CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Starlet
The next night,while Brick is out inspecting the acreage that came with the cabin, I finish cooking Shepard’s Pie made with fluffy mashed potatoes, ground beef, onions, corn, peas, and carrots all layered in a deep pan. There’s a fresh loaf of French bread from the market up the street and icy cold beers. I lower the temperature in the oven to keep the pie warm and then set the table—a two-seater dinette that Brick managed to fit in a corner off the kitchen.
After we made love last night, Brick handed me an envelope. I opened it, curious to see what was inside. It was the deed to the cabin, listed in both of our names.
“You’ll always have a place to go, Starlet, no matter what happens.”
Kinder words have never been spoken to me. As I gaze around the comfortable space, appreciating Brick’s eye for detail, I finally feel at home somewhere. His unshakeable patience and love has started to help me heal. Juanita warned me this would happen eventually, that if I let someone love me, I’d start to forget the past. I might not be able to forget my father or Sammy, but the pain is fading. When I look in the mirror every morning, I don’t turn away in shame. I actually smile at myself.
Life is worth living. I’m worth something, too. To Brick, Juanita, and my new family—the Iron Norsemen.
I glance at the clock, wondering where Brick is. He should have been back a half hour ago. I wipe my hands on the towel hanging on a hook over the sink, then start for the door.
I hear a loud pop that immediately makes my heart beat erratically. I know there’s hunters in the area. Or maybe Brick ran into a snake or something and had to shoot it. The cause doesn’t matter, I’ll never get comfortable with that sound.
I rush outside. “Brick? Is that you?”
No answer.
I hurry around the back of the cabin and don’t see anything. There’s plenty of daylight left, so I’m not afraid to wander into the woods alone. The property backs up to a branch of the Red River—surrounded by Cypress, Loblolly, and Sweet Gum trees. The loud gurgle of water attracts me, and I end up on the riverbank, swatting at gnats and mosquitos. There’s enough room for a narrow pier where we could launch a boat for fishing.
I imagine lounge chairs and a fire pit, relaxing on the weekends with friends.
Pop-pop.
Something isn’t right—the hair on the back of my neck stands on end as I survey the immediate area. Brick should be here.
“Looking for me, sweetheart?”
I whip around at the sound of Silver’s voice. He’s standing a yard away, a pistol pointed at my head.
“Why are you here?” I’m not afraid of Silver anymore, especially after what happened with Checkers. But if he hurt Brick… “Where’s Brick?”
Silver’s evil laughter tells me all I need to know. Those shots I heard earlier must have been for him. Please God, let Brick be okay.
“Did you think I’d let you get away with murder, Starlet?”
“Murder? Who?”
“Checkers. Danny. Ice.”
“You’re delusional, Silver. I don’t know anything. The last time I saw Checkers…”
“He had a gun pointed at your head.”
The fact that Silver remembers that much surprises me. “Yes, he did.”
“You should be dead, baby. Your very presence confirms my suspicions.”
“Of what?”
“Stop fucking around, Starlet. If I pull this trigger, you won’t walk away this time. Checkers had a soft spot for you. I don’t.”
“If he did,” I say, trying to stay calm, “he had a funny way of showing it.”
“Doesn’t matter,” he says, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “I can’t believe you traded your old life for this shit pile.” He waves the pistol around. “Life with me would have been better than this, baby.”
