Chapter 9
Several days having passed since Florence and Marcus’ visit to Gia’s grave Carmen was increasingly concerned about her husband’s withdrawal. Knowing he would be experiencing a similar pain in the coming weeks Carmen wanted to talk with Florence hoping to prepare herself for all that Marcus would be going through. Having met and fell in love with Lieutenant Marcus Taggert Carmen slowly learned to accept the life they now lived. She was forever braced to receive the call that by chance something had happened to her husband. And as hard as it was to live that way after five years of marriage she was still not braced to deal with his deep depression he would forever go into around her birthday and subsequent death. Taking a deep breath she knocked on Florence’s door ready to face all that she told her. Smiling as her mother-in-law came to the door Carmen hugged her as she ushered into the brownstone.
Flo- [smiling] Hey sweetie… how’s my son treating you?
Carmen- [smiling] Good… but did you expect anything else?
Flo- [laughing] Of course not… come on in here and get you something to eat. You know I’m gonna feed you now that you’re eating for two.
Carmen- [smiling] Marcus told you…
Flo- [softly smiling] Something like that…
Carmen- He’s been so great about everything…
Flo- [softly] But…
Carmen- [slowly shaking her head] No buts… I know Marcus will make an amazing father.
Flo- Carmen is there something wrong?
Carmen- Yes… [slowly shaking her head] no…
Flo- [gently taking her hand as they sat on the couch] I would like to think that you look at me more than just Marcus’ overbearing mother. I’d like to think that we were friends…
Carmen- [softly smiling] We are…
Flo- Then what is it?
Carmen- I love your son with everything in me and I would do anything… anything I can to help him.
Flo- Carmen is something going on?
Carmen- [softly] I don’t know how to deal with him when he’s like this…
Flo- [softly] What are you talking about?
Carmen- When her birthday comes around….
Flo- [whispering] This is about Gia…
Carmen- I don’t know how to help him. He wakes up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat mumbling and crying and nothing I do will bring him out of it.
Flo- [slowly shaking her head] You have to just let him deal with it..
Carmen- [slowly shaking her head] I can’t… I love him too much to let him hurt like that.
Flo- [softly] Carmen…
Carmen- And on the anniversary of her death…
Quickly rising and walking away from her Florence softly spoke to her daughter-in-law hoping she could keep from remembering the pain and lost she felt.
Flo- [softly] Don’t…
Carmen- I want to help him… I want to help you but…
Flo- [slowly shaking her head as she walked towards her window] No one can help us. It’s a guilt that doesn’t go away.
Carmen- [softly] He blames himself. He cries himself to sleep saying over and over it’s his fault.
Flo- [softly] It’s not…
Carmen- When I told him I was pregnant he was so happy until I made the mistake of saying I wanted to have a little girl.
Flo- [her back to her] I’m sorry…
Carmen- [softly] What happened to Gia?
As Florence silently stood staring out of her window seeing nothing she slowly shook her head not ready to share her feelings of lost and despair. Rising Carmen went to Florence gently taking her hand she led her back to the couch. Gently squeezing her hand Carmen softly whispered to her hoping to learn something to help her husband through his hurt.
Carmen- [whispering] Please… I can’t help Marcus if I don’t know what he’s going through…
Slowly nodding her head Florence quickly wiped at the tears that formed as she began to softly talk about Gia.
Flo- [softly] Gia was my angel. She was everything a mother could hope for in a daughter. When she walked into a room… [slowly shaking her head] it was magical. She was beautiful and Marcus loved her so much.
Carmen- [softly] I can tell…
Flo- He was the perfect big brother. When he first saw her his eyes lit up and I knew he was in love. He doted on everything she did. [softly smiling in remembrance] He taught her how to walk… he would sing to her every night before she went to sleep. Where you saw Marcus Gia was never far behind.
Carmen- What happened to her?
Flo- Umm… Gia was taken from us and… and after two months of hoping and searching we received word that she was truly gone.
Carmen- [softly] I’m sorry…
Flo- Marcus was devastated. I don’t think he ever got over what happened that day in the park… so soon after her birthday.
Carmen- What happened in the park? Is this why Marcus blames himself?
Flo- [whispering] Yes…
Carmen- What happened?
A far away look coming over her face Florence lost herself in the happiest and saddest moments of her life.
~Flashback~
Opening the curtains as the sun brightly shined Florence turned to her children smiling as she watched them together. Ignoring the disarray of her normally clean house Florence watched them knowing that their time together was drawing to an end. Having just celebrated Gia’s seventh birthday, even with the incident with Gia’s estranged father William, Florence was still on a high after learning Marcus had been awarded a full academic to UCLA. Despite it being so far away Florence was so proud of her son. He would be able to go to the university he longed to go to and study the courses he had picked out even before UCLA became a possibility. His leaving home would hurt both her and Gia but Florence knew that in order for Marcus to learn and accomplish the things he wanted to do he would have to make this move. Smiling once again as her children and their apparent closeness Florence made the decision to give them the time the needed together to strengthen their bond.
