She had enough of everything. She drove around in the rain trying to wipe the tears off her cheeks and drive through the crowed streets of Manhattan. She had no clue where she was going; she just knew she had to get out and now. She turned the heater up in her truck and then rubbed her temples. Amy Rainey. Amy was her best friend in the entire world and she’d let her stay with her and her husband Mort for a while until she could figure things out. There wasn’t really anything to figure out actually, she made up her mind the moment he laid a hand on her. She looked at her right hand and ran her knuckle against the side of her jeans to clean off the blood so she could see how deep the cut on her forefinger really was. She knew he was in worst condition than she was, but she didn’t care.

She pointed her truck towards the highway that would take her to Amy’s then realized it was summer. They’d be at the lake house, which was an extra hour drive. She sighed and made a turn that would point her in the right direction, cutting a few annoyed drivers off. She hit the freeway and glanced in the rear view mirror and let out another tired sigh. She had blood coming out of her lower lip and there would be a nice bruise on her cheek by morning. She didn’t care much, bruises and cuts would heal, but knowing she had the worst knack for choosing the wrong kind of guys would stay with her forever.

She had no problem setting her friends up with the right guys. She was the one who introduced Amy to Morty, but when it came to choosing a guy for herself, that little radar, or sixth sense she had with everyone else failed her. She shifted in the seat and softly thanked whatever Gods there were that there wasn’t any traffic going her way.

The rain fell harder around her and she stepped on the gas and she remembered that it was a night like this that she introduced Amy to Mort. They were at one of her grandparents’ parties that they held every once in awhile for no good reason, but the crème a la crème of New York was always invited, and that included famous horror writer Morton Rainey. She had read a few of his books being more delighted than scared, but she recognized him the moment her and Amy walked into the living room and saw him standing in a corner with a drink in his hand lazily looking around and probably thinking “Why did I come here?” In fact, that was the line she used to start talking to him to find out what he was like.

Amy had mentioned that he was cute when she saw him, and he was. He also was dressed in comfortable clothes instead of suits like the other guys who normally hit on her or Amy wore to these things. She was trying to talk Amy into just going up to her room and having a movie night, but Amy wanted to stay downstairs and check out the men who came. She knew what kind of men they were that attended her grandparents parties, stuck up, always talking about themselves or their money, how much of it they had, how successful they were at what they did and always, always, full of shit. Amy wasn’t the kind of girl to actively go after a guy, but she was, and so she walked right up to Mort Rainey and started talking to him. He talked easily, as most men did around her, and only after a few minutes of talking with him she took him by the hand and led him over to Amy so they could meet.

They hit it off real quick as she figured they would, so she gave Amy a smile and went upstairs to watch her movies. A few months later, Amy and Mort were married and she was the maid of honor. Since then she had gotten to known Mort a lot better and she liked him. She shook her head and then looked at the heavens pouring around her and yelled.

“Why the hell can’t I do like what I did for Amy, for myself?” There was no answer of course and she glared at the heavens a moment before looking back at the road. She sniffed and ran her finger under her nose giving herself a blood mustache. She swore for what seemed the millionth time that night and looked for a tissue or napkin, anything to wipe the blood away. A horn made her look up and swear once again swerving back into her own lane before she broad sided the car next to her. Her reward for missing the guy was his middle finger. She smiled then laughed.

“Figures.” She muttered then changed lanes so she could get off at the next exit. She stopped for gas at the station and the station guy gave her a look as she paid for gas, a soda, and some candy. She gave him a smile and went to pump the gas. She looked at her reflection in the gas pump and laughed. She was covered in blood, her lip was still oozing a bit and she looked like a ten-ton truck had hit her. She silently wished that she had been instead of a man. She put the nozzle back in place and was screwing her gas cap back on when she heard someone clear their throat. She turned slightly to see the station guy standing there.

“You alright ma’am?” He asked and she smiled.

“Yeah. Just a really bad night.” She answered closing the gas cover and headed towards the driver door.

“Where are you heading?” He asked and she opened the door.

