Into the Fire

This is from my novel Then . . . you.

Chapter 6

In the daylight she recognized the vehicle he had parked near to the porch and that the house was in fact a rambler painted a nice grey color with black trim. The drapes were drawn, any curtains closed. What looked like an enclosed walk-through extended for a few feet from the house to a 3-bay shop. There was a 2-car garage at the opposite end of the house just a few feet away from his vehicle. Everything around the house and in front of it leading to the road cemented what he’d told her. He was a recluse.

     Overgrown grass, some unpruned shrubbery, blackberry bushes, a few small trees – everything said “Keep Out” with a totally uninviting no-admittance appearance. It occurred to her she probably wouldn’t have dared approach his place if it had been daylight.

     He surprised her by opening the passenger door to his 1968 Toyota Land Cruiser covered in a grey primer. She climbed in with a smile.

     “What’s with the smile? You don’t like my old cruiser?” His voice held a playful tone.

     “That’s just it. I love it. My brother had one like this. Is this a ’68?”

     “Wow. I’m impressed. A girl who can identify a ’68 Land Cruiser? Priceless.” He winked at her as he backed up a bit and turned to drive around his overgrown circular driveway.

     “What does your brother do?”

     “He’s a diesel mechanic who restores old cars and trucks on the side. He’s done more than one of the Land Cruisers. He loves the old ones.”

     “A lot to be said for the older versions of vehicles,” he said with a wistful tone.

     “I agree.”

     “So what does the ex-boyfriend drive?”

     She looked over at him and replied, “A red 2018 Subaru WRX STi.”

     He heard the dryness in her answer. “You’re not impressed?”

     “He’s wrecked it twice. Pays a fortune for insurance. So, no, I’m not impressed.”

     “And you fell for him why?” He surprised himself by asking that.

     “I’m not lying: he’s attractive. Can be charming. You know the drill,” she said with disgust.

     “I know the type,” he said.

     “Wish I had,” she said and stared out the passenger window.

     “Jenna-Leigh, I have to say this so please don’t get upset. He will try to get you back. He will show up at your workplace. I won’t be surprised to see him at the shop when we pull up. You can tell him I’m your brother if you want. Not that he’ll believe you.”

     “You think he could be there?” She definitely was alarmed at his warning.

     “I’m almost positive. And when he sees you, he’ll start right in with ‘I tried to call you. Is your phone broken? I’m sorry.’ I was drunk, high, whatever excuse he might use to defer blame.”

     “Wow, how do you know this? Sounds just like him.” She stared at him.

     “I have a sister. She knew a guy.” He laughed again at the memory. “Let’s just say she put him in his place.”

     “Wish I could’ve done that.”

     He was quiet for several minutes before he said, “I can teach you how to defend yourself.”

     “You can?”

     He heard the excitement in her voice. “I can.”

     “I would love that!”

     “You would?” It surprised him.

     “Yes! I’ve been wanting to take a class, but it’s intimidating, and I don’t know how to choose a good one. I can pay you, Stone.”

     “I’m sure you can, but no. I’ll teach you. No strings.”

     They pulled up to the shop just as the crew finished putting out all the tire displays and sales’ signs. Stone’s words proved to be prophetic when she noticed the Subaru parked in front of the adjacent auto parts store.

     He watched her mood change from content to anxious.

     “You’re fine. I’m here. He won’t lay a hand on you. He’ll see you’re with a male, and he won’t risk it. Don’t even look at his car. Go into the shop and pay them. Let them drive it out for you. He’ll come over before you get in. Lay the big I’m sorry on you, but before that he’ll ask you who I am. That’s up to you what you tell him.” He waited a beat. “Okay?”

     She nodded and waited a minute, took a deep breath, and walked straight into the shop.

     When her car appeared out front, she walked out and thanked the mechanic who brought it to her. When she turned to get in, Rob walked up to her.

     “Jenna, I tried to call. I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have been drinking. I’m sorry.”

     “What are you doing here, Rob?”

     “I told my boss I’d work late tonight. I needed to see you. What’s wrong with your phone?” He looked over at the Land Cruiser. “Who’s that?”

     “Rob, we’re done. Okay? I’m tired of getting slapped because you drank too much or whatever the handy excuse is. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.”

     “Wow. So you’ve got someone else already?” He glanced at the Cruiser again and smirked at her and crossed his arms. “Didn’t see that comin’. Maybe you aren’t the little prize I thought you were.”

     She could see the fire start in his eyes. She placed her hand on the door handle to get in the car and he reached for her arm. “Jenna, wait. I’m sorry, okay?”

     Neither of them heard or saw him approach. Stone walked up behind Rob and quietly said, “Take your hand off her arm. Now.”

     He turned quickly, an angry response. But he had to look up at the guy with his arms crossed, over a firm, muscular chest, legs slightly spread. Rob tried for bravado but it didn’t come out as such.

     “Who’re you?”

     “I’m the guy who told you to let go of the girl.”

     Jenna-Leigh got in her car and locked the door.

     “Fine,” he said and walked away after giving her an angry look.

     She watched Rob in the rearview mirror of her black Ford Escape. When he laid rubber out of the parking lot, Stone walked up to her window. She pushed the button to lower it.

     “You ready to do this?”

     “I am. What if he’s at the apartment?”

     “You let me handle it.”

     “Thank you, Stone.”

     He could see tears in her eyes. “Just don’t leave me in your dust, okay?” He gave her a smile.

     “I won’t. It’s not far.”  

Father, you give me stories to write and the words to tell them. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.