Time To Face Things Head On

Chapter 2

It didn't take long for the club to start hopping; we had been pouring drinks since we opened the doors. We had more hard liquor requests than normal too. I was excited to be able to hire a real band tonight instead of having friends and neighbors perform in exchange for some necessities like soap, vegetables, clothes,  even our sewing and laundry services.  Of course they all were astounding musicians but this made it feel different almost like the club was awakening from a deep slumber. Everything felt euphoric as I could see people dancing and hear people laughing. Time ran away from us as we worked hours and my shift had only minutes left. I couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed that I hadn't seen Zussman again

"Gerty why don't you head out early I'll cover your tables until the next gal gets here" Lydia offered with a mischievous gleam

"Are you sure?  I can still hit another table" I offered 

"Absolutely this is the most energetic I've seen you in a long time go enjoy it"! Lydia remarked while untying my apron for me. Excited to enjoy the liveliness, I hurried to the kitchen to write down my hours. Mickey was sitting in the office going through paperwork 

"You know the paperwork can start tomorrow you know when I sign the building back to you" I teased

"I'm just curious how you were able to afford to do all the repairs, you even built a stage! My office is a real office now not stacks of folders in milk crates theres a desk and bookshelves… a couch" Micky explained "you didn't make a deal with the mob did you" he worried

"No, everything is used! Even the stage is wood from a church that was torn down off 5th street" I explained 

"That was a brand new church"! Micky remarked

"They couldn't afford to pay the property taxes so it was auctioned off Mr Kimball bought it and practically gave all the materials away he's wanting to turn it into a place to buy used cars he even sold us that Plymouth for a coffee cake and ten dollars" I droned on knowing I lost mickey's attention when I said Property taxes "come on enjoy the evening you have all day tomorrow to go over paperwork." I said hoping to coax him out of his office "I'll even get us a rum and coke" I added

"You know I can't say no to that" Micky laughed, throwing down the papers as we headed into the kitchen to make ourselves a drink. Mom and dad always loved making rum and cokes. Mom went crazy with them when the Andrew sisters sang a song about it too last year. 

"Cheers" we shouted as we clinked our drinks and started to sip when the kitchen door swung open

"I'll take two" called out a sweet voice I turned around and was greeted by my old friend Miriam, her Blonde hair was just as golden as the day I met her, at our all girls catholic school, she was about four or five years older but for some reason we got along well, she would always help me stay on the nuns good side even though she was quite the rebel herself. She and Winona never once got along, she didn't have any patience for her bullshit.

" Miriam! How are you doing? Last time I saw you was the hill" Mickey said like a puppy excited to see a long lost friend

"I had to be discharged... went a little nutso on Christmas" Miriam replied sheepishly 

"Well where the hell have you been keeping yourself?" I asked surprised 
"Everywhere… I  wasn't sure what to do with myself when I came back stateside." she admitted "went from state to state before deciding to come back to good ol chicago"

"I'm glad to see you home regardless" I said elated to finally have a friend to visit with.

"Well let's sit at the bar and get caught up with the gossip I know there's a lot because I saw Claude and Winona tucked away with their new group of friends" Miriam remarked "and there's a guy I'd love for you to meet I met him on D-Day poor fellow had been stabbed then I found myself telling him I had to introduce you two when we were in Marignay" she added