Kasey with a K

Kasey with a k

Chapter 3

In the morning I did my thing with the urn, then checked the salon was spick and span. I turned the lights on and the place burst into life, then I looked through my bookings. The door opened and guess who was standing there in his civvies. I asked him to come in and offered coffee, he declined.

"I'm sorry Adam, some of the guys don't understand. I had to ignore you yesterday, we were checking out a building for an upcoming government convention, it's work mate."

"That's okay, I was just surprised to see you that's all. I'm sorry I got you into any trouble."

"No biggie Adam, I told the guys the other day you worked where my girlfriend worked, I think they bought it. It's just that some of them are overly sensitive when it comes to gays, but not all of them." Yep, that explains everything, of course, some are.

"Well Kasey, I'm sorry, and it won't happen again, you can be sure of that."

"We good then?" he smiled.

"We are good Kasey with a K."

"I will see you later then. I would like to go to a pub with you one night and buy you dinner as an apology though." I relented, it was the eyes that got to me.

"Okay, you pick the pub and the time and I will be there, you have my number." I smiled and thought that this would be the last time I will have to deal with him, then I can move my ass on, but on the other hand, I thought I was playing with fire again.

My day was full and I felt like I was chasing my bum all morning. I was also excited to have a date with my friend, but dreading the feelings inside that were telling me it's not a very good idea. I needed a break and found a half hour to go and grab a sandwich at the café across the road. I took some lunch orders off the staff and headed that way moving across the road and up a bit. I didn't see it coming but I felt it as I walked past the alleyway. Someone bowled me over in their rush to get by me and I flew towards the brick wall hitting my head as I fell to the concrete pathway. A man asked if I was okay as I drew a small crowd. I gathered up my wits and rubbed my head.

"Do you need an ambulance young man?"

"No, I'll be fine, thank you for your concern."

He helped me stand up and I rubbed my forehead again, it was hurting.

"Those bloody military guys should know better if I were you I would march straight up to their officer in charge and make a formal complaint."

"Army?" I was confused.

"Yes, a big thug in camouflage raced out of the alley and bowled you over, I don't know how he did it, there was plenty of room for him to get by. They need to be taught a lesson mate this is happening all over the city far too much nowadays."

My stomach dropped once again, and the abuse is real, I knew who the soldier was, and now I'm scared to death something worse will happen, I have to say something I just have to, but to who?

I looked in a shop window and couldn't see any damage so I thanked everyone and went towards the lunch café to get our orders. I was being very cautious getting back to the salon, my eyes were everywhere but I didn't see anything in my way. When I got back Trish was at the reception desk.

"What the fuck has happened to you, Adam?"

"I was knocked over by an army thug coming out of the alleyway."

"Well you better come with me you have a little blood on your forehead, we better put something on it."

I followed her to the tea room and she got the medical box out, looking in the mirror it wasn't bad but there were some tiny droplets of blood where my head scraped the wall.

"You certainly have been in the wars lately Adam, better be more careful in the future."

"Believe me, Trish, I will." She cleaned me up as I ate my sandwich, I had taken too much time and needed to get back to work to let the others eat too. She put a small plaster on my forehead and I thanked her, then went back to my station. She stood at the desk and stared at me for quite some time, then my next client arrived.

By the end of the day, I had a headache so I took some Panadol and closed up shop for the day. I made sure the street was clear before I left and I stayed in step with the office crowd as I walked up the street to go home, collapsing into a heap when I got in.

Had I been followed, does he know where I live, does Kasey know, does he do that sort of thing to strangers? All the questions I couldn't answer, but I did know I was being abused by one of his mates, and I was loathed to tell anyone out of some sort of embarrassment. More Panadol and a good sleep will see me right for now, later on just after I got into bed I got a message from Kasey that said.

`Pub night tomorrow night ok?'

`No Kasey, not feeling well maybe next week.'

He didn't answer me and I shut my phone down for the night as I crawled into bed, alone.

My nerves were on edge as I prepared myself for another day of work. I wanted to get some breakfast from the café and I had to pay my account, they let me run a tab and I pay them at the end of the week. From the big entrance of the apartment building I could see into the café, thank god there were no baggy greens in there this morning. I once again sat at an obscure table hidden away from the crowd. I asked the waiter to add my breakfast to my bill and I will pay it on the way out.

No more than five minutes into my eggs and bacon I sensed I was being watched, and when I looked up all I could see was a handsome smiling face and a hard body that was preparing to sit down.

"May I?"

