LUXURE

22. GOOD RIDDANCE

Jordie and I stood in there in silence as we clung to each other for support. His arms wrapped around my waist as I held the back of his head to my stomach. I watched the men wheel her body wrapped in the black body bag out the door.

When they left with her body, I could feel myself slipping back into shock. That police officer was right, I need to be strong for Jordie. My hands started shaking uncontrollably as realization started to settle in. Before I let it destroy me, I grabbed my phone from my room and dialed the first number on the list.

"Hi." I could hear a smile in his voice. I couldn't even respond as realization set in more and more. "Scarlett?" He questioned when I didn't respond.

"I..." Was all I could manage before I started crying.

"Scarlett what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"No. I-I-I need help." My words were failing me and I didn't even know how to tell him without breaking my soul.

"I'm on my way. Tell me what's wrong? What happened?"

"She's dead." I whispered unintentionally. I stared out the window letting my vision focus on one spot as my hands started shaking and my heart started racing. "She's dead." I repeated a little louder. "She's dead." I started sobbing as I let the phone fall out of my hand and clatter on the floor. I fell to my knees and sobbed into my hands. I could hear Giovanni on the phone, but I couldn't find it in me to pick up the phone. When I found it in me, I wiped away my tears and walked into the living room where Jordie was sitting on the floor in front of the front door which was wide open.

I sat down at the dinning table and looked at the chair my mom always sits at. Used to always sit at. I could feel my whole body shaking.

"Scarlett. Scarlett? Can you hear me?" His voice drew me out of my trance. I looked to my right where Giovanni was kneeling in front of me with his hands on my knees. When I looked at him his hands moved to my arms where I felt like he was stabilizing me. Stopping the shakes that thundered through my body. When I saw the concern in his eyes I felt myself start crying.

"She's gone Giovanni. Gone. Forever" I sobbed. He pulled me into a hug in his chest and let me sob against him. I grabbed his shirt in my fists and pulled him closer to me. He caressed my hair and told me everything was going to be okay.

"Pack a bag, you are both coming to my place. Got it?" He sounded stern, it was exactly what I needed. I nodded my head. He walked me to my room before heading back to the living room.

"Hey Jordie, it's okay. Come here buddy." I heard him say, I walked out of the room and poked my head around the door frame. Giovanni was holding Jordie in a tight hug. Jordie was as tall as Giovanni when he was kneeling. "Let's pack a bag for you. You guys are gonna come hang out at my house, how's that sound?" I saw Jordie nod as he wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand. Giovanni held out his hand for Jordie to take as they walked into his bedroom.

I turned my attention back into packing. My brain wasn't cooperating and I didn't even pay attention to the clothes I threw into the bag. I hurried out of the room and when I walked into the living room I had a glimpse of a memory of mom sitting on the couch laughing with Jordie. My eyes went wide and my hand shot up to my mouth. I suddenly felt ill. I dropped my bag and ran to the bathroom where I threw up all the contents in my stomach. After flushing and rinsing out my mouth I sat down by the door, suddenly feeling too weak to continue. I held my head in my hands when I heard the door creak open and Giovanni slid into the room and sat next to me.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into his side. We sat there in silence before he helped me stand up. He picked my bag up from the floor and threw Jordie's over his shoulder as he led both Jordie and I out of the apartment. I tried to look back at the door but Giovanni stopped my head from turning with his hand.