Alyssa

Today was a busy day. It just so happened to be Valentine's Day and couples were coming in and out. Loved ones sharing this happy day with each other. I was gonna be working double shifts today and tomorrow so I was gonna be on my feet for a long period of hours. But I don't complain, the money's good. 

Romani's is the name of my family's restaurant. It's been passed down from generation to generation. My dad told me that when his mom and dad died, they gave the restaurant over to him and so he keeps our name alive. We're going on three generations and it's a lot to say. Dad told me if something ever happens to him, he wants me to take over the business and then pass it down to my kids when it's time. Me, being the oldest, I have a responsibility of continuing our business. Of course this isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life, but if it keeps dad happy, I can continue pushing. 

As I finished taking the order of a rather large group of people, my brother, Hunter, walked up to me. 

"Hey sis." He says with a smile. Hunter's your average sixteen year old boy. He plays video games, hangs out with friends, and annoys the crap out of me. But I couldn't blame him though. Being stuck in that big house of ours tends to get boring. 

"Sup. What are you doing here?" I ask since Hunter never really comes here. He hasn't been here since mom died. I remember when mom was alive, she would take us here all the time when we were younger. She would say that 'when the time is right, everything will fall into place' Hunter being four and me being five at the time, didn't understand what she meant. But as the years passed, I started to understand a lot of things mom did and said. When mom died in a car accident a few months ago, we all were heart broken. I was the one trying to keep the family apart when in reality, we all were broken. There was no way for us to come together. Hunter wouldn't come out of his room for days. He didn't eat. Always played mom's favorite song, Lewis Capaldi someone you loved. Dad wasn't good either. He lost his wife and we lost our mom. Dad drunk himself to death every day and night. He cried for hours. He stopped taking care of the family business. He didn't talk to anyone for weeks. 

I on the other hand was a wreck, but I tried my best to pull everyone through. When I got my dad and Hunter to sleep, I went to my room and cried. Sometimes I went downstairs, got a bottle of Scotch, went to my room and drunk it while I cried. That was my way of grieving. I admit, it wasn't the best way but I couldn't afford to break down during the day time. I couldn't afford for my brother or dad to see me hurting when they were hurting too. 

When the time finally came, Hunter was calming down. He let me in his room, cried on my shoulder as we laid in bed, and was finally about to tell me how he was feeling. Dad on the other hand stopped drinking. He started seeing a counselor as we all did and we got through it. One of the things she told us was that Hunter and dad were the ones expressing their grief and I didn't really have the chance to be open about it with them. 

So every night, we would talk about how we feel and would come up with ways about how to help those feelings. We started going through moms things and we reminisced about the good ole days. Dad told us stories about mom and him before Hunter and I were born. Those were the times when they finally realized how much weight I had on my shoulders. I cried and they let me. They held onto me and didn't let me go. We were moving on, piecing things back together and it felt good. 

I was brought back to reality when Hunter waived his hand in my face. 

"You alright there? You zoned out." I just shook it off and told him that everything was fine. I'm just tired. 

"Anyway you didn't tell me what you were doing here." I said as we walked over to the counter. I gave the cooks my order and I stood standing. 

"I wanted to spend some time with my older sister for a change." I rolled my eyes. Is that the best he could come up with? 

"I'm being serious Alyssa. I want to spend time with you. You work your ass off here day and night, you deserve to have a break." The thought of leaving today and heading wherever with Hunter seemed like a good dream. My feet would finally get a break. But I know that I couldn't. 

"Hunter I have to work double shifts today and tomorrow. I can't just leave." I tried I reason with him. Hunter felt that since dad was my boss that I could just up and leave whenever I wanted to which wasn't true, to an extent. 

"Order up Alyssa!" My friend, Andrew yelled, putting the plates of bacon, and pancakes on the counter. I took the plate and walked to the table with more than five people. I handed them their food and asked if there was anything else they needed. They said no, and with that I was on my way. 

"Come on Alyssaaaaaa. Please." Hunter said to me as I walked towards him. He gave me puppy eyes and I couldn't help but surrender. 

"Fine but you're coming with me." He smiled and together, we walked to dads office. 

"I hate when you use those puppy eyes on me." Hunter looked at me and laughed. 

"They work like a charm. Especially on the ladies." I just rolled my eyes and laughed. Hunter Romani being charming? That was something new.

We finally made it to dads office when we heard his voice. 

"Please I just need more time." Dads voice said while quivering. I looked up at Hunter with confusion to only get the same response in return. 

"Mr. Romani need I remind you that we have a deal. If you break that deal, there will be consequences." A deep voice says. 

"I have to pay all of the expenses and bills for my restaurant. I can't fully pay the money right now." It grew silent. Silence was deadly. 

Before we know it, we heard a sound and then grunting. Hunter pushed the door open and what we saw made us stop in our tracks. Two men were hovering above dad while he was on the floor. They were wearing all black, nothing else. Dad looked up at us with tears in his eyes. 

"No." He said in disbelief. Trying to stand up, only to get kicked back down. Hunter ran in and pushed the man who kicked dad. I ran in as well, only to get stopped by Hunter as he got in front of me and dad. 

My eyes travelled around the room and I locked eyes with the man who would soon become the man of my dreams and the man in my nightmares. 

Austin Dechart.