"Of course Kasey, sit."

"What the fuck happened to you?"

"I was knocked over yesterday, why are you here?" I didn't want to talk about it.

"I thought you may have come here for breakfast so I wanted to make sure your all right, you did say you weren't feeling to well last night."

"I'm okay, just a slight headache, I don't want to take it out with me, so thought I had better stay in for a few days." I tried to smile, his breakfast arrived, God, he could feed the whole troop with that.

"Great food here Adam with an A, do you always dine here in the morning?"

"Mostly, I get along well with the owner he lets me run a tab and it's not that expensive."

"It's awesome, can't get a big meal like this anywhere else in the city, who knocked you over?"

"Who knows." I was short with him because I didn't want to get into it right now. Probably one of the worst things I could have done this morning was let Kasey walk me to work, he waved at some mates on the way I held my head down and I couldn't wait for him to go into his work, and to leave me alone.

I allowed myself a quiet ten minutes to collect my thoughts then I opened the shop. Trish was still looking at me throughout the day and I wasn't talking to anyone, even Tim tried to get me out of my funk but it didn't work he walked away defeated. I was asked what the matter was, but I didn't say anything, I couldn't say anything, what-ifs were running through my head all day and my clients got a different Adam when they were attended to.

The big "date" was two nights later at a pub not far from home. I thought about it long and hard and decided to dress down for the night. I will be out of my comfort zone, so anything could happen. I put on a pair of old Levi's and a checked shirt, very vanilla for me. I couldn't do much about my hair so I left it natural, I didn't care for the dogpile on the head style or the ponytail.

He was all smiles when he saw me, he had been leaning on the bar having a beer, and looked so tight and handsome. If it wasn't for his military haircut he would just look like any good looking guy you see on the city streets, but with that hair, he looked very official, and when he straightened up he looked like he was standing to attention, even in his civvies he looked military.

"Do you want a beer, or can we eat?" I think he's hungry or in a hurry.

"We can eat, I'll order wine at the table, and thank you for the night out."

"I don't get many nights off Adam, so this is a treat for me. My team is always on call twenty-four seven, but we are afforded some private time."

We found a spare table and sat down, the waiter came over and gave us a couple of menus and I ordered another beer for Kasey and a glass of wine for me. He was ready to order within minutes, so I hurried myself up and decided on a steak mash and gravy type of pub meal. While we waited his knee kept jiggling up and down, he was nervous.

"This is the first time I have dated a guy, is there some protocol I have to observe?" I laughed at his words.

"No, of course not, but we are just two mates having a pub meal, can't get any straighter than that can you? But I really must insist you don't walk me home because things get complicated when you have to say goodnight to me at the front door." I laughed louder. He was smiling at me, but he didn't bite or give me a smart assed answer. His eyes were sparkling tonight, awesome.

"Do you live in this area?" "Yes, the big green deco building at the end of the street, where the café is, you were in it the other day remember?"

"Really? We have been to that café a few times, it has pretty good food, so that's where you live, alone?"

"Yes my friend, all by myself the sub-penthouse on the seventh floor is mine."

"God, that must have cost you a bomb, the business must be booming for you."

I didn't know how much I could tell him, but I wanted to get to know him at least a bit better before I walked away, maybe there's something in there I will find that's not so perfect about him.

"It's not what it sounds like, I had an elderly client that I adored, she was the perfect lady, and we had a lot of interests in common. She left me the apartment and enough money to start up my own business."

"Shit that's awesome, she must have been some friend."

"She was Kasey, she was my best friend in the world, and she did a wonderful thing for me by doing that. I miss her every day. We had so much fun together and so much in common, and so do you in some ways. Her son was killed by an out of control bomb in Vietnam, he was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for saving his mate's lives." I was getting myself down again, so I asked him where he was from just to change the subject. He was deep in thought, then he shook himself out of it, I decided he was shit scared of what I had just said and regretted saying anything at all.

"Mildura, in Victoria, I was born there, my dad was in the Military, but retired early, so it was a given I would join up too. I am billeted on the other side of the city, and work the airport and city center mostly, but do fly in and out if there's a problem in other cities. We can be sent anywhere, the last trip to Sydney was a stack of home raids, we have to go in first, just in case there are live explosive devices hidden around the place. Things seem to have settled down a bit for the time being, but I'm still waiting to be sent overseas to work." He dropped his eyes again.

`Don't do it,' I said to myself.

"Yes, I saw the raids on the news, any siblings?" Change the subject.

