Hard Choices
      Chapter 8
 

Jesse was packing the last of the things he’d left at Drew’s apartment. He had come in the back way, covertly checking to make sure she was working the bar before he came up. He knew she’d hear about his “marriage” to Michelle soon enough, knew he should be the one to tell her, but he just couldn’t do it. He loved her, in spite of the fact that she’d pushed him away, destroyed their relationship with her insecurity and her borderline-obsessive jealousy of Michelle, but he couldn’t face telling her the lie right now, and certainly couldn’t trust her with the truth. Hopefully, the entire situation would be resolved quickly, although he couldn’t imagine how … but he knew he had to do this for Michelle, after everything she’d done for him.

“Jesse?” Drew was using her little-girl-lost voice, at once hopeful and pitiful. “What are you doing?”

“Drew,” Jesse turned around. Drew stood in the open doorway. “I just came to get some things, I’ll be out of your way soon –“

“No, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been trying to reach you for days. Buzz said you weren’t staying with him anymore, but he didn’t know where you went. Or so he said.” She walked into the room, shutting the door behind her.

“Yeah, I’ve got a new place now.”

“You do? Oh. Where?”

Jesse grimaced. “Drew, I –“

“It doesn’t matter, you can tell me later.” She smiled shyly. “Jesse, the reason I’ve been trying to find you is … I wanted to talk to you, to tell you I’m so sorry, for everything. I want … I want another chance, Jesse. I’ve been thinking, about everything, and I –“

Jesse held up a hand. “Drew, stop, please. I have something to tell you, and I don’t know how do it in a way that will make it easier for you, so I guess I just have to come out and say it. Michelle and I got married a couple of days ago, and I’ve moved into the Bauer’s garage apartment with her. I’m so sorry, I wish I could explain, but I can’t right now, so –“

“Get out.”

“Drew –“

“GET OUT! I said get out, get out, go …” Drew broke down, sobbing. Jesse did the only thing he felt he could – he picked up the box he’d been packing and walked past her out the door.


Michelle was having her first pregnancy craving, for a double bacon cheeseburger from Company, so she and Jesse had ventured out of the apartment for the first time in days. There was very little conversation between them tonight; they were both suffering their private pains. Michelle knew that Jesse had told Drew that they were married, and that, predictably, she hadn’t taken it well. Michelle felt bad for Drew, but not that bad, after the way Drew had treated her throughout the trial. She knew Drew didn’t deserve this, but then, none of them did, and the entire situation was wearing on her so much that she didn’t have the energy for empathy. She missed Danny so much, having not seen him since the night she’d snuck into his room almost a week ago. That morning, she’d seen the announcement of his and Theresa’s engagement in the paper, and had felt a little stab in her heart, even though she knew it was a wedding that would never take place. She was so worried about Danny; his plan, which he had shared with her before she left with Bill the last night they were together, was dangerous for everyone involved, especially him.

But right now she was hungry, desperately hungry for a fully loaded Buzz burger. Jesse went to the counter to order, and then Michelle saw them come in. Danny and Theresa. As soon as Theresa spotted her, she put a possessive arm around Danny’s waist, then smiled and waggled her fingers at Michelle. Michelle thought, if she only knew, the things her “fiancé” was doing to me, and the things I was doing to him in return, just a few nights ago. If she only knew that that’s still my husband she has her paws wrapped around, that he loves me, only me, and I’m having his baby, and …

“Michelle? You wanna go somewhere else?” Jesse had returned to his seat. Michelle took his hand in hers and kissed it, glancing quickly in the direction of Theresa and Danny. Danny, who was very pointedly not looking at Michelle and Jesse, was in full junior mobster mode: black slacks, black shirt with an open collar, tailored black leather jacket; in spite of herself, Michelle thought to herself that he was awfully sexy when he was being menacing.

“No, of course not, sweetie.” She smiled sweetly at Jesse. “I’m not going anywhere until I get my burger.”

Jesse lowered his voice. “Okay, but stay away from their table this time.”

“Oh, Jesse, you’re spoiling my fun.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

“Michelle.”

“I’m just kidding, I’m not going over there.”

Suddenly, she heard the scrape of chairs and both Danny and Jesse’s voices, overlapping. “Drew!” “Drew, what the hell –“

Michelle turned around and saw that Drew had entered Company from the rear door, and she was holding a gun, which was pointed directly at Michelle.