Page 96 of Fierce-Zander

“I know you don’t, but get used to it.”

“Has this happened before?” he asked.

“I’ve gotten letters before, yes. Most times people sign their names. And when they do, they come into my office and we talk it over. To me, that is their cry for help. Maybe they can’t say it to my face. They don’t have the strength or the courage and need to start the dialogue somehow.”

“This wasn’t signed. You are going in blind. That’s worse.”

“I’m trying not to jump the shark here,” she said. “It’s hard to think and solve problems when you’re emotional.”

“I want you to get a gun permit and a gun,” he said.

“No,” she said gently. “See, emotional response.”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “Please. For me. I just let you pet me like a dog to settle me down.”

She laughed. “You knew what I was doing.”

“I always know what you’re doing when you’re by me. I’m still worked up. It’s going to take a bit to calm me. Do you want me distracted and thinking about you while I’m working?”

“Now you’re trying to negotiate with me,” she said.

“I’m not sure it’s much different than you just asking if I trusted you. Which I do. But it’s the other whackos out there that I don’t trust. And now I’m going out of town next week.”

He felt her shoulders drop. “You need to go next week and it’s not like I can get a permit or learn to shoot by then.”

“If you fill out the application online today, Betsy is a notary. She can do that for you and you can submit everything you need tomorrow. From that point on its two to four weeks. I know a few people. We can push it.”

“Zander. Stop. I don’t want to have a gun in my possession that I don’t know how to use. Pushing it does nothing. You’re still going out of town next week. Your father is next door.”

“I’m going to make sure he is there when you’re in the building. He’ll be fine with it.” His father would volunteer once he had the facts.

“I’m not giving in because you want me to do it,” she said.

“But you’re going to be reasonable and do it because you know it’s the smart thing to do if you’re here by yourself with a client at night.”

“I’m rarely here with a client alone. I stopped doing that over a month ago and even then, it was maybe once or twice a month. When I’m here alone, it’s video sessions.”

“Can’t you take those sessions at home?” he asked.

“I could, but the scheduling doesn’t allow it. I don’t have the time to drive home. Could I ask Miles to schedule it that way? Sure. But I like the way things are now. I think we have bigger issues than this stupid letter.”

He didn’t think it was so stupid.

“What’s that?”

“The fact that I smell popcorn.”

He sniffed the air. “So?”

“That is Miles out there and most likely with Betsy waiting for the show to continue.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Nope,” she said, laughing.

“I messed this up, didn’t I?”

She laid her head on his shoulder. “You did.”

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