Gianna's Grit | ✓

XIV: Make a List

GIANNA

What followed Saul's funeral was another week of absence in two ways. For one, I hadn't returned to the office to catch up on whatever assignments couldn't be faxed or emailed. Secondly, King hadn't done so much as called since that day.

His Tags were still ever present, but they ignored every question I posed about their boss. They simply stood at the exits, each taking turns in surveying the entire building, and accompanying me to and from the house.

I sat back in the chair, "If I'm going to spend so much time here, I might as well get some more clothes and work."

I shut down the computer and let the Tags follow me home. I watched them leave from my bedroom window before sneaking out of the house.

I drove my car passed multiple little brothers, and I knew they were all staring me down. No one was supposed to be on King's block without Tags this time of night, but I didn't care.

I drove back to the city, entering my apartment with a sigh. I set up the usual speakers and classical music I'd learned to tolerate from private school began playing throughout my living space. I'd learned more to think while it plays than anything, really. It helped me focus now that I was an adult.

I kicked off my heels and found myself in my bedroom, packing my bag once again and mulling over everything happening in my life.

Number one; Philly is adamant on keeping the bar running, and so am I. The establishment alone comes with its own problems for me to sort out.

I stopped short, "I need wine to get through all this."

So I brought a glass and bottle back to my room, filling my glass as close to the rim as I could.

Number two; Saul's sons are on their way home. They're only coming to claim whatever Saul left them, if anything, but aunt Philly will be glad to see them.

"I just pray they don't fuck up the bar like they did during their last homecoming," I huffed, picking out a few pairs of pajamas to take with me.

Number three; those boys probably will try and take control of the bar when they come home, so I need to stay updated on every detail of the establishment. I've worked hard times it afloat these past weeks, and I'm not going to let them ruin it.

"All shit is gonna break loose when they get here," I said knowingly, before downing the wine. "Refill."

Number four; no one has seen Saul's will yet, and I'm sure only aunt Philly knows what's really in it. If Saul has left the bar to the boys, then I can't fight the law. I can persuade aunt Philly into pressuring her sons, but I can't have full legal control.

"And there's no way in hell I'm working for those two idiots," I scoffed. "I wish they would try to be my boss."

Number five; those boys will bash every syllable of that will into my mind if they do end up receiving the bar from Saul. They're greedy and dumb, but they sure know how to press my buttons.

"I can always break their noses again," I muttered to myself before drinking more wine.

I stepped back and observed the clothing I'd chose so far. I walked around my room, tweaking some outfits and folding others for packing. When I'd decided that I'd filled my bag to it's full capacity, I organized my closet again.

I downed the remnants of my glass, there was no telling how many I'd filled down by then, and found myself stumbling to the couch. I was much too drunk to drive back to the house anyway, I finally decided.

I laid down, finally allowing my mind to run blank and simply enjoy the symphonic music in my home.

My eyes fell shut, and memories of Saul filled my head rather than dreams.

When I woke up, I had tears on my face and a pounding headache.

And my flat was silent.

As always.