Their hearts pounded as they held each other on the ground. When the shots stopped and the air grew quiet Kelcey looked up. She saw Reba had her arms wrapped around her and the entire street in front of the courthouse was deserted. Gripping the rail beside the steps Kelcey raised herself from Reba's side and looked behind her toward the police car where Jack had stood. Lying in a pool of blood beside the car she could see him. The gun was back in the guard's hand and Jack wasn't moving. Kelcey helped Reba to her feet. It was over.
Reba let go of Kelcey's arm, "You're bleeding!" She gasped.
Kelcey reached for her shoulder and wiped the blood from her long sleeved white shirt, "I'm ok...I must've gotten grazed. It's just a cut." She said trying to comfort her aunt.
The guard walked over to Reba and Kelcey, "Are you two alright?" He called.
"Y...yes, I think so. She's hurt though, can somebody help her?" Reba said as she steadied herself on the rail. She was shaking and holding onto Kelcey's arm.
"We've called central police, they'll send an ambulance." The officer said.
"Jack...what about Jack?" Kelcey asked.
"He's dead Ma'am." The officer replied.
Kelcey sat back down on the stairs and stared blankly out into the parking lot. She couldn't believe it was finally over; she'd never have to face him again.
Reba knelt down in front of her, "Are you ok honey?"
"He must've thought he had nothing to lose." She looked up to her aunt, "He's probably one of the dumbest people I've ever known. What kind of idiot thinks he can pull a gun in front of a courthouse and not get shot down by the police surrounding it?"
Reba smiled and shook her head; she knew Kelcey was alright if she was making jokes. "I don't know honey, I really don't know."
The ambulance came around the corner along with two more police cars and a fire truck. The EMT came over to Kelcey and began working on her arm. He pulled her sleeve up and exposed a long bleeding cut on her right shoulder.
"This isn't too bad." He said pulling out some gauze and alcohol pads. "We'll just clean it up and bandage it; no need for stitches."
"Good, I've had enough of those to last a lifetime." Kelcey said.
When the EMT left Kelcey stood up next to her aunt and watched the police work. They covered Jack's body and began taking pictures of the scene. One of the officers approached them as they watched.
"Were you affiliated with the deceased?" He asked.
"Yes, we were here for a meeting with him and his lawyer earlier." Reba replied.
The officer looked up to her, "I don't think he's gonna be needin' that lawyer anymore ma'am. We'll take care of things here; I'm very sorry this happened."
The officer walked back to the scene.
Kelcey looked up at Reba, "I guess that means we can go now."
Reba put her arm around her niece, "Yeah, let's go home."
A few weeks later...
Everything had been wonderful since the meeting at the courthouse. Kelcey was back at Reba's with all her things moved into the upstairs bedroom – which was now hers; decorations and all. Thanks to Kyra's help. School would be starting in a couple of weeks and senior year was all Kelcey could talk about. She was excited to be able to be completely happy for the first time in a long time.
As she came down the stairs Kelcey could see Reba in the kitchen. She walked in and headed to the counter, "Hey Aunt Reba, what ya doin'?" She asked.
"Just bakin' a cake for after supper tonight...How're you?" Reba asked.
"I'm great. I was just up-stairs with Kyra. She was tellin' me what teachers I needed to avoid and what classes I should take. I'm so excited for school!" She smiled.
Reba laughed, "It's so great to hear a seventeen year old say that. It's like music to my ears." She bent down and opened the oven to check on the cake.
Kelcey chuckled, "I'm just glad to be somewhere where I can be myself and not have to hide in my room all the time."
"I'm happy everything worked out too, I knew it would. Sure, we've had to deal with a lot of things these past few weeks, but we made it through." Reba came around the corner and hugged Kelcey.
Kelcey looked up and met Reba's eyes, "Thank you so much for taking that first call; who knows where I'd be if I hadn't come here. I love you Aunt Reba."
Reba smiled, "I love you too – more than you'll ever know.
Thank you to everyone who read and enjoyed this! I had a lot of fun writin' it and I hope to write more. I thank ya'll from the bottom of my heart for your support – it made me feel great!