She doesn’t see me. I’m standing by the door that goes to the patio, and they’re just off from the living room, by the hallway. I could leave, but I’m not going to. I need to know why she’s here and why she still has a key to Jackson’s house. Is he still with her, despite telling me he’s not?
“You need to leave,” Jackson says to her in an angry tone. “I told you not to come over here anymore when I’m not here.”
She looks down. “My mother’s in town. She got here a few hours ago.”
He sighs. “Kristen, I’m sorry, but you’re just going to have to learn to deal with her shit. I can’t keep being the person you run to. Did you call your therapist?”
“She doesn’t answer her phone on the weekends.” Kristen grabs hold of Jackson’s shirt and steps closer, tilting her face up to him like she wants him to kiss her. “Please, baby, don’t turn me away. I need you.”
“Kristen, it’s over. We can still be friends, but I can’t do this anymore. There’s someone else. I told you that.”
“She’s just a fling. You and I are—”
“Over,” I say in a voice so loud it echoes in the high ceilings. I walk over to her. “And I’m not a fling.”
She lets go of Jackson and faces me, her hands on her hips. “What the hell areyoudoing here?”
“I’m on a date. With Jackson.”
“Kristen, you need to leave,” he says.
“How much did you hear?” she demands.
“Everything,” I say. “Sounds like you have some mom issues.”
“Get out!” she yells. “Now!”
“She’s not leaving,” Jackson says. “Go get dressed and go home.”
Kristen looks at Jackson. “But I need you. And I can’t go back. Not withherthere.”
“I’m sorry but you can’t stay. Is Steven there?”
“Yes, but—”
“Your mom’s not going to fight with you with Steven there.”
Kristen turns to me. “None of this would be happening if it weren’t for you! She only came here because of what you did to me!”
“Your mom’s here because I punched you? So you’re mad because she came here to make sure you’re okay?”
“You havenoidea what’s she like! She’s a monster and I hate her! Nowget out!”
“She’s not leaving.” Jackson gets between Kristen and me, facing her. “I know you hate your mom but maybe she really did show up because she was worried about you.”
“Are you serious?” Kristen huffs. “After everything I’ve told you, you’re taking her side? Why? Just to get rid of me?”
“Kristen, I don’t want to fight about this. You need to leave. Now.”
“Fine.” She narrows her eyes at me, then whips around and storms down the hall.
“Sorry about this,” Jackson says, the gun still in his hand.
I point to it. “Could you put that away?”
“Oh. Yeah.” He walks back to the living room and puts it in the drawer.
“Is that the only one?” I ask.
