When Tomorrow Never Came

chapter 20

After talking for a few hours and eating our meal we decided to give ourselves a day apart and we'd see each other at the memorial center on Saturday. When I went to leave for the bus stop Pierson insisted he give me a ride home. On our way we passed Zussmans rig and Luciana too.

"That's strange they're supposed to be at the Swills for drinks right now," I noticed. Pierson continued driving and once we pulled up to the house I saw a very lost in her thoughts Gerty staring off into the darkness. 

"I swear to God if something happened between her and Chicago I'm throwing him off the hospital" I hissed. 

"Just don't get caught,"he replied looking at me "would it be okay if I gave you a goodnight kiss?" He asked

"Will, after everything that happened between us today, you're worried about giving me a kiss?" I asked  he gave me a shy shrug and I leaned in giving him a kiss 

"Goodnight, I'll see you Saturday" I told him as I opened the door. I gave him one more glance thankful he was actually a much more patient man than he was a Sergeant. I walked up the little stone walk to the porch where Gerty was sitting still oblivious to her surroundings

"Jeez Gerts, you look like you've been in a whirlwind" I exclaimed trying to catch her attention while I got closer to the porch

"Let's just say its been an interesting cocktail hour" she mumbled slumping onto the porch swing 

"Wanna talk?" I offered timing myself with the swing to sit down by Gerty. I saw Pierson driving away and quickly waved goodbye then I turned to Gerty waiting for an answer

Gerty glumly shook her head "it's not me that needs to talk but Judy, mom, and Lydia could use an ear." She said looking out to the dark street. I looked at her surprised that the one person I could turn to couldn't return that favor to her own family

"Then go lend an ear. " i finally ordered matter of factly looking at her like an idiot

"I'm not the right ear" she whispered "after Dad died I wasn't the right ear I couldn't help I couldn't fix things, I had no wise words to share to comfort them and still don't" she added 

"Gerty, sometimes they don't need some wise fortune to help them work through it. Even Father Mose, says the best thing to do at times is just listen not guide." I lectured trying to get her to understand. I looked at her when I finally realized what she was saying " I'll listen to Lydia if you'll listen to Gloria and Judy." I offered. Finally after deliberating Gerty nodded. so together we went to listen. 

Judy and Gloria were still in the living room, Gerty handed them another beer and tossed me two before I walked up the stairs. I could hear an echo of sniffles with each step I climbed. I knocked on her door not even waiting for a response before I just walked in. I opened the beer using her desks, hooked metal pulls and handed her one. 

"Everyone seems rather frazzled tonight…" I stated as I sat by her on her bed

"Yeah you missed a lot" she muttered

"You fill me in and I'll fill you in" I answered. Lydia took a big swig of her beer before looking at me 

"The Fransin couple both died today, and Aiello and I made love, the condom broke, we got here late so everyone knew we were a bit guilty, Luciana wouldn't let it be, she hates Aiello and is dead set that I belong with Paul and I swear to god if I have to explain this to one more person I'm shoving this bottle right up their asses" she ranted. My eyes widened as I took in every thing she said 

"That's quite the day…" I finally said, taking a sip of my beer.

"So how was your day?" She grumbled