Ghost Of You (Michael Berzatto X Black!OC X Eventual Richie Jerimovich)

25. Fresh Out The Slammer

2020-Chicago, Illinois

As much as Natalie and Pete loved Angie and Sophia, they could only live with them for so long. Quarantine had turned a few weeks into half a year. So after Pete helped Angie and Michael get legally separated, they were more than willing to help the mother and daughter duo move out.

Nat and Angie were unboxing her clothes in her new room while Pete brought up the last of the boxes.

"You talk to Mikey?" The blonde asked.

"It's been a few weeks."

"He just called me this morning and told me he's getting evicted."

"What?"

"Yeah. He's gonna move in with Mom."

"He didn't tell me anything."

"Maybe because you don't talk to him."

"I do talk to him."

"About something other than Sophia or the separation?"

"Okay fine, you got me there."

"He seems like he's doing better."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I think he's changed."

"Hold that thought." Angie grabbed her ringing phone and held it up to her ear. "Hello?"

"Hey, Ange."

"Mikey? I don't recognize the number. Where are you?"

"I got arrested."

"Changed my ass." She whispered to Nat. "What happened?"

"I got into an argument with the landlord. I need you to come get me."

"You owe me so fucking much, dude." She hung up.

"What's going on?"

"I have to go bail my husband out of jail." She sighed. "Can you watch Soph?"

"Yeah, of course. Is he okay?"

"I don't know. I'll be back."

🤍

Angie stood by her car in the parking lot as Mikey walked out of the station. He gave her a guilty smile.

"Hey."

"You punched the landlord?"

"He was being a dick"

"Right."

"How much was the bail?"

"Five hundred."

They both got into the car and she started to drive to the apartment they used to share.

"I'll pay you back."

"With what money?"

"I have some stocked away. I can give it to you when we get back."

"You're getting evicted?"

"Sugar told you?"

"Yeah. I was wondering why you didn't tell me."

"Just so you can think I'm even more of a failure? No thanks."

"I don't think you're a failure."

"Yeah you do." He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. "I can see it in your face."

She rolled down the window to stop the smoke from blowing in her face. "You look good. Better since the last time I saw you."

"I'm sober."

"How long?"

"Three months. I'm seeing a psychiatrist too."

"Wow. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks."

"Does it help?"

"Kinda. She helped me understand why I feel the way I do."

"And why's that?"

"I have bipolar disorder."

"Shit. Mikey, I....that actually makes a lot of sense."

"Yeah. She says it's genetic, and I probably got it from my mom."

"Are you on meds?"

"She thinks I should be, but I don't wanna risk it."

"That's really mature of you."

"Enough about me." He sighed. "You still working in that office?"

"Yep."

"You like it?"

"Uh..."

"That bad?"

"Not bad. Just different."

"Better than working in a run down sandwich shop?"

"Sometimes."

He looked over at her and smiled softly. "You look good too by the way."

"I've looked the same for fifteen years."

"Exactly. You've always looked good."

She smirked and rolled her eyes. "You're fucking annoying."

After parking, they walked up to the apartment and through the door. While Michael went into his room to grab something, Angie took in the sight of her old home. It felt colder, emptier, and loveless.

"Here you go." He handed her a folded stack of cash.

"Where'd you get this?"

"Part of the loan from Jimmy."

"Is he gonna come looking for this?"

"Probably."

"Well, thanks."

"Yeah, 'course. Thank you."

"Yeah, no problem." She nervously cleared her throat.

"How's Soph?"

"Oh, she's good. She's really good. She misses you."

"I miss her too. It's been almost a month."

"I can bring her by Donna's once you get settled in."

"I'd love that."

"Well, I should get going. I got a lot to unpack."

"Yeah, of course. I'll see you."

She took a deep breath and hesitantly wrapped her arms around him. Her actions shocked him a bit. He hesitated before reciprocating and holding her tightly.

"Bye, Michael."

"See ya, bear."

She knew that he called her that on purpose. He knew it too. She gave him a soft smile and walked out the door.