Free The Set Up by Kim Karr

anything.”
    “I don’t believe you.”
    I look over at him. “I swear.”
    Running a hand through his blond hair, he says, “What were you doing early this morning so close to the old plant?”
    “Not that I owe you any explanation, but I was out for a drive to clear my head.”
    “Right!” he says a little snidely.
    “I wanted to see my old house if you must know, but my car broke down on the way.”
    He eyes me. “Will did some quick research on you this morning after Jasper told us he ran into you on the road. You went to Northern Michigan University, and after you graduated with a degree in Journalism you spent the next six years running a bed-and-breakfast on Mackinac Island and writing for a small blog. And then, out of the blue, you end up here. Why you made the transition from a place like that and back to Detroit, where no one wants you, is what has us all worried.”
    His words sting, but at least I know Jasper was expecting me at this event today and I didn’t shock him with my appearance. “You have nothing to worry about when it comes to me.”
    His narrowed stare tells me he doesn’t believe me. “Your whole I’m innocent routine might have Jasper in a state of confusion, but I can promise you, it’s not working on me.”
    Having reached the tables, I grab my bag and then turn to look at him. With my voice low, I say, “I know Jasper is your friend. I understand the need to protect him. There was a time long ago when he was my friend too. And because of that, you have to believe me when I say that I have no intention of hurting him.”
    “You just being here already has.”
    From that, I can’t recover. “I promise you my being here today was not my doing.”
    Jake takes a step closer. “Why are you here?”
    I try to keep my composure. The last thing I want to do is break down in front of all of these people. “Because I work for The Detroit Scene, and covering the launch of the Storm is big news.”
    He grits his teeth. “No, that’s not what I mean. Why did you come back to Detroit?”
    “For my job.”
    “Look, Charlie or Charlotte, or whatever the hell your name is. I’m not stupid. It’s way too coincidental that you show up back in Detroit just as the sale of your father’s land is about to go through.”
    I draw in a deep breath. “I want nothing to do with the sale or this land. My aunt died recently and once I sold her bed-and-breakfast, I started looking for a job.” I look him right in the eye. “And Detroit is where I found one.”
    He steps closer. “Awful coincidental.”
    I stand my ground.
    “Everything okay over here?” It’s Will.
    “Peachy,” Jake answers. “Charlotte and I were just getting a few things straight.”
    “Jake,” Will chides.
    “Will,” Jake retorts, and then strides off.
    “You okay?”
    I nod my head, but I know it’s not convincing.
    “Ignore him. He’s a little protective of Jasper. We all are.”
    I give Will another nod, this time more convincingly. “I understand that, Will. I do. But I’m not here to cause any problems.”
    He takes my arm. “Charlotte, let’s just talk for a minute.”
    I shake my head. “Please, Will, I can’t do this. Not here and not now. I have a job to do. That’s all. Now, please let me do it.”
    Will looks at me but doesn’t let his grip loosen.
    My eyes dart to his hand. “Please, Will, I have to get back to my boss,” I tell him.
    Without another word, he drops his hold on me and I walk away.
    With tears leaking from my eyes, I walk toward the stage. By the time I reach it, I make sure I’ve wiped them all away.
    I knew this was going to be hard.
    Yet, I didn’t expect to feel so alone.
    So unwanted.
    So much like an outcast.

FLAT TIRE
    Jasper
    MY IMAGINATION IS running wild.
    I know it.
    I’m picturing taking his hand and breaking each of those fucking snapping fingers one at a time.
    Slowly.
    Painfully.
    While he screams for mercy.
    And then when I’m finished with that, I’m