Flo- Marcus why don’t you take Peanut to the park so she can play with some of the toys she got for her birthday…
Jumping up squealing and laughing Gia danced around her mother as she shouted question after question to her.
Gia- Ooh can I really Mama? Can I take my skates and my jump rope? Should I take my bike or…
Marcus- Aww Mama do I really have to take her?
Flo- Come on Marcus you won’t have too many more chances to be with her.
Marcus- We have the whole summer…
Flo- Which I’m sure you will be spending with those fast tailed girls I’ve tried to warn you about. Them and your hoodlum friends…
Marcus- [laughing] Mama…
Flo- [smiling] I’m only kidding you know that… but really take this time you have now while you can…
Marcus- [turning to Gia softly smiling] Hey Peanut you wanna go to the park with me?
Gia- [smiling] You really want to go to the park with me?
Marcus- There’s no one else I want to go with…
Gia- You really gonna take me to the park?
Marcus- [quickly kissing the top of her head] Of course… you know where I go you go Peanut…
Gia- [quickly hugging him] Can I bring my skates?
Marcus- [nodding] You can bring whatever you want…
Gia- You gonna watch me?
Marcus- Of course… now hurry up and go and get your stuff…
Quickly running to her room Gia gathered her skated wanting to show Marcus how good she had become. Coming back into the living room Gia quickly went to Florence wrapping her arms around her waist. Smiling up at her mother Gia softly whispered to her before she turned to leave.
Gia- [whispering] I love you Mama…
Flo- [gently twinkling her nose] I love you too baby…
Gia- [smiling] You coming with us?
Flo- No baby… I’m going to stay here and when you get back we’ll make some cookies or…
Gia- [brightly smiling] Peanut butter?
Flo- [smiling as she slowly nodding] Yeah peanut butter…
Quickly hugging and kissing her mother one last time Gia ran to Marcus grabbing his hands as she dragged him out of the door.
Gia- Come on Marcus we have to hurry up at the park so I can come back and make some cookies…
Marcus- [laughing] You’re just going to burn them…
Gia- [quickly shaking her head] Nuh huh….
Marcus- [laughing] Whatever you say Peanut…
Flo- Gia listen to your brother…
Gia- [nodding] Ok…
Flo- And make sure he always sees you…
Gia- [pulling Marcus out of the door] I will Mama…
Shaking her head as her two children left Florence marveled at how close they were despite the ten year age difference. Softly laughing to herself Florence set about slowly putting her house back in order.
Watching Gia as she whizzed by on her skates Marcus smiled as her joy was clearly shown on her beautiful face. Smiling once again thankful that he took his mother’s advice Marcus wanted to soak up all the time he could have with Gia before he left. His friends slowly arriving Marcus called Gia over changing her into her shoes telling her to instead play on the playscape with the other children. Laughing and joking with his friends Marcus had little time to watch Gia while she played. Turning his head a she called out to him Marcus waved to his sister smiling once again in her direction. One last shout to be careful Marcus turned his attention back to his friends losing himself in conversation. After securing plans for that night Marcus turned back in Gia’s direction only to not see her on the playscape. Jumping up with her skates in hand Marcus ran to the play area searching frantically for his sister. Finding her nowhere in sight Marcus began to panic as he quickly searched the rest of the park for her. As night slowly fell around him Marcus continued to look for Gia tears streaming down his handsome face finding no trace of his sister. Her skates clutched tightly to his chest Marcus returned home coming face to face with a worried Florence.
Flo- [quickly opening the door as she saw Marcus approach] Do you know what time it is? You two should have been home hours ago…
Marcus- [softly as his tears began again] Mama…
Confused by his behavior Florence softly questioned her son.
Flo- [softly] Marcus what is it?
Marcus- [whispering] Gia…
Flo- [looking past Marcus] Where is she? I see she didn’t come in with you. Is she…
Marcus- [softly whispering] She’s gone…
Flo- [confused] What?
Marcus- [openly sobbing] Mama she’s gone. I turned my head for a quick second and…
Flo- [shaking her head] What do you mean she’s gone? She was at the park with you.
Marcus- I’m so sorry Mama… I looked… I looked everywhere and I can’t find her.
Flo- [raising her voice] Then go back and look for her again!
Marcus- [sobbing] I tried…
Flo- [softly as tears slowly ran down her face] Marcus where is my baby?
Marcus- All I have… [slowly shaking his head] I have her skates and… it’s all my fault… I should have been paying attention… I should have…
Flo- [frantically] Marcus where is she?
Marcus- I… [slowly shaking his head] I don’t know…
~End of Flashback~
Flo- We called the police and a citywide search went out but they never found… they didn’t find Gia…
Carmen- [softly as she gently squeezed her hand] I’m sorry…
Flo- We searched and searched… [slowly shaking her head] Marcus was out there everyday from sun up to sun down but we never saw Gia again…
Carmen- [slowly shaking her head] I didn’t know… I…
Flo- The hours turned into days and the days turned into weeks but we never gave up hope until…
Carmen- [softly] Until?
