The catcher in the car

The car was parked at the right side of the road, with all the lights off. Daniel stopped right in front of the driver's door and knocked twice in the black window. No answer. He tried the door. It wasn't locked. Stupid woman, he thought and opened it.

She was sleeping, and the sudden cold air made her tremble and open her eyes. She  stared without making any move. Daniel leaned over and put the bag he had on the other chair, then he started the engine and turned on the air conditioner. She watched him take off his coat and cover her in it.

"Sleep",  he said, then he slowly shut the door and leant his back against it, lighting up a cigarre.

Klara kept watching him for a while longer before falling asleep. The cigarre was long gone when she woke up again. He was still at his post.

Daniel opened the door when he heard her knocking.

"Get in", she said. "You'll catch a cold".

So she'd mind that, he couldn't help thinking as he sat down.

"There's a CD in the glove box, put it in."

He followed the instructions then opened the bag.

"Are you hungry? I bought some sandwiches  at the gas station."

"Not while the music plays."

Whatever. He locked the doors, laid more comfortably in his seat and closed his eyes. French? I don't really get the words. It sounds sad, but sweet.

"Do you like it? It's Jacques Brel."

"..."

"It's a love song. The lyrics are beautiful. Right here, he tells his lover: it took us a lot of talent, to become old without becoming adults... That's so nice a dream".

"... Is that what you want?"

She didn't answer right on the spot.

"Grow old and die. The only thing I'm not allowed to do."

"..."

"What about you? Is this what you want?"

"..?"

"Play the watchdog for people like us?"

"...I'm paying back a debt".

"You'll end up paying with your life."

Daniel glanced at her, but she was looking out on the window.

The CD was playing another french song. And another, and another..

"Give me a sandwich", she finally asked when the music had stopped.

........

When they returned to the villa, in the morning, the courtyard was all empty. Just a few guys were nervously waiting at the entrance. Daniel stopped the car closest to the house and followed Klara up the front staires. The men immediately gathered around to meet her.

"Mistress! There's a job in the city, boss told us to remain with you at the house..

"But we know he's meeting Patrick's guys at that club...".

"We can't leave him alone.."

"We can stiil catch up if we hurry."

"Can we tell boss you ordered us to go too?"..

She stopped just for a second because they were blocking her way and passed the word that made them vanish.

"I'll tell him. You just go."

The last car was gone in no time.

"Give me your phone".

She dialed as she entered the house.

*yeah*

"It's me. I've sent the boys over".

*ok, sweetheart. Don't worry, l'll be fine*

"Right. Don't kill anyone."

She didn't bother to end the call before throwing the mobile on the sofa. Then she took off her shoes and went into the bathroom. Daniel heard the shower going soon after.