It is not at all edited for spelling, punctuation etc. etc. - All I did was write.
The room was hot. Though the sun was well past the horizon, it wasn't getting any cooler in the house. Pete took off his jacket and laid it on the well worn arm of the green and gold sofa. Thinking about the taste some people don't have, he strolled to the window. Being an old cottage there were double-hung windows that never seemed to open wide enough. Inwardly hoping the window would open even just an inch more he shoved hard and was rewarded with the dull scrape of wood on painted wood. Three more inches would make a difference
he was sure.
Satisfied he turned as Billy walked in carrying a tumbler of
scotch and a highball for Pete. Pete took the drink and sampled, sighing as the liquid soothed his parched throat. This hot weather was going to be the death of him.
Turning to face Billy, he saw the toll the last few hours had taken on
him. His face was grey, his eyes dull and somber. He was most definitely unhappy.
'She does love you.' It was matter of fact. Pete had never seen
Elizabeth this enamoured in all the years they'd been friends. Never. Not once.
Pete wanted to get it through Billy's head, needed to make him understand and see reason before Elizabeth was released. Maybe it would be harder than Pete thought to get it through his thick head.
'Really. And what about John.' Billy took the defensive again. His words strong and full of distaste. Pete needed time to think about the right way to steer the conversation. How could he make Billy see what had happened so many years ago. How could he explain it so
that he'd understand without feeling pity or sympathy for Elizabeth while avoiding the guilt he knew Billy would feel. He just didn't know
where to start.
'What about John.' More demands. He had to know. Billy wanted answers, no - he deserved them.
'Never mind. It doesn't matter anyway.' Disgusted with himself for not finding a way to tell Billy, and annoyed that Billy didn't give up, Pete turned to the bookcase and pretended to look at the titles of the books even though he knew them all by heart. He needed to avoid the anger and calm himself.
Grabbing Pete's arm, Billy swung him around around, spilling the scotch down the front of Pete's blue dress shirt. The liquid seeped into the fabric and spread quickly.
'Try telling that to John.' These people were infuriating. They protected her like she was porcelain. She wasn't going to break. Hadn't she already demonstrated that she could look after herself? She made it clear that she didn't want anyone and that included Billy.
'What doesn't matter and why the hell are you talking about John?'
There was an edge to Elizabeth's voice as she made her demand. The tray of lemonade, glasses and sweets she'd carried into the library teetered as she trembled. The time was coming and she'd have to answer his questions sooner rather than later. Pete took the tray from her, poured a glass of juice. He handed it to her hoping it would help her find some strength.
'I'm just looking for some answers.' But Billy couldn't face her so he turned and looked out he window at the dark that seemed to be enveloping the grounds. He didn't want to look at her, he only wanted to hear what she had to say.
'Looking to be nosey more like.' He tried to say it under his breath, but it was loud enough for Billy to hear. And Billy's reaction confirmed it. There was going to be trouble and Pete wasn't sure he wanted to stay around for it. The guy couldn't leave well enough alone. Why couldn't he take Beth's word for things.
Billy's frustration was clear. Whirling away from the window he slammed his glass on the side table. Scotch and melted ice sloshed over the side and dripped down the glass to rest on the wood. His face was no longer the pale haunted face he'd seen moments ago, it had changed taking on a tinge of red. His breath huffy and haggered, Billy took a step toward Pete, one fist clenched the other outstretched ready to grab.
'No you don't.' Elizabeth's firm tone told Pete she was ready. Her palm pressed against Billy's chest as she quickley moved between the two men she loved most. Her gaze swept from one to the other. Stopping briefly she made eye contact with Pete. A look passed between them and Billy watched Pete's body relax slightly.
Pete caught the look that told him she could handle it but he couldn't
help feeling protective. He'd been doing it for so long how could he stop now?
'Why can't you understand I did what I did because of you.' Turning to Billy her lips trembled as she tried to hold back the tears, tears of anger and hurt.
She bit her lip when she saw the resentment flash over Billy's face.
'Don't blame me for your mistakes. I'm not going to be anyone's scapegoat.' He was angry and she couldn't stop it. Maybe when he heard he'd understand.
That was it, the last staw and Pete felt his composure break. 'Now you listen to me. If Beth says she loves you, then she does. Beth isn't a liar and she doesn't do anything for no good reason.' He defended Elizabeth even while he saw it would be a lost cause. Billy would never understand because he couldn't see anybody's point of view but his own. Stubborn, the two of them. They deserve each other.
'So what about John then?' He had to know but she certainly wasn't
forthcoming with her information.
'You know nothing about John. You never have and until you take those beans out of your ears you never will. Your mind is so focused on Billy that your brain isn't letting you see the truth. And you say you're a good cop.' If Billy wanted a fight he was sure going to get it.
Pete was over heating. Maybe he just needed another drink. He thought the room couldn't get any hotter, but sweat was
starting to form on his brow and he was certain it came from the anger and disappointment he was feeling toward Billy. The air outside the room was still, no breeze moving to cool things off and there were no signs there would be a reprieve from the heat any time soon.
'No Pete, don't say anymore. It's for me to explain. For me to deal with.' Her throat was so dry even the tart lemonade hadn't helped. Her words came out as a whisper. She swallowed hard hoping it would give her time to compose herself. Lightly, she wrapped her
arm through Pete's and glided him to the door. She stood on her tiptoes and brushed a kiss to his cheek. She combed her fingers through the damp bangs moving the hair from his eyes. It was an act of love, sisterly love he'd experienced his whole life. He appreciated her gesture though he knew she did it without thinking. He accepted that and asked the question he already knew the answer to.
'What was that for?' He took her hands and stared into her eyes
finding what he was looking for. He knew she'd be ok on her own. She was ready to do what needed to be done.
'Because I need to do this alone.' With a half smile, she left Pete standing in the hallway watching with feelings mixed with love and pride as she closed the heavy mahogany door and faced her fears.
