The Unusual Trio

Chapter 2

Jordan picks the phone up.
"Hey Jordan!" The person hollers.
"Why are you screaming Josiah?" He questioned his brother.
"Just had to. Anyway, I have a big favor."
"What is it?"
"Do you mind watching Isami for the next few days?"
"Sorry, but I can't."
"Aww, why?"

Jordan explained the phone call from Mr. Yasimi and his assignment in Russia.
"Oh, that is very big." Josiash agrees.
"It is Josiah, which is why I can't watch Isami. I leave on Saturday, but I get there on Friday. Strange, isn't it?" Jordan points out.
"It is when you mentioned it, but it's the time zones. Just be fortunate that you'll be going west and not east."

Josiah did make a point. If Jordan was going east, he would experience jet lag.
"Anyway, why do you need Isami to be supervised?" Jordan asked.
"Because  my wife and I are going to Singapore for a few days and we have tickets to depart tomorrow." Josiah explained.
"Hmm. Why can't you ask one of your colleagues?"
"I don't need them to bring their alcoholic drinks around him. Besides, the only one I can think of is Tishima, but she's sick."
"Her sister?"
"I can ask, but you're my very last option."

Just as Jordan was about to explain that he only has one plane ticket, Josiah hangs up. He sighed and puts the phone away. If he was departing on Saturday, he might as well start packing up to get ready.
_______________________________________________________
Rose didn't have everything. She had to do some shopping because Russia is pretty cold. She wanted to call Suki to see what she would wear, but it's still not nine yet. She called anyway. Suki surprisingly picked up.
"Hey Suki."
"What's wrong Rose?"
"Nothing. Just seeing what you'll bring."
"Obviously a heavy coat. I wouldn't go with a summer dress."
"I guess."
"Besides, I just finished another operation. You're fortunate on that."
"True."
"I'll call when I'm done. I have another operation to attend to. It'll be the last one for the day."
"Have fun then. Bye."

Rose sighed as she placed her phone back on the counter.
'Another success.' Rose thought with sarcasm. She might as well do some shopping. She dressed in casual clothing and got her bag. She departs and went underground towards the subway station. She decides to go to East River Plaza.

Once she arrived, she went to the first store. She finds a very heavy coat. It was white and was furry and soft to feel. She bought it immediately. Rose also bought a hat, a pair of gloves, a scarf, and snowboots. Rose also bought a few accessories for herself. She then headed for the subway to get back home. She couldn't believe that it was 9:17.

Rose felt a tap on her shoulder. She spun quickly.
"Hey there."
"Suki? What are you doing here?"
"I finished my shift."
"Right. Wait, don't you have to come in on Monday?"
"Don't you remember? I requested off, so someone else will be covering my shifts."
"That's good to hear."
"Whatcha got in the bag?"

She became curious. Rose opens the bag.
"I see that you purchased a few items."
"It's for our trip to Russia." She answered.
"I know that Rosie."
"I thought you lived in the Bronx." She said with confusion on her face.
"I do. Remember how my car broke down last week?" Rose remembered how Suki called her at 7:50 in the morning to ask for a ride to work. Literally an hour and ten minutes before both of their shifts started for the day,
"Yes."
"Yeah. That's still being fixed right. It won't be ready until Monday."

Suki then realized that she won't be in New York. She won't even be in the country when her car is ready.
"Drats. We'll be in Russia. What should I do?" Suki chewed her bottom lip.
"Can't you pick it up when you come back?"
"Each day you don't pick up, there is a fee I like to call "keeping-your-car-in-our-hands" fee because they're keeping it until you come back."
"How much is it each day?"
"It's fifty dollars. It'll be over two hundred dollars when we come back."
"Try talking to them."
"I might have to do that when I get back home. Right now, I would like to enjoy the ride in peace and you're bothering me."

Rose pretended to be offended from the statement.
"Well you're the one who started talking." She giggled.
"Pssh, whatever." Rose's stop arrived.
"See you later."
"Bye now Rosie." She hops off and watch the train leave through the tunnel.
_______________________________________________________
Mali's eyes were intensely staring at a picture of her older brother.
"I don't know what made you decide to play Russian roulette." She mumbles. Mali was half-expecting him to answer her in a mocking tone.
"Sometimes I wonder if you are really a stubborn man. You do take on after Papa though." She smiles slightly.

When she heard that her brother was "unintentionally" killed during a typical Russian roulette that ended up going wrong, she couldn't cry. She didn't believe that. Mali thought Viktor would come back in the morning telling her that it was all a sick joke. Unfortunately, it was harsh reality. Mali thought the person who "accidentally" shot Viktor in the head had an intention to kill him.

Her mother cried for a month while her father went on a drinking spree, and it was to the point where he would come home drunk. The family became dysfunctional. All her mother would do was cry and sleep. Her father would go to work, drink until drunk, and sleep and repeat it. It was a vicious cycle for a month. Mali had to pretend that eveeything was okay. She would go to school, hoping that she would forget everything.

It would work, but only until she went back home. Once she would step foot inside, it was a complete chaos. Mali vaguely remembered that her father almost drunk himself to death and how he kept wailing, "Fathers should stick with their sons no matter where they are located" and that was terrifying to hear.

She had to buy flowers for the grave. She got up and hugged the photo.
"Mali loves you very much Viktor." She smiles and lets a single tear fall on her face. She puts the photo away and dressed to go out again. She went to the local flower shop.
"Why hello Ms. Mali." The owner of the shop had Mali had her as a yearly customer.
"Hello Mr. Morozov."
"You're here quite early. Don't you visit your brother in December?"
"Usually yeah, but my parents would like to do it on Friday. They won't be here at all in the month of December."
"Oh. That makes sense. Would it be the usual?"

Mali nods and paid her flowers. She waved goodbye to Mr. Morozov. She had to get home and take care of herself.