TRACY
“Cazzo!” Francis bellowed from the living room of their suite. “Fuck!”
Tracy entered the room in just enough time to see Francis hurl his cellular phone across the room. It hit the wall and shattered into pieces. Tracy had never seen Francis lose control, and she was reluctant to approach. But she didn't see where she had a choice. She closed the distance between them and placed her hand on his back. He turned in a flash, causing Tracy to flinch. His expression went quickly from rage to regret. He pulled Tracy into his arms and held on as if she was his lifeline. She, in turn, wrapped her arms around him.
“Francis, honey, what’s wrong?”
His anger was intangible, and Tracy didn't know what to do. So she held him, rubbing his back, and whispered soothing words into his ear. When he appeared to have gained control of his rage, Tracy walked him to the sofa and urged him to sit.
“Honey, what is it?”
Tracy was praying that he would open up to her. And just when it seemed as if he wouldn't, in a tired voice, he responded with, “All of this… is on me, Tracy.”
Tracy was more confused than before. “All of what, Francis?”
“This,” he responded, waving his hand.
“I-I don't get it, Francis. Do you mean the shooting? Those men?”
“Yes, Tracy. That’s what I mean. This is all my fault.”
“Nooo, honey. You didn't come in and shoot up the place,” Tracy reassured.
But Francis shook his head emphatically. He couldn't be convinced. “I left loose ends, Tracy,” he said softly, placing his head in his hands.
Tracy could feel pain and guilt radiating from him. Francis wasn't the kind of man that could be coddled. He was the kind to seek out a problem, and then fix it.
“No one was hurt, honey, so that means that you can go and tie up those loose ends.”
Francis looked up at Tracy as if she had surprised him. As if he’d expected a different response. At any rate, she could see that his anger was dissipating. His eyes held the look of anticipation, as if he was going through a list of ways to exact revenge.
“Go take care of it, Francis. Make it right,” Tracy encouraged.
Francis grinned and grabbed both sides of her face. He stared into her eyes a few seconds before slamming his lips to hers. The passion in his kiss was an obvious display of new determination. He ended their connection abruptly and stood.
“I have to go, bella. I’ll be back in a few days.”
“Okay,” Tracy responded with a nod.
For the next twenty minutes, she watched as Francis tossed a few items of clothing into a small bag. On the inside, she worried, but she wouldn’t express that to him. When he was done packing, Tracy followed him to the door. He leaned down to make it easier for Tracy to wrap her arms around his neck. They shared a brief kiss before he opened the door and walked out of their suite.
“I’ll see you in a few days,” he assured from the hallway.
“Make sure that you do.”
“I love you, Tracy.”
“I love you.”
Before he turned to walk away, Francis granted her a smile that melted her heart. Tracy watched him until he turned at the end of the hall before closing the door. She leaned against the door and prayed that she hadn't just sent her baby daddy to his death. The brave face that she’d put on earlier was strictly for Francis’ benefit. The truth was…Tracy was scared to death.
