Read Watch Me Die for Free Online

and it had been Deni who had found him. Chris was a carpenter and handyman for the New Orleans archdiocese, and Deni had met him while doing prep work for a window at St. Rita’s. They hit it off and started dating.
    “Your being with us really made a difference, Chris,” Mira said. “Thank you.”
    “Does that mean we can sleep in tomorrow?” Deni asked hopefully.
    “It does. Take the entire day off if you want.”
    “You know me better than that, but a few extra hours of sleep would totally rock.”
    Chris and Deni starting talking to each other about their plans for the upcoming weekend; Mira fell silent, sipped her drink and listened to them. She remembered being that way with Jeff—totally lost in each other, in being a couple. She wondered if she would ever feel that way again.
    “Are you okay, Mira?”
    She looked at Chris, realizing how long she had been quiet. And how exhausted she suddenly felt.
    “I hate to be the wet blanket, but suddenly I can hardly keep my eyes open. And unlike you two, I have to be up early for an appointment with Dr. Jasper.”
    Her therapist, who had been with her through it all, the deepest and darkest times, the good, bad and ugly.
    “You want me to drive you home?” Chris asked. “I could pick you up in the morning?”
    “And interrupt your sleep? No way. Just get me to the studio; my car knows the way from there.”
    For a moment he looked like he might argue, but he didn’t. They each called goodbye to Sam and headed out.
    As they cleared the door, Mira noticed a man huddled on the sidewalk at the corner of the building. One of the city’s many homeless, she thought. The picture of misery, he sat head down and knees drawn up, hugging himself, rocking back and forth.
    “That poor guy,” she said. “Maybe he needs help?”
    Deni caught her arm. “Don’t get too close. He may be dangerous.”
    “C’mon, Deni,” she said, gently shaking off her friend’s hand. “What could he do to me?”
    “He may have something and be contagious.”
    “She’s right,” Chris said.
    “I can’t believe you two.” She started toward the man. Deni hung back but Chris fell in step behind her.
    The man didn’t seem to notice when she stopped beside him. He had long, dark, stringy hair. With his head resting on his knees, it fell forward, hiding his face. Even though it was August, he wore an army fatigue jacket and boots. She wondered if he was a vet and felt even worse for him.
    “Hello,” she said. “Do you need some help?”
    He lifted his head. The light was behind him so she couldn’t clearly make out his face, but she had the impression of hawkish features and a dark, intense gaze.
    “The Lord protects his lambs,” he said. “They shall not want.”
    “That’s true,” she replied softly. “But He also wants us to help each other. Have you had anything to eat tonight?”
    He simply stared at her. She reached into her purse and drew out a twenty-dollar bill. She held it out. “Promise me you’ll get something to eat with this.”
    “The very hairs on your head are numbered. Do not be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
    “Mira,” Chris said, touching her elbow, “come on.”
    She ignored him. “Please take it,” she said. “You need it, so I’m not leaving until you do.”
    He silently studied her a moment, then reached up and took the bill. Without a word, he tucked it into his coat pocket and returned his head to his knees.
    “He didn’t even say thank you,” Deni whispered as they fell into step together. “That’s just rude.”
    “I didn’t do it for his thanks. If I was in his position, I hope someone would do the same for me.”
    She had been in that position, Mira realized. Alone in her pain. Shutting out the world, refusing help.
    She glanced back at the man. He had lifted his head and was watching them walk away. She sensed his longing. To belong. To be part of the world again.
    A lump formed in her