Michael Gray: Better Man

The Call

Walking in the diner that she was all too familiar with, Olivia was greeted at the countertop by the woman who she had become close friends with over the years.

Ginny was a fun woman despite her being in her fifties. She was still very active, cracks a lot of jokes, and has a foul mouth she wasn't afraid to use on anyone who crossed her.

"Well that's not a happy face." She greeted Olivia with a smile.

"It is not a happy evening, Ginny." She sat down.

"Care to share, dear?"

"I received a phone call about half an hour ago." She started telling the story.

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Her phone at home rang for the first time in months.

This is odd. She thought. Calls to her home were usually expected, as clients would inform her ahead of reaching out after office hours for more important matters.

Lifting the phone to her ear, her breath hitched when she realized who's voice was it on the other line.

"Olivia, dear, how are you doing?" It was Polly, greeting her in a sweet tone.

"H-hello Poll." She stated nervously, not really knowing how to converse with someone who practically raised her, and whom she left without a goodbye because of a jerk son of hers.

"Now, don't get all nervous talking to me, dear. I completely understand why did what you've done." She assured her.

This made her finally let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding.

"After being angry for a week, of course." Polly added with a lighter tone.

Olivia chuckled.

"I am sorry, Poll. But also please extend my apologies to the rest of the family, and another one to Thomas in advance, for I might kick his balls the next time I see him."

"Oh no, dear, it was me who pried on your phone call years ago. I am sorry it took me a long time to ask him of your number. But you're welcome to still kick him where the sun doesn't shine, he's been acting a lot more of an ass these days." Polly laughed.

The lightness of their conversation so far was what made her realize that she does actually miss them back home.

"I'll consider, Polly." She was smiling from ear to ear. All these years she didn't call them for fear of being hung up on or met with the vilest of words. Now here she was, actually talking to a Shelby other than Thomas, and it was going better than she expected.

"I have a favor to ask you, dear." Polly said, now in a slightly more serious tone.

"Anything, Poll. I owe you."

Then Poll proceeded to tell her about everything that recently went down. She wasn't surprised tho, she knew Michael's head gotten too big in the head, and him betraying Thomas was bound to happen.

"... now he's being exiled from here." She finished. Then taking time to pause, she then added.

"And he's heading straight to you."

She couldn't respond. She was too shocked to open her mouth.

Why here? Why now, when she was finally doing well?

"Olivia, I really am sorry, and don't blame Thomas for this because it was I who insisted. I've already lost him for years, and I just couldn't bare not knowing where he's gonna be sent to, please forgive me." Polly pleaded, growing nervous now that the girl had gone silent over the phone.
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"Oh my..." Ginny reacted.

"Uhuh... just my luck."

"Wait, so you agreed?!" The older woman exclaimed.

Ginny knew all about it. Her life with the Shelby family, meeting Michael, the fights, and the cheating. And it's safe to say she isn't really the biggest fan of him.

"I couldn't really turn her down, Gin, how can I when she didn't turn raising me down all those years ago?"

The woman nodded in understanding.
"So when is this jackass coming?"

"I'm expecting him tomorrow. He knows where I live." She sighed.

After knowing that by tomorrow she'd have to face him again, she decided to come down to the same place that first made her welcome into the state. The diner.

"Listen. If he ever tries anything, or hurts you in any way, you come to me. I have some good ropes at home that could be of good use." Ginny stated, half jesting.

"I'll deliver him straight to you, myself." Olivia giggled.

Taking hold of her hand, the older woman gave it a gentle squeeze. "You'll be fine." She assured her.

"I'll be fine." She repeated.

Then she spent the rest of her night chatting and helping around the place. Every employee their knows her, especially because she'd became practically a daughter the their owner, Ginny.

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