Heartbeat

Chapter 15- Win

The funeral was set to start in three hours. The energy in the Widows was buzzing. Win hadn't been invited to the funeral. She wasn't surprised but was disappointed, nonetheless. She knew she had no right to get to say goodbye to Dame Cora or Isir formally. However, she knew the power of ceremony and wondered how to grieve for someone when told she had no right to need to.

Win was cleaning the Bank, helping prepare it for after the funeral with Merro. She also wasn't invited, despite her longevity working with the Widows. They worked in silence. Usually, when Zelda wasn't around, people were in a better, more talkative mood. Win noted that almost everyone was silent. Win wondered if they were all becoming Pigeons.

The back door opened at that moment, and one of Meg's Pigeons stepped through. Win thought his name was Leopold; he looked younger than Win.

"Zelda here?" He asked, and Win and Merro both shook their head no. He looked nervous and stepped back through the door immediately. Merro raised an eye to Win.

"He spoke well." Win was about to shrug, but Merro's meaning dawned on her.

"Deaf doesn't mean mute," Win suggested in an attempt to explain.

Merro chewed her lip, seemingly dissatisfied with that reason.

"I'm sure it's none of our business, whatever it is," Merro replied. Her usual reply was when higher-up Widow's business was presented. Win took out a crate and unloaded fresh new towels to put in the closet.

"How have you been holding up? I know some of this recent activity is new to you. It can be hard." Merro called out to her. Win knew it was genuine but still felt the need to be guarded.

"Have you seen a lot of that kind of activity?" Win asked, not wanting to acknowledge her feelings yet. Merro gave a cold laugh in reply.

"Too much. It slowed down for a while, but it looks like it's picking back up again. These kinds of things go in waves. That's why I find it best to work the bar."

"Is that really the safer option?" Win asked, her voice shaking, betraying her fear.

Merro looked at Win and held her gaze.

"Yes. Working a bar, turning your head the other way, answering correctly to certain questions. There's value, and it's safer."

Win let out a breath.

"Pays less too." Win mumbled.

Merro let out an impatient scoff, putting a glass away noisily.

"You know, Win, I do not understand you. First, you whine about wanting better work; you want to make more money. Then you take off time whenever you can, bitch about the jobs you do get, and refuse to join. You want all the benefits and none of the risks. What the hell do you think this is?"

Win considered this.

"Sounds like you understand me pretty well, Merro. Isn't that what everyone wants?" Win thought Merro might throw a glass at her head.

"Grow up, Win." Merro continued cleaning, and Win knew the conversation was over. She rolled her eyes at Merro; she was also in no mood. Just because Merro has given up and thinks small doesn't mean I need to. Win thought of Merro's life. Husband, kids. She couldn't remember what her husband did.

Zelda opened the front door of the Bank and stepped through. Win and Merro were silent and continued working. Zelda went to the safe underneath the counter and began spinning the dial to the lock. Win knew it held little money. The deposits during the day were consistently being moved. Bars were an easy target for robberies, and Granny would never suffer the indignity (I am not sure this is the right word, would Granny experience shame or loss of a robbery? Or be angered?). Zelda opened the safe and took and counted the small stack of kruge that had been inside.