Let Go by Heather Allen Read Free Book Online Page B

exasperation and tells Greylan, “Hey, come on back
where we can have some privacy.” He glares at Daphne before leading
them down a narrow hall covered in wood paneling reminding Greylan
of his childhood home in a Jersey suburb.
    Jimmy leads
them to a tiny office littered with stacks of papers covering every
surface. He surges to the lone chair facing his desk and with one
swipe of his hand the papers scatter to the floor. He gestures for
Greylan to sit. Greylan sinks to the cushioned chair as Jimmy
skirts around his broad wooden desk laden with clutter and more
papers. He perches on the edge of his worn leather chair and
states, “I’m not really sure what you think I can do for you,
Grey.”
    He adds before
Greylan has a chance to respond, “You gave everything up when you
went away. None of us had much of anything after that.”
    Greylan looks
at him incredulously shocked by the accusation and guilt. Coming
here was a mistake he realizes. He pushes to his feet and turns to
leave. But Jimmy’s voice halts his progression toward the door.
    “I’m sorry,
but truthfully Greylan, you don’t want anything to do with me. I
have a reputation and it’s not a good one.”
    Greylan turns
eyeing him curiously.
    Jimmy adds, “I
became a gem of bad luck to the fighters after what happened. I had
no hope ever representing a pro. You were it.”
    Greylan’s
shoulders sink at his words. He surges back to the chair and lands
into it resigned. He looks around at the peeling paint on the walls
and the windows that haven’t been cleaned in probably years.
    “Jimmy, it was
an accident. If I could go back to that night and take it all back,
I’d do anything to make that happen.”
    Jimmy slinks
into his chair leaning as far back as it will go. He pulls a pack
of cigarettes off the desk. He shakes one out and lights it
squinting through the smoke. As he exhales he proclaims, “Believe
me I know Grey, I guess you being here brought it all back. What we
all lost. I was pissed at you for a long time but it’s done.
Nothing’s gonna change what’s already happened.”
    He asks, “Are
you thinking about going back into the cage?”
    Greylan lets a
few beats of his heart pass before answering, “I’m not sure what
I’m going to do. I need a job at the moment. After that we’ll see.
Things have changed.”
    “Yeah, you can
say that again. The only fighters I get anymore are amateurs. None
of them are good enough. Once they realize how short their road is
I’m out the cash because they change to a desk job. It’s a vicious
cycle.”
    Greylan glares
across the room at him and questions, “Why are you still at it then
Jimmy? It’s been five years. You could have switched, done
something different.”
    Jimmy shakes
his head, “Are you, of all people telling me to move on? Are you moving on?”
    Greylan looks
to the worn brown carpet underfoot. Is he done? No, being on the
mat over the past week, he hasn’t felt this alive in a long time.
He looks back up and shakes his head with a smirk.
    Jimmy smiles
dragging on his cigarette, “Didn’t think so. It’s a hard beat to
give up.”
    Greylan shifts
asking, “Any thoughts on what someone of my caliber could do to
pass the time for a while?”
    Jimmy puts out
his cigarette in an overflowing ashtray situated in front of him.
He stands gesturing for Greylan to follow him out the door. He
strides to Daphne’s desk. She is on the phone again twirling the
cord in her fingers. Jimmy calls her name, “Daphne.”
    She looks up
and continues talking into the receiver as if he isn’t there. Jimmy
impatiently presses the button causing the dial tone to ring on the
line.
    She huffs,
“Really Jimmy, was that necessary?”
    “Yes, now get
your fat ass up and go get me my lunch.”
    “I’m gonna
tell mom you’re talking to me like that.”
    “Daphne, I
don’t give a shit. Tell your mom whatever you want. I shouldn’t
have to pay you to sit around all day talking on the