“Did you hear what I just said?”
When the blond was out of sight, her shock at what had just gone down floated away. She didn’t like the way this stranger was speaking to her. Never one to hold back her thoughts, she didn’t even consider her words.
“I never asked you to help me! I can take care of myself. If I ask for something and receive it, I’ll say thank you. Seeing as how that never happened, you can get back in your fancy car and go about your business!”
The stunned look on the youth’s face amused her. She didn’t need a knight to protect her. She could do that all by herself.
****
Two days later, Josh said his goodbyes to his friends with the full knowledge he was being followed. The car was crawling along behind him. He could take care of himself in a fair fight, but the way the car was tracking his steps had him worried.
Thoughts of the group of boys who’d challenged him a few days before floated through his mind. Refusing to think about running, Josh abruptly stopped walking and spun around; ready to confront his would-be attackers. Disregarding the bright beam of the headlights, he waited.
The vehicle wasn’t what he’d been expecting. There was no way the bullies could ever begin to afford the slick car that glided to a halt in front of him. The headlights dropped as the beam lowered to the ground.
The car door slowly opened, and Josh immediately spread his weight ready to defend himself. If he had to fight, he was prepared to give a good account of himself. All he could hope was that his father and brother wouldn’t receive a phone call informing them, his lifeless body had been found in a gutter.
This wasn’t his side of town, but it was where some of his friends lived. It was where Shona McBride lived, and she was giving him all the signs of someone who wanted to be laid.
The man who exited the car was a complete stranger to Josh. He was of medium height and looked to be in his mid-twenties.
“I’d like to speak to you. Please join me.” The man spoke with a slight accent that he couldn’t place. He’d heard an inflection like it recently, but in his adrenalin rush, he didn’t take the time to decipher where.
“What do you want?”
“Like I said, I want to speak to you, but I do not conduct business on the side of the road. Please join me in the car.”
Josh couldn’t sense any imminent danger, but he wasn’t a fool. At sixteen years old, he was bigger and taller than the man before him, but that meant nothing. One of his father’s lessons sprung into his mind. Never underestimate an opponent.
“I’m just fine where I am,” Josh finally informed the stranger. “Who are you and what do you want?”
“To tell another one’s name is to give them power over you,” came the cryptic response.
“Dude, you’re the one who’s been following me! I don’t know you and I don’t want to. So, why don’t we both keep our names to ourselves and go our separate ways. Stop following me and we’re both good.”
When Josh finished speaking, the man stood in silence for a few moments as though summing him up.
“My name is Samuel Lee and I’m here to thank you.”
“Thank me for what?” Josh questioned.
“For coming to the aid of my sister two days ago,” was the simple response.
Suddenly it all clicked into place. This man had the same accent as the girl he’d stopped to help.
“No thanks necessary. There was no way my brother or I would see a girl surrounded by thugs and not stop to help.”
“That kind of mindset, although honorable will get you into trouble.” the man stated with a straight face.
In one breath, the man was thanking him and in the next he was telling him his actions were stupid. Confused and unwilling to take the time to decrypt what the man meant, Josh was through listening. Turning his back, he made ready to walk away.
“Never,” the sound of that one word caused Josh to spin around to face him again. “Turn your back on uncertainty or it could be the last thing you ever see!”
“What-do-you-want-with-me?” Josh asked through gritted teeth, angry with the lecture. The man took his time responding which further grated on Josh’s nerves.
“You helped my sister and so I’m in your debt. I know who you are so I’m not going to offer you money. If ever a time comes when you need a favor, call me.”
Josh watched the man carefully as he reached into his inside pocket and extracted a card. Holding the small piece of rigid paper between his middle and index finger, he waited for Josh to take it.
Josh walked towards him with cautious steps. He extended his hand to take the card, his fingers were ensnared in a vice-like grip. Josh immediately knew that if he put up a fight, he’d probably come out the loser. Looking the man directly in the eyes, he waited.