The Protector (34 page)

Jazz put up his hand and everyone shushed. He pulled Vivi closer to him. Her hand caressed his back.

“I can’t start celebrating love without first talking about friendship. It’s friendship that brought Vivi and me together, and it’s also friendship that brought all of you here. But someone who should be here isn’t. He’s my best friend and I wanted him to be my best man. Right now, it doesn’t seem possible. I’d like to have him here in spirit at my engagement to Vivi.” Jazz paused, trying to gather his thoughts. “I believe in miracles. In my job, little miracles happen every day. Like meeting Vivi, my love. I also believe that music is everywhere, that one could celebrate and mourn with a song. Hopefully, Hawk, wherever he is, will hear this song and know that he’s in our thoughts.” He turned and picked up his brother’s guitar. Strumming a few chords, he added, “This is a song by the Fab Four.”

The choice of song had just come, like all his music usually did. It was written with a simple, haunting melody, conveying layers of emotions. Jazz kept his eyes on Vivi as he sang the lyrics. It started about places he remembered and he knew she was thinking about the woods where they had made love. About how these places had their moments. And he thought of Hawk and him during their times together.

Of friends and lovers. The room was so silent as he sang the part where “some are dead” that he could hear the squeaky strings of the guitar. He played the beginning chords again, this time adding a touch of energy to it, giving the tune a more hopeful beat as he tapped on the guitar. He smiled at Vivi.

Of all the friends and lovers. Vivi smiled back, her eyes bright with tears, as she realized the rest of the song was about her. That she was everything to him. That he loved her more than anything in this life.

“In my life, Vivi, I love you more,” he ended and put down his guitar.

There was a pause. Then Vivi let out a small sob and
stepped into his arms. The room came alive as everyone cheered.

“I love you, Zola Zeringue,” she yelled out above the pandemonium. “But I’m still going to kick your ass for making me cry in public.”

Jazz laughed. Their lives would always have worries and obstacles, what with his job and her constant need to save young girls. But now they had each other.

Special thanks to Maria “HoF” Hammon and Melissa Copeland, two special gems; the sea mammals whose smart mouths were a bad influence; Erika Tsang, my editor, and Liz Trupin-Pulli, my agent. They are all my special protectors.

And always, the ladies at Delphi TDD, my shadow warriors, who read for me, especially Sandy “Sadista” Still, Mirmie Caraway, Karen King, Angela Swanson, Teena Weena Smith, and Katherine Lazo.

Thank you RBL Romantica for all your support!

Please support ECPAT (End Child Prostitution in Asia) and TWMAEW (Third World Movement Against Exploitation of Women).