Insecurity and a Bottle of Merlot Read Online Free PDF Page B

downtown for booking. Mia and Aaron, you need to come along and give your statements. Mia, you’ll have to sign some paperwork.” The officer handcuffed Jack’s hands behind his back, read him his rights, and took him away.
    “Oh my God, Aaron, I’m so relieved you’re okay,” Mia said, her voice trembling. “I saw Jack’s car parked a few blocks away and could only imagine the worst.”
    “It’s okay now, honey,” Aaron said, as he held her and stroked her hair. “Where did you get such a good arm? Holy cow, woman, you really wound up on that one.” He shook his head in amazement.
    “You don’t remember high school? The girls’ softball team went to the state finals. I was the pitcher.”
    “What am I going to do with you?”
    “I’ll show you tonight,” she said, teasingly. “Right now it looks like we have to make a statement. What are you going to do about the shop?”
    “I’ll call my dad. He can open this morning and take care of things for a few hours. Let’s go and get this over with.”
    Jack was booked and had to sit in jail awaiting his hearing. Mia was relieved. The restraining order was signed and if Jack violated it, he would be back in jail. Mia hoped it would all end soon and Jack would get on with his life somewhere else.
    ***
    The process downtown took several hours. Red tape seemed to drag things out. Aaron was finally allowed to leave the police station and go to work at ten-thirty.
    “I guess they’re done with me. Stop by the shop later if you aren’t busy, okay?”
    “Sure, Aaron. I’m going to call Karen and see if she and Sasha want to have lunch. I’ll stop by after that. I love you. Thanks for protecting me. I don’t know if Jack would have done anything or not, but I’m glad you were there. You’re my hero.”
    “I like the sound of that. Can you drop me off at the shop, or do I have to walk in this downpour?”
    “Let me see if they’re finished with me. Yep, we can go. Let’s get the heck out of here.”
    Mia dropped Aaron off at the front door of his shop. The senior Mr. Daniels stood behind the counter helping a customer.
    “I guess we’ll have to tell your dad what’s going on pretty soon,” Mia said, as Aaron exited the car. She gave him a kiss and drove back home. She entered the kitchen and stared. The carafe filled with water sat on the counter. Two coffee cups waited for the hot brew that never happened . It was like time stopped. Mia exhaled with a sigh. What a crazy morning. I need some decent coffee instead the garbage at the police station. She poured four cups of water into the reservoir and two heaping scoops of Starbuck’s Columbian Roast, into the filter. Two slices of raisin bread were dropped into the toaster. She sat at the table and nibbled while she called Karen.
    “Hey, Mia, what’s up?” Karen asked.
    “You wouldn’t even believe it. Are you busy today? I was thinking about lunch. I want to invite Sasha too.”
    “That’s a nice gesture. I think she would enjoy getting to know you and me better. It doesn’t always have to include Tina and Vic. Sasha has to be comfortable with just the two of us.”
    “That’s what I think too. Do you want to come here or should we come to Greenwich?”
    “Sasha has never been to my house. There’s some great restaurants downtown. Come here, okay? How about twelve-thirty?”
    “Sounds great. Is it raining there?”
    “It was earlier, but it looks like it’s breaking up. I see blue sky now.”
    “Good, that should make for a nicer day. I’ll pick up Sasha and we’ll see you in a few hours. Bye, Karen.”
    “Bye, hon.”
    Mia called Sasha as she washed down the last bite of cinnamon raisin toast with coffee.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, Sasha. Do you want to have lunch with Karen and me today?”
    “But it’s Thursday. I thought we only got together on Tuesdays when the salon was closed, or when we all had lunch together.”
    “Honey, I don’t want you to be embarrassed around Karen