Thugs 1 and 2 brought the coffee, tea and food. Stephen poured, Steve-o handed around the buns (while slyly pocketing a croissant), and then the two of them retreated to wait until there was something else for them to do. I was amazed to see Two-face going after the whole mess. first coffee and sticky buns followed by tea and croissants. There was a pattern to it. I managed a sip of the strong black coffee Two-face demanded, then sat way back in my chair. Two-face: So...what's that we see around your neck? You going steady? Deb: Shut up, Harvey, okay. I don't need any crap about this. Two-face leaned forward. reaching to take the ring in his acid-scarred hand. He examined the scratched and battered piece closely, then released it, allowing it to fall back to its place between my breasts. Two-face: No grief, my dear. We see it's an Academy ring. Did you get it from young Strannix? Deb: Yes, I did. Two-face: But he hasn't given what you really want? How had he read my mind? Deb: No, not really. Two-face: And would that be why you're upset with him? Deb: In part. Billy is Billy, I know...but if he's giving something he's fighting it so hard it's not funny. Two-face: Can we ask you something? Deb: You can... I pointed at the straight looking side of the dressing room. Deb: ...but he can't. Two-face resorted to a common and rather coarse hand gesture which had the effect of reducing me to tears. Two-face was such a cool customer anyway it was always fun to get a rise out of him. Two-face: Having fun at our expense again? Deb: No, Harvey...I'm sorry. I've just never seen you as the Ann Landers type. Yes, please, ask away. Two-face: Do you love him? I sagged further into the big chair. Deb: Stop it, both of you. Two-face: Stop what? Deb: Making me think. Two-face: How else can we help you, or even know what brought you to us again? Deb: It doesn't pay to think about Billy. Two-face: No, we'd tend to agree. What pays is staying the hell out of his way, but you're already beyond that. Do you know how you feel? Can you answer? Deb: You're serious, aren't you? Two-face: You came to us. Deb: Touche. Yes, I know how I feel. Yes, Harvey...I love him. I can't seem to help myself. I know I'm setting myself up. Sam...he's turned out to be a very dear friend...he says I should run like hell in any direction Billy isn't, but I can't. Billy accepts me...he must, he sure finds lots of ways to make me useful. He's so intense...when I have him, I have him and when I don't, I don't. He keeps me off balance but when I'm about to cave in he props me up. He...he makes me...well...scream. He's so very much a man that I finally feel like a woman. Two-face: Is it that you want him to tell you how he feels? Deb: I have never heard of anyone committing suicide by holding their breath. I don't plan to be the first. Two-face: So, what DO you want? Deb: Some hope that he might feel what I feel. Even if it's only a little. He doesn't need to wear his heart on his sleeve. Two-face: So what's the plan? Do you think running will help? Deb: Help me think, yes. Help me with Billy, no. I miss him so much now it's not funny. He made me go out and buy a bunch of clothes to keep at his house...he bought dishes so I wouldn't have to eat out of take-out boxes if I didn't want to. Maybe hiding from him will make him think, but I doubt it. In any event, I hope I'll know what I want to do next. Two-face: Sounds like a plan to us. Why don't you go on to bed for awhile. We'll see you're not disturbed. Two-face must had set someone to guard me because I was able to sleep quietly until quite late in the afternoon. It was the phome in the room, ringing insistently beside my head, that awakened me. Deb: Hello? Two-face: We're sorry to wake you, but we thought you'd want to know... Billy is on the way. Deb: On the way where? Here? Two-face: Down the hall. We couldn't stop him. Deb: How did he find... The door slammed open, Billy stepped through the opening, timing it very precisely, and stood glaring down at where I lay across the top of the bed. I boosted myself up on an elbow and tried to stare him down. Deb: Anybody ever teach you to knock? Were you born in a barn? Billy launched himself into the air, landing on top of me and knocking the breath out of me completely. He took my head in his two hands and held it tightly, forcing me to look at him when I wanted to look away. I was on the verge of tears, of rage or fear I wasn't sure. Deb: How did you find me? Billy: You oughta know better than that, who sent you to Harvey in the first damn place. Shut the hell up. I want ya to leave, I'll tell ya. You stay put. You stay... Deb: What's the matter? Billy's hands tightened painfully on the side of my head... TO BE CONTINUED...
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