"One sister, Maree, she's a nurse at the Mater hospital here in town, I get to see her occasionally, she and I are really good mates."

"Nice one, I don't have any myself, an only child, that's me."

"And your parents, do they live in Brisbane?" He asked.

"Yes my friend, in the southeast, I don't see them at all nowadays. I haven't seen them since I was eighteen, that's nearly three and a half years now. It seems they don't like gays too much either."

"That's sad Adam, so you don't see them at all?"

"No." I dropped my eyes.

I left it at that because our meals had arrived and I was getting a bit peckish. He dived into his, so I started mine and it was delicious the fluffy white mash was awesome, the steak a bit dry. He told me very little about his ex-girlfriend, but he didn't elaborate too much. I sort of figured he didn't have many experiences with women.

I told him I have always been alone, but I sometimes do okay. I had no expectations of falling in love and riding off into the sunset, but I do get lonely sometimes. I think he bought it.

We finished up and I ordered another wine when I looked over at the bar that bloody army guy was standing there having a beer, and he was staring at us, no, he was glaring at us. He was military through and through, full-blooded special forces, and his face was bright red, he was my stalker. He noticed me looking and quickly downed his beer then marched out.

"I think you have just been sprung Kasey, there was a guy at the bar staring at us." "Fuck no, what did he look like?"

"Taller than you, a big ring on his hand, and I think crooked teeth."

"Lloyd, his name is Lloyd. What the fuck was he doing in here?" At least now I have a name.

"Don't ask me, will you have any trouble?" I didn't want him to get involved.

"No Adam, he's one of my team. I thought they were going to a pub on the other side of town tonight. What the fuck was he doing here?" He was talking to himself, not me.

"Maybe he's following you mate, maybe he saw me and is following me. I don't know what he was doing here, but he looked a bit pissed off when he saw us."

He shook his head and said.

"I knew this was a big mistake, I don't get much time to myself, we are expected to hang in a group. It's called bonding, but there's only so much bonding a guy can do before it gets boring. I have had a great time tonight Adam but I must call it a day, can I ring you again?" He was running out on me.

"Of course you can, and thank you for the meal, it has been great to get to know you a little better." He got up and held his hand out I shook it, then watched his tight ass walk out the door. I finished my wine and paid for the dinners, I guess he is worried. That guy is someone I wouldn't like to meet in a back alleyway that's for sure, what am I saying, I have already felt his cold hands on me.

It had unnerved me, and I was now worried for Kasey's sake, he's a nice guy, and I was as pleased as punch we talked. He had let me into his life a little more, which is okay. I must admit when I was walking home, although there were still a lot of people around, I did look over my shoulder a few times, and when I got to the building's front entrance I stood in the café and had another wine just looking out the huge green-tinted windows at the passing crowds, my hands shook as I tried to calm myself down a bit.

He had scared me this time, maybe it was just his intimidating look that did it, but I felt like I had to sneak into the lift and up to my apartment, because you never know who is watching you, and I prayed to God Kasey doesn't tell anyone where I lived.

I crawled into bed and had a great long slow edging pull, that will relax me. Kasey's smells were still in my head and that wonderful hard body was crashing down on me as I came like a racehorse.

I slept well, no night frights which was surprising, and after I showered I sat looking out at the black skies, we are in for a big storm today, there will be a lot of cancellations which didn't bother me too much. I dressed normally and headed for the salon, Trish was already there and we sat and had coffee.

I told her about the dinner, and a bit about Kasey, she was pleased we at least were talking to each other.

I then told her what happened while we were there.

"Was it that the guy who ran into you the other day?"

"Yes, I think so" I answered.

"And your bruised chest?"

"I ran into the door." I could feel myself blushing, I'm not a great liar but I get by.

She offered to come sleep at my place for a few nights and complained that no one has ever seen my apartment. I rectified that immediately by inviting her for a sleepover tonight if she wanted, we could eat at the café downstairs. She accepted and said she will go back to her flat at lunchtime and collect some things. I told her to take her time, the heavy rain had started and so had the phones. No one will come out in this weather. So I will send most of the staff home and maybe close up early.

I had a message again on my phone, it was from Eva she was telling me the trains had been cancelled and she would be late, I told her to go home and rug up for the day. I was going to lock up early. It's a pretty standard thing for our line of business, but there's always someone that has an urgent appointment and expects us to be open, seeing they made the effort to get here, we should be open for them.

We were down to two appointments by lunchtime, so I let the rest of the guys and girls go home, I will stay and Trish will be back by four if she can make it.

