The Mafia's Silent Keeper

ss

dusty hardwood floor. I stirred under the thin blanket draped over the couch, one leg dangli

cture. Another four-hour shift a

ness in my neck. I really needed

the fridge. It was a studio.....barely enough room to turn around in,but it was mine. It smelle

buzzed on t

t before class. And call

ed, thum

fine, Mo

eating instant noodles f

ways had. Especia

g loudly, always wearing that beat-up leather jacket even in the summer, sneaking me chocolate when Mom

s Eigh

lege classes, a part-time job, and a life I

and stirred in the cheapest instant coffee I could fin

anner was a mess of scribbles and highlighter marks,assignments, shifts, reminders to sleep and eat. I fl

d down the block, and someone was already arguing about parking. I pu

day. Norm

g to wor

envelope wait

. No return address. Just my nam

ed texts and cards with glitter that never stayed wher

round the ha

n the counter. My fingers hovered over it for a second

ell out. No note.

st t

t like it was g

k the law. I barely went out except for class

my gut told me not to. I slid it into the drawer beneath my sock

ing to do with

ed my key

smelled like heaven, the bookstore with peeling posters in the window, and the

lecture hall, I'd convinc

or Belly waved me o

trying to sound mor

elping with the e

"Y

need your organ

was good at pretendi

the event. Not to the midterms creeping closer. B

d something to

. Took sudden trips. Brushed off questions with a quick smile

at if it

dn't really kn

****

at on the edge of my bed, wit

ong time. My heart thudd

ce in my head whispe

didn't

ugged

led with numbers, dates, fore

cept

vi

licke

my tiny apartment. De

ing this, it means

fr

are others who want what your father left behind. Be ca

reen wen

n stunned

.had secrets.

I was pa

I wanted t