Salvatore {M.B}

3

Abby
I walked up to my poor excuse of a room, after a long shift. "Oh my god," I complained, I didn't want to continue this and I've been continuing this, whatever this is for nearly a month. I've wanted to go home; I've got no idea how to do that. I don't know if it's possible. Like if I'm here, does the other period exist? Has time paused I don't know.

I've gone back to the bottle O where this all happened, did the same thing asked for the red wine, he did the same thing but nothing happened. I stood in the middle of the shop looking ridiculous. So I've sort of given up on trying to get home, but I do want to go home. I have no idea why I'm here.

I get terrible pay because I'm a woman with a darker skin-tone than society allows. I've been asked if I'm a native American, but I'm from Australia but we're not allowed to be, we're considered well you know.

So to keep myself safe, I've been saying I'm Spanish. I mean it's much better to be an Spanish in an Italian populated area. Oh, another thing, I'm singing and living in a ganged-owned area, this pub is owned by the Port Roses, trust me they're more terrifying then the name gives them credit for. "Perfect" I complained when I saw fancy cars with drivers and typical godfather-type behaviour. "If I stay here, they might think I'm out," I whispered as I dropped to the floor. I've been forced to meet them, they're respectful of me and they're asking me about my pretend Spanish heritage, I've told them I was adopted and lived in Australia. I don't know if that worked but hey, I'm still standing well laying here now telling you about this.

I sat up and leaned against the bed. I pushed forward when I felt something stabbing me in the back. "Huh?" I asked as I saw a piece of paper wrapped around a couple of envelopes. "Please be an answer to this all?" I begged, but turned out to be wishful thinking as it was only a letter, probably from the previous person who slept here, a million years ago.

I sat up and lay on the bed, I looked at my tattoo, seeing the outline was still there of the three of us. It was a picture of my mum and younger brother, but they didn't exist, soo I don't actually know who the outline is.

I was surprised that it came over, my phone and keys didn't. This tattoo was very special to me because it was not only a picture of my family but it was a reminder of what happened and well the only thing that I got left from that world, the pictures of my family in my purse didn't come with me. The hurtful thing is I don't even think my grandparents have met yet.

I thought about the memories that hadn't even been made yet. I had so many questions about this all, but I'm not going to think about it anymore because I don't know what to do about it. Anyway, I thought of those days back in my hometown of Adelaide, Australia and how I'd catch the bus to school, and how I would laugh with my friends on the way to Rundle Mall. I had so many memories, they were almost like a film playing through my head. I felt tears falling and moments passed as I wrapped my arms around myself and blinked to prevent more tears from falling. "I want my life back, this was a good time, but just give me my life back," I whispered, trying to compose myself.

————

My tears betrayed me and I ended up downstairs with the Port roses. "Perfect," I whispered as I was forced to sit down on a chair. "No Corleone family?" I joked but looked around and realised I was in deep shit and I doubt they'd be interested in film jokes, particularly ones that don't come out for another decade.

I sat in silence as the men discussed business. I wasn't paying attention; I just kept my eyes on the man in charge. They spoke about money, and then it was back and forth about pay and needing more people to come in. I perked up when I heard my name, I looked sat up straight and acted like I was talking to the queen, because well I've seen plenty of criminal shows to know what happens when you disrespect the head gang member. "We need you to be more original." I looked at the guy and nodded. "What was that song you played here to get the job?" I swallowed before I answered, he blew out his cigar turning his head to the side and I immediately thought of Tom Hardy in Legend.

"I sang Power, why?" I asked and I saw my boss face palm. "I don't remember the full song, but if it will help I can practice it." He smirks and I leaned back, not the best breath.

"Good, we will be back in a week and if this place isn't packed. Well both of you can kiss your jobs goodbye." I nodded rapidly, my boss nods. I watched them all leave, all nine of them. As the last one left, I let out a breath and slouch in the chair.

I've always wanted to have an encounter with a gang, that wasn't an eshay from back home. Now I've got three to add to that list. I hadn't realised I was being an idiot until my boss clicked his fingers in my face. "Ahh hello, get to it." I nodded getting up.

I went to the bar following behind my boss frank. "Hey Frank, when was this place last packed?" I asked, as I sat at the stool in front of the bar as he walked behind it. "You're not opened and it's just us." I warned him as I saw he was going to establish his dominance and tell me off.

"To be honest we've struggled for months." I grabbed a napkin and a pen from the bar. "We've had a few shoot out here for the gang wars and it just never got back to its roots." He paused and started cleaning a glass. "Abby before it was taken over by the gang I had a popular bar. "I used to own it but I kept getting robbed so I paid the gang for protection that when they started buying up the whole area."

I looked at the clock and saw it was nearly 11am. "I've not slept yet." I complained, looking down at the napkin and remembered the old days, where I used to write songs at a bar with Meghan as we had bottomless brunches.

"Well it's Thursday tonight so we don't open until 11pm if you wanna get some sleep." I shake my head at my boss, in the short moments we have before his misogynistic tendencies kick in, he's not all bad. "I understand why he want's power, it was the last time we had more than what ten customers." I rolled my eyes at him as he turns his back to me to place the tray of glasses away.

"I don't think it was for my singing, there Frank I mean boss." I admit, as I tried remembering the lyrics, particularly the beginning I hated it, well not hated it but this song is a struggle to sing. I also admitted that I never wanted to do Meghan's bit in power again, she's so good.