“You think we could use his remorse against him.”
“Something like that. But, listen, I’m not going to force it. Think on it. It’s okay,” he said when I jumped at a sound drawing near. “That’s my baby brother,” he said when a shadow moved closer to us.
Then there he was.
A younger version of Remo. A little chubby in the cheeks still. But the family resemblance was strong.
“He’s gonna walk you home. If you want, he can check your apartment to make sure no one is there. And if you look out your window at any time tonight or tomorrow and see some guy lingering, he belongs to me and he’s just there to make sure nothing else happens to you.”
With that and not a damn thing else, Remo turned and disappeared into the shadows from which his brother emerged.
“Is he always like that?”
“With the grand entrances and cocky exits?” the brother asked, shooting me a boyish smirk. “Yeah.” He held out an arm, waving toward the exit. “Let’s get you home.”
It was an offer.
But also, maybe, a demand.
So I fell into step with the stranger and let him walk me the rest of the way home. I even let him check my apartment.
“Ice your arm,” he told me when he stood in my doorway after he was done. “And take some ibuprofen. You’re going to swell. It’s going to hurt.”
With that, he was gone.
I turned and locked my doors before walking on numb legs over to my couch.
I collapsed down.
The tears came, pointless, but unstoppable.
And all I wanted was to take a ride back to the hotel and wrap myself in Milo’s arms.
But I didn’t do that.
I didn’t even call.
I just let the feelings wash through me, took some medicine, then grabbed an ice pack and moved to the window.
I pushed back the curtains and blinds.
And sure enough, there was a man lingering across the street, casually smoking a cigarette but keeping an eye on the building.
I took myself to bed but sat awake, staring blankly at my television, rolling over Remo’s words.
I couldn’t do it, could I?
Go back to work?
Face Frank again after that?
One thing stuck with me, though.
If Frank didn’t have his memory, it let me shape the narrative.
It gave me my power back.
And after that attack, I really, really wanted not to feel so small around him again.
