Intersection by Nancy Ann Healy Page A

kiss.
    “Mom!” A small voice called from the bottom of the stairs snapping both the women back to their senses.
    “In here, Dylan,” she called back still looking at the agent who was trying to conjure a smile. Cassidy slowly broke the exchanged glance and returned to her task as Dylan entered. Alex took a deep breath and headed to the cabinet for a mug; desperate to do anything that seemed ‘normal’ to help her regain control.
    “Can I watch cartoons?” The boy asked standing behind his mother.
    “Yes, you can go watch some cartoons, Dylan.”
    “Alex!” He said excitedly, “wanna’ watch Kung Fu Panda?”
    Alex looked over at Cassidy who shrugged. “Go on,” Cassidy smiled now. She squinted slightly at the agent. “Kung Fu Panda and banana pancakes, what do you think?”
    Suddenly all of Alex’s fear vanished. She didn’t know why, but something in Cassidy’s eyes was telling her that everything would be all right. She didn’t know how and she didn’t know when, but in that simple moment she understood. She was not recusing herself from the case, not running away. Dylan pulled on the agent’s hand. “Be right there, Speed Racer,” she said. She walked back across the kitchen and stood in front of the woman who had unexpectedly captured her heart. Cassidy looked up at her and Alex smiled. There was nothing to say now. Alex kissed Cassidy’s forehead and Cassidy closed her eyes reveling in the loving gesture. As Alex pulled back, slowly her gaze narrowed a bit. “No matter what,” she began searching the smaller woman’s eyes, “I will make sure you are safe.” She brushed some flour from Cassidy’s forehead.
    The smaller woman’s lips crinkled into a knowing smile. “Where did you come from, Alex Toles?”
    “ALEX!” A small voice beckoned. “It’s starting!”
    Alex raised her eyebrow playfully and shrugged. The agent grabbed her coffee off the counter and headed for the next room. She jokingly answered Cassidy’s question to herself, “I would have thought Rose would have given you THAT lesson.”
    “I heard that,” Cassidy called back playfully.
    “I know,” Alex quipped, making her way into the living room.
    “That too!” Cassidy called as Alex smiled taking a seat on the couch with the boy.
    “She hears everything,” he offered, never turning his attention from the television.
    “I’ll remember that.”

assidy had stepped out onto the deck to take a phone call and Alex was absorbed in observing the woman’s mannerisms. “She’s mad,” Dylan offered in his typical matter of fact way. Alex smiled at the boy as he continued to shovel the pancakes into his mouth. Looking back at the display unfolding just beyond the sliding doors, the agent knew the boy was right. There was no mistaking Cassidy’s disapproval of whatever conversation was transpiring. She was pacing back and forth shaking her head. The grimace on her face occasionally changed to a sarcastic smile as she would close her eyes and grab her bottom lip with her teeth. The agent wondered what was transpiring, though she could guess it was the congressman by Cassidy’s demeanor.
    “No!” Cassidy pressed her tongue against her cheek with force in an attempt to quell her anger. “This is crazy, Chris… of course I understand that…..I can’t do that…what about Dylan?”
    Alex’s phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket, still focused on the woman outside, “Toles,” she answered. “What’s up Fallon?.....What?” The agent took a deep breath and let out a slight groan as she watched Cassidy’s reactions move from what seemed to be frustration to unmistakable anger. She took another deep breath and stood. Dylan questioned her with his small eyes and she gave him a sideways smile. “Finish those pancakes,” she said.
    “What the hell?” The voice on the other end of the phone asked. “Are you listening to me?”
    “Yeah….I heard you, Fallon,” Alex answered as she made her way into the