Heartbeat

Chapter 19- Win

Win had witnessed all the chaos unravel at the Bank. Her mind calculated her choices, allegiances, and chances of escaping this situation better than where she had started. She thought about simply enrolling in classes at the University. She could take out a loan or beg her mother to send her some money. Mouse could loan it to her directly. At the same time, Zelda would never consider it.

Before everything had fallen apart, Win had been at the Bank, waiting for the funeral to end for the procession to return. It was only moments later that Granny reportedly collapsed. Rudy yelled out the events and immediately stepped outside again. Merro and Clem had exchanged looks, and both stopped in their tracks, waiting for more information. Then, finally, Win broke the silence.

"What should we do?" Win had asked. Merro shook her head.

"Nothing until we're told."

Win glowered at this. The talk earlier about a conspiracy was fresh in her mind. She couldn't fully understand what was happening but knew the tides were officially turning in the Widows. Win couldn't wait any longer and went outside to see Rudy. He was nowhere to be seen. This concerned Win. Rudy was her muscle and protector. She also worried something had happened to him. Win turned the corner to go to where the funeral would be held; she felt an arm yank her back from behind. She turned and was face to face with Sol, who hadn't been there a moment ago.

"Win; we need to talk. Let's go around to the Warehouse side." Win nodded and followed Sol. Having spent more time with Sol these past two months than ever, she felt she had begun to understand her a little. However, she still found her primarily unreadable. She wouldn't have been surprised if she was being taken on a job rather than a discussion of what was happening.

They rounded two corners and were at the back door of the Warehouse. Sol did a check twice to see if anyone was around or listening. Then, satisfied, she pulled Win by the elbow against the wall, where no windows were nearby, and they had a few around the corner.

"What happened?" Win blurted out.

"I was watching the funeral from approximately thirty feet away. As soon as they came upon the water's edge, Granny began to sway and then collapsed. Feen caught her. People screamed. I watched them all. Everyone seemed alarmed. I could not tell if someone had expected it."

Win nodded. Sol continued.

"Someone called out for help; Mouse retrieved Rudy, who came. He lifted Granny and carried her to her house in Zelverstratt. Mouse followed. Zelda yelled out orders; they will all be due to meet in the Bank in ten minutes, and word is being sent out that everyone must be there. So, Zelda is trying to gather as many as possible. Ertha was silent; until she asked about protocol."

Win tried to retain all the information and think up a follow-up question, and Sol provided it for her.

"What are you going to do, Win?"

Win locked eyes with Sol. She searched all her plans, schemes and options but found nothing.

"I don't know, Sol. What are you going to do?"

"I would like to find out more. Will you come with me to find Meg?" Win nodded, and they both headed towards the Bank. Win's stomach lurched, overwhelmed with many different thoughts and feelings. What will I do? Why is Sol confiding in me? Win had no attachment to Granny and no high position in the Widows. I thought I was being overlooked. Why is anyone even asking what I'm going to do? Win saw that the Bank was filling up with different Widows, all of whom looked confused and spoke loudly, looking for answers. Win and Sol weaved among them, heading for the door to the back hallway, where they ran into Meg.