Transcending Queen by SK Thomas

a man, not a saint on
an almighty pedestal that people put him on as this is his cross to
bear.
    Jack lay on his bed defeated. He refused to
admit it, but he really did miss his best friend. There always
seemed to be too much to do, so he never really took time to mourn.
His thoughts switched to Melissa and even though she finally stood
up for herself, he is left more alone than ever. The silence
deafening, he still wanted a normal life that always seemed to
escape him one way or another, “What is normal?” He didn’t even
have a clue how to answer that question. He wasn’t interested in a
wife, kids and white picket fence but since being thrown from one
case to another as a detective, he decided it’s not any better than
working undercover. He recalled notions he had like staying in one
place for more than a month, repeat customers and going home every
night. He could visit his favorite spots and enjoy simple
pleasures. “Is it even possible? I’ve never known such things.
Other people make it seem so easy.” Yet for him, chaos has no days
off.

Chapter 8 – Moving On Alone

The next morning I reminded myself I was
officially off the hook which brought a smile to my face. Away from
all the problems I left in Barrington, no longer working a case and
free to do whatever I wanted. For now, I would take pleasure in
being able to breathe and take some time to reevaluate things. Up
to this point, it’s been messy from the very beginning and the more
I tried to incorporate damage control the faster things spun out.
Exhaling, I came to understand I had no idea where to go from
here.
    After jumping in the shower and getting
dressed, I headed down the stairs where I ran into Jack.
    “Hey Melis….” He uttered but I was quick to
cut him off.
    “Not now Jack.”
    “But just listen….”
    “Leave me alone, I need time. At least give
me that, huh?” I rattled off as I kept bouncing down the
stairs.
    “God damn it!” he cursed in frustration.
    I headed straight to the front office and
searched for Luann.
    “Hi, muffins are by the front door again next
to the coffee.” She said while checking someone in.
    “Thanks, but I’m not here for muffins, can we
talk?”
    She looked at me as if she was still offended
from the other day, “Sure?”
    “The situation has changed and I’m no longer
partnered with Jack. I’m standing here with no money but still want
to stay here. Is there anything I can do?”
    “Don’t worry…he figured the least he could do
is still pay for your room. He really does care about you.”
    “Is there anything I can do around here for
some extra spending cash?”
    “See Jack, he said something about still
owing you for the work you’ve done thus far.”
    “Is there something going on between the two
of you? You seem to know an awful lot.”
    “Just friends, there’s no scandal here.”
Luann insisted with a smirk on her face.
    I leapt back up the stairs cussing the whole
way, it sucked to have to beg Jack for money now. Barging into his
room abruptly I decided to demand it, “Ok, I had a conversation
with Luann, money please.”
    “Oh, I’m supposed to leave you alone.” He
said as his smartass tone was easy to detect.
    “Jack, don’t make this any harder than it
already is. Please, just give me the money so we can move on. We
desperately need our space from one another.”
    “Fine, you stubborn little shit.” He said as
he handed over what he owed.
    “Thank you, don’t take things so personally.”
I had nothing to lose and even with my newfound freedom my life
remained in shambles and ripped apart. No matter how much I tried
to ignore it, I still couldn’t deny it. I had to be honest with
myself and that honesty carries truth like no other, I have
nothing. The only strategy that sounded feasible was to give up,
but how does someone go about something like that? Lie down, refuse
to eat, deny friends? “I guess there’s several, if not millions of
ways to self-destruct.” I