The Man in the Mirror
There are days when he agrees with the people who wonder how he can look at himself in the mirror. They are few and far between, but they occur all the same. In truth that is why he once shot his reflection.
But it doesn't matter.
Not most of the time.
He can usually look himself in the eye and believe that he has done everything in the name of family.
And then there are days like this.
Nights like this.
It's usually when he sees her.
He never talks to her.
Not any more.
He hasn't in years.
It's too dangerous.
For her.
For him.
He's not supposed to know the truth any more than she's supposed to be alive, but he does and she is and they both have their ways of dealing with it.
They ignore each other.
He feigns surprise when someone comments of the supposed resemblance of the woman she is and the woman she should all rights still be.
He pretends in doesn't see that tinge of something in his brother's eyes when he occasionally sees her.
He eases his quilt with charitable contributions to her pet projects, most of which she doesn't know about.
And occasionally, when their eyes meet across the room and he has a glass in his hand he sends her a silent toast, to remind her and himself that they are connected.
They were business associates.
They were business adversaries.
They were friends.
But most of all, they were family.
In truth, she was probably the only in-law he could honestly say he liked.
The only one to give him a run for his money and business.
He misses her and the challenges she presented him.
Misses the way she made his brother and nephew smile.
In truth, he misses her.
But they both have secrets that they most keep.
So, for appearances sake they have never met, and if they are ever introduced he will be nothing more than a benefactor, because that is all he can be.
Because he made her a target once and has sworn that he never will again.
She knows that should she ever need him, she need only call.
He will protect her.
He will protect her children.
Hell, he'll even protect her husband.
Because, his Momma did raise him right.
It's the reason why most days he can look at himself in the mirror.
Only, he knows that tonight won't belong to one of them.
Tomorrow probably won't either.
And till he can again, he'll make sure he doesn't have a loaded gun around. . .