Chapter 3

The muggy air moving through the open window left a thin layer of moisture over most of Hudson’s body. It took her half an hour underneath the shower-head to finally feel clean. As much as she hated to use the air conditioning, she’d be forced to turn it on to keep the humidity at bay. Painting in a cooler environment meant the colors would set better. And with the art show approaching, she still had much to get done.

With a dark green bath towel fastened around her chest, she made her way across the living room, her damp feet leaving an outline of footprints in her wake. She paused in front of the window and gazed at the busy street below. The panoramic view brought a smile to her face. Polish-style churches with ornamental exteriors. Mouth-watering bakeries. Colorful murals decorating nearly every square inch of her neighborhood. And if that wasn’t enough, the waves of Lake Michigan glistened in the background, the golden rays of sunlight reflecting off the water.

Over the past five years, Hudson had grown to love the strong artistic culture and ethnic heritage considered the backbone of the art district. She felt proud to call herself a resident of the Lower West Side.

Most days, anyway.

She’d intentionally downplayed her anxiety with Annie the day before. She didn’t want to worry her friend any more than she already had. It wasn’t easy being a single woman in the big city. After Annie reentered her life, they’d made a pact to always watch out for one another. No matter what. But Annie was a stronger person than Hudson ; she always had been. Even when they were kids.

Growing up, Hudson never had many friends. Except for Annie. Confident, outgoing and loyal, she became the confidant Hudson had always craved. But she couldn’t help feeling a slight twinge of envy. It must be nice to feel so in charge, to have that kind of hold over life. Tough as nails. Not afraid to stand up for herself, or anyone else for that matter. That was Annie. Her rock. Her escape from the cruel world. One of those rare people determined to divide and conquer. And she had. Annie was amazing that way. But after the accident, Hudson had to move away, leaving the safety of Annie, and her entire world, behind.

Painting had come to fill the void ; the colors, the brushes, the canvases. An endless sea of opportunity. Life could be anything she wanted in her paintings. Her creations were there for her whenever she felt trapped in the depths of loneliness and despair. Art became the one constant in her life. That and Gran. But eventually, Gran had left, too. If it hadn’t been for her scholarship to the Art Institute, Hudson wasn’t sure she’d have been able to deal with yet another blow.

A gust of soggy air rushed in and clung to her exposed skin. With a pitiful sigh, she closed the window and turned on the air.

Back in her room, she pulled on khaki shorts and a soft, gray T-shirt, topping it off with her favorite paint-smudged smock. Twisting her long hair into a damp messy-bun, Hudson let out a yawn. Time had gotten away from her the night before. Once Annie left for the club, she’d gotten to work too, finally collapsing into bed around four o’clock in the morning. She’d been too exhausted to even shower. Which, most likely, contributed to the grossness she’d felt when she’d finally crawled out from under the covers.

Now, in the sunlight of late morning, her green eyes roamed across the blend of colors she’d brushed over the canvas the day before. Three Casablanca Lilies stared back at her. Pearly-white petals with shocks of red stamen. Set against a backdrop of bright green foliage. The softly-lit blossoms reminded her of the flowers her mother had grown in their garden back home.

Home. She closed her eyes and let her mother’s smiling face flash before her. An ache moved into her chest and she blinked away the sudden tears that hovered behind her lids.

No, not today. I have too much to get done.

Hudson shook her head, chasing away the memories. She studied the painting once more. It wouldn’t be long now before it’d be hanging in the gallery, along with other pieces bearing her signature. How amazing was that ? Her dream finally coming true ? She still had to pinch herself to believe it.

In a couple of hours, she’d be finish. Hudson willed her shoulders to relax, the calm welcome after the past few weeks of nervous energy. The unease she’d been experiencing had her on edge. The person watching her. Their sneaky eyes all over her. Assaulting her. The unsuccessful phone call to the cops hadn’t help matters.

Weren’t police officers supposed to assist people in their time of need ? Sure, she didn’t have proof anyone had been following her, but at the very least the guy could have written down her information. It’s not like she was crazy. She was a responsible, hard-working member of society. She paid her taxes on time, donated to meaningful charities, and contributed to the well-being of her community. There was no reason for him to have not taken her seriously. What if something happened ? What if she wasn’t safe ?

At least Annie had been there for her. Annie was always there for her. Hudson still wasn’t sure how she felt about owning a gun, but the security it would provide might lift the heavy burden of fear from her shoulders. The building they lived in was over one hundred years old. Other than basic locks, they didn’t offer advanced security options. As much as she hated the idea, a gun might be the best way to go.

She only hoped she would never have to use it.

« Yo, Hudson ! Lemme in

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« Yo, Hudson ! Lemme in. I’ve got somethin’ for ya. » Annie pounded on the wooden door until her arm ached. Finally, a flush-faced Hudson opened up.

« Sorry. I was painting. » Hudson stepped aside to let Annie in. Thin strands of silver dangled from her left wrist.

Annie breezed past her. « So I gathered. » She gave her friend a sly smile. « I have something for you. »

Hudson pulled a rag from her back pocket and wiped a smudge of green paint along the side of her hand. « What is it ? »

Lifting her T-shirt, Annie pulled a pistol from the waist-band of her shorts.

A wide-open mouth and shocked green eyes stared back at her. « What the—« Hudson gasped.

