I glanced toward Claire.
“I spent half my life learning that men who need everyone to know how dangerous they are usually aren’t.”
I looked at Derek.
“And men who actually are dangerous spend the rest of their lives trying not to be.”
Then I left.
I wish I
could say that was the end.
It wasn’t.
The real ending came three weeks later.
I had moved back into the house.
Claire was staying with
a friend.
Derek’s gym temporarily closed while accountants sorted through its finances.
The bank froze several accounts.
Charges were likely.
I didn’t ask which ones.
I spent my evenings repairing things.
A loose cabinet hinge.
A leaking outside faucet.
The porch light Claire had hated because she said it was too bright.
Ordinary things.
