The Barmaid's Contract

30

"Hey, mum." I whispered softly as I dropped to my knees. "I'm sorry I haven't visited lately."

I brushed away the dead flower petals by the headstone and placed a fresh bouquet there. "Daisies. Your favourites."

I took a deep breathe, wiping the tears away. I've been back in town for four days now.

"I own a pub." I half laughed at myself. "Gav's one. To help him. After he helped you and me." I placed my hands down flat on the grass.

"Dominic died." That's exactly how slack of a daughter I had been. It's been a month since I've been here. It's always so emotional. "Left me his company on the east coast."

I've been drowning in my own sorrows. Work and sleep. Because if I do anything else between them, I get really sad.

"What an experience that was. I nearly had to marry someone, twice! To get rid of it." I moved my legs from under me and sat cross legged. "Why would Dominic do that to me, mum? Would you know? I mean, yeah, I met some great people. You would really like Cally. She is so energetic. I'm thinking of going to her wedding. I don't know yet. Bash, he was great fun. Then Avery. He is the exact opposite to me." I let out a long sigh.

I sat there a bit longer, just staring at the tombstone. "I miss you, mum, so much." I cried, the tears starting over again. I hated the fact that she got sick. I hated the fact that she couldn't be saved. Why did she have to die before Dominic? Why? I screamed in my head.

I stood up and brushed the grass off my knees and backside. "I've gotta go now, mum. I'll visit again real soon. I love you."

I took another deep breathe before turning and walking away, leaving the cemetry.

*****

"Yo, Red. What's up? You haven't been the same since you went away for the weekend." Mark said to me and I gave him a small smile.

"Don't know what ya mean." I told him, giving him his drink.

"Hey Red. How are ya?" I turned to see who it was. Creep. "It's Maddox."

"What?" I asked him in a bored tone.

"I just wanna apologise for everything nasty and mean I've ever said to you."

I crossed my arms and looked him up and down. Actually, he did look cleaner.

"I've taken myself of the gear."

"Huh." So drugs did play a part of it. "Okay." Then I turned around.

The day dragged on and I had the tv on something when the news came on.

"Where is she now? Miss Alexandra Foster made a public appearance for the first time since her father's death.  She was last seen clinging to the side of Avery Montgomery, her fiance. But she doesn't seem to like..."

"Turn that crap off!" I snapped out, even though I was the one holding the remote. But I was too slow.

"Holy shite. She looks like you. A spitting image. And similar first names too, cause, you're a Murphy." Paulie said to me as he took the remote.

"Paulie, give that back. I'm not in the mood to listen to this shit." I growled at him, trying to reach over the bar for the remote.

"Maybe because that is Red, genius." Mark muttered into his beer.

"Mate, ya pulling me leg. This is Red. Not this Alexandra chick." Paulie continued as he turned the volume up.

I clenched my jaw and picked up a bar stool, stalking over to the television that was on the wall and with an all mighty scream, I threw it at the tv.