The Big Chill
Aliaslaceygreen not mine, not making any money
Nights in White Satin, 4
I hadn't slept well. Not that I got back to my bunk until close to 3 am, but even the late hour and the commotion of the day didn't knock me out. My phone hadn't stayed silent for more than a few minutes the entire evening; I thought I should have lost my voice from over-use.
I looked critically at my face in the mirror as I slathered on shaving cream and for once truly appreciated my coal black skin. No one would be able to read on my face the weariness I felt in my body, and therefore wouldn't be able to query me about being worried for Ranger. The ladies needed to know that I was strong for them. Now, if they examined my eyes, I noted, leaning closer to the mirror; then, maybe the redness might strike them as unusually prominent for me.
Huh. When was the last time someone got close enough to my face to have a chance to examine the whites of my eyes anyway? I wiped off the excess foam, and turned the shower on. Cold. Needed all the help I could get this morning to stay in control. I wish I could get the thought that kept pounding in my head to go away too, with the cold water. It can only go downhill from here. Damn thinking got into my head and just kept pounding me.
As I dried off, scrubbing myself roughly with my towel to keep myself from shivering, I came to the conclusion that the cold water had served only to clear out the cobwebs in my head, not the damned phrase.
Shit and damnation. Why couldn't anyone get a line on Ranger? What kind of fucking situation had he gotten himself wrapped up in anyway? As I picked up my cell and pocketed it, I glanced around my room to see if I had forgotten anything. Not noting anything, I grabbed my duffle and headed for the garage with the keys to Ranger's Navigator.
--
"I have to go through security over there, Ms. Plum," I nodded to the special entry area of the airport. "I'll meet you on the other side," I smiled what I hoped was a reassuring smile and turned to leave her at the security gates.
It had been an awkward morning, to say the least. I had clarified to Ms. Plum pretty quick-like that the little information I had provided her was all the Intel I had. I don't know if she believed me. But after a few tries at getting me to change my story, she zipped her lips and had been silent. Fidgety as all hell, but silent. It was gonna be one long fucking trip to Miami. I could feel it already.
I had to admit that the broad got points in my book though, for wanting to get little Miss Julie to her daddy's side. Jerk didn't know what he had good; if you ask me. He hadn't; but I hadn't let that stop me from expressing my opinions strongly at the time. Hadn't made any difference in the decision to give Julie to her aunt, but at least I had said my piece. I wondered if this Stephanie Plum had had similar reservations about it too. I recall little Julie carrying on something fierce about how much she loved Stephanie.
"So, uhm. Tank?"
I glanced at my watch. Not bad. At least she held out until we were airborne. Something told me, looking down at her pressed into the corner of the seat, that she was going to be making up some ground with the chatter.
"Sorry that we are so crowded." I nodded apologetically toward our shoulders, pressed together. I had taken the aisle and she had been staring out the window up till now, but every time she moved or sighed deeply I had felt it.
"I knew you'd want to get down there ASAP." In all honesty there wasn't much of a chance of the two us fitting together on any plane I'd ever been in.
"It's ok." She sighed. "I guess it's a good thing no one wanted this seat, huh?" She patted the center seat and smiled up at me. I had to laugh then.
"Seat is taken, darlin'," I said, and slapped my hip. "All paid for and legal." She looked at me with huge eyes.
"You bought both seats?"
"Always do. These things aren't made for humans."
"Well, humans, yes," she said and looked down at herself, sitting perfectly within the confines of her one paid seat. "Not giants, though, I guess. Where'd Carlos get you anyway?"
"We were in the Rangers together."
"Oh. Oh."
She turned to look back out the window. The clouds were always soothing; I figured I'd let her have her peace while she could find it. Something told me this might be the last little peace she'd get for a while. That damned phrase was still rolling around my head like a pebble in a tire. It can only go downhill from here. I didn't quite understand where it came from, because he was alive. Downhill only meant--. No, I'm not going there. It's just your pessimistic nature, buddy, I told myself again.
I closed my eyes and almost found myself in a dream-state when she sighed deeply again. I opened my eyes and looked at her. I knew she wanted to say something. I think I stared long enough for her to realize she might as well just speak.
"Tank. I – uhm, I mean, well, is he--"
I figured it was time to put her out of her misery. "I'm sure he's gonna be fine, Ms. Plum. And he'll get over being pissed at me in time, don't you worry yourself."
"At you?" She swallowed, and cleared her throat, but her voice was still small and nervous. "I thought, uhm, well, he might not like me deciding Julie should be there, but well, I mean…."
I put my hand over hers on her lap and squeezed tightly. "He isn't going to be mad at you. He loves you too much." She started at that. "Ranger is a damned jerk sometimes. He loves you. And her too. He'll get over having his wishes overridden after a time. Don't you worry." I smiled then, and this time, it reached my eyes.
Thanks for reading!
Sorry it's short…. But it does have the challenge. I've been busy with RL, can you imgane?? Gonna be away on vaca for a week, I don't know if I will post next week.
