Keep Your Enemies Close

Jacob was turning twenty- three, so Brandy found it to be the perfect opportunity to have him and Josie meet Bruce in Tent City.

She invited her siblings over for a meal. Bruce agreed to the deal. Brandy tidied the cottage of Lou but it was now her home too.

She didn't like being here. It reminded her Lou was no longer near but Brandy put those feelings aside. Putting on a smile to hide, what she truly felt inside.

She also tried to remember the cake Mother used to make for Jake, tonight there was a lot at stake. She needed Bruce and her brother to get along and try and respect one another.

She did not need Jake making trouble. She needed Bruce to become a leader on the double. Moving the informant ring in BG was long overdue. She needed to get it up and running for Lou.

Bruce had loved Lou. That much was true. But Brandy was growing tired of hearing about how great Lou was, coming from everyone's mouth. Into a saint, death had turned Lou. Brandy would never measure up she knew and she never really wanted to.

Yet she would never escape the shadow of Lou. Forever compared to the things her sister could do. Brandy knew it was wrong to think ill of the dead but the anger and pain wouldn't leave her head.

As Brandy was frying some chicken Josie and Jake showed up. Bruce like a gentleman offered to show them in. He welcomed Josie and Jake and gave his hand a firm shake.

Bruce just stared at Josie because it blew him away how much she looked like a mini-Lou in every way. "You're as beautiful as your sister", was all he could say.

"You really think I look like Brandy? Jake always said I look like Lou." Bruce just smiled at her, "That you do, too."

Josie skipped into the kitchen all smiles. She acted as though she hadn't seen Brandy in a while. It had only been a day but Brandy found it sweet anyway.

Brandy strained her ears to listen to Bruce and Jake, to overhear. Josie chattered and licked the icing spoon while Jacob was asking Bruce why the wedding was so soon.

Straight to the point with little idle chatter. Brandy carried some wine and glasses on a platter. Jacob gave her a smile and a kiss on the cheek. "I was just getting to know the man you married last week. Still waiting for Bruce to explain it to me, how he moved on from Lou so quickly."

Bruce chuckled and reached for a glass. "Actually it was at Lou's request. She was worried about Brandy. Asked me if anything happened to her to keep Brandy safe. So I figured marrying her would work best."

Jake had a look of disbelief. "And you just agreed to this?"

"Jake what do you want me to say, it was Lou's dying wish." Once again Brandy was surprised how easily and efficiently Bruce lied.

Jacob drank deeply from his own wine. "Just amazed by the time. Was Lou even cold in her grave? Yeah, I heard all about how Lou died, because your life she saved."

Bruce's look turned dangerous. "Back off, Jacob. You really shouldn't speak of things you know nothing about." His quiet voice was more ominous then if he did shout.

"Jake I know you want someone to blame but it didn't happen quite that way. Lou made choices for which she paid."

Josie was standing in the doorway with wide eyes. Watching as her brother looked about to fight another guy. Brandy stepped in between the men. And Josie debated kicking Bruce in the shin.

"You got it wrong, so for Brandy's sake. I'll ask you nice. Calm down. I won't ask twice. I suggest we drop the subject of Lou. You wouldn't want to fight in front of the women folk now would you?"

Brandy rolled her eyes at both of them, trying to be big, strong, men. She smelled smoke from the kitchen.

"I think the cake is on fire!" said Josie with a squeal. Brandy turned sharply on her heel.

Into the kitchen, Brandy ran. She saw the smoke coming from the pan. She jerked open the oven door and swore when she burned her hand. The cake was no more.

Jacob stormed over and pushed her aside.  He grabbed a towel and pulled the cake from inside. He threw the pan into the sink where it hit some dishes with a clink. He turned on the spout to let the flames sputter out. Josie coughed and waved at the smoke, Jacob opened a window as he spoke...

"You tried Brandy but I don't like him and I don't think I can come around again. At least not while he is here. I don't trust him, or trust myself when he's near. I don't trust myself not to beat his-"

"You know where the door is if that's how you feel but I let me make myself clear. I am here to stay. I'm your sister's husband, and if you can't accept that, we don't need you around anyway."

Jacob nodded and looked at Brandy. "Well, sis thanks for having me and Josie. It's been a pleasure. What else can I say?"

Brandy was so angry. "So you are just going to walk away? Don't I even get a say? I cooked all this food for you. I burned my damn hand too! And you two cant put your differences aside?"

"Brandy I tried. He's an ass and I'm not going to pretend. I bid you goodnight, I'll see you again. Josie girl, come with me, no pouting, do what I say. I'll grab you some food at the hotel on the way."

Josie looked about to open her mouth, but Brandy's words did drown her little sister out.

"So that's the way it's going to be? You're seriously going to ditch me? I mean that little to you? Well, say hi, to your girlfriend Rue. With that woman, you don't even know what you're getting into."

Jacob laughed. "I know what I'm doing. I know about Rue. I know her far better than you do! And little sister, you should take your own advice. Bruce, I'm warning you, if you hurt my sister I'm coming after you."

Bruce gave him a smug smile. "I'll take good care of Brandy, have no fear. And if you want to have words again. You know where to find me. I'll be right here."

Josie followed Jacob out. "I hope you're not proud of how that turned out."

Jacob grinned, "What? I think it went well."

"Oh hell!"

"Josephine!"

"What? I'm almost thirteen."

"You know what I mean. Don't make me wash your mouth out with soap."

Josie sighed. "Then you also wash out yours I hope. Really, Jacob, you cannot behave for one night? This is why we don't get many invites! Why are you always looking for a fight?"

"You'll understand when your older Josie. Now, how about you race me back to the horses. The loser gets to wash the laundry for a week."

Josie rolled her eyes. "I'll never understand guys. Besides, you will make me do the wash anyway. This dress is new and the mud is hard to wash away. So I say no to your silly footrace!"

Jacob knew it was true, Josie was growing up and there was nothing he could do.

She needed Brandy in her life for that womanly stuff. He didn't like Bruce, but maybe that was tough.

He had certainly made an ass of himself tonight. Maybe he should try and set things right. He was only going to drive Brandy away. But something about Bruce just rubbed him the wrong way.

What was he hiding? Did Brandy know? Keep your enemies close was the way to go. Jacob made a vow, to get to the bottom of all Bruce and Lou's secrets somehow.