Just Like a Hero by Patricia Pellicane Page B

“Why did he have a gun? Is it licensed?”
    She gave the smallest of shrugs. “I don’t know. He told me once he’d had it since he was a boy. And he didn’t give it to me. I took it.”
    “Good God, does he take care of it? Will it explode if it’s fired?”
    “I don’t know.”
    Jim beat her to Mrs. Morgan’s door and knocked as she reached his side. “Just calm down. Don’t be angry. They’re terrified, and they didn’t mean it.”
    “Bullshit, they didn’t mean it. They tied him up, but they didn’t mean it?”
    “They were only trying to buy some time to think.”
    “And no one, including you, thought to call the cops?”
    “I wanted to talk to you. I thought you’d know best what to do.”
    “After this is all over,” he said, “I never want to see another senior citizen.”
    “Too bad, because in about fifty years you’ll be one.”
    “It’ll take that long to get over this.”
    That night, all six seniors went to jail. The cops thought it was hilarious, since not one of them was under eighty-five, but they had no choice. Kidnapping charges were mentioned—Mr. Kerrington was very angry to say the least. Still, the charges were instantly dismissed once he spoke with his lawyer. A deal was then fashioned between his lawyer and the DA. Mr. Kerrington’s trespassing/breaking and entering plus drug possession charges, as well as the bag of weed, would disappear, along with the kidnapping and attempted murder charges he was eager to see brought against his six tenants.
    An uneasy peace was declared.
    Mr. Burton’s gun disappeared. Locks on each apartment were changed. The tenants were exceedingly grateful. Both Jim and Lexie found homemade cookies outside their doors every day for the next week. Lexie didn’t hear a peep from her neighbors for days.
    “So what do you think?” she asked Jim when they met a few nights later, in the building’s hallway after work then entered her apartment together.
    “I think I’m starving. Did you bring home enough for me?”
    “Yes, there’s more than enough for us, plus—”
    “They’re not getting any,” he said, interrupting any intent on her part to share her food with their neighbors. “I’ll set the table.”
    “I wasn’t giving them any. Besides, I don’t have enough for all of them. I’m not happy you don’t like them. Jim.”
    “What are you talking about?” he asked, then added, a definitely weak, “I do.”
    “You don’t sound like it.”
    “Lexie, I wait all day to get home to you. I’m hungry. Just for once, I don’t want to share you or any food.”
    “All right,” she said, knowing it would take a little time before he got over their neighbors’ antics. She placed the bags on her table and asked, “Would you get the plates, forks and napkins? I’ll be right back.”
    He heard her shower run and smiled when hardly two minutes later he heard her behind him.
    “I don’t think I’ve ever taken a faster shower,” she said.
    Jim turned from the table setting. “It’s a good thing. You don’t…want the food…to get cold,” he said as he watched her walk toward him.
    A moment later, she asked to his stunned expression. “Are you surprised?”
    “A little,” he said, his voice sounding more like a croak. He appeared to be having a little trouble with his breathing. “Mostly, I’m loving this.”
    “Wouldn’t you rather eat naked?”
    He blinked and, as if in a trance, reached to loosen his tie as she helped him from his jacket.
    “No chance of messing up our clothes, if we’re not wearing any.”
    She smiled. “I’m told it could save hundreds a year on laundry and dry cleaning bills.”
    “Damn it, Lexie. Are you going to let me move in here?”
    “Would you like that?”
    “What I’d really like is for you to marry me.”
    She grinned. “My mother will be thrilled.”
    “That’s nice. What would you be?”
    “I’ve been thinking.”
    “Have you? About what?”
    “About how much I love this