A close call

Derek was a bit frightened. As his thumb traced the weathered cover of the book, his mind was in a battle with itself trying to figure out what the cause was of all of this. While he was pretty sure the book was somehow to blame, his logical sense couldn't accept that. How could a book make him do anything? He almost wanted to sneer at even the thought of it. But yet, as he examined the cover, he could feel something, and that frightened him a bit.

As he lifted the cover of the book open to re-examine the front page, he was stopped in his tracks. "Hey! Did you get any of the stuff I asked for when you were out rummaging around?" Jade yelled from their bedroom, making her way towards Derek, now fully dressed.

"Well - it's a bit of a long story. The only sewing tools I could find we're ones you already had, and I couldn't find a desk. Most of the places I stopped by today were just the normal - kids stuff, old electronics, broken toys - you know, the usual. Do you remember that house on Davis St? You know the one I'm talking about." Derek said, watching Jade approach him from the couch.

"Oh yeah! That ugly old **** house. I remember we used to joke about who lives there - vampires, or serial killers." Jade quipped, double checking her make-up in her phone camera. She never used much, but what she did use, she wanted to be perfect.

Derek placed the book on the table, and stood up and walked over to the long window by the front door, and peered out. He stood there quietly for a minute, prompting Jade to close her phone and turn her attention to Derek. "Hun?" She asked, wondering why he stopped talking.

"I saw him. Out of any days, out of any fucking places, I see him." Derek said, sounding a bit angry and emotional. Without further explanation, Jade knew exactly who Derek was talking about.

Jade made her way over to Derek and gently lay her head on his shoulder, stroking the back of his hair. "I'm so sorry, babe. Did you guys fight? I know things we're pretty rough last time." Derek sighed, catching his composure before continuing.

"I made good. Atleast, I tried. I don't wanna be angry at the guy forever, but fuck he makes it hard not to be.. I tried to be cordial but he was still being a fucking asshole. But, you know me.. I invited him to the barbecue next week - he couldn't even give me a straight answer." Derek said, agitated. He was always the one to try and make amends, always the one trying to build the bridge even though Derek himself has done nothing wrong.

"That should be.. something," Jade says with concern, before continuing "You are too good of a human being, Derek. That man deserves nothing from you, especially not grace or kindness, but you still try. That's what makes you a good person. I will play nice and do whatever you ask of me, but I want you to know, I will forever dislike that man for what he's done to you." Derek smiled. He truly felt lucky to have such an amazing partner in his corner. He hugs Jade tightly, and says that he loves her.

"So, what was that on the table?"