Ill Take Forever

anyone else help you?' The girl sounded young and friendly.
    'Do you know where he is?' Jenny hadn't counted on his not being available. Did he know what was going on? Was he here in Palmer?
    'No, I don't. I expect him back tomorrow. Can I have him call?'
    'No, thanks.' If she didn't hear from Kyle before then, she would call back.
    Slowly Jenny hung up the phone. She was growing sick with worry. Was he safe? Where was he?
    She sank slowly to the chair, her eyes unseeing. Fear clutched her as she thought of the dangers Kyle faced daily. How did he do it? It was too much to bear. Why didn't he get a nice, safe, secure job, like being an accountant? A job that wouldn’t expose him to danger. One with regular hours and safety.
    Would he ever change, ever look for a safer occupation?
    Hugging her arms tightly against her chest, Jenny tried to ease the fear that lodged there. Please God, let him be safe.
    She took a deep breath. She couldn't continue like this, it was driving her crazy. She started for the stairs. She'd go up and make his bed. No reason to leave it all messed up. Maybe tidy his room, then take Shasta for a walk. Not, however, to the marijuana field, but in the opposite direction. Kyle was okay, she had to hold on to that thought. He was a professional, he knew the odds and would make sure them came out in his favor.
    Opening his door Jenny was shocked to see Kyle sitting on the edge of his bed, his chest bare, his legs in jeans, feet bare, bent over the broken picture, holding it gently in his hands, a look of sadness on his face.
    'Oh!' Jenny cried seeing him unexpectedly. He was safe! Thank God. The relief was almost overwhelming, her knees felt weak, her head light. He was safe and totally unaware of the anxiety and worry she had gone through. And so he’d remain. She would never let him know how afraid she'd been for him. There was nothing to bind him to her, only her to him forever by the love she felt.
    'Jenny?' He looked up at her.
    She slammed the door and turned down the hall. She was glad he was safe, oh, so glad, but knew she'd give herself away if she stayed another minute. She'd be all right in a few moments, she could get her emotions under control and face him. But not just yet. Her heart sang with relief at his safety, her mind sought a hiding place until she could get her emotions under control.
    'Jenny!' Kyle caught her on the top step, his hand gently grasping her arm. 'What's wrong with you?' He drew her back into the hall, turned her to face him, a hand on each of her arms. 'What's the matter?'
    Tears welling, the ache in her heart almost intolerable, she stared dumbly at him, shaking her head.
    'Nothing!' She held her breath, but the tears spilled over, trailed down her cheeks. Dumbly she tried to stop, but couldn't.
    'Come on, Jenny, sweetheart,' Kyle wiped one tear from her cheek. 'This is not nothing. What's the matter?'
    The softness in his voice, the warm concern in his eyes were her undoing. It was as if the dam broke as the torrent of words spilled forth.
    'I was so worried about you—you didn't come and weren't at Mom's and Brownley wasn't in and—and I saw the black car—and was afraid of guns.' She took a shaky breath before she spoke again. 'I hate your job, the danger you're in—hate that you expose yourself to risks every time you go out the door—how can you stand it? I hate the whole damn mess!' She collapsed against him, tears flowing, racking sobs shaking her whole body.
    His arms came up to her back as he gently rocked her. 'Hey, I’m okay. No one got shot. I’m okay.'
    She felt the warm skin of his chest against her cheek, he was clad only in his jeans. The feel of his hard chest against her skin was soothing. She gulped back a sob, able to hear the steady thud of his heart.
    'Oh, Kyle, I was so scared!' Tears flowed again. She loved him so much! How could she ever bear to be parted?
    4 I can see that, baby, but I don't know why. I don't want you to be scared or unhappy. I'm all right, and the job's over. We got them.'
    She rested her head against his chest, relishing the feel of his skin against her, the beat of his heart sounding in her ear. She closed her eyes, wishing this moment could go on forever. Wishing she never had to think, never had to face him again, just stay in the warm circle of his arms, float away into eternity. Her hands moved against his back, feeling the muscles ripple as he moved, clutching him as if she’d never let go.
    'Hey,