LOVE IS WHAT IT IS

Story of a dangerous relationship.

 

      Anna ran hard and fast, but she knew Danny could run faster. She had to stop for a few ragged breaths, knowing if he caught her he would kill her. In a few hours--maybe less==his temper would cool and she would be out of danger. But right now it was at the boiling point. Why had Lang decided to come on to her like that? And why had Betty, that b***h, egged him on? She was supposed to be his girl. Anna had done nothing to encourage Lang, but Danny wouldn’t see it that way. She forced herself to go on, grateful she was wearing flats and not heels.

 

    When she couldn’t run any further Anna found herself in front of a cheap, shabby movie theatre. Admission was two dollars, half of what she had in her purse, but she bought a ticket and went inside. Here, for at least a little while, was shelter and safety.

 

     Anna was barely aware of the bright colours and blaring sound. The images that flashed through her mind were far more vivid than the pictures on the screen. The look on Danny’s face when Lang pulled her up and tried to dance with her…Danny’s fist hitting Lang’s jaw…he sound of Lang’s head hitting the floor…

 

     Danny was an amateur boxer. He might have hurt Lang badly, or even worse--oh no, God no. She wouldn’t let herself even think about that.

 

     Someone said the word "police” and Anna had run, knowing Danny would be right behind her, knowing he wouldn’t wait for the authorities to show up. She put her head against the back of the seat and closed her eyes, trying to relax in this little space of time she’d found for herself.

+++

     Danny knew which way Anna would run, and that was straight. She wouldn’t take time for any turns. She’d go down Mission, cross Clancy, and continue on Vista. He followed her straight to the theater. He hadn’t seen her go in, but he knew she was there. They knew things like that about each other. That’s what made them so great together…or had. That was all over now. When your girl betrayed you there wasn’t anything left. He’s kill her and then himself. Danny felt in his pocket for the knife he always kept honed to razor sharpness.

 

     Anna wasn’t surprised when Danny sat down beside her. She supposed she’d known from the beginning he’d find her. She wasn’t even surprised when she felt the blade at her throat and knew he meant to cut it. If she didn’t panic; if she stayed absolutely still, there might be a chance. “Lang came on to me,” she said, her voice very calm. “I didn’t come on to him. I didn’t do anything…”

 

     “What did you do?” Danny asked bitterly. “Did you scream? Did you slap him? No. You let him"“

 

     “I didn’t ‘let’ him anything. Listen Danny, I--"

 

     A flashlight beam picked them out. “Danny? Danny Aldrich? You need to come with us,” an authoritative voice said. Officers Frances and Muldoon, who responded to the call, had tracked Danny as quickly as he had tracked Anna. But they didn’t know about the knife.

 

     Danny told them. “If you take one step closer I’ll use it on both of us.”

 

     The voice came again. “You’re not in any trouble yet, Danny. Lang is all right.”

 

     “Why am I supposed to believe that?” Danny sneered.

 

     “Because I’m right here.” Lang moved forward enough so that they could recognize him.

 

     “Keep it quiet up there!” someone yelled.

 

     “Sit down!”

 

     “Yeah, sit!”

 

     “Let’s take this outside,” one of the officers suggested.

 

     They left the theater.  Danny refused to surrender his knife, but it was closed and in his pocket. Lang wasn’t pressing charges, but Muldoon took them both to the station house to sign some papers--whatever that meant.

 

     Frances offered to drive Anna home, and she accepted gratefully. The last few hours had been difficult, and she was tired.  They drove in silence for awhile. Then he said abruptly “You need to break it off with that guy. You can do better.”

 

     “He’s my man. I’m his girl.”

 

     “He was ready to cut your throat!”

 

     “Only because he loves me,” Anna murmured.

 

     This kept Frances silent until they pulled up in front of her house. “Someday he’ll do it, you know.”

 

     Anna shrugged. “It is what it is.” And she got out of the car.

 

     Frances drove away thinking I’ll never understand women.

 

     Anna thought I’ll never understand men. But she only had to understand one. And that just enough to keep him from killing her.

 

    

 

     

Reviews

[Serge Wlodarski]

That was really good. Way too many people out there exactly like Danny, Anna and Lang. I figured out a long time ago that women like that will never be interested in a man who wants to treat her well. If you don't have self-esteem, you can't accept that you deserve to be treated well. Leads to all kinds of problems. The Dannys of the world stay away from real men, they never get in a fair fight. There are plenty of Langs out there passively stirring up trouble, looking for the next Danny. Takes all kinds.

[Marie]

Thank you. I don't think Anna's self-esteem was the problem. But she lives in a world where that kind of danger is appearloing.

[Rana]

This was most enjoyable. Revolving around a unique kind of relationship, this involved powerful characters. Was quite of a thriller. True love brings with it it's dangers in this case and Anna understands it so well.

[Marie]

Thank you. I'l glad you could see Anna's point of view.