Why is she arguing with this drunk?
“Yeah?” Stewart slurred.
“Yes, Stewart, this is the same argument we’ve had over and over again,” Annie sighed.
“Which is exactly why we’re ex’s, bitch” Stewart said.
Yeah, I cannot let that go.
Kip stood up and put himself between Annie and Stewart. “Real nice meeting you Stewart,” he said, and he put his hand out to Annie, offering to take her away.
Stewart stepped closer. “Uh, I don’t know how it works in the Rock and Roll world there, rock star, but this bitch ain’t going anywhere with you.”
“Stewart,” Annie said, and before she could finish his name his fist shot out and he punched her in the head. The move totally caught Kip off guard, or he never would have let it happen. In an instant he grabbed Stewarts forearm and spun him around. He kicked his booted foot into the back side of his knee and yanked him backward. Stewart crumpled to the floor, his knee separating with a loud pop heard throughout the bar. The wound was devastating. More than was required for this drunken idiot. Kip instantly felt badly for what he’d done, and he quickly kneeled down and offered him aid.
Stewart was wailing in pain. Annie jumped to her feet and recoiled in horror while holding her head.
Kip yelled to the bar maid behind the counter to call an ambulance and the police. People at the surrounding tables and bar stools scattered away from the violence.
It didn’t take long for the ambulance and police to arrive. Kip willingly took responsibility and admitted he had damaged Stewart’s knee. But immediately Annie interjected and told them that Stewart had attacked Kip, missing on his swing and hitting her instead. Kip was only defending himself. Between drunkenness and his pain, Stewart was unable to offer his account of events. No one else in the bare was willing to come to his defense. Either because they hadn’t seen the whole thing or, if they had, they saw him hit Annie and didn’t give a rat’s ass what happened to him.
In the end, the police released Kip on his own recognizance with a warning that he may be required to go to the police department for more questioning, should it be necessary.
An hour later, Kip and Annie left the bar and walked slowly down the sidewalk toward the Plaza Hotel. Kip apologized profusely for his actions back at the bar, and Annie apologized profusely for Stewarts.
“Why do you apologize for him?” Kip asked her finally.
She hesitated before answering. “Because I love him. Or at least I used to. Oh, fuck, I don’t know. I am so confused when it comes to Stewart. He didn’t use to be like that, you know?”
“Well, he’s like that now,” Kip said, “and you deserve better, Annie.”
“I know. Would you believe I used to council battered women?” She said with a forced chuckle. “I cannot believe I let myself get into this situation.”
“It should be easy enough to get out of,” Kip said.
“You think so, huh?” Annie replied sarcastically.
“Yes, it is. You went to see him, right?
“Yes.”
“Okay,” Kip said. “So stop doing that.”
“You think it is that easy?” Annie said with contempt in her voice.
“No. No, I didn’t say it was easy. But you do have to do it. So do it. Stop seeing him. Stop even thinking about him. Yes, it’s hard. Believe me, I know.”
Annie looked at him with outrage as they walked side by side. Then her face softened. “Yes, I know.” She said, tears forming in her green eyes. “I know you’re right, of course.”
“So, resolve to stay away. Stop answering his calls. And forget the idea of getting back together. You said it yourself, he’s not the man he once was.”
“You do make it sound so easy,” she said.
“I’m not trying to. I am just trying to make it sound necessary. ‘Cause it is.”
She gave him a look to the side and he gave her his patented Kip Jones smile. She smiled back. Then she winced from the pain.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Oh, just doing my part,” Kip replied.
“Actually, you have no part. This was really none of your business.”
“Well it is now since I snapped your ex’s knee. I am probably going to get sued even if I don’t get brought up on criminal assault charges.” Kip said smiling.
“You’re probably right,” Annie said. “Stewart is an attorney. Not a trial lawyer, but he knows a lot of them. I am sure he will try to sue you.”
“It’s Okay. I am rich,” Kip said quickly.
“I hope so, Stewart has very good attorneys.”
“Well, I am very rich, so bring them on,” he laughed.