Through Time She Came

Ch.28 Losing Grip

Vic gripped the edges of the bathroom sink. If his strength were to be fueled by his anger and frustrations the porcelain sink would crumble in his grip.

He'd done it. He'd shot Mason Burke... Three times. Watched him fall to the ground. Bleed out. Heard the last word he'd ever speak as he and Tommy walked out ...
"Graziella."

Mason had been holding what had happened to Graziella against Vic all these years. He never let it go. The dick was convinced that Graziella had died by Vic's hand. Truth was, not even Vic understood how she got there—why she was there. All he knew was that he didn't murder his wife, nor did he set it up. He wanted answers as much as Mason, but unlike Mason, Vic was afraid of finding out the answers to Graziella's death.

Mason was an old flame of Graziella's before she'd met Vic. But it wasn't just about her. Before Graziella, Mason had the same beef many orphaned individuals had with the Maggio Family.

Knock, knock.

"Vic. Everything jake?"

Vic stepped out of the bathroom, Tommy followed him to Vic's office. "It's funny." Vic picked up the cigarette case off his desk.

"What is?"

"Just the memories that pop up as you watch an old pal bleed out." he rolled a cig. Lit. Puff. Blow. "True we haven't been friends in years... but suddenly all the reasons you hate someone disappears with their life. He stared off at a distant memory." Puff. Pause. Blow. "But I don't believe he was ever really my friend. He found out pretty soon I was in the rackets with Maggio. It was all pretend from there 'til I caught on what he was trying to do. But still..." he watched a couple memories play out in his mind. "There were moments he was a friend."

Tommy listened as he lit his own ciggy.

"At least I was able to give him the brush off before he found out I wasn't just some recruit off the streets. I have my mother's Greek half to thank for that." he took a long drag. Curls of smoke filled the air around him. "Can't say I always enjoy being a Maggio though." He put out his butt. Circled his desk. "I'm sure you could agree with me."

Tom exhaled curls of smoke. He could agree, because being a Maggio is what killed his mother. He could because being a Maggio meant avenging the Maggios, supporting the Maggios. Protecting the Maggios. Thomas H. Graft was a Maggio's child. He was bound to the Maggio way of life. But Tommy didn't have the weight that Vic had—if he was honestly speaking, Tommy would say he was probably more free than Vic. He couldn't imagine having the position and expectations Vic had. But that was the con; Tommy had to support Vic in everything. It wasn't so difficult a thing to do —until recently... Vic was crazy about Anet... his Anet. And if Vic ever decided to take the next big step with An... he'd have to support that too.

"So what now?" Tommy, eager to change the mood. "Your biggest problem is out of the way, I guess that means you can resume your routine with Anet now."

Vic seemed to still be struggling with his own thoughts and conflicts.

"I will..." he paused. "I just need a little time to let things cool down. The coppers won't ignore the death of two PI's."

~•~

That night Tommy would go to L'Angela to "look after" Anet, and Vic... well, he needed to get his mind off of the day's events. And as much as he wanted to be with Anet, he knew a restrained passionate necking wasn't going to do much to free his mind. And if Anet wasn't willing to go past first base to comfort him -which would lead to an unwanted argument and feeling worse than before- he'd go
somewhere he'd get all the care he needed, with girls who'd never cross paths with Anet.