After a moment she made herself straighten. She didnt pull away entirely, though. He still had one arm around her. His body was still warm and solid along her side. I really am all right. I had no idea I was such a wimp until this happened.
Youre not a wimp. There was a strange look in his eyes, one she didnt recognize. Can you tell me how it happened? What were you doing at the school in the summer?
Teaching summer school, of course. Id stayed late grading papers, but it should have been okay. I mean, Id done everything right. That was what kept eating at her. Shed done everything right, and still she hadnt been safe. I was parked near the door in a well-lit area, and there were people around. Not a lot, but the kids in the theater group had been rehearsing and were leaving at the same time. The security guard was there. I thought I was okay. Even when the two of them came up to me, I thought I was safe enough.
His mouth tightened. There were two of them?
She nodded. One grabbed at my purse. I yelled at him. I was so madI should have just let him have the purse, but I was mad, not scared. II knew him. He was one of my students.
Jack stroked her hair. That made it worse, didnt it?
Yes. She blinked the sting out of her eyes. He yelled back at me, called me filthy names. Then h-his friend slapped me. I wasnt expecting that, but I still wasnt scared, not really. I hit him back. I didnt think. I just hit him, punched him right in the stomach. I hit him hard, too. But he was high on something. He didnt feel it. It just made him more angry. And then theythey both started hitting me, and I couldntI couldnt
Where was the guard? Jacks voice was tight. Where was the damned security guard while all this was happening?
He got there as fast as he could. Hed been walking some girls to their cars, but when I yelled he came running. The two of themmy assailants, to put it in police jargonran away before he got there. And then it was all over. Except for the police reports, and the treated and released part, and the bad dreams. She shivered, and Jack rubbed her shoulder.
He meant to comfort her. She knew that, but the slow, insidious warmth seeping into her had little to do with comfort, and everything to do with her reasons for leaving. She pulled back. I really wasnt badly hurt. I was sore all over and shook up, but thats all.
You were beaten, he said flatly, and scared half out of your mind. Youre still scared, or you wouldnt be running away like this.
That stung. Im not running away. If I had been happy here in Denver, satisfied with my job, I wouldnt let one unpleasant incident chase me off.
He looked away. The thing is, Annie, Im going to miss you. Its been nice, knowing you would be around when I was between jobs.
Nice? She didnt say anything. She couldnt.
Jack worked for a private, nonprofit organization headquartered in Denver. International Construction Aid built schools and
clinics in developing nations all over the world. When Jack was between assignments he was in Denver, too. Though Annie was amazed now at her foolishness, that had actually been one of the reasons shed chosen to live in the Mile-High City after getting her certification. She had thought it would ease her homesickness to have an old friend around part of the time.
And at first it had helped. Whenever she and Jack had gotten together to eat pizza and argue over what movie to rent, or to drive into the mountains for a days hiking, she hadnt been homesick. But shed begun to depend on those flying visits too much. Instead of easing her homesickness, the times shed spent with him had left her feeling more alone than ever after he left.
And, of course, hed been gone most of the time.
Listen, Jack said. I can see why you want to leave Denver. But why go back to Highpoint, for Gods sake? He gave her his most beguiling smile.
That smile put her on her guard. I miss Highpoint.
But there are lots of small towns close to Denver where you could feel safeShawnee, Longmont, Boulder, Bennetthalf a dozen others. Ill bet some of them are crying out for teachers with your qualifications. If you lived nearby, it would still be easy for us to get together when Im in the country.
Highpoint isnt that far from Denver. We can get together if youre willing to drive a little farther. He wouldnt do it, of course. Not often, anyway. Jack hated Highpoint as much as Annie loved it.
Abruptly he stood and started to pace. You could try compromising a little. What about Colorado Springs? If you lived there youd be able to see your brothers every weekend if you wanted, and it still would be simple for me to drive down for a visit.
She watched him pace, exasperated. Are you suggesting I should shape my life and my career around your dislike for our hometown?
He stopped. That odd look was back in his eyes when they met hers, a strange hardness she wasnt used to seeing on her old friends face. No, Im suggesting you shouldnt shape your life around fear.
Her heart jerked in her chest. You think Im running away. That Im a silly, scared fool.