Heartbeat

Chapter 2- Clementine

"Silence, everyone, silence! I do not pay good money to get a university education for you all to talk during my illustrious speech," Clem shouted to the group from atop the counter of the Bank bar. The room laughed in unison. Packed with people paying their respects to Nula or because they heard there would be free food.

It was not true; Clem was not in university or receiving a top-notch education. The name 'Clementine Finn' was enrolled in one of the nearby universities. However, she had never truly attended a single class. Years ago, she concocted a splendid disguise to avoid arousing suspicion among her associates in the merchant council and conceal her membership in the Widows by paying a girl to go on her behalf.

"The mouse longs to squeak!" Someone shouted in the crowd. Clem's mouth tightened and became sour as she held back laughter, looking for who made the joke. She was shocked when she saw Win, one of the Kerch girls, who had recently joined. She had been struggling to fit in, so Clem allowed the joke to slide as people patted her on the back. Clem could see Granny's body tense up like a springing cat. Clem took charge of maintaining the positive mood she was trying to cultivate.

"Dame Cora spoke words earlier for Nula. Capturing the essence of her spirit through words that will serve as a lasting tribute to her memory. Wisdom, bravery and stability. Are these not the perfect words to balance out the words forever written outside the exchange? Industry, integrity and prosperity. Words that drive us as a group, as a business and as a family." Clem hesitated as if she were becoming emotional.

"All things must be balanced, and Nula brought us that balance. May she bring balance within us when we think of her for all time. To Nula!"

In unison, the crowd echoed 'To Nula!' and raised their glasses. Clem saw two customers who had come to pay their respects dab their eyes. They weren't a Widow and wouldn't be ashamed to cry at Clem's heartfelt words. Clem jumped off the bar counter where she stood and landed next to Granny, who patted her cheek.

"Manage the bar, and can you send Vera to Luckies to take over for Cora? I'm going out with her and Zelda for a proper drink to give a proper send-off to Nula." Clem smiled and nodded. Granny patted her cheek again. As she walked away, she signalled Zelda to join. Zelda, the ugliest woman Clem had ever seen and the spriest 70-year-old alive. Zelda jumped over the bar, throwing her towel and keys to Clem. Clem began looking to the staff to organize a group cheer once Zelda shut the door behind her. Rudy, the bouncer, opened it and gave the thumbs up for the all-clear. Zelda, Cora, and Granny were all out, and Clem and her mice were in charge.

Clem turned and threw her arms in cheer, and everyone joined her. She grabbed a bottle of champagne from behind the bar. She shook it aggressively, popping the cork and letting it spray everywhere. Filling hopeful glasses where she could.

Win, wanting to keep her excellent impression going, shouted out to the group.

"To Nula!" Everyone repeated it in unison. Clem jumped back on the counter as the crowd began chanting.

"Squeak! Squeak" in unison together, yelling and gesturing towards Clem. Clem doubled over in laughter before yelling above their voices.

"First of all, my toast goes to Win, who will surely be killed in her sleep for making that joke in front of Granny."

Everyone yelled 'To Win!' and drank heartily. Win buried her head in her hands in mock dread, her other bartenders patting her on the back in fake condolences.

"Secondly, and truly, to Nula. Not because of integrity or whatever the hell else I said." The crowd laughed, and some booed as if finally getting to respond to her disingenuous speech from earlier. "But because you were one of the toughest bitches in the Barrel, who outlived almost all of them. We will all be working endless days to try and live up to the legacy of one of the original Widows, to Nula!"