In Vain

“Please. Go away.” Her voice was irritated.

“Nah, girl. I can't leave a sweet thing like you here all alone. There are wolves around, you know what I mean?” His voice was smooth, insistent, and sure.

I didn't know who he was but I knew her. She had been coming to the library for a few months, always armed with a tiny laptop and a thick binder of notes. I wasn't sure what she was studying. Nursing, perhaps? I'd thought she was cute from the first time she'd staked out a table for her and her boyfriend. This guy was not him.

I hesitated to get involved.

But I liked her.

And I didn't like him.

"Hey, could you beat it?" I called out.

Slowly, theatrically, he turned to look at me. "What's it to you, big man?"

"I'm trying to work here, and it's fucking hard to concentrate with you yapping."

"If she gives me her number, I'll--"

"This is a goddamned library. Not a bar." I rose to my feet, feeling my full six feet two inches.

"Yeah, okay, man." He adjusted his hat, gave me one last look, and sauntered away.