“Up to the lake.” She replied and watched him as he glanced into the bed of her truck and she couldn’t help but laugh. “I didn’t kill anyone.” She said and the guy looked at her a little nervous. “There’s not enough blood.” The guy swallowed.

“I didn’t…” he started but looked at the ground.

“If you must know, my ex decided to take a swing at me and I hit back. He’s probably in the hospital as we speak. I’m going to a friend’s to take a breather, but I’ll be sure to call the police tomorrow.” She said and climbed into her truck and shut the door. She started the engine and looked in the side mirror. The guy was smiling a bit looking at the pump then his eyes met hers in the mirror and he gave her a small wave. She put the truck into drive and hit the gas leaving him standing there watching after her. She pulled onto the dark road and settled into her seat for a long drive.

After about twenty minutes of driving she reached over and turned on the radio. But the stations were all playing happy songs and she wasn’t in the mood to hear how someone else’s love life was the greatest. Even her favorite country station let her down on that one. So she switched over to CD and turned on the overhead light to find a nice sad CD. All she found that came close was one of her 80’s collection CDs with the song ‘Harden My Heart’ on it so she popped it in and hit the repeat button and listened to that all the way up to the lake house.

It was late when she pulled into the drive. Both cars were sitting there, Amy’s little bubble as she called it and Mort’s SUV. The lights in the house were on so she knew that at least one of them, if not both, were still awake. She killed the engine and climbed out grabbing the door suddenly as a twinge of pain ran through her. She stood there for a moment until she was sure she could move without falling over. She shut the door and headed for the enclosed porch of the house. Walking through one of the screen doors she noticed that she left a bloody fingerprint and looked back at her right forefinger knuckle and growled silently. It was still bleeding and there was a nice stream of it running down her arm now. With a sigh she knocked on the door with her left hand and leaned against the frame. She heard Amy laugh as someone came to the door. It opened and she smiled at the man who stood there.

“Hi Morty.” She said softly. Amy got up and came to the door smiling but the smile faded when she took her first look at her best friend.

“Jo? What in the world?” Amy reached for her and pulled her threw the door and Mort closed it behind her. Amy turned and looked at her in the light and covered her mouth.

“Please tell me you got hit by a ten ton truck.” Mort said flatly, but she knew he knew she didn’t.

“Don’t I wish.” Jo answered then went to rub her eye with her right hand but Amy grabbed it and glared.

“Tell me you got him good Jo. Please tell me you got him.” Amy said threw her teeth.

“What makes you think it's guy related? It could be work related." Jo said but a look from Amy made her sigh. "He’s probably in the hospital.” Jo said and Amy gave her a nod then walked towards the kitchen.

“Good.” Was all she said as she filled a large bowl with warm water and grabbed a towel. “Sit down Jo, let’s see if we can’t get the blood to stop.” Jo did as Amy instructed and plopped down on the couch next to Mort. Amy placed the bowl before them then dipped the towel into the water and touched Jo’s lip with it, which made Jo jump.

“That really freaking hurts!” Jo said and Amy just rolled her eyes and dipped the towel again. This time she took Jo’s hand and was trying to get the dried blood on her arm to disappear. Then with a sigh she looked at Jo.

“Josalin.”

“I know, I know. I think I’m going to become a nun.” Jo said to Amy’s unasked question and Mort laughed.

“A spy nun?” He asked and Jo just shrugged.

“I just don’t have the gift when it comes to myself is all.” Jo said and noticed Amy squirm a bit beside her but ignored it. For now.

It took all three of them almost a half an hour to get the blood completely cleaned off Jo’s skin, but her lip and knuckle refused to stop bleeding.

“Is there no part of you that isn’t stubborn?” Mort asked placing another gauze pad against her lip replacing the one filled with blood.

