If you haven't read chapters one and two this story won't make a lot of sense to you.
*
It was him. There's one thing for certain in this world, "some people never learn."
Julie was naked lying in bed while I put my pants and shirt on as quickly as I could.
"Put your robe on and answer the door," I said.
Julie looked stunned. "Don't hurt him," she said. "Tommy, don't hurt him."
I buckled my belt. "That, my dear sister, is totally up to him. Now put your robe on and answer the door."
Julie finally got up from the bed and grabbed her robe putting it on as she walk toward the door.
"Who is it," she called out as if we didn't already know.
I motioned to Julie, then signaled to her not to tell him I was here. She nodded.
On the other side of the door my ex-brother-in-law gave a little laugh. "It's me babe. I need to talk to you. Come on, open up."
"Anything you have to say you can say through the door. You don't have to come in."
"Come on. Let's talk," he whined.
I could hear in his voice that he was getting aggravated. I moved so that when Julie let him in he wouldn't see me; at least not right away.
There was a long pause. Julie didn't say anything and neither did her ex. Finally he spoke, but with a much lower volume.
"If you don't open this fucking door right now I'm going to make sure every one of your neighbors hears me out here. Maybe even your landlord."
I motioned to Julie to let him in. She shook her hear, no and I shook mine yes.
Julie closed her eyes for only a moment then unlocked the door. As she started to open it her ex-husband pushed his way in and grabbed her by the arm.
"You see what your fucking asshole brother did to me? You see? All because of your movies. This broken arm is your fault you bitch and now you're gonna pay."
I stepped forward into the light. "And just how is she going to pay?"
I heard a strangled little squeak come from somewhere down inside him. I stepped forward.
Before I could take a second step he pulled a knife from his pocket and put it to Julie's throat. "One more step and I'll gut the bitch."
I almost laughed and probably would have if it hadn't been so ridiculous.
"You asshole. Julie is my sister. Do you think for a minute she can't take that knife from you and shove it down your throat."
That was enough to get his attention off me. I came forward just as Julie pushed him away and dropped low. With his attention focused back on me she rolled out of the way and I went to work.
A front snap kick sent the knife flying. I stepped back one step and hit him with a spinning back kick. He hit the floor. I ran forward with my fingers splayed and faked a finger jab to his eyes. He let out a scream about a second before I closed my fist and broke his nose.
The police got to the apartment in record time. Julie filed a complaint and Mr. Ex was led out in handcuffs. He'd be going to the hospital before heading to jail.
As the two policemen left one of them said, "Ma'am, you should file for a restraining order in the morning. It'll be a lot safer that way."
"I'm not worried," Julie said. "My brother will protect me. I'll be safe."
The cop looked at me, then at my sister.
"I know," he said. "I was talking about it being safer for your ex-husband. Good-night ma'am." With that he closed the door and the whole thing was over.
Julie poured us each a glass of whiskey which we belted down. The second glass we lingered over. Three hours later we staggered to her bed and fell dead asleep.
My sister was up early the next morning. She had breakfast cooking and the coffee on as I walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning," I said yawning and stretching my arms.
Julie looked up from the stove with a grin. "Good morning to you," she said. "Sit down and I'll have this stuff on the table in a second."
Breakfast was good. It was just what I needed to start the day after the crazy scene last night.
I sipped on my second cup of coffee. "What did he mean that it was all your fault?" I asked.