Tabbs

Chapter 18

Gen pulled up to her sister's apartment street-side and parked the car. There was no way she was going to try to find a spot in that crag-and-pothole-filled nightmare of a parking lot. Sure, she wasn't exactly rolling in it either at her place, but at least she didn't have a vehicle so long abandoned that it had become a sort of sanctuary for the local wildlife sitting outside her window. Gen paused the music in her car and texted her sister.

'Here.'

Barely even a second went by when she got a response. 'Be down in a sec.' Sure enough, on the landing of the second floor a woman appeared with an armload of paper in one hand and fumbling for the keys with the other.

"What the hell is this?" Gen plucked wad of paper precariously cradled in a manila envelope from her sister's grasp.

"H-Hey!"

Gen flipped open to the first page and discovered Tabbs' copy of their Grammy's will. Behind that was what appeared to be a full sleeve of blank printer paper.

She snorted. "Really?"

Tabbs secured her seatbelt and snatched the papers back. "What? We got to look like we're coming in packing."

"And what if she wants to see what it is we're 'packing?'"

"We show her the will. It's all we'll need."

"And the loose leaf?"

"It's called showmanship, Genny."

"God, Tabby. Give me that." The older woman plucked the half-inch thick wad of paper from the folder and tossed it in the back seat. "If that's what you're going for, the folder will be plenty.

Tabbs took in a sharp breath and straightened her blouse.

"And what is that you're wearing? You look like you got lost in a corporate woman's washing machine. That top with black combat boots and leggings? Look, even the buttons on your blouse are all misaligned." Gen reached over to pluck at the blouse, only to have her hand slapped away.

"Hey! I got it, okay?" Tabbs fiddled with the buttons as the car began to pull off. "I wanted to show Helen that I take this seriously. And why are you picking on me? We're supposed to be a united front."

"I'm picking on you because you're clearly the weakest link here and yet you're also the one holding all the cards."

"You didn't have to agree to do this, you know."

"Actually, I kind of did." Gen ran a hand over her tightly spun bun as she merged with the highway. "I know we haven't talked much since the clean up, but things have been rough."

"I figured as much when you let me borrow the car. With your office closing and all."

"We can manage without it. I didn't get into the business expecting everything to be hunky-dory all the time. But I can't lie, the money could be the life preserver we need. We just signed a contract for a new comic book, and my artists are coming up with some good looking stuff. Just... need a little more time." Gen glanced at her sister, who was staring fixedly on the creased manila folder. "What happened at the beach to change your mind about this?"

Tabbs straightened a crinkled corner of the will with her thumb and forefinger. "Guess you could say I woke up."

"Thats cryptic."

Tabbs smirked. "Connected with an old friend, Dot. She told me some stuff I needed to hear."

"I remember her. Cute girl with the copper hair? Played piano in your band?"

"That's the one."

"Always liked her the most out of those friends of yours. Hope she managed to come out at some point."

Tabbs looked back at her, eyebrows raised. "You knew?"

"I knew you were bi before you did, didn't I? I've got sense for these things."

Tabbs turned her head and watched as the tall evergreens sped by outside the passenger side window. "Gen, do you think we really have a chance here? Convincing Helen to fork over forty grand?"

"Maybe." She shifted in her seat and snapped her hand onto the top of the steering wheel. "I can't give you a sure answer on this one, Tabby. I suppose if she still refuses, I could maybe look into lawyers who would accept a portion of our inheritance as their payment if we won a lawsuit."

"I know someone who has a cousin who's a lawyer. Was told if he went against OJ, that guy would be behind bars."

Gen snorted. "Thats the oldest line in the book. Everyone seems to have some person or another in their family thats a lawyer."

There was a pause in the car long enough for Tabbs to notice the slow moving jazz Gen had been playing over the car speakers.

"Thanks for doing this with me, Gen."

Gen glanced over and placed her slender hand on Tabbs' knee. "Of course. There isn't anyone else I'd rather face this dragon with." She paused. "I was just joking about your look earlier. Its... interesting, but very you."

"I knew you were just jealous."

She snickered. "I don't know if that's the word for it." Another pause. "Maybe a little jealous of the boots." Both sisters grinned.

They soon pulled up to the parking lot facing the monolith Barnes & Noble. When the book giant moved into town a couple of years ago, they took over the lease of a camping goods store and converted its giant warehouse into the monstrosity before them. It took some time to convert, but it turns out endless amounts of corporate dollars could make a lot happen. After running out most of the small book shops, they soon also became one of the leading cafes in the area. Tabbs could remember the hit Sunshine took after its opening and how ever since it had just been hanging on by a thread. Though there was always one rumor or another floating around of a corporate takeover.

As the women parked the car and strode up, it didn't take long to notice the giant red truck parked right up front. There was no mistaking it - not only was Helen here, but so was her attack dog and husband, Duke. Tabbs felt her pulse spike as the situation suddenly became a whole lot more real. Gen placed a reassuring hand on the small of her back, pressing the silk fabric of her blood red blouse against her sweaty spine. They exchanged a glance, and to Tabbs' surprise, Gen smiled. They interlinked arms and began the lengthy ascent up the concrete stairs.