Page 2 of Snake's Fate

“Stupid fucker!” He screams, pointing the gun at me once again.

Andi

An hour later, I’m pacing the floor while my heart feels like it’s running a marathon. I’ve called him so many times but it still goes to voicemail. It’s so unlike him to turn his phone off or ignore my texts. Where could he possibly be?

I’m grabbing my keys to head to the only store he would have gotten wine at to check on him when there’s a pounding knock at the door and I hurry to answer it. Swinging the door open, there’s two uniformed officers on the porch.

“Is this the Blankenship residence?” One of them asks.

“I’m Mrs. Blankenship. What’s this about?” I ask as my stomach twists with unease.

“Ma’am, do you know where your husband is?”

My breathing escalates and a pain begins to form in my chest.

“He’s on his way home from work.” I manage to croak out.

“Was he making any stops before coming home that you know of?” He asks.

“Yes. We are having a romantic dinner tonight and we needed some wine.” My head starts to spin and I wobble on my feet.

The officer reaches out a hand to steady me. I can see his lips moving as he says something to me but I can’t hear it over the pounding in my ears.

“Please, where is my husband?” I manage to ask, staring him right in the eyes.

“I’m so sorry ma’am. There was a robbery in the store. Your husband was killed. We believe it was gang related.”

He continues to talk as I completely zone out. I can’t breathe. My mind races with thoughts of Hank. My sweet loving husband who has always been so good to me. I refuse to believe he could be gone. How could someone so full of love be gone?

I must have passed out with the officers still on the porch. When I come to, there's an EMT checking my vitals.

“What happened?” I whisper, trying to sit up.

“Take your time ma’am. You fainted and may have bumped your head when you fell.” The paramedics tell me softly.

Looking around, I spot the officers still there and my heart begins to break knowing that It wasn’t all some nightmare. My amazing husband is gone. This beautiful life we created together is now forever severed by some asshole with a gun.

***

“Are you sure aboutthis? You and the girls could always come stay with me down in Florida.”

“No, Mom, this is what the girls and I want.” I smile at my mother as she wears that worrying frown of hers.

“But Montana of all places? It’s basically the middle of nowhere.”

“It’s definitely not Miami or Chicago that’s for sure.” I giggle at how she’s looking at me. “It’ll be peaceful which I think me and my girls deserve after what has happened. I’m tired of big cities anyway.” I sigh, looking down the street. “I’ve loved living here in Chicago with Hank but he’s gone now. It’s time for us to start somewhere new.” I shrug.

Her eyes look at me, assessing and I just stare back at her unsure what exactly she’s looking for. She must realize there’s no talking me out of this.

I’m looking forward to a small town life with the girls. Somewhere I don’t have to constantly wonder if they’ll be shot down too or worse, kidnapped.

“You’ll call me as soon as you all make it there?” She asks, wrapping in a tight hug.

“I will, Mom. What time does your flight leave?” I ask.

“In a few hours but I probably need to get a move on. That airport is always so packed with people. It’ll take a bit to get through security.” She rolls her eyes. “Oh, I meant to ask, did you ever find Gabe?”

My breath catches in my throat at the sound of his name. Hank’s best friend and at one time, my friend too. I guess he still was, he’s not completely to blame for what happened all those years ago. I hold half of that blame.

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