Jimmy closed the door to the phone booth and lowered himself onto the stool inside. As good as it felt to sit down, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to get back up again. On top of it, there were so many thoughts running through his head, Jimmy thought it might just explode.
A month? A lot could happen in a month. Too much had happened already, the logistics alone might kill him. His heart was still pounding from the moment they'd shared in the store and he quickly reminded himself that he shouldn't be sharing moments with anyone. He lost that right a long time ago. Now, he not only had to protect her from himself, but he also had to figure out how to protect her from others.
Tommy… How to explain that situation. He couldn't introduce her to his son; that might confuse the child. But how could he keep them separate? The answer was in the question itself- keep them separate. He'd need Richard's help to pull it off, but it certainly wasn't the worst thing he'd asked his friend to do for him. He sat there a long time before picking up the phone.
"Put Richard on," Jimmy barked into the receiver.
"I see your mood hasn't improved," his mother answered.
"Just put him on the phone, Ma."
He could feel her rolling her eyes at him on the other end of the line. He heard a shuffling, then the sound of his friend drawing a breath. Jimmy knew that speaking caused him pain on occasion, so he usually kept their discussions to the point unless he was really intoxicated. It's just another job. That logic had helped him earlier, so he decided to stick with it.
"Richard?" he asked.
"Mmhhp. Yes."
"Can you meet me at the beach house?"
His friend recognized that tone of voice all too well. "Sure."
Jimmy felt the tightness in his chest go away as he hung up. He could do this. He would do this. He'd certainly survived worse than thirty days with a beautiful woman. A beautiful woman that you can't touch. If he had to remind himself a hundred times a day, then that's what he'd do.
"I know, Ange, I know. I won't. I promise."
A knock on the door outside startled him. Seeing that he'd finished his call, another man was waiting to use the phone and growing increasingly impatient. Normally this would agitate Jimmy to no end, patience never being one of his strong suits. But today…today he was so emotionally and physically drained he just didn't have it in him. He met the man's gaze and tried to pull himself up. As he did a shock went down his leg, almost bringing him to his knees. It was hot and burning, and Jimmy squeezed his eyes closed. He steadied himself and opened the door and he limped out of the booth.
Jimmy was still looking down, his hat low and covering his eyes. The pain was so all encompassing that he almost walked right past Reese.
"Ahem," she smirked.
When he finally glanced up he was breathless, though this time not from his injury. This was going to be the longest month of his life.