I didn't have any reason by not inviting friends over to my place. It was just that I thought it was a haven for me and my ghostly friend Adele to inhabit. I was being foolish again and I had shut people out that loved me, just as much as Adele did.

It's a new day and a new me, I have to let someone into my life, I can't be on my own forever.

When everyone left I pottered around until a lady came in and apologized for being a bit late. She had to have her roots done urgently before her workmates found all her grey hairs, so I went about fixing her up, while Tim, who had stayed behind doing more wigs out the back for a new show at the Grand Theatre. Twenty-five wigs to be styled and set and throughout the ten-week season, they have to be maintained by us. Tim will do the initial sets in the salon, but will also go to the theatre every other afternoon and make sure they are kept in pristine condition for the shows. My client was very happy and she paid by card, and the other booking rang and canceled. The thunderstorm raged outside and I wondered if Trish would even make it back to the shop.

Around three I got a call from her, it was a raincheck, she didn't relish driving into town in this storm. I understood completely and wished her a good night. As I turned around to go help Tim I was grabbed around the throat forcefully, it was the guy from the pub last night.

"Stay away from him, you hear me you fucking faggot. Stay fucking away." He snarled. My feet were off the ground as he lifted me and choked me with his enormous hand. I have never been so terrified in my life, I tried to scream but nothing came out.

"He's not for you faggot, go suck dick elsewhere you filthy maggot." He hissed at me, then he tossed me onto the floor, I started coughing as I tried to get some air into my lungs. Then I heard screaming.

"What the fucks going on here, hey you get back here." It was Tim and he had spooked my assailant, who darted out the door into the storm. Tim was running up the salon his fists at the ready.

"Adam, Adam are you okay?" I didn't know whether I was or not I was too busy choking, but I managed to nod.

I tried to stand up but fell again. I closed my eyes just as Tim tried to help me up.

"Just let me stay here for a minute or two, will you?" My throat was on fire it felt like he had crushed it. I tried to take some deep breaths to steady my heartbeat. I wasn't feeling any better when I smoothed my hand over my throat, it hurt, and it hurt like crazy.

"I'll get the cops." He reached for the phone and I screamed.

"NO!"

"What?"

"No, we don't need them." I was scared shitless that calling the cops would make things worse for me.

He managed to get me over to a chair and I sat down heavily still rubbing my throat.

"Let me look." I took my hand away and the redness and swelling had already started. I looked into the mirror then started to shiver, I was going into shock and Tim saw it too.

"I have to call an ambulance Adam, I'm sorry but I have to mate." I didn't argue with him I felt like I was going to explode from the inside out.

It took ages for it to get to the salon, and Tim had bought out his lamb's wool jacket to throw over my shoulder's. I felt a bit warmer but I was still shivering. I was scared like never before in my life, my sheltered life was exploding right in front of me, and I had no idea what I was going to do next.

"A guy came in and tried to strangle him, I didn't get a good look at his face but he was huge, what kind of insanity does this to a total stranger?" He was talking to the ambos, I wasn't talking at all. They put a heat wrap on me and by the time they got me into the ambulance I was as warm as toast, and I was also high because they gave me a little morphine for the pain.

Tim, God bless him, traveled with me, and gave the ambos all the relevant details. They asked me if I knew the guy, I said no, I had never seen him before. I lied for Kasey's sake, I didn't want him or his mates involved at all.

I was wheeled into X-ray, then a doctor checked me over. He said I had to stay the night, there was no way I could go home, I had to be watched.

I was then admitted and placed in a room with four other patients. My throat was soothed by the ice that Tim was feeding me.

"Did you know him or not Adam, don't bullshit me now, okay?"

I stared at him for a long time. I didn't know how much I could tell him, but I trusted his friendship.

"Yes."

"Okay, we have that settled then, who was that man?"

"The lone ranger." I tried to laugh but started a coughing attack instead.

In the meantime, a nurse and two cops came in. I finished my attack and gave them a description of my assailant, Tim narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything, he sat there and listened.

"Okay Mr. Sutton we will look at the CCTV in the area, there has to be something on them. In the meantime try to get some rest, here is my card just in case you think of something you missed today." He smiled at me and added.

"My wife loves your salon. I hate it, it keeps me poor."

"Who?"

"Nona Zena." I smiled at him, and the rumors were true, he was a handsome guy, she's a lucky lady.

"I will give her a discount next time, she didn't tell me you were a local detective."