“Apparently not.” Jo said closing her eyes. Her head was back leaning against the back of the couch. Amy had gone to get some large Band-Aids and finger Band-Aids from the store in town. Jo cracked an eye and looked at Mort. “Everything okay?” She asked him and he looked at her then back to the table. Jo sat up and leaned forward the gauze sticking to her lip without help. “Mort?” Mort looked at her and lightly touched her lip where the gauze was sticking to it then sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

“I think Amy is cheating on me.” Mort said softly and Jo just sat there. Her mouth hung slightly open and she reached up and yanked the gauze off her lip not noticing the slight pain that caused.

“What?” Jo said then glanced over her shoulder at the door. “You have got to be kidding me Morty, Amy isn’t the cheating type…” Jo trailed off as she saw the look on Mort’s face. “You’re serious.” And Mort nodded. The door opened and Jo blinked a couple of times then looked over her shoulder as Amy came in and gave her a smile. Jo looked back at Mort then again at Amy as she went into the kitchen. Her eyes rested on the table sitting in front of her and just starred at it.

“You okay Jo?” Amy asked coming back into the living room and Jo shrugged.

“It’s been a really bad night.” Jo said then looked up at her and Amy handed her the box of band-aides.

“All you need is a nice hot bath and a good night’s rest.” Amy told her and Jo glanced at Mort and sighed.

“If only it was that easy.” She said looking at the box in her hands.

Jo looked at her room and smiled. It hadn’t changed since the last time she was up here with Amy and Mort. She rubbed her wet hair with the towel and sat down heavily on her bed and laid back to look at the ceiling.

“Jo Jo, I’ve brought you…” Amy started but Jo sat up quickly and pulled her into the room and shut the door. Amy landed on the bed and turned to look at Jo. “Jo? What in the world?” Jo turned and looked at her pointedly.

“What’s going on?” Jo asked her arms crossing her robe covered chest and looking sternly at Amy.

“What are you talking about Jo?” Amy asked rubbing her arm where Jo had grabbed her.

“With you and Mort.” Jo said and Amy just starred at her with no expression.

“Nothing. What’s this about?” Amy said and Jo walked over and knelt before her friend.

“Remember back in high school when it got out that Jenny Jenkins was cheating on David Copulas?” Jo asked and Amy nodded. “Do you remember what we called her?”

“Cheatin’ Jenny.” Amy replied and Jo nodded.

“Do you also remember what we swore to each other that day and what I told you?” Jo asked and Amy laughed.

“Yes, Jo I do…what does this have to do with anything? Mort’s not cheating on me.” Amy said and Jo nodded.

“I know he’s not cheating.” Jo said and Amy sat there for a moment then gave Jo a look.

“I’m not cheating on him either Josalin.” Amy said and Jo looked at her sideways.

“Then tell me why Mort thinks you are.” Jo said and Amy sighed.

“I don’t know Jo.” She said and Jo stood up.

“Normally I keep my nose out of such things, but seeing as I’m the one responsible for the two of you getting together and all…” Jo said and Amy smiled pulling on Jo’s sleeve making her sit beside her on the bed.

“I know Jo. You just want everyone to be happy.” Amy said putting her head on Jo’s shoulder. “You need to stop worrying about everyone else and start thinking about you.”

“I’m generally happy.” Jo said and Amy laughed.

“Yes, Jo, generally you are happy. But tonight you aren’t. You’re still bleeding even.” Amy paused looking at Jo’s knuckle. “Does your grandfather know what Jake did?” She asked and Jo sighed.

“Not a clue.”

“Good, cause he’d kill the man.” Amy said smiling.

“Not before I get a few good shots in.” Jo said softly laughing.

“Not before you get a few good shots in.” Amy repeated laughing. She looked at Jo and sighed. Jo was a very lovely woman with patience beyond reckoning. Her grandparents raised her when her parents died when she was only eight. Along with her older brother James. She was British, as was her grandparents. One set were still back in London, along with James, the other was here in New York, where, when she wasn’t working, Jo could be found. “How’s James doing?” Amy asked and Jo raised her eyebrow.

“Mr. double-oh seven himself? Just fine, on another mission to save the world I bet.” Jo said laughing. Amy looked at Jo and patted her leg then stood.

“Get some sleep double-oh eight.” Amy said as she left and Jo rolled her eyes.

