Page 10 of Tangled Emotions

Marco came over speaking in Italian like he was on speed. Cesare held up a hand, and he stopped.

“This was all me.” He looked between the cops. “Officer Campbell, do you need to call my dad?”

“How about we pour out what’s left and clean this mess up?”

“Yes, sir.” He nodded. “Marco and I will take care of that.”

My hands trembled as I reached into my pocket to get another cigarette. Things were calming down, and I felt like I could breathe again.

The door to the apartment building slammed again, drawing everyone’s attention. Evie smiled big and yelled.

“Paper or plastic, Officer?”

Fuck. I’m going to jail.

Officer Campbell turned away, but not before I saw him smile. Officer Garcia, however, was not amused by her.

“How about since this is your sister’s place you come on over here and hold the bags for these boys to clean up.”

“Can do!” She skipped over, put the paper bag into the plastic one, and handed Marco the broom.

I don’t know if I’m going to jail or not, but if I don’t? I’m going to kill my sister.

Edith

5 years later

My feet hurt from closing last night. I barely slept, and my sister was late.

Again.

Evie always ran late.

You know that point in life where you looked around and thought,wheredid I go wrong? This was that moment for me.

Our regulars? They’re easy.

It’s the after-church crowd that killed me.

Ya’ll just got out of church and some of you still need Jesus.

Today was my day off, but the “baby” had something to do. So Ma roped me into covering part of her shift. Right now, my back ached. I felt greasy, wanted a shower, a cold beer and to sit on my ass.

And I would be doing that right now.

Ifmy sister wasn’t running late to work.

Again.

A woman wearing hot pink waved to get my attention. She’sthe definition of a ‘Karen’. And she made my day suck worse.

“Yoo-hoo!” She waved again. “Excuse me, miss?”

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to their table. “Yes, ma’am?”

“This burger is underdone.” Her heavily made-up face looked like it might crack with the sour face she made.

I looked down at the plate of food and noted the mostly eaten burger. “Which part was underdone?”