Let Go by Heather Allen Read Free Book Online Page A

Jimmy and Carlo
came to see him a few times but they got busy with their own lives
and dropped off after a while. He didn’t hold it against them
because life happens. He understands. That night at Brutis’ was the
last time he saw Meyer. A month after his sentencing, he received a
letter. It was painful but he’s known Meyer for most of his life.
Facing his own demons was always the hardest thing for him. Greylan
knew he wouldn’t be able to face the events of that night and he
was right unfortunately. If he ever sees Meyer again it will be on
Meyer’s terms and not Greylan’s.
    The forty five
minute drive to the Westside gives him time to think and plan.
Carlo mentioned a few days ago that he should go and see his old
manager but it took a call from Carlo to push him into going. He
pulls up to the small shopping center situated on the corner of a
busy four way stop. A glass fronted door faces the sparse parking
lot. Etched into the clear window are the words James Turner,
Amateur MMA Representative . Greylan sits for a moment with his
hands on the steering wheel. His mind wanders to a conversation he
had with Jimmy T one night after a fierce fight that he almost
lost. Jimmy was hyped up on the win. They were out celebrating and
he painted a grand picture of their futures. Greylan remembers
Jimmy standing on a wooden chair and proclaiming to the bar,
“People, do you see this guy here?” Jimmy pulled Greylan up beside
him and pointed like a crazy person. He called again, “This guy,
you remember his name, Greylan Pace, remember it people because one
day, it’s going to be a household name. You’ll say one day, hey, I
saw that guy in a bar. I was told to remember him and I do.” At the
time Greylan was uncomfortable with the whole thing but Jimmy had
plans and dreams, not so different from his own.
    Greylan shakes
his head at the memory and how he let them all down. His eyes avert
to the building in front of him. He switches the key to the
ignition and makes his way to the door. Reluctantly he pulls it
open to a flush of warm air as he steps inside. A woman behind a
short desk is leaning back in her chair, a phone resting on her
shoulder as she examines her long neon green nails. She looks up as
he enters. Her face is painted with way too much makeup and her
clothes at first glance seem a couple of sizes too tight. She
exclaims into the phone smacking her gum, “Yeah, girl, my future
husband just walked in, I gotta go.”
    She bats her
eyes while chewing her gum, “Hey sugar, what can I do for ya?”
    “Um, I’m here
to see Jimmy, uh I mean James Turner.”
    “Oh baby, are
you sure you came to see him? I can show you a better time than he
can.”
    Greylan smiles
and chuckles, “Yeah, I definitely need to see James.”
    She looks
sadly away and lifts the phone receiver whispering into it, “Yeah
you have a visitor.” There is a pause and then she yells into the
phone, “Damned if I know who he is. You come out and find out for
yourself.” She slams the phone down and eyes Greylan again. She
smirks and asks, “You sure honey?”
    Greylan nods
and looks up as Jimmy walks out shaking his head. He warns,
“Daphne, if you weren’t my niece, you’d be out on your ass.”
    He glances up
to Greylan and his voice booms out, “Well, well if it ain’t Greylan
Pace.”
    Greylan
notices he’s changed just as Carlo has. His weight has done the
opposite. He’s thinner and his long face has gained many lines
along his forehead and around his mouth. No doubt he started
smoking again. His light hair is thinned with age and his hard
life.
    “Hey
Jimmy.”
    “Carlo said
you were out. I didn’t realize you were coming this way today.”
    Greylan
hesitates, “Yeah, I uh, I need a job.”
    Jimmy eyes his
niece who is staring at Greylan, almost drooling.
    “Daphne, I
just warned you. That’s it, you’re fired.”
    “Whatever
Jimmy. You can’t fire me. My mom’ll have your hide.”
    Jimmy shakes
his head in