Again (Brandy Jeffus)

she's always right when it comes to important life problems. I have to fight for Eli if I want him back.
    "Well I guess I better quit stalling. Mind if I borrow your car?" Mama shakes her head no and smiles. I grab the keys from the counter top and kiss her goodbye.
    I drive the now-familiar route to the lake house, but realize I have no clue if Eli is working or not.
    "Shoot!" The gas light flicks on as the warning bell dings. I pull into a gas station is two blocks away.
    My heart nearly flutters out of my chest when I see Eli's truck in the parking lot. I hurriedly park near one of the gas pumps and rush from the car to the store. I barely hear the cashier's greeting. All my focus is on Eli. The extreme need to see him is overwhelming.
    I spot him near the coffee machine, his back facing me. He’s wearing jeans and a tank top. His hair is wet and slicked back. The butterflies that always engulf me at the sight of Eli come over me again. I hold back from pummeling him with a bear hug and instead whisper his name. He turns around and I grin.
    "Hey B," he whispers softly and smiles. The dam inside me breaks and tears start spilling from my eyes as I close the distance between us. His strong arms wrap around me.
    I hear him sigh and take a deep breath, "I'm sorry, Bonnie. I really am." He takes my face in his hand and wipes my tears away with his thumbs, "Let's get out of here okay?" I nod, unable to use my voice. All I want is to be in his arms. Eli pays for his coffee and we walk outside.
    "Oh shoot, I forgot to pay for gas. That's why I stopped in the first place," I remember. Eli hands me his coffee and makes a gesture telling me to stay put. He walks inside and up to the cashier. I watch him as he makes light conversation and gives his easy grin, his dimples showing.
    This man, he’s mine. He has always been mine.
    He leaves the store and reaches for his coffee. With his other hand he reaches for mine pulling me along, "Come on, hon."
    "So you're not working today?" I ask while
    "Nope, I was actually coming to see you. I wanted to talk," Eli gives an apologetic grin. I step closer to him and grab his free hand.
    "And I was coming to see you," I reply. Eli shakes his head and laughs. We stand there, staring at each other.
    As soon as the pump clicks off, we hear a gunshot. Eli's face changes in an instant. My heart stands still. He puts his hand on my back and pushes me down. Fear thunders throughout my body, goose bumps spread across my skin. Eli draws out his pistol from his side holster he’s wearing and my heart plummets.
    Eli could get hurt. This is serious, not some stupid TV show. This is real life and my boyfriend going to put his life on the line.
    I’m terrified.
    "Stay here, Bonnie, okay? Everything's going to be okay baby. Just call 911." Eli gives me a tight smile and kisses my forehead. "Do not go in there okay? No matter what." Fear crosses his eyes for a split second, but he quickly gains composure. Right before he takes off across the parking lot, he winks at me.
    Time stands still as I watch him run to the front and crouch behind a trash can right outside the door. Two more gun shots go off and make me jump out of my skin. I squat farther to the ground. The loud pops bring me back to reality and I quickly pull my cell phone out of my pocket.
    "Hello, 911 what is your emergency?" a calm lady answers. I lift my head to peer through the car window. Eli’s not by the trash can anymore.
    "Yes, there's been gun fire at the Quickie Mart, on the corner of Washington and Bellaire. There's an off- duty officer here, Eli Stone. Please send back up for him. Please."
    I’m still on the phone when I hear yelling coming from the store. I look around; there are two other cars at the pumps. Both drivers are in the same position I am, hunkered down on the concrete.
    "Ma'am, how close are the police? My boyfriend is Eli Stone and he's the only officer here. I don't know what's going on inside." I lean against the car door and crane my neck to see out the window again.
    All of a sudden, a guy dressed all in black runs out holding a duffel bag. He heads off to the right but drops the bag. Eli comes running out of the convenience store with his gun drawn.
    The guy has already turned back to grab the bag, but now he has a gun drawn too. Sweat is glistening off both of their faces. Eli's tendons pop out as he holds his pistol in a deathly grip. His chest is heaving hard.
    My world turns silent. Everything fades