“I’ll try.” Jo said as Amy shut the door then with a huge sigh she looked at the clock and noticed it was a new day. “Thank God.” She whispered then got ready for bed.

The next afternoon Jo woke up with a start. It took her a moment to figure out what it was that woke her. The door slamming shut. Jo rubbed her eyes and crawled out of bed. Opened her bedroom door and blinked at the sunlight. Mort was sitting at his laptop at a desk on the landing across from the rooms and bathroom.

“What’s all the ruckus?” Jo asked then yawned.

“Amy leaving.” Mort said starring at the screen before him.

“When is she going to be back?” Jo asked shuffling out towards Mort. He didn’t say anything for a minute then got up and walked down the stairs, grabbed his keys and out the door. Jo stood there and listened to his SUV start up then kick up rocks as he tore out of the driveway. Jo looked over to Chico sitting in the chair by the desk. He raised his head and looked at her then followed her down the stairs into the kitchen.

Jo poured herself some coffee then sat at the table and drank it. She made some phone calls as she waited for one or two of the Raineys to return, but it wasn’t until real late that Mort pulled into the drive. Jo glanced towards the windows when she saw the headlights but looked back at the television. Her and Chico were on the couch and it wasn’t until no one appeared that she got up and went out the door.

Mort was sitting in the SUV, his head on his hands, which were still on the steering wheel and something inside her sank. She stood at the screen door of the porch and watched him for a moment before walking towards the SUV. She tapped lightly on the driver side window and Mort didn’t move. With a weary sigh she opened the door and put a hand on his back. Mort shook his head and she reached around and undid the seat belt. Mort leaned against her shoulder and they stayed like that for a while.

“Come on.” Jo finally said making Mort move so she could look into his face. “How about a shot of whiskey?”

“There is none in the house.” Mort said slowly getting out of the SUV. Jo smiled and put her arm around his waist.

“Oh, I know where there’s some.” Jo said and Mort looked at her. “I stashed a bottle where Amy couldn’t find it.” She said as they walked to the house. Mort chuckled softly and followed Jo inside. Mort watched as she jumped on the kitchen counter and reached up above the cupboards where a few potted plants lived and pulled down a full bottle of Jack Daniels. She gave him a smile and jumped to the floor. “Mort, meet Jack.” She said grabbing a couple of tumblers and heading for the couch.

“We’ve met.” Mort said slumping on to the couch. She sat down and turned the television off then opened the bottle and poured them both a double. She handed the glass to Mort and turned to face him crossing her legs Indian style. Mort raised the glass a bit then downed the whole glass. Jo laughed softly at the face Mort made then downed her own glass. She sat there watching him then looked down into her empty glass and rolled it around in her hands a bit.

“You were right.” Jo said softly and looked at Mort through her lashes and Mort just handed her his glass in answer. Jo placed it on the table along with her own and began to pour again. “You want to talk about it?” She said knowing that he probably wouldn’t. She handed him his glass and he sighed.

“I followed her all day. I followed her to this motel…” Mort said squeezing the glass. Jo watched him as he clearly remembered in his mind what he saw in the motel room. Suddenly the glass in his hand shattered making him and Jo jump. “Son of a…” Jo quickly grabbed his hand.

“I got it.” She said then reached across the table to grab a towel. Mort hissed through his teeth as Jo looked at his hand. She carefully pulled a piece of glass out of his hand and pressed the towel against the wound. “That bad huh?” She asked looking in his brown eyes. He didn’t say anything and Jo sighed. “I’m sorry.” Jo whispered taking the towel off to look at the wound.

“Sorry for what?” Mort asked as Jo stood to get some water.

“For everything I guess.” Jo said coming back to the couch but Mort had stood and was making a face at her. Jo twitched her nose and dipped the towel in the water then began to wipe the blood from his hand. “For introducing you to Amy.” Jo whispered real soft and Mort had to lean in a bit to hear her.

“It’s not your fault.” Mort said then jumped.

“Sorry.” Jo said.

“Now that was your fault.” Mort said and Jo laughed.