Page 7 of Half Blind

Lemon cocked her head. “You planning to serve as head of the house as well?”

“I have somewhere else to be, but if that is a request, let me think about it,” he said, lowering his head to pray.

The prayer was quick as was the meal. The food was inhaled and not a crumb left in sight. Jared sat back, sipping on the coffee, grateful for a moment to be safe from where he was running from, uncertain where he was running to, but for a little while he'd take what he could get.

“What's up with the Sheriff?” he asked out of the blue.

Bria spoke up, “He's a creep. He's been trying to find a way to get into this house so he can play daddy with me and Ayanna while Doc Myrtle is in the lab. Is that what you're about too? If so, I can let you know right now, we ain't the ones.”

“Not interested in kids,” he said. “Since you're shooting from the hip, I will too. I like a grown woman in my bed. No, not looking for that either. I'm here by chance and will work to pay back the loss of Curly and Larry. Once I figure out the damage to my truck and get the repairs done, I'm gone.”

Helen sat and listened. He would be the first man who saw young flesh and a lonely woman and didn't try to take advantage of the situation. She wanted to know why. Jared answered the question posed by her facial expression.

“I have three sisters I helped my mother raise after the death of my father,” he said. “They are all younger, and at the age of 12, I became the man of the house. I protected my sisters from all sorts of predators, including women who wanted to use and abuse them as well. So no, I am not interested in teenage girls.”

The sound of a large truck arriving drew everyone's attention. Slowly, Jared rose to see the arrival of his truck. His heart sank, and he knew it would take some work to get it on the road. The money he had on him would buy another used vehicle, but if he could simply get this truck the last 254 miles, he'd be okay. He leaned over the sink looking out the window.

“You could always call the Archangel and get another vehicle sent over,” Lemon said.

“And you can call him for a connection to get your venom supplies or at least direct you in the way you need to go,” Jared said. “Life has taught me to not owe people favors, especially not a man like the Archangel. The debts are never paid, you only end up deeper in the rabbit hole having tea with weirdos wearing big hats.”

Helen smiled. “You must know him well.”

“I know a lot of things, Ms. Helen; it becomes a matter of knowing what is relevant in which moment.”

“Like the knowledge of venom?”

“I'm a soldier; you learn how to treat bites of all types, the ones which rot the flesh and which form of bites rot the soul,” he said.

“The last bite taken out of you is rotting your soul,” Helen said. “Running only keeps you in a state of hyper-vigilance. Digging in, fighting back, and making a stand for your mental freedom is the way forward.”

“Not there yet. The last bite is a big one.”

“If you need the Archangel, I'm sure it is,” she told him. “You have any more clothes?”

“Maybe − my suitcase is still in the truck.”

“You get it, then clean up, and I'll do a load of laundry for you,” Helen said.

“I'm a grown ass man. I can wash my own clothes. You're being nice to me; what do you want?”

“I was helped when I was at my lowest. Just offering to help you not feel so alone with what is ahead of you. I don't know what's chasing you, but at least here, you can catch your breath,” she said.

“Thanks, I need it,” he replied, leaving the kitchen wearing the towel and looking sexier than any man had a right to in holey socks and smelling like a farm hand after mucking the stalls.

Helen cleaned the kitchen while Lemon went to make a phone call. Outside of the window, she watched Jared as the tow truck lowered his vehicle to the ground. The front end was in shambles. The bed of the truck was no more, and the tires were flat, but the doors were intact. Maybe he could salvage it and buy a bed from a local junkyard. From the interior of the truck, he removed a small overnight case.

Helen called to Ayanna to bring a fresh towel for the man to clean himself up. “This is going to be interesting.”

*****

IN THE SMALL OFFICE, right off the kitchen where Lemon sat to pay the bills and manage the household finances, she closed the door and made a call. It had been years since she'd spoken to the man, but a healthy professional respect remained between them. He answered on the third ring.

“Merge here,” the voice said.

“The answers a Lemon,” she said.

“Well, long time no near. How may I be of service?”

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