This idea is brought to you by some observations of WillyNilly23, and a conversation I had this past weekend about witnessing tragedies.
"Yeah, of course I remember him." Annie said on the phone.
Auggie could immediately hear the change in Annie's voice. She had gotten the call from Danielle a few minutes earlier. He was trying to give her some privacy by cleaning up in the kitchen, but he was a spy. He made no attempt to hide that he was listening now.
There was silence for a moment. "Oh no." Annie said softly. "Do you have any details?"
The was silence while Danielle spoke.
"Yeah, let me know if you hear anything. In so sorry to hear about that."
Auggie moved to the bed and sat next to Annie while she finished the conversation. He rubbed circles on her back until she said her goodbyes.
When she ended the call, he placed a kiss on her bare shoulder.
"Thanks," she replied.
"Anything you want to talk about?" Auggie asked.
"Danielle has kept up with folks far better than I ever have. She got some news about this guy, Kyle, that I dated in High School."
"Okay," Auggie drawled out.
"He was my senior prom date," She explained delicately. Auggie could hear the shy smile on her lips.
"Lucky guy."
Annie leaned into his touch. "Not so much recently. He was caught up in a gas station robbery and was shot. They think he's going to be fine, but he'll never walk again."
Auggie continued to rub her back gently. "Does he have family?"
"Danielle said he has a wife and little girl, and through the sources she talked to it sounds like they are all doing okay."
"That's good."
"Is it?" Annie asked as she moved away from his touch in order to look at his face.
"As best as it can be, I guess." He said with a shrug.
Annie was quiet a moment while arranging her thoughts. Auggie looked more concerned as the silence lingered.
"It's just..." She hesitated. She reached her hands under Auggie's shirt. Her fingers gently rubbed his scar from Colombia. It had healed well, but was still slightly sensitive. "Now, every guy I've had a relationship with has been shot."
Auggie smirked and placed his hands behind her head. "That's impressive."
"That's one word for it." She said, softly, leaning her forehead into his. Her hands were still roaming on his chest, distracting him from coherent thought.
"So, you've only been in four relationships?" Auggie asked, pulling away slightly.
"I guess there have been more." She replied. "But, still, four is a lot."
"Yeah." Auggie replied. "But most of those were spies."
"Most spies never see any action." Annie countered.
"The thing is, those that do usually see a lot of it." Auggie explained. "Statistically it doesn't make sense. If you put thirty people in a room and ask which ones have actually seen a car wreck-not been in one, but witnessed one-there will only be a few people. But those few people will have seen more than one. It's kind of like that."
"You are right. It doesn't make sense."
Auggie shrugged as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"I'm sorry I got you shot." Annie stated.
"Not your fault. All's well that ends well." He moved his lips to her skin, but she didn't respond to the touch. He stopped and rested his forehead on her shoulder.
"It didn't always end well." She said, her voice choking.
"And that wasn't your fault." Auggie almost whispered.
Annie wrapped her arms around Auggie and meet his lips for a strong, passionate kiss.
When they broke apart, Auggie spoke. "It would take more than a bullet to keep me from wanting to be with you."