SF: Stella's Rule
"Flack…"
Don Flack shifted in his seat. Several loud knocks followed.
"Flack!"
He ran a hand lazily over his face. Even more knocks ensued.
"DONALD FLACK JUNIOR!"
He awoke with a start, banging his head on the steering wheel in the process. He let out a muffled curse and turned his face to the window.
Stella Bonasera peered down over him with a knowing look. He slowly rolled down the window, bracing himself for the barrage of questions that was about to occur.
"Did you need anything?" he muttered sleepily and innocently.
"Flack," she said sternly, and he was surprised at how the severe utterance of his name could send chills down the back of his neck.
"What?" he mumbled groggily, eyelids nearly falling again.
"I thought I told you to stop this," Stella said, hands on her hips, a death glare to match.
"Stop what?" Flack asked dumbly, hugging the steering wheel with his upper torso.
Stella sighed impatiently and saw the uselessness in trying to argue.
"It's been three weeks you know," she said. "Don't you think that it's been long enough?"
He parted his lips, letting a breath escape but staying silent.
She continued to prod, "Don't you think that it's time to stop?"
Flack kept his lips glued together. He looked into Stella's face – strong and independent as she had always been. The bruises were long gone, the cuts had long since healed, yet there he still was. There he was, still guarding her, still looking out for her. Night # 23.
"Maybe…" he softly admitted, hanging his head.
Maybe it has been long enough. He's been using the excuse to come and see her. He's been using the excuse to embrace her occasionally and unnecessarily. He's been protecting her for much too long.
Stella smiled and shook her head.
"At least come up and have a cup of coffee with me," she bribed, with a sparkle in her eye.
Flack smiled gratefully and opened the car door, thankful that she herself had saved him the embarrassing task of attempting to explain his behavior.
"What happened to the 'no men in your apartment' rule?" he teased suddenly.
She took his hand with a gentle, loving smile and led him across the street.
"I trust you."