He laughed and thanked me as he walked out with his buddy. I looked at the card, it read Detective Luca Lombard

"Now, tell me."

I looked at Tim and said.

"You can't tell anyone, promise me?"

"Depends on what you tell me, then I will make my mind up."

"Kasey must never know Tim, you have to at least promise me that."

"Kasey? what's Kasey got to do with this? if that jerk...."

"Stop there Tim, he was one of Kasey's work buddies, he saw us having dinner the other night and was pissed off. I think, he thinks somethings going on with us two." I started my cough again and this time it hurt. I made a horrible sound when I breathed in, so Tim passed another big ice chip to my lips, and I sucked on it until it dissolved. I could tell he had murder on his mind, but I had to diffuse the situation and quickly.

"I told Kasey the guy at the bar was staring at us, and he told me he was one of his team, a guy called Boyd or Lloyd something like that. He must never know this has happened Tim, it could ruin his career and he may get hurt in the process."

"By God, he will be the first one I will have a go at Adam, how dare he, how dare they think they can walk all over us like that. I'm calling the Gay community in on this one, mark my words there will be a loud voice heard all over this country." He was understandably mad and angry.

"You have to promise me, Tim, you have to." I started crying, not only because I hurt I didn't want to hurt Kasey, it's not his fault.

"Okay Adam, I will think about it, you get some sleep. I'm going to ring Trish to let her know I will be working late tonight, just in case the alarm people ring her because it's not been set."

"Don't work, go home and rest." "Adam, I am too worked up to sleep, I need to at least start those wigs I don't want to be rushing them at the last minute."

"Okay, do what you do best my friend, and thank you for all your help." They were my last words, and after a very restless night the sun was out in the morning, and I still felt so sore, but alive and warm. I was a man with a plan this morning.

I was told everything was okay, just some severe bruising and not to eat anything solid for a few days, they let me shower and when I looked into the mirror I saw the damage, I stopped suspended in time. The bruising started at my chest across my shoulders and my neck up to my chin, it was like someone had painted me with red black and blue ink during the night. I tried to hide it with Tim's jacket, he had left for me, but you could still see some of it. I couldn't hide it all. There was nothing physically wrong with me just the bruising and a sore arm and bum where I had landed on it.

I was discharged early and given pain pills, and some cream that brings the bruising out quickly. Then I caught a taxi into work, I wanted to see if everything was okay there, my imagination was going wild and I was thinking he may have come back and attacked Tim, or trashed our windows or something. Everything was still there when I opened the door, and nothing was out of place.

I locked the door behind me after I left Tim's jacket on the coat stand, and took one of the girls woolen scarves, then I quietly walked to my apartment. I pulled the scarf around my face and hid within the morning crowd, then I crept from the lift and finally locked the door behind me. I planned to stay in that apartment for the next year, not going to work and not going outside. I wanted to rot with my memories of Adele, she will keep me safe and she's very good company, she doesn't hurt me.

I tried to drink a coffee but it burnt too much, so I took a pain killer and waited. It had gone cold by the time the pill kicked in, so I made another one, it went down a treat. Then I opened a bottle of wine and drank half of it. I fell asleep around ten, I didn't hear the phone ring or my mobile beep with messages, I just slept soundly for a few hours.

When I woke it was still daylight outside and now I had a shocking headache. I took another pill and threw what was left of the wine down the sink. I don't need to turn into a drunk overnight. I made more coffee as I listened to my answering machine. Trish, Tim, Eva, Trev, Anne, and even Janice all called and left get well messages. Trishas was the most welcomed one, she really is a darling, but Tim's was aloof and he sounded a little put out so I sent him a message. `I am okay Tim, thank you from my heart to yours for being there. I am at home and resting, talk to you soon. Xxx'

I then went through my messages on my cell, and they were from the same people, not a lot of the outside world invaded my privacy which I felt better about. Then one came through from Kasey, saying he was at the salon and wanting another mandate night, he had a good time with me. I sat and wanted to form an answer that didn't make him ask too many questions.

`Going on a long holiday with my mate, will ring you when I get back, see you around.' I sent that to him, he will get the message loud and clear. I then went into the bathroom and opened the top drawer.

I picked it up and took it out to the balcony, I placed it on the side table then I felt around for my carotid artery, it was easy to find, it throbbed in anticipation. For ages, I stared out at the blue sky and as the events went over and over in my head I couldn't see a way out. I had to cut Kasey off and hopefully, that mongrel will leave me alone. Then I had another thought, what if he does something awful to my salon or worse my staff. I cried because I just didn't know where to start and I had no one to talk to, and I was so frightened and so screwed up in the head, I couldn't think straight. This is what I get for being on my own with no one to turn to, no one to help me.

