6

From the warehouse to the house, Ray and I exchanged no words. I was horrified at what I experienced and realized this was not something I wanted to be apart of anymore.

Into the driveway, she looked at me. "Say something." She said. "I'm leaving. I can't do this. Not after what you did." I knew why she did, but I couldn't fathom to be a witness to any of it. "Okay." Was all she could say. She stepped out of the car and I followed. "You know, that's what I was waiting for." She added. "Waited for what?" "For you to hit your breaking point. I knew you weren't going to stay. But what I do wonder, is why you stayed." I sighed. "I stayed because I thought I had a purpose here. I felt as if I had a reason to stay, but I don't." I say.

She shuffled her keys in her hand, and I actually wanted to know what going through her head.

Did she really want me to stay? Even if I do leave, will I be able to see her again?

"I won't stop you. Go on. Your car is here. You have your keys. Enjoy your life, and I will continue to fight for mine." She gave me that fake genuine smile. She didn't mean it, but acted as if it did. "Okay. Well, it was nice knowing you. Thank you, for uhh, letting me crash here. Take care." Not a wave, or a head nod. Just a back whipped to my face, as he her hair flowed through the wind, she entered her house through the front door, and that was it.
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Finally back home to my own safe haven, just me, myself, and I. I tossed my keys onto the counter tops and grabbed a bottle of water. I popped open the top, and chugged it down. I couldn't get that image out of my head. The thought of that man, screaming in agony and pain. It was terrifying.

Then there was a knock at my door. My heart pounding outrageously and I couldn't bare to even think who was paying me a visit.

Was I really on a hit list? Was someone really out to kill me because I was talking to a former drug lord seeking justice for her late husband and daughter? Why me?

I walked to the door, and put my hand on the handle. "Who is it?" My voice cracking and Shaky. "It's Manuel." I squinted my eyes in disbelief. I swung open my door, and it was him. Without invitation, he walked inside my front door, and he looked around him and above his head. "Shit man, nice pad. You must make banging music, to have a crib like this. Not even drug dealers can have a place like this." He chuckled in shock. "What the fuck do you want?" He put his hands up, "Chillax dude, we just need to have a little talk." He continued to walk through the house until he found his place on the couch. "Talk about what?" He stretched his arms out on the couch, "About Ray, and this whole thing."

Play Music Here

I rolled my eyes at the thought, "Look, I'm done with it. I want nothing to do with it. She's a decent human being, but this gun fighting thing is just not the business for me. Not the reputation I need nor want." I say. "No one is asking you to kill anyone, bro." I scoffed at him. "But to be associated with it. I want nothing to do with it, Manuel." He then scooted to edge of the couch. "Look man, we get that, but we still need you. Remember you said, that we can't just go in and shoot the motherfucker, but have tea and crumpets or some corny shit like that. We need you to do just that. Simply as that." I was still hesitant at the thought. "Plus, Ray thinks your cute. She needs someone to look at." He snickered. That comment caught my attention. "She...she thinks I'm cute?" Manuel leaned back and said, "You really are dumb as shit, yo."

"Is there an end to this little talk Manuel? I don't have all fucking day to be conversing back and forth with you." He stood up and approached me. He went into his back pocket and pulled out an envelope. "This is a ticket. Plane ticket round trip to and from Florida. Seat is right next to her. She won't be coming back until she finds him." I stare at the envelope, hesitant to take it. "Why don't you go with her? You are her brother." His eyes wandered then met back with mine, "Because vowed to not get involved in this, and she doesn't want me involved. I'm her baby brother, all she's ever done was protect me, just like she's doing now." He said. "Does she even know you're here, giving me this?" I ask. "No. She doesn't. Look. I know we got off on the wrong foot..." "Yeah, you're fucking right about that." I suck my teeth, "But, I know deep down in your heart, you care for her." "How can I care for someone who I just met a day ago?"

Manuel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I see the way you look at her. You pity her, to the point, you are attracted. The way, she responds to you, the amount of times she becomes submissive to you, the amount of times, she's genuinely smiled in your presence." I shrugged my shoulders, "It's just a coincidence." He shook his head, "Maybe so, but I've seen this before. With her and Bryan. That innocent love and desire. You may not love her, I get it. It's too soon to tell, but the chemistry is there, and I know that. That's why I'm here, because I know that if she hasn't blown your brains out by now, there's something special about you."

Manuel set the envelope on the coffee table. "Think on it."