Chapter 15: Taking Aim

The next evening, Tom picked Roxanne up in a pick-up truck. “I see I’m not the only one who can do disguises,” she said to Tom, as she hoisted herself in the passenger seat.
“I use this from time to time. I don’t want anyone to notice the other car.”
“Sure,” Roxanne said, offering Tom a piece of gum from her bag. Tom waved his hand, indicating he didn’t want a piece.
“I find it a disgusting habit, chomping away,” Tom gnashed his teeth together, imitating an annoying gum chewer.
Roxanne rolled her eyes. “I’ll just chew mine daintily,” she said. “At least it’s better than smoking. Anyway, I do it when I’m nervous.”
They arrived at a vacant lot a half mile from the back of building they were checking out. Tom parked the truck at the bottom of a hill, and they walked toward the top in order to see the building from their far-removed spot. The dark lot felt quiet and desolate.
When Roxanne was almost to the top of the hill, Tom noticed a light flicker by the building, and he pulled Roxanne down to the ground. They slithered up the remaining yards until they could see some figures in the darkness gathered by one of the loading bays. Tom looked through a pair of binoculars he brought, while Roxanne blew a bubble with her gum.
“Must you?” he said, still looking in the binoculars.
“Sorry,” she whispered. She enjoyed the excitement. Her heart fluttered, and she wasn’t sure if it was because of the danger involved in what they were doing or her proximity to Tom.
Next to him on the ground, she could smell his cologne, like a sea breeze - cool and smooth. She watched his jerky movements, adjusting the binoculars. She knew he couldn’t see her admiring him, his long body splayed on the ground in his black pants and shirt that highlighted his fit and trim figure.
He pointed to something, and she scanned the building, peering to see what Tom was pointing at.
“Here,” he said, handing her the binoculars. “They’re definitely burning something inside.”
She grabbed them and held them to her eyes, chewing her gum. She could make out several forms, construction guys she didn’t recognize, and she could see the flames even though she couldn’t make out the contents.
Without thinking, Roxanne blew another bubble and squinted in the binoculars some more, panning them to the other side of the building where two men stood, talking. Once she could make out one of the men, she dropped the binoculars and her bubble burst.
“Shhh,” Tom said. “Do you want them to see us?” he asked. Roxanne licked the gum from her lips and then spit it on the ground. She turned toward Tom, her face scared.
“I know one of those men,” she said. A whipping breeze blew by, and Roxanne shivered. Tom looked at her concerned. She looked like the face of the moon in the darkness – pale and white.
“Who?” he asked.
“It – it’s Baxter,” she said, almost not believing it. Tom took the binoculars and examined the men.
“Which one?”
“The one in the yellow hard hat. The other guy has a white one.” Tom continued to look as Roxanne sat up. Seeing Baxter, she just froze. Thinking about what happened between them made her feel nauseous. She remembered their last encounter, his advances, her rejection. She leaned her head on Tom’s shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, stroking her hair.
“He’s the county official who signed my permit.” She continued to stare straight ahead, unable to focus on anything in particular.
“So?” he asked.
“He…well, let’s just say, he wanted something in return. When I didn’t give it to him, I ran off…I…”
“Okay,” Tom dropped the binoculars and wrapped Roxanne in his arms. “It’s okay. You’re here with me. I’ll protect you.”
“But what’s he doing there, and at night?” she said in disgust.
“I’m pretty sure he’s involved in some shady business.” Tom could feel Roxanne continuing to shiver. He rubbed her shoulder and arm with his hand to warm her.
“Look, we’re not going to find out exactly what’s going on there,” he said. “Now we know Baxter is behind it. I can look into some things, find some more out later.” He tried to console her, hugging her tighter. She nestled her head in his chest.
“What is it that you like to do that will make you feel better?”
“Shoot something,” she said in a girlish voice.
“Like pool or…?” he asked.
“No, like a gun.”
“Oh, well, I think we might need to tone that down a little, I mean we’re not sure exactly what Baxter…”
“Not people. Targets,” she said and turned her gaze up toward Tom’s face.
They crawled down the hill a ways before walking back to the truck once they were sure they wouldn’t be seen.
Roxanne instructed Tom to drive to her father’s place where she picked up some empty beer cans, a hand gun, and a BB gun that looked like a rifle, along with some ammunition. Luckily, her father wasn’t home, probably enjoying a beer at the bar.
She hopped in Tom’s truck, and they roared away. She directed him to a deserted field in front of a forested area. He parked, and they trudged back behind the tree line. After about 500 yards, they came to a slight clearing with the remnants of a crumbled stone wall.
Roxanne set up four cans in a row, then aimed the small black pistol, shooting each can in rapid succession. Tom stood behind her, impressed at her aim. Next, she set the cans up and loaded the BB gun.
“Have you ever shot before?” she asked adding, “I know some rich folks like to hunt.”
Tom shook his head. “My family wasn’t into that.”
“Here, let me show you.” She handed Tom the gun. She first showed him some safety features and told him never to point it at anything until he was ready to shoot. Then she taught him how to look down the barrel, eyeing the target. As she leaned over him, his closeness heated her chest.
With the gun bolstered by his shoulder, he fired five shots, all missing the can. “Like I told you before, I have bad aim.” He held the gun by his side. Roxanne took it and reloaded it before handing it back to him.
“You just need practice.” Roxanne stood behind him, reaching around to help him steady the gun. “Now just take a deep breath. Bend your knees a little. Don’t be so stiff.” Tom tried to loosen himself, but looked more like a bobbing duck. He took another shot and missed.
“Pretend it’s a pool cue,” she said. “Let your finger glide on the trigger rather than press so abruptly. Lean your body into the gun.” She could see Tom slump a little and focus his eye. His next shot hit the center of the can.
He stood up, a smile beaming on his face. Roxanne smiled too and patted him on the back.
“That felt good,” he said. “Can I try it again?”
“Here, try this.” She handed him the hand gun. He raised his hands, adjusted his stance and aimed.
When he made his first shot, Roxanne jumped and clapped. He pulled the trigger for his next five shots in rapid succession, each hitting the can which was now splintered. He handed the gun back to Roxanne, his big grin thawing the chill she felt after seeing Baxter.
She unloaded the guns and sat on a log looking into the trees. Tom sat down next to her.
“Thanks for coming. I think that helped. I needed to feel empowered,” she told him.
“You know I like the quiet evening. This is a nice place,” he said, looking at the moon above the trees. She looked up too. While she craned her neck, Tom brought his gaze down, staring into Roxanne’s eyes. She stared back. He reached his hand up to cradle her cheek and bent his head for a kiss.
Roxanne lifter her lips and their mouths met. Tom’s kiss was anything but mechanical. His lips felt supple, and his hand on her cheek cradled her head tenderly. She practically melted into his chest, feeling his body contour to her own.
It was their first kiss, and it heated her insides.
“Now let’s have a baby,” she joked.