(If it wasn't for Kasey being at the salon looking for him Adam might have gone through with it, but deep down there's no way he would end his life anytime soon. After some time he shook his head then he reached for the razor, and was about to go and put it back in the bathroom drawer when a hand held his wrist and a voice said.)

"Don't you dare do that to me." It was Kasey's voice.

He carefully removed the blade from my hand and placed it gently back on the table, it made a loud clunking sound. I guess it was disappointed its job had been cut short.

Adam looked at him with wonder, then said.

"I wouldn't do that."

Then I broke down and started sobbing my heart out, Kasey held onto me like a gentle giant, he wasn't going to let me go there, and he could see the absolute fear in my eyes.

I sobbed as if I had never cried before, all my hurt was placed into each tear and I didn't want it to stop, I wanted to cry forever. Kasey stroked my back and tried to soothe me with some soft words, but I wasn't listening he just held onto me like I was a soft toy.

"Tim, get some coffee started will you, we need to calm him down a bit he's too distraught, and still in shock."

"Sure Kasey, Adam are you going to be okay because I think we should be calling the ambulance, and the police?" He stressed the last part. I didn't answer him I wanted Kasey to hold me just a little longer, just for a while, a moment before he has to go away. He has to get as far away from me as possible, otherwise, the shit will hit the fan, and I will be murdered for sure, no arguments then lights out Adam Sutton is dead, forever.

After I broke the embrace, I ran my hand through my hair, then I wrapped the scarf around my neck so they didn't have to look at it. They had made some coffee and had almost poured it down my gullet, and when I came up for breath Kasey let go of my hand completely, and I was cold again. I looked at a shocked Tim and whispered that I was sorry. I didn't have the chance to ask him if he had told Kasey who attacked me. I was taken to the bathroom to wash my face, they didn't want me to shut the door, they just gave me some space for a minute I immediately wept into a towel, it muffled the sounds.

When I arrived back there was food on the table, soup and soft buns. I was hungry but I didn't want to eat because that would break my trance.

"Eat Adam," Kasey ordered.

I stared at it for a long time then decided it was best to do as they say for now.

"Adam who attacked you?" He finally asked. I knew by this question Tim hadn't told him. "Some guy that wanted to date me, but I refused because I have new mates to hang out with."

"Be serious please Adam, I haven't got time for jokes."

"I don't know Kasey, I just don't know. Some random looney from the streets."

"Okay, then I will find out from the police?"

"Just drop it Kasey, please drop it?"

"Trying to top yourself isn't the answer either." I couldn't work out whether he was still pissed off, or concerned.

"I was in shock, I wanted to go away and not come back, I wouldn't have done it anyway. I was about to get up and put it back in the drawer when you two arrived."

"It scared him shitless Kasey, can't you see that?" Tim said to him.

"Yes Tim, I have eyes. I have seen fear in a man's eyes many times, but I have rarely seen terror. Adam is terrified, and I aim to find out why." I watched him eat his soup so I spooned another lot into my mouth, it was easy to swallow and warmed my insides.

"Give me the card the police gave you please." He was giving the orders again.

"I threw it away."

"I see, well I have other ways to find out."

"Please let it go, Kasey, please let's not make this any worse than what it is."

"Nope, that's not going to happen, Adam. This is not right and the prick has to pay for what he's done to you."

"Tim, how far ahead are you with the theatre account?" When in doubt change the subject.

"It's doing okay, Eva is helping me and I think we found a little gem in Janice, she's done a brilliant job setting one of them." He smiled because he knew I had faith in Janice.

"Good, I will be in tomorrow morning and I will work out the back, I can help you with them."

"So you're going to ignore me are you?"

"No Kasey, I told you to drop it. I'm okay now, it was just getting to me that's all. I promise nothing like that's going to happen to me. I just need to get back to some normality." I was insistent.

"Right, so Tim are you staying the night or do you want me to?"

"You can't Kasey, you have to get back to the base. I will ring Trish and she can have that sleepover we planned yesterday. Tim's too busy to give up his valuable time." I made plans and I felt a bit better after eating.

Kasey sat there and stared at me, he flipped his phone out and walked out on the balcony, he was talking loudly to someone on the other end.

I saw him grab the pen I always left on the side table and wrote something down. My God, I wish he would just bloody drop it.