Color of the Night

You of the bedroom in sweatshorts, a t shirt, and a pair of hunting socks. Your hair you pulled back into a bun and wrapped a scrunchi around it.

“What are you doing?” You ask in a shocked voice.

“Was just looking at the pictures here.” He says as he slowly turns around.

“Give me the monkey.” You order.

“Here it’s okay no need to get bent out of shape.” He states as he hands you the sock monkey.

You grab the monkey and hold it close to your body. What was wrong with you? My goodness girl you’re freaking out.

“Gerry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to freak out on you. James made me this sock monkey and well I’m just protective of the things he gave me.” You say with tears in your eyes.

“Love it’s okay. You’ve been thru more than any person should have to. It has to be hard to try to open up to someone else. Is this your fiancee with you and Joe?” He asks moving to where he is standing beside you.

“Yes. He and Joe are..were best friends. The three of us would hang out together. I’m sure you’ve heard what happened.” You say taking the picture from Gerry and turning your back to him.

“Joe told me a little. We don’t have to talk about this.” He states.

“No, you should know the whole story. You should know why it’s so hard. I had been having problems with an ex boyfriend of mine. He didn’t want to believe I was getting married to anyone else. James and I went out to dinner one night and as we were walking to the car my ex confronted us. He wanted me to go with him and I refused. He then said that if he couldn’t have me then no one could and pulled out a gun. James was shot first in the shoulder and then I was shot in the chest. James moved to try and protect me but ended up getting shot in the back. I remember him falling on top of me. My ex then turned the gun on himself shooting himself in the head. At least that’s what I was told.” You start explaining as the tears fall.

“Did James die instantly?” Gerry asks putting his hands on your shoulders.

“From what I was told no. He lived until someone found us then he just passed away there on top of me. I didn’t even get to attend James’s funeral because I was in the ICU. I got lucky the bullet just missed my heart. I never got to say goodbye to him. I woke up and I knew he was gone, I just knew it..” You say your voice breaking every so often.

“Oh my...love I don’t know what to say. How have you been able to deal with all of this?” Gerry asks in a strained voice.

“The first year was hard. I tried to kill myself twice but each time Joe was there to rescue me. Almost like James had sent him.” You state.

Gerry slowly turns you around and wraps his arms around you slowly pulling you close to him. You can’t help but burst into tears. He slowly runs his hand up and down your back and whispers words of encouragement into your ear. You quickly try to pull away from him but he holds you tighter.

“I never talk about this to anyone why can I talk to you?” You ask.

“Maybe deep down you know it’s time to let someone in.” Gerry whispers in your ear.