Episode: 1.9

--- Allison ---

She sat in a small corner of the mall, away from the shoppers, and extremely grateful for the lack of a crowd today.

(Damn it Allison…)

She ran a hand down her face, before pausing to watch the subtle shaking of her hands. She grit her teeth before clenching it into a fist in hope of hiding her weakness, even if only from herself… especially if from herself…

(Jer’s the one good thing you’ve got going on and you’re fucking ruining it…)

Her hand went limp, as her gaze fell back to the tiled floor.

(Just like you always do…)

“What the fuck is wrong with me…?” she asked herself, rubbing the palm of her hands against her eyes.

(You know what’s wrong with you…)

A chill ran down her spine, as her hand shakily did the same to her face.

(Killer…)

“I… I need a drink…”

Wobbling slightly, she forced herself onto her feet, before glancing around, “This place has to have a liquor store or something…”

“Are you alright Miss?” a voice asked.

She blinked once before turning to see dark haired woman with blonde highlights and a light tan, who seemed strangely familiar for some reason.

“Um…” she glanced around, already knowing she was the only person the woman could be talking to, “Do I know you?”

“Oh, sorry!” the woman apologized with wide eyes, “I’m Siena Romano, erm, Damico’s Daughter.”

“Oh, right, the uh, tailor, right?” she nodded, recognizing the woman and her daughter sitting nearby while eating an ice cream at nearby table.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Yeah, I don’t mean to intrude but I saw you with Jericho, and…” Siena’s lips thinned for a moment as she thought over whatever she was going to say, before shaking her head. “It just looked like you could use someone to talk too…”

“Um, look, Siena? I appreciate the offer but…” she paused, before shaking her head, “I don’t want to bother you with my issues.”

“It’s no bother,” Sienna waved her off, “any friend of Jericho’s is a friend of mine.”

She paused again.

(Right… she gave Jer that weird look before rushing out of the store…)

“I, um,” she ran a hand across the back of her neck.

(Eh, fuck it…)

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “If you’re sure it’s not a bother I could, I could use something to keep my mind off of… things…”

(And off of finding the nearest liquor store.)

“Then why don’t you come sit with me and Alyss.” Sienna smiled, gesturing to the table.

She blinked before glancing at the similarly named girl.

“Uh, sure.” She nodded before following her over, before taking a seat.

There was an awkward silence once they’d both sat down, only interrupted by the sound of the kid, Alyss, eating her ice cream. As Sienna seemed content to let her talk about her issues, for whatever reason.

(Damn it, forgot how much I suck at small talk without alcohol…)

“So…” she scrambled for a topic, “Your kid’s name is Alyss?”

The girl looked up at her name as Sienna nodded, with a bittersweet smile. “She was named after a friend, strongest girl I ever knew… She’s, uh, not with us anymore…”

“Oh…” she nodded awkwardly, not sure how to respond to that.

(Of course, I pick the fucking landmine topic…)

She glanced around the mall, hoping to find some topic to talk about in the near deserted mall.

(Something safe… something safe…)

“So, how’d you meet Jer?” She barely kept herself from wincing, once she registered her question, on that (very not safe topic.)

“I guess he hasn’t told you about me…” Sienna smiled, though there was something sad about it.

“He said you two invited him to your wedding before there even was one.” She offered, trying to cheer the other woman up.

Sienna gave her an odd half smile, saying she knew what Rook was doing and appreciated it. “He went to high school with me and my husband. Helped us both sort out,” Sienna glanced at her daughter, “a lot of issues for both of us. Then again, that’s what he did for everyone back then, even if he had it rougher than most.”

“Yeah…” she couldn’t help but agree, a fond smile on her face. “Gets him and everyone else in trouble more often than not.”

“But that’s what made Jericho, Jericho F-” Sienna glanced at her daughter again, before turning back to Rook. “Jericho ‘effing’ King.”

“That’s uh,” She couldn’t help but shake her head with a wry grin. “That’s a bit of… emphasis there.”

Sienna had her sad smile again. “I’m guessing he doesn’t introduce himself that way anymore?”

“Not that I’ve heard.” Though some part of her could picture him saying that.

“Yeah, Jericho… he was always something special…” “It’s little wonder Alyss and Cass couldn’t keep away from him.”

“Who’s Cass?”

Sienna blinked, before frowning. “Cassidy, you know Jericho and Alyss’-”