"We do not accept gifts from such as you." What!" the young officer squeaked, "I say, that's..." and he looked up at me. I gave him a nasty smile."You...heard the lady, boys," I said. "Good evening." I took her elbow and she closed the door in their faces. I threw the rasp with needless force."Will they leave?" I asked as we went back toward the kitchen, her hand in the crook of my arm.She leaned against me, trembling a bit. "Always wanted a brother," she whispered."See, see," said Alma, "she. It was a Browning model 1911 forty-five caliber auto."Ely! What is that out for!" she said. She was backing up toward the pool. She stopped at the edge. I remained silent. I could sense she was swallowing hard trying to think of something to say. She must have gathered her courage. She returned to the table and took a seat opposite me. She seemed to want to reach for the gun. I short shanked her."Don't touch it," I said. My tone was cold. I think so was her blood at that moment."Ely? What?" I. Things changed after a few weeks. Our talks were less about Greg and she began showing more interest in me. Eventually Greg’s name didn’t come up at all. We started doing all the regular things couples do and she admitted she had begun developing feelings for me. I told her how much I loved her and she seemed happy to hear it. I was on cloud nine. The only dark cloud was my sibling. My brother rarely called me anymore and he never asked about Janice. I didn’t tell him that Janice and I. As I lay there feeling the cool air and relaxing a bit I listen to the sounds of the house. I can hear the fans for the air-conditioning turn on and off and a few creaks here and there.My mind thought back to when I crept down the stairs and saw them all making out.I started to feel a little guilty for ruining their grope session. Then I remembered Janelle doesn't like me anyway.That was the end of that feeling.I felt myself relax more and more and my eyes becoming heavy.Then someone flushed.