David Dun: Necessary Evil

"Trust me. Everybody loves you," Jessie said. "Is Willow serious about this new man?"

"I don't know. She's not serious about me."

She twirled the strap on her handbag around her finger.

"There's a job managing the Mountain Shadows Clinic," he said. "The government has taken it over. It's a big deal. It will serve all three tribes in the area, plus Johnson City and all the gentleman farmers. They need an administrator. Computer background is really important."

''That's an interesting bit of news.'' There was a long silence while she continued to twirl the strap. "You know, I'm scared to death. How about you?"

"I'm nervous," he said with a half-smile.

"So we're two very nervous people sitting in your lobby. You know we've been talking quite a bit these last weeks. And then we have these awkward silences. I was just wondering if you've said the things you really wanted to say. I mean if you boil it all down to its essence, have you said it?"

"No. Except just now about the job."

"I haven't said what I came all the way to California to say either. So why don't we talk about what we really would like to say, but never quite get around to. You first."

Kier shifted on the couch as if he couldn't get comfortable.

She felt uneasy and part of her wanted to erase the pregnant pause and make the conversation easy. But she didn't.

''You could be really good at this job here in Johnson City,'' he said.

"So you think I have job skills," she said haltingly. "And that is what you wanted to say?" She leaned back. Then in a soft voice: "I could go first, but then you'd have to remember that you didn't." She sought his eyes and resolved not to look away. He returned her gaze.

"I love you, and I don't know what to do about it," Kier said at last.

She could imagine Grandfather's face softened by a near smile.

"I think it will come to you."