Kiss Me Goodbye

Chapter 9

"So tell me the truth," he said sitting on one of the guest chairs in front of her, "who taught you to shoot?"

"I've already told you," she announced, "no one. This is the first time I've touched a gun in my whole life!" Annoyed she stood up and started pacing the floor.

"Come on, there is no way in hell you could be this good of a marksmen without having practiced it before. Just be honest, I won't get mad. Did Matt teach you?" He knew quite well that he was already mad at the mere thought and that he really wanted it not to be true. He hated himself for stooping so low as to even consider the possibility that she was lying to him when all she did showed that she was telling the truth. He even felt worse when she looked reproachingly at him, her temper flaring and chided: "You're doing worse that I have done. You suspected and convicted me based on inexistent evidence that you only made up."

Realizing the enormity of his mistake, understanding that by his own doubts he was pushing her away when all he wanted to do was bring her closer, he tried to make amends as best as he could.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... Well truth is I was... am so amazed that it's hard to believe you could be this good." He chuckled lightly and explained, "I should be careful or you'll decide one day to take my place you're so good at it."

Christy knew that the admission that she could best him at his job was unexpected especially coming from someone with as much pride as him, and she understood how much it might have cost him so she couldn't hold a grudge. Elated she smiled, oh-so-sweetly at him bestowing her approval and forgiveness upon him with such graciousness only a queen shows when bestowing knighthood upon a servant.

"You are forgiven. Let's forget this discussion ever happened." She advised and he accepted immediately. A few moments of silence passed. "What now?" she asked sitting back down on the chair in front of him. He smiled devilishly, "I have nothing to do but look at you," he said, and laughed huskily when she shot him a reproving look. He stood up then turned around the table and sat at his desk. He picked up some papers and started arranging them feigning interest all the while keeping an eye on Christy who was watching him carefully.

"So you're leaving for New York when this is all over?" He asked trying for casualness and failing.

"That's the big plan."

"And you have someone you know there?" He pushed.

"Some college friends, but I have no relatives that I know of from my adoptive side of the family as to my biological family I do not know yet, but I think I'll manage." She announced seriously.

"You will be missed here." He replied evenly.

"I doubt it but thank you."

"Can I ask for the reason of your trip or is it a too personal question, the answer to which you wouldn't want to disclose?" He was still feigning reading. Then he raised his head and flashed a smile her way as if to pass his question as a joke. However, she could feel that he was waiting for her answer and the realization made her giddy.

"Actually, I am being a coward. But I can't help myself. I want to forget everything that being here reminds me of. I just want to be free of the memories." She revealed for the first time and she was surprised that she had admitted the truth to him so freely when she hadn't been able to admit it to herself before.

He scowled and she spoke quickly before he misunderstood her meaning. "I wasn't abused, don't get me wrong, but there was never any real love in that house for me from the people I thought for too long were my parents. Well I should have seen this coming after all. It shouldn't have been such a surprise to me."