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“You can come back, but it will still be locked.” I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping my defiant stance would convey I wasn’t about to give in to his bullying.
“Listen, you bitch.” His tone changed as he leaned in, trying to intimidate me once more before catching himself. He inhaled so deeply that his nostrils flared, and his teeth ground together. “We’ll be back at five-thirty, and you will give us the money because if you don’t, we start breaking things.”
“Break anything, and I’ll call the cops.” Unmoving, my voice was stern as I locked gazes with Johnny. We stood there, staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
Finally, he laughed. “Sure, Sugar. We’ll see ‘bout that.”
He nodded his head, and the other two men moved out. They left the register, but Nicky or Steve pocketed a necklace on his way out. I opened my mouth to object, but the door clanged ominously shut, and I was left standing there feeling like a fool.
Exhaling heavily, I moved to the door, touching the lock and watching them climb into a nearby car. Memorizing their license plate, I stepped away from the window, reciting it over and over in my head. Though, I suspected I’d lose any nerve to call the cops. If gangsters were real, so were bought-for cops.
Before long, the men’s visit faded from my mind, and I fell into the day. It went by in a blur, with last-minute tasks completed and a few curious people poking their heads in to see what was happening. Press interviewed me about the shop, promising a small interest article in the next publication.
Still, it was slower in terms of sales than I’d expected. Over the last few months, a social media blitz tracked interest in the business, and online sales steadily increased. I’d expected a better turnout at the storefront on the first day.
Five-thirty rolled around all too soon, and the door chimed again. Three all-too-familiar men walked in while the remaining few customers walked out. Their disparaging glances as they passed the thugs told me everything I needed to know about my situation.
I was in deep shit.
“I thought I told you I wasn’t going to pay?”
“And I thought we warned you of the consequences if you didn’t.” Johnny pulled out his cellphone, eyeing Nicky and Steve as they looked around, taking stock of the shop. “Ay, boss, she’s still refusing to pay.” He grunted, and my eyes narrowed on the bat hanging from Nicky/Steve’s hand. “Alright. Sure thing.” He gave a nod, and bat boy lifted his arm.
“Wait!” I shouted, moving toward the thug as he aimed his shot at my glass cabinet. “Stop!”
It was too late. The stand shattered as the bat connected, sending the handmade jewelry tumbling to the ground.
“Jesus!” I ducked, covering my face as glass sprayed everywhere.
“Stop!” Johnny held out his hand, holding the phone tighter to his ear.
I stepped forward and snatched the phone from his hand. “Hello?”
“Who’s this?”
“This is the owner of the shop you’re letting your thugs destroy. Who the fuck are you?”
He laughed, which only fueled my anger.
“I asked you a question.”
“Bit of a spitfire, aren’t you?”
“That’s not an answer!”
“Ay, it’s not. And you’re not getting one.”
“You might feel safe hiding behind a phone, but let me tell you, you’re not.”
“I’m not.”
“That’s right. You’re not.”
He laughed again. “No, I meant I’m not hiding behind a phone.”
“I … You’re not?”
“Nah.” He laughed harder. “Give me back to Johnny.”
