When the gypsy met the gorga

Chapter 23: Millie

Some one had gone to call Gran. I sat on the bench. Ben sat next to me not saying anything. His hand hesitated. He was wondering if he should hold my hand.

I just wanted to be alone. I didn't want to face Gran. I wished she didn't have to know.

I didn't cry. I held back a monster inside me ready to get its revenge but I knew I had to be rational. I heard a pair of foot steps. I looked up to see a tense Stefan look at me worried and then I let out my anger. I got up and shoved him.

" HE'S DEAD!!", I yelled. Every one in the room stared. " Go tell that brother of yours. I hope he' s happy!" I kept on shoving Stefan who didn't do anything. He looked like he wanted to puke. I stopped and looked at him. He looked at me helplessly. I howled feeling demented. He got a hold of me pulling me in for a hug while I just howled into his chest. "Let it out", he whispered. He massaged my head with one hand. My howls turned into sobs. He rocked me back and forthe. I held onto him tight.

" Millie", said a soft male voice. Stefan's body turned stiff. I turned to see who it was. I stared wondering why Mr Mantle was here. He didn't care about my Grandpa. There wasn't a look of any sadness on his face. It was neutral. I didn't let go of Stefan ditto him me.

" I'm sorry Millie", he said. I didn't move. I turned to see a shocked and bewildered Terrence who just looked down at the floor. I turned back to Mr Mantle. " If you need any kind of help then call me. Your Grandpa was a priceless asset to my firm." I didn' t say a thing but silently accepted the card he handed me. He turned to walk away. Terrence stood there rooted finally looking up. He looked shocked and confused. "Milie...I...I", he started.

" Terrence!", called his Dad. He stopped and then went after his Dad who held him while they walked off but it wasn' t like he cared about his son's sadness. It was because he was stopping him from saying something.

There was a funeral for Grandpa the next day. I didn't feel like saying anything. Gran was too overcome so Uncle Sam who came over from Canada had to read her lines. People had started giving the gypsys bad looks again. I didn't know what to make of it. I was busy thinking this as I held onto Gran's hand at church. Stefan had come and left in the morning. He didn't want to attract unwanted attention. He was the only one who made anything seem right. But I was rethinking this whole gypsy opinion I had. I knew it was wrong and deep inside something told me that Ferka didn't have anything in him that would make him do something like this but I was so overcome with sadness and anger. I was resolute to fight for Grandpa.

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Everone had left by 8 pm. Uncle Sam was going to be staying in my room while I stayed with Gran for the night. She was sobbing in her sleep calling out Frank every now and then. I wanted to wake her up but I didn't think it was a good idea.

There was a knock on the door. I went and opened it. Stefan stood outside. I let him in and went and made some hot chocolate. He came behind  and held my waist kissing my shoulder. " Gran's gone to sleep?", he whispered. I nodded still mixing the hot chocolate. The mug tipped over. I banged my fist on the table. " Shit!", I snapped and then cried. " It's all my fault!"

"What? No Millie. Calm down. You're not thinking right."

" I'm so dumb to think a gypsy clan would accept me. I'm so selfish."

"Look it has nothing to do with that,"said Stefan. " I ...think Mantle had threatened him to do it to put a hold on the protest. I just need some proof. I'll prove it wasn't Ferka's fault and that he was threatened into it."

I stared. "How can you tell?"

" Karl told me that Ferka sometimes stepped out of the shop every now and then to meet Terrence or anyone in the gang. Karl never asked him thinking it was some stupid attempt to get cool or something. You know Ferka would never so something like that especially not to Frank."

I didn't say anything. I looked down.

" I don't know Stefan....I really don't. All I know is that I have to fight for my Grandpa. If I get evidence then okay but after what the witnesses say and.....even he's admitted that it was to keep me away from you. What am I supposed to believe?"

Stefan sighed scratching the stubble on his cheek. I wanted to badly believe that Ferka wouldn't do something like that. I didn't want to hate Ferka and I certainly didn't want anything coming in between Stefan and me.