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Julia
That damn winehit me like a ton of bricks! I had always been a lightweight when it came to drinking, but the news of Grandfather Armani dyeing was simply the final straw today. I mean it really wasn’t a complete shock since he was sickly and old but I was still blindsided by it. And then to top it off, Edward telling me to cancel out all the work I had just done to save his ass AGAIN. Unbelievable! But I still shouldn’t have had that third glass of Merlot!
Now I found myself practically staggering down the street! I wished I hadn’t promised Michael I’d help him set up his gig; I just wanted to go home and lie down. But I couldn’t let him down. He was depending on me. As usual Edward had been too wrapped up in his own problems to notice the state I was in and I was too proud to let on that I needed help. To be fair, he had had a lot to drink himself and was obviously very mentally distracted by the distressing news.
I decided my best bet would simply be to catch a cable car that was heading in the direction of the wharf, even though it was only a short distance and it seemed dumb to pay six bucks for a 10-minute ride down the hill. But I just couldn’t bare the idea of walking any further. My legs were like noodles! I had no idea what use would I be to Michael in this condition but I felt like I had to at least make an effort.
The cable car bell rang twice as it approached the stop. It was completely full except for the running board on the outside. So I hopped aboard and hung on for dear life! Oh dear lord! My head was spinning. I could just imagine tomorrow’s headlines: Drunken Idiot Woman Hit By Bus After Fall From Trolley!
All the passengers disembarked in the park across from Ghirardelli Square. The tourist couple who had been seated nearest me looked relieved that I hadn’t vomited on them. I plopped down on a park bench in an effort to compose myself and hopefully sober up a little as well.
I had a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge but I knew it wouldn’t last too much longer as the late afternoon fog was starting to roll in. I gazed out over the bay as I contemplated the possible repercussions of the elder Armani’s passing. I knew it was selfish to think about myself at a time like this, but I had a very real concern about my job: If Edward no longer had to worry about maintaining a squeaky-clean public image for his inheritance, why in the world would he still need me on the payroll?
Of course it was possible that his grandfather had already cut him out of the will entirely. He had been disgusted with his grandson’s behavior for quite some time. Did I really want that to happen to Edward? No I didn’t. Not at all. Either way, I suspected my job was on shaky ground. And now just what I needed – the hiccups!
After about half an hour on the bench, I decided I’d better get over to the jazz club to help Michael. I was immensely proud of my little brother and I told him so every chance I got. He was truly a fine musician. I slowly stood up, inhaled a few deep breaths of cool sea air and made my way out of the park toward Louie’s Pier 55.
Michael and his band were setting up onstage. I waved to him from across the dance floor as I entered the club and he yelled, “Hey Sis! Thanks for comin’! C’mon up here!” As I ran up to greet him, I tripped on the final step and belly-flopped onto the stage. My initial laughter soon turned to uncontrollable hiccupping and then finally to a flood of tears. Michael and the guys helped me up and sat me on his drum seat. He gestured to them to leave us alone for a minute.
“Julia what is the matter with you? You smell like booze. Are you drunk?”
“I’m sorry Michael. I guess I did have a little too much wine at work with Edward this afternoon.”
“You worked today? I didn’t know that. I thought you were out running….”
“Uh huh….Edward called me into the office. It was an emergency.”
“Everything’s an emergency with that guy. But why were you drinking wine at the office?”
“We weren’t. We went out to lunch.”
“Let me guess…….lunch at Armani’s again!”
“Of course! Anyway, Edward’s grandpa died and I started feeling insecure about my job. I’m pretty sure it’s short-lived. What am I gonna do if he fires me?”
“He’d be an idiot if he even thinks about doing that. He’s always going to need your help... Anyway, don’t worry about it. I won’t kick you out on the street Sis! I won’t let you become a homeless bag woman!” Michael laughed at his own comments.
“That’s just it though! I’m afraid he won’t need my help anymore now that he doesn’t have to worry about pleasing his grandfather. The handwriting is on the wall…….”
At that point, I went into a full-on crying jag. Poor Michael. Just what he needed on opening night! But I couldn’t help myself. I was a wreak. He carefully walked me down the stairs, sat me in a corner booth and got me a cup of coffee. I apologized profusely to him for being a burden and my sweetie pie of a brother forgave me and assured me I had nothing to worry about.
“Don’t worry Julia. Sit here, relax and enjoy the show. We’ll talk more about all this at home okay? You don’t have to stay for our whole set either. But if you wanna leave early, please tell me so I can call you a cab. Promise?”
“Yes I promise Michael. You’re the best brother in the whole wide world Michael. I love you so much, you know that?”
“Yeah yeah, I know. Now please drink this coffee and sober up. I’m gonna join the guys now and finish getting ready okay?”
“Go ahead. I’ll be fine….thanks Michael. Break a leg!”
Regrettably, I missed most of Michael’s show. I sort of recalled listening to their first couple of songs but then I seemed to remember thinking how comfortable the cushy booth was. And then BAM I guess I went out like a light. I suddenly awoke to the sound of my brother’s voice whispering in my ear.
“C’mon Sleeping Beauty…….wake up. Time to go home.”
I used the ladies’ room to freshen up while Michael called a cab for us. I was feeling extremely embarrassed and remorseful about how the evening turned out.
“I’m so sorry about tonight Michael. I let you down and I missed most of your show. I promise I’ll make it up to you somehow.”
“Julia stop beating yourself up. Shit just happens sometimes. To everyone. Plus we have a month-long contract with Louie’s so you’ll have plenty of chances to hear us play here again.”
We climbed into the backseat of the cab and I gave Michael a big hug. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother. He was so comforting and I felt so secure snuggled up next to him. I rested my head on his shoulder and smiled to myself at how lucky I was to have him.
“Ya know Julia, I am kinda surprised about one thing though. I really thought you had a lot more self-worth. Why do you care so much about working for that arrogant asshole anyway? He doesn’t even fully appreciate you. You already know you can get way more money at any law firm in the city. I would think you’d be happy to be free of that whole dysfunctional family. Edward Armani doesn’t deserve you. I don’t understand why you put up with him…..”
Michael’s voice trailed off, probably out of frustration. It wasn’t the first time he had given me that speech and I knew he was one-hundred percent correct on all counts. I appreciated his concern and loved that he always looked out for me and had my best interest at heart. We were very close and we normally didn’t keep secrets from each other, but I just couldn’t tell him about my sexual relationship with Edward. He would absolutely freak if he knew!
And he’d probably try to kick Edward’s ass in some absurd macho defense of my honor…….and boy would he lose!
Edward would wipe the floor with him. He outweighed my little bro by at least 50 pounds of solid muscle. It was definitely better that Michael didn’t know all the “duties” of my job. I smiled to myself again; hardly a duty. More like a very sweet “fringe benefits” package. Good thing I didn’t have to pay taxes on it, because I’d be broke…
“You just gotta trust me Michael…….. I have my reasons.”
