by Jennie
Bitterblue
"LiAnne?"
"Mac. I've been expecting you to call."
"You've heard from him? Is he okay?"
"He's fine, Mac."
"I—He just—"
"Left the bar. I know."
...
"Do you uh, know why?"
"Not really. All he said was that he was sick and tired... He said that you'd
been 'venting' at him and he couldn't take anymore."
"Shit. I... Hell, LiAnne, you know how I am. I just have these days—you
know?"
"Yes, I do. You should have come to me, Mac. You know I'll always listen."
SIGH
"You're right. I just thought—I thought he'd understand. Guess I'd better
call him and apologize, huh?"
"I wouldn't bother, Mac. He said I should tell you—"
PAUSE
"To fuck off?"
...
"Basically, yeah. Listen, Mac... He um, he called the Director. Asked for a
transfer."
!!!
"He what? But... but I was just... I didn't mean to—It wasn't him, Li. I
just needed to—"
"Vent. I know. And I understand, Mac. Really. But, Vic doesn't."
"Well, I suppose he'll get over it eventually."
"She said yes, Mac."
...
"Mac?"
"I'm here. I can't—I don't—I thought we were friends, LiAnne. I can't
believe he'd do this."
"Well, he did. And, Mac? He's already left. An hour ago."
"Where? Where did he go?"
"His new post."
"Where is he? I'll go there and—"
SIGH
"Never mind."
"Mac? Should I come over? Do you need some company?"
...
"No. Thanks, Li, but I don't think so. 'm gonna just... do some hard
thinking."
...
"Mac?"
"I'm a shit. I drove him away. What's wrong with me, LiAnne? I really thought
we were-"
"Mac. Stop. Victor has his fair share of problems. It wasn't just you."
"But I-"
"I know, Mac. Believe me, I know. You love him." SIGH "So did I. It
just didn't... I mean, Vic can't-"
"Yeah. I get it. Listen, I'm gonna let you go now, k? Take a valium and relax
in a hot bath."
"Mac?"
"I'll be fine, sis. A little time—" BITTER LAUGH "—heals all wounds, right?"
"I'm coming over, Mac. Now."
"NO! No. The tranq will knock me out. I'll sleep like a baby and be much
better in the morning."
PAUSE
"Promise me you'll only take one?"
"I swear it, LiAnne. Just one."
"And you'll meet me for breakfast in the morning?"
"Sure. I'll see you at our usual place... 7:30. Okay?"
"All right. Mac, I'm sorry this happened. I should have—"
"Li, don't blame yourself. It's me. I shouldn't have—"
"Expected him to understand?"
"Exactly. My mood wasn't his fault. But I took it out on him anyway."
SIGH
"I know how you feel, Mac."
"Listen, sis, I've gotta go. I... can't talk about this any longer."
"Okay, Mac. I'll see you in the morning?"
"You bet! 7:30 at JJ's."
"Good. We'll talk then."
"Yeah."
"Mac?"... "Are you sure—"
"Don't worry, LiAnne. I'm okay. I just need to relax. Rest. Sleep. I'll see
you in... 8 hours."
"I'll be there."
"You always are, Li. You always are."
"Love you."
"I love you, too, sis."
"Goodnight, Mac."
"'Bye, Li. Thanks."
CLICK
Mac went into the bathroom and got his prescription bottle of Valium from the
medicine cabinet. Shook one out. Stared at the small blue tablet in his hand
for several minutes, then shook his head. Tossed the pill and the bottle into
the trash.
In his bedroom, Mac opened the closet door and pulled his knapsack off of the
top shelf.
And started packing the barest essentials. A light-weight jacket, three pairs
of jeans, a couple of t-shirts, extra underwear and socks, and his toiletries.
He paused and walked over to the dresser before closing the zipper on the
burgandy pack. Prominently displayed was a framed photograph.
Mac. LiAnne. Victor. All three smiling widely at some joke Mac had just
shared with his partners.
He picked it up, walked to the bed and carefully wrapped the photo in a
sweatshirt. Gently packed it.
Then, he hefted the knapsack, donned it, tightening the straps firmly. Went
into the living room and placed his keys, weapon and Agency ID precisely in the
center of the coffee table.
The door made only a quiet click as it closed behind him. He walked to the
elevator.
Went outside and hailed a cab.
At the airport, he bought a ticket to Hong Kong.
Boarded the plane and sat quietly as he waited for take off.
Bitterblue, oh, Bitterblue
I can't take my eyes off you
And that's no way to say goodbye
H. Houston
ello?"
