A Fire As Date 7
Episode 7: “The Last Stand”
Nick arrived at Morrison’s Hardware to looking for Paul pacing in the parking lot.
He looked like he hadn’t slept in days, and his usual appearance was disheveled.
Nick: “Paul.”
Paul: “Nick, I need your help.”
Nick: “My help for what?”
“I can’t stop thinking about her. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t work. I know I’m not losing my mind, but I just can’t stop.”
Nick studied Paul’s face. He looked tormented, but that didn’t make him less dangerous.
Nick: “Paul, didn’t you got arrested this morning for violating a restraining order.
Now you back to calling her and it’s not even lunch yet. You need professional help.”
Paul: “I need her.”
Nick: “No, you need ass whipping. You need to be in a facility where people can help you.”
Paul’s eyes widen.
Paul: “I’m not crazy.”
Nick: “Well why the hell were you sitting outside a woman’s house for hours. You broke into her apartment. You’re calling her from different numbers after being arrested. If that’s not crazy, it’s criminal.”
Paul: “I love her.”
Nick: “Love doesn’t stalk people, Paul. Love doesn’t terrorize people. Love doesn’t ignore when someone says no. You don’t love yourself.”
Paul ran his hands through his hair.
Paul: “But I can’t let her go.”
Nick: “You don’t have a choice.”
Paul: “There’s always multiple choices.”
Nick: “Yeah, D none of the above because you crossed too many lines.”
Paul looked at him with something like desperation.
Paul: “What do you mean?”
Nick: “I mean you made this bigger than just you and Niesha. You made this about her family. You made this about not just her safety but everyone else who is involved.”
Paul: “I’m not trying to make a statement.”
Nick: “Bro you are. Every time you ignore her telling you no, you’re making a statement. Every time you show up where she doesn’t want you unannounced, you’re making a statement. Every time you call her from different phone numbers after being blocked, dude you’re making a statement.”
Paul: “What statement!?”
Nick: “Really, you going to act like you don’t know what you’re doing. That she doesn’t have the right to choose who they want in their lives. Then you are controlling I could go on.”
Paul was quiet for a long moment.
Paul: “So what happens now?”
Nick: “Now you make a choice.”
Paul: “What choices do I have?”
Nick: “First you disappear. Second leave town and start over somewhere else. Third, go seek professional help. Save the best for last. Four, try loving yourself and figure out who you are.”
Paul: “And if I don’t?”
Nick: “Then I’ll make it happen for you.”
Paul stepped forward looking at Nick in his face.
Paul: “You’re threatening me.”
Nick: “Yes I am and I’m giving you options. Option one is you walk away like a man. Option two or I can make you disappear for good your choice.”
Paul: “Who the hell you post to be?”
Nick: “I’m just telling you what’s going to happen if you keep terrorizing that woman.”
Paul seen that Nick wasn’t bagging down and looked around the parking lot like he was seeing it for the first time.
Paul: “Whatever dude, I never meant for it to go this far anyway.”
Nick: “To late for that now you have to deal with the consequences.”
Paul leaned against his car, with a smirk on his face.
Paul: “I just… I just don’t know what to do.”
Nick: “You get in your car and drive home. Pack you a farewell travel bag and leave town. Find some professional help. Learn to be a man who respects women’s choices.”
Paul: “Are you serious.”
Nick: “Dead ass serious.”
Paul: “And there’s no other option?”
Nick: “Yeah, Death.”
Paul nodded slowly.
Paul: “You not built like that punk.”
Nick: “You have until tomorrow morning.”
Paul: “And then?”
Nick: “You should have made your choice then and on your way to another county or state, if not I can make the choice for you.”
Paul got in his car and drove away without another word.
Nick gets his phone out of his pocket and called Marcus.
To be continued…..