« Get that look off your face ! I told you I’d get you a gun and now I’m deliverin’. »

Hudson poked her head into the empty hallway, her gaze darting back and forth. The sound of someone watching television leaked around one of the doors. « Shhh ! » She shut the door. « Someone might hear you. »

« Oh, don’t be such a prude. It’s not illegal, you know. »

« Not if you acquire it properly. Which, I’m sure, you didn’t. » Hudson gave her a pointed stare. « We only had this conversation last night, and I know I didn’t fill out any forms from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. »

Annie’s mouth tugged into a smirk. « I know. I’m good, huh ? Told you I could get whatever I wanted. »

« But how ? It’s been less than twenty-four hours ! »

« I have my ways. » Annie walked deeper into the apartment and Hudson followed like a lost puppy. « I woke up to a text this afternoon telling me my connection came through. » She swiveled around and met Hudson’s gaze. « So. You wanna learn how to work it ? »

Hudson’s face blanched. « Are you sure you know what you’re doing ? I don’t want it to explode in our faces. »

Annie let out a hearty laugh. « It’s not going to explode. Have a little faith, would ya ? »

After she cleared her throat, Hudson finally relented. « All right. Let’s see it. »

Annie gripped the gun in her hand, the black barrel cool against her palm. « This is a Glock. It’s a double action pistol with a fifteen-round magazine capacity. »

« What’s a magazine ? » Hudson asked, her eyebrows scrunching together.

« It’s where you store the ammunition. See ? » Annie pulled out the slender, steel insert and held it in her opposite hand. « You may have to cram the fifteenth round in. And when you load the mag, make sure to pull back on the slide to chamber the first round. It can catch if there’s too much friction on the bullet. »

Hudson shook her head and rocked back on her heels. « I have no idea what you just said. »

Annie proceeded to demonstrate how to load and unload the gun. She went over it twice, then had Hudson repeat it back so she knew she understood. She leaned in and looked Hudson in the eye. « I’m not leaving until I’m confident you know how to use it. Understand ? »

Hudson visibly swallowed. « I think so. »

« Good. » Digging into her side pocket, Annie pulled out a handful of bullets. « Now I want you to load it for real. »

With shaking hands, Hudson accepted the ammunition. Annie handed her the magazine and very carefully, Hudson slipped one bullet in at a time. Taking the gun from Annie’s grasp, she slid the insert inside the grip. It clicked into place.

« You did it ! » Annie gave her a satisfied grin. « I knew you’d catch on. Now you have something to keep you safe. Not that you’ll need it, but it’s here just in case. And it’s small, so you can keep it on you no matter what you wear. »

A bead of sweat dotted Hudson’s brow. She began to pace. « But what if I get caught ? »

« You’re not gonna get caught. Like I said, I’m sure you’ll never even have to use it. Should you ever feel the need to pull it out, whoever’s on the opposite end will get your message loud and clear. And unless they’re carrying a weapon themselves, they wouldn’t dream of callin’ your bluff. »

« I don’t know … » Hudson’s gaze fell to the floor. « I’m scared. I’ve never carried a gun before. »

Annie crossed her arms over her chest. « Would you rather be scared or dead ? » She waited for Hudson’s response but didn’t get one. « Come on. It may take some getting used to, but I’d feel a whole lot better knowing you can protect yourself. »

Hudson bit her bottom lip. « I guess. » She gave her a tight smile and set the pistol on an end table. « Thanks, Annie. I appreciate you going through all the trouble. »

« I already told you, it’s no trouble at all. » Annie pushed dark waves away from her face and walked over to the painting on the easel. She smiled. « White lilies. Reminds me of back home. Every summer we’d have bouquets of them scattered in vases throughout the house. »

« Mom grew them in our garden, » Hudson murmured.

She turned to Hudson and gave her shoulder a squeeze, wishing she could alleviate her pain. But some hurts never go away. « It’s beautiful. Are you gonna put it in the art show ? »

Hudson nodded, her eyes misting over. « I was planning to. Do you think it’s good enough ? »

She studied the painting once more than turned to her friend. « I love it. I really do. »

Annie gathered Hudson into a hug. If anything ever happened to her she didn’t know what she would do. Ever since they were little she’d felt a certain amount of responsibility over her. Then Hudson moved away and was too far for Annie to reach. Now they were together again, and the of the old urges to protect her friend came flooding back.

Hudson didn’t have street-smarts. After her family died, she moved to her grandmother’s cozy, upper-class suburb an hour away from where they’d grown up. And once Hudson turned eighteen, she’d inherited a large sum of money left behind by her parents. Everything they owned went to their only living child. Gran had taken care of her affairs until Hudson was old enough to handle matters herself. When Nadine passed away, Hudson inherited even more. She didn’t have a clue what it meant to fend for herself, and had no idea how tough it could be making ends meet. She was like a porcelain doll. The kind meant for looking and not touching. Hudson was as delicate as the soft blossoms in her painting.

Not that Annie was jealous. Losing your entire family at such a young age was not a fate she’d wish on anyone. Her own parents might be domineering and intrusive, slaves to the quasi-religious bullshit they believed in. But at least they were still alive. Hudson had no one. Only her.

Annie stepped back from the embrace and gave Hudson a weak smile. « I have to get ready for work. »

Hudson’s shoulders slumped in obvious disappointment. « But you just got here. You’ve been working so much lately, I never get to see you anymore. »

« What can I say ? I’m in demand. » Annie grinned. « I’ll be there late, so I’ll call tomorrow, okay ? » She planted a quick kiss on Hudson’s cheek and headed for the door. « Oh, wait ! I almost forgot. » She scurried back to the gun and held it in both hands. « There’s no external safety, so drawing and firing should be easy. But it does have internal features that should prevent it from goin’ off on accident. That means don’t put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to fire. Got it ? »

« Got it. »

Annie gave a crisp nod and handed it back. « Okay, I’m leaving for real this time. Have a good night. » She opened the door and disappeared into her apartment.