A Fire As Date 8
Episode 8: “Resolution”
The next morning, Paul’s car wasn’t at the address he gave to Niesha.
Nick waited until noon, then made
a call to Niesha.
Nick: “You heard from Paul today?”
Niesha: “No.”
Her voice sounded cautious and worried but hopeful.
Niesha: “Nothing. No calls, no texts, no car like his even passed by. Nothing.”
Nick: “Good. Let’s hope he got the message.”
Niesha: “Did you… did Tony talk to him?”
Nick: “Didn’t need to. I gave Paul a choice last night. Looks like he chose the smart one.”
Neisha let out a shaky breath.
Niesha: “So it’s over?”
Nick: “For now. But you need to keep your guard up on things that look suspicious. If he contacts you again, call the police immediately. Don’t hesitate.”
Niesha: “I won’t. Nick… thank you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
Nick: “You would’ve figured it out. You’d tried to burn my house down.”
She laughed softly, in an awkward moment it was the first real laugh he’d heard from her since their first date night.
Niesha: “You sound like my mom.”
Nick: “Your mom’s an intelligent woman.”
Niesha: “Yeah, she is…. “ Nick, you know when I said about not being able to see you right now. It’s wasn’t because I didn’t like you. It’s just… I need time. Paul put me through a lot.”
Nick: “I get it. You don’t owe me anything, Niesha. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”
Niesha: “I know. And I am, thanks to you. Maybe… maybe when things settle down, we can try again. Grab some food, talk, laugh. Like before it’s totally up to you.”
Nick smiled, even though she couldn’t see it.
Nick: “You asking me out on a date? Ahh…….I’d like that.”
Niesha: “Well ok it’s a date.”
They hung up, and Nick sat on his couch, staring at the boarded-up window that still hadn’t been replaced. The burn marks on his wall were a reminder of how close this had all come to spiraling out of control. He called Josh.
Nick: “Yo, big homie
Josh: “Whats up, you good?”
Nick: “Yeah. Paul’s gone. Left town, looks like.”
Josh: “Damn, you and Tony worked fast.”
Nick: “Didn’t need Tony I gave him a good enough reason.”
Josh laughed.
Josh: “Reason, huh? You mean he saw you, Marcus, Dre, and the shadow of Tony looming over his ass.”
Nick: “Nothing like that.”
Josh: “So what now?”
Nick: “Now Niesha gets to live her life in peace. And I get to fix my damn window.”
Josh chuckled.
Josh: “You and Neisha gonna be a thing?”
Nick: “Maybe. She needs time. I’m not pushing.”
Josh: “Good man. You did right by her, Nick. Not a lot of guys would’ve stepped up like that.”
Nick shrugged, even though Josh couldn’t see it.
Nick: “Wasn’t about being a hero. It was about doing what’s right.”
Josh: “Well, you did it. Now go get some sleep. You sound like you haven’t closed your eyes since Tuesday.”
Nick laughed.
Nick: “I’m good, bro. Thanks for having my back.”
Josh: “Always.”
Nick hung up and leaned back, closing his eyes. For the first time in days, the knot in his chest loosened. Paul was gone. Neisha was safe. Marcus and Dre hadn’t had to throw their lives away. And maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for something real with Neisha down the line.
Outside, the city buzz—cars passing, distant sirens. Nick got up, grabbed a broom, and started sweeping up the last of the glass from his bedroom floor. It was time to rebuild.
The End