“ What do you want?” Jackson asked.

I thought better of it, I was not a hero so why was I doing this? I was just about to respond when the sound of wailing sirens caused both of us to look down the street where three patrol cars parked near the curb. I glanced over at Sarai who was still in the car, she just shrugged in response.

“ I’m officer Dorson, we’re here to get Ms. Silvetti’s things” a young police officer stated. ‘Oh thank God’ I thought with relief, I didn’t want this encounter ruining my afternoon I especially didn’t want it turning into a fight. The situation was handled, I didn’t have to do anything else, a disappointment grew as I realized Sarai no longer needed me ‘Why the hell am I unhappy I should be happy for her’ I berated myself. I climbed back into the car letting Sarai know what was happening.

“ So I can drive you to a friend’s house” I concluded still unhappy for a reason I couldn’t name.

She smiled looking into my face “ How about we just go get something to eat first”

My mood lightened when I heard this I was certain I wouldn’t see her again, and now I wanted to see her all of the time after all she was a close friend even if she didn’t know it yet.

I took her to a great Chinese restaurant I was well known at, it was small and a bit deserted, but the food was good and the service was even better. We stuffed our faces on an assortment of mouthwatering orange chicken and stuffed mushrooms, we were so hungry we didn’t even talk most of the time.

By the time we were finished eating the sun was hanging low in the sky like the golden chime of a grandfather clock; I’d just finished telling a joke, when I glanced down to see Sarai’s face frozen in confusion then it registered, Jacksons vehicle was crookedly parked outside the Chinese restaurant.

Tink! A beer bottle clattered against the cement as Jackson roughly flung his door open. He glared when he saw me, I could see the rage in his eyes. His glare continued me for a few seconds more before he hissed “You already screwin’ someone else, Sarai?”

She stood strong peering into his eyes, as silent as a rabbit hiding from a fox. Part of me wondered if she was searching his eyes for the man she once knew or if she was finally standing up to say she was not a victim, he couldn’t hurt her anymore… maybe it was both. A twisted vulpine grin slithered onto his face as though the mere thought of her being her own person was just a giant joke.

“What are you doing here?” I was surprised at the venom in my own voice.

“What?” he questioned.

“I’m here to take, what belongs to me” he stated.

“I am not an object Jackson” Sarai’s steely voice froze even me.

“No that’s where you’re wrong. I’ve told you time and time again you are mine!” He threw his head back in laughter.

“How did you even find us?” She asked when his laughter subsided.

“I knew I couldn’t trust you so I’ve been tracking your phone since you left me. You think you can just leave, have some fucking cops pick up your stuff and walk away? Well I won’t let you! Even if I have to track you to the ends of the Earth I will find you, and so help me if you think you can run around with any guy you meet you whore!!” His voice was loud and dark a shadow passed over his face in the sun’s dissipating light.

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“Hey you’re going too far” I said.

“Shut your mouth! I wasn’t talking to you was I? This is between her and I” He shouted.

“No I’m afraid it’s not. Sarai and I are friend’s so if you want her you’re going to have to go through me” I stated.

I knew the situation was escalating quickly and there was no way I could avoid a fight at this point; hell I just egged him on, but all the anger I’d built up over time, burned through my veins like oil being poured on a fire. ‘I am not a child anymore! I am not defenseless! This time I can protect what’s important’ my mind raged as it flashed back to every moment I was powerless, every single time my brother protected me, and the one time I could not protect him.

“Michael” Sarai’s soft voice brought me back to the present.

Her small hand perched on my shoulder as she said “You don’t have to do this, I can handle him…I’ll just call the cops”

Gently I took her hand “Sarai, don’t worry. Call the cops, but for now I’ll handle this” I gave the most reassuring smile I could muster turning back straight into his fist.

His hit landed square in my eye leaving me momentarily stunned. I picked myself off of the hard ground quickly I lowered my stance moving in close in the time it took for him to hit me and for me to get up Jackson had left his chest unprotected. The outside of my forearm shot up instinctively in a high block as he threw another sloppy haymaker, it was clear he’d never been in a serious fight, his arm slid off mine making his fist swing away from me. After blocking his horrendous punch I swiftly landed a punch in on his solar plexus with a solid strike, then another strike to his throat since it was a weak spot and he left it unprotected. Jackson doubled over on the ground coughing as he tried to catch his breath. I turned back to Sarai who was already on the phone with the police, I was proud this time I protected somebody.

“Michael are you okay?” Sarai flung her arms around me in a tight hug after she was done on the phone.

I laughed at how worried she was “I’m fine, there’s no permanent damage at least”

“I feel so bad, I know that eye is going to swell right up” she pouted then glared at Jackson who was still doubled over on the ground.

“Don’t worry about it” I laughed again. I was just glad everything was done with.

Fifteen minutes later the police arrived, taking all of our statements then dragging us back down to the police station.

“Thank you for answering our questions you’re free to go” the young police officer said towards the end of the eventful night.

“Not in any trouble then?” I asked.

“Well seeing as how we have witnesses who saw Jackson attack first, it was self-defense on your part, so no trouble” he said hastily.

“The officers have collected all of Ms.Silvetti’s things so you two can be on your way” he offered his hand, I grabbed it shaking firmly.

“Thanks officer Dorson” I gave a quick smile then went to go help Sarai get her boxes in the car.

Sarai’s eyes kept on shifting over to me making my cheeks flush every time they moved over my face.

“What?” I said trying to keep my attention on the road as we made our way home.

“Oh nothing Michael” she sang, oddly emphasizing my name.

“Why’d you say my name like that?” I asked a little embarrassed.

“Like what Michael?” She said innocently.

“Like that” I said as she put the same emphasis on my name.

“Oh! You mean like this, Michael, Michael, Michael” she sang playfully.

“Okay what is it? Why do you keep doing that?” I was genuinely baffled.

“ Oh I just figured out who you are is all” she said nonchalantly.