Karen closed her eyes, tears squeezing through the cracks.

I knew an opportunity when I saw one. “C’mon, let’s just sit down and we’ll figure this out together.”

She let herself be guided to the bed. I knelt beside her on the floor and brushed her hair back with my fingers. She shuddered at my touch. We sat in tense silence for five long minutes, just being next to each other. The fact that she hadn’t left yet was a point for me. If I could get her talking, I knew she wouldn’t leave. I would have to find out who sent her that picture though. Well that would be easy enough once I got her phone away from her.

“I don’t know if it was joke or if someone is threatening our relationship,” I kept my voice low and close, “but I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that.”

Tires squealed outside. I shook my head at the interruption. “So ah-” A car door slammed. “I-uh- what I’m trying to say is-”

A fist pounded on our door.

My eyes flew to Karen. “Who’s that?”

Her voice was defiant “My brother.”