Page 39 of Chasing Fireflies

After I sweep up the hair, I grab the keys. Cash has been leaving Old Blue here now that the chief lets him take the police truck home. I start up the truck and make my way to the hardware store.

*

“Sara,” Mark greets. “New hairdo?”

“Yep, I decided I wanted it shorter. I’m here to buy a new screen door.”

“You don’t wanna just replace the screen?” he asks.

“Nope, I want a new door.”

He shrugs. “All right, right this way.”

*

After I leave the store with my new screen door and a shitload more flowers, I make my way back home. I pull up to the house and lift the tailgate down. Grabbing the door, I head to the porch and lean it against the railing. Walking inside, I look for a screwdriver in the cabinets above the washing machine. I unscrew the old door and get started on the new one. It’s not easy to do because I have to hold it up while I secure the screws, but I get it, and after a bit I’ve got a brand new door. I open and shut it a few times to make sure it’s screwed in tight. Once I’m satisfied, I take the old door and load it onto the back of the truck and get to work on my flowers.

*

Cash

“I’ll see you in the morning, Anne.”

“Have a good night.” She smiles as I push the door open and the bell rings above me. A commotion causes my eyes to divert to Banner’s Bar down the road, and I see Lucas’ truck parked there. He stumbles out of the door.

“I don’t want your fucking liquor anyway,” he yells, almost tripping over his own feet. He’s drunk, and anyone watching this can tell. I climb into my truck and ride down that way. Turning my blue lights on, I park behind his vehicle so he can’t get out.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the boy in blue.”

“Lucas.” I nod as I step out of my truck.

“You good here?” Banner asks me.

“I’ve got it. Thanks, man.”

Banner nods before he shuts the door. “There’s no reason for you to be down here. You just go on about your way,” Lucas slurs, and I roll my eyes.

“Don’t think so. You’re drunk, and I can’t have you driving around.”

He laughs. “Since when you think you’re in charge of my driving, buddy?”

“Don’t make a scene. Just get into my truck and let me take you home.”

“I don’t think I want to ride with you.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“Oh, I don’t, do I?”

“No, you either ride with me or I can handcuff you and take you down to the station. Which is it…buddy?”

He narrows his eyes at me and sucks his teeth. “Fine, deputy. I’ll let you give me a ride home.” I climb into my truck as he gets into the back, and I put it in drive. “Your little wife still having issues with panic attacks?” he asks. I look in the rearview mirror at him. He’s leaned back and looking out the window. His eyes are shiny red, and they have that unclear look in them. I don’t respond.

“You know, Maci used to get those when we were pregnant, but that was a while ago,” he tells me as he lifts his hat on his head. He leaves it sitting on top of his hair, and I see a flash of something come across his face. Regret maybe? I fix my eyes back on the road and adjust my own hat as we pull out of downtown and onto the road to his house. The man who makes my fingers twitch keeps sucking his teeth, and I want him out of my truck.

“You think she might try to slit her wrist again? I heard about that. Gotta be rough dealing with someone who would rather try to kill herself than live with you.”

I slam on the brakes and throw the gear shifter in park. Jumping out, I round the vehicle and swing open his door. I grab a fistful of his shirt and yank him out. He falls to the ground, but I lift him up and throw him against my truck. He holds up his hands and lets a laugh out. “You piece of shit,” I say, shoving him again. He stumbles, and his knees give out. “Get up.” He doesn’t. He just rolls onto his back and laughs harder. “Get the fuck up!”

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