Different Thoughts [ WEEKLYCHRIS | CHRIS COLLINS ]

Chap 43.

[ No one's POV ]

"I-," Chris shakes his head and takes a step back, "I don't- I don't understand this."

"The whole party came," the old man, apparently Chris' grandfather, says and lets out a shaky breath. "We have a hell lot of catching up to do."

"What is going on?" Jack yells and pulls a complaining Jessica out the car, Sammy following their actions.

"I-I have no fucking idea," Chris exhales loudly and puts his hands in his hair, tugging at it.

"I think... I think the person with all the secrets is... Chris' grandfather?" Anna says nervously, letting out an uncomfortable laugh. "Not to be rude, but he said you passed away."

Jessica gapes at the man and grabs Jack's arm, running towards the house.

"Your grandfather and I, we are a good team. We cover for each other," the man shrugs, "when you are living this dangerous life, there is no way you will be safe. The only way to be safe is to be dead."

Sammy raises his eyebrows and starts walking too, "That's kind of messed up, but true."

"Granddad Joe?" Jessica gasps and starts crying, throwing herself into his arms.

"I have missed you, kid," Joe says and groans when she squeezes him too tight.

Chris finally reacts and shakes his head again. "Is this some sort of sick joke? You're dead, I went to your fucking funeral. Mom cried for weeks."

Anna pouts slightly and rubs his arm, whispering, "calm down, baby. Let him explain."

"Please, come in. Before anyone sees us," Joe steps aside and everyone walks inside. Jack scrunches his nose. "What the hell is that smell?"

"I have not been outside for two years. The only people that I see, are the people that come over to bring me my groceries. Do I look like I have the energy to clean this place?" Joe raises his eyebrows and coughs, sitting down on the couch in the small living room. For an old man, he's sassy.

The small rooms has only one window, one big lamp hanging from the ceiling and two huge sofas. There's a small refrigerator in the corner, next to a wooden table.

"Okay, old man, speak up," Jack taps his foot on the dirty, carpeted floor and Jessica sighs, also taking place on the couch. Chris sits down next to her, pulling Anna with him and puts his hand above Jessica, squeezing it softly. Anna stares at the sweet gesture and smiles, pressing a small kiss to his cheek.

"I am not that old, watch your tone," the man starts laughing and coughs immediately, "but I will tell you everything. It went downhill when Jessica was four, on her birthday. The Italian mafia started targeting me and Anna's grandfather, because we owed them a lot of money."

"Antonio's business?" Anna interrupts and Jack nods. "That's why we're here, to give them the money. Dumb shit." Anna rolls her eyes and Chris flips him the middle finger.

"Yes, the business was in his grandfather's hands, but it all comes down to the money we owe them. It got really bad, I faked my own death," Chris' and Jessica's grandfather looks at Anna, "your grandfather got money from someone and paid his half, but I owed them much, much more than him."

"How come you owed them so much?" Jessica frowns, interested in his story. Joe clears his throat before replying. "Christian, Anna's grandfather, and I were smooth talkers, they invested in us, but a big deal got called off when one of our men killed someone of theirs. We lost all the money and I had to sell everything. Including myself."

"But where is the money in your cabin from?" Chris asks, shifting on the couch.

"Well... we are still smooth talkers," Joe laughs and shakes his head, "we found a way to get our hands on the lost money."