Standard Disclaimers Apply : I own nothing.
Like Summer Snow
If he had had anything in his stomach, he was certain he would have thrown it up. Maybe not right at the scene? But definitely in the alleyway outside the building. If not in the alley? It would have been in the car during the long ride back home while he listened to the sound of Claude's dark brooding. And if not there? Then without a doubt once he'd walked into his moderate sized apartment, closed the door behind him and allowed himself to fully process exactly what he'd seen at that house tonight he would have absolutely thrown up.
Luckily, he had nothing in his stomach.
He shut the door, at least going through the motions of blocking out what had been a truly horrific day, and walked towards the bathroom.
He needed to wash his hands.
The sudden sharp banging of fists on his front door made him jerk to the side, gun drawn in a smooth motion and aim taken in less time than it took to tell.
Thud! Thud!
He didn't move.
"Come on!" an all too familiar voice bawled on the other side, "Hey, I know you are in there, Bennet. I saw you walk in just a second ago. Sissy and I got the barbeque going in the backyard! Hustle up!"
Ted.
Ted, his wife Sissy, and their two year old squalling baby. Next door neighbors and, he supposed, friends.
Sort of.
He holstered the pistol and settled his suit jacket back over it, carefully. Then he walked to the door, peered quickly around the window to verify that it really was Ted.
Yes. It really was Ted. In Bermuda shorts.
If he'd had food in his stomach, he would have thrown up…
But instead he smiled while he opened the door, "Ted. Hey there, buddy." His foot on the other side of the door prevented Ted from walking in.
Ted didn't seem to notice. He grinned, "Bennet, come on. You are just in time. The steaks are on the grill, the ladies are by the pool…"
"Aw, Ted. You know on any other day I'd love to join you. But I just got home and it's been a mess of a day at the factory…"
"What, someone cut the 12 by 9's into 12 by 2's?"
"11 by 8 ½…"
Ted laughed and moved to clap Bennet's shoulder. "See? Come on, man. It's a paper factory. How hard can it be?" he gestured with his free hand. "I won't hear no for an answer. It's about time you got out and met some folks. Sissy invited lots of her friends. Lots of her /single/ friends. Ehhh?"
Bennet smiled sickly in return.
"Well. When you put it that way. Just let me get changed."
Ted grinned. "Good man!"
The door shut and the smile slipped from Bennet's face like an ill fitting shroud.
Wonderful.