Flo- After Gia was born her father and I never quite saw things eye to eye…
Carmen- You said there was an incident at Gia’s birthday party…
Flo- William showed up drunk and shouting that Marcus and I was trying to turn Gia against him and that it’ll be a cold day in hell before he let us get away with it. He said he’s sooner taker her from us than to let that happen.
Carmen- [softly] Did he?
Flo- That’s what we thought. I told the police about the things he said and they told me that they would look into it but it didn’t matter…
Carmen- But…
Flo- [softly] The day we found out about Gia… the sun was so bright and so warm… [taking a deep breath] umm Marcus was out there as usual looking for Gia and I was at home hoping that the phone would ring I would hear her sweet voice on the other end. Even if my baby wasn’t with me to hear her voice and know that she was all right…
Carmen- [shaking her head] You don’t have to finish…
Flo- [slowly shaking her head] Something told Marcus to come home and umm… there was a knock at the door and Marcus looked at me before slowly going to the door and opening it. There was a uniformed police officer standing there with a package in his hands.
Gently clutching Florence’s hands hoping to ease her pain Carmen quickly spoke to her.
Carmen- [softly] It’s ok Florence… I understand now and…
Flo- [tears slowly falling down her face] He… he told us that a little girl’s body had been found outside of Philadelphia and using Gia’s dental records they were able to determine that the body found was hers.
Carmen- [softly crying] Oh my God I’m so sorry…
Flo- I stood there and watched my son crumble and I couldn’t do anything for him. I just kneeled beside him on the ground and held him in my arms.
Carmen- I’m sorry…
Flo- Marcus blamed himself. He kept saying that if he had just paid a little more attention to her… if he had just looked in her direction one more time…
Carmen- [softly] It wasn’t his fault…
Flo- I tried telling him that but it didn’t matter. And William showing up later didn’t help either…
Carmen- [softly] What do you mean?
Flo- As we were lowering my baby in the ground William showed up shouting and saying Marcus was the blame. He yelled at Marcus telling him he should have watched his sister instead of running his mouth with his friends. He told him he had finally taken Gia away from him and he would never forgive him for that.
Carmen- Why would he do that?
Flo- [slowly shaking her head] I don’t know… all I know is that Marcus looked straight ahead not showing any emotion. And when we got in the limousine coming home I tried to hold his hand but he just wasn’t there. When we got to the house Marcus went to Gia’s room sitting at the little table she used to have her tea parties and cried.
Carmen- Did they ever find who did this?
Flo- [softly] No…
Carmen- If I knew… Marcus shouldn’t blame himself…
Flo- Marcus never left for California or UCLA. As a matter of fact we didn’t stay much longer in Brooklyn after that. It held too many memories of Gia and we couldn’t deal with it. We came to Port Charles and Marcus enrolled in the police academy vowing to catch whoever did this to Gia and finally get justice for her.
Carmen- Have you talked to William since?
Flo- He disappeared after the funeral and besides I had nothing left to say to him.
Carmen- [softly] I didn’t mean to make you relive the pain… I just wanted to help Marcus and…
Flo- You can and will… just keep loving him.
Carmen- [slowly nodding] I will…
Flo- I need to… [slowly wiping at her tear streaked face] you’re the first person I’ve ever told what happened to Gia and… [softly] I just miss her.
Carmen- [softly] I know…
Flo- I’m only comforted by one thing…
Carmen- What?
Flo- [softly smiling in remembrance] Gia loved to play dress up in my things and one day she found my mother’s locket and she kept saying how beautiful it was… [softly laughing] she couldn’t quite say the word beautiful but I knew what she was trying to say.
Carmen- [softly] She sounds precious…
Flo- [slowly nodding] She was… anyway my mother gave me the locket to give to my daughter and in turn she was supposed to give it to her daughter…
Carmen- Where’s the locket now?
Flo- Thankfully she had it on the day she was taken…
Carmen- Thankfully?
Flo- Yeah… even in the darkest hour she had a piece of me and she knew that I loved her…
Carmen- [gently wiping her tears] I sorry…
Flo- I used to torture myself with thoughts of her… I still do…
Carmen- That’s understandable…
Flo- [softly] I imagine how beautiful she would look on her wedding day and…
Her tears and sorrow finally getting to her Florence quickly rose off of the couch going to the bookcase in the rear of the room. Searching through several books Florence slowly returned to Carmen handing her a picture of Gia.
Flo- [softly] That was my Gia…
Carmen- She was beautiful…
Flo- [slowly nodding as she walked back towards the window] She was…
Silence surrounding them Florence stared unseeing out of the window lost once again in thoughts of Gia. Unsure of what to do Carmen sat quietly watching her mother-in-law regretful that she made her relive the worst pain she had been through. Florence’s soft voice breaking the spell Carmen looked over at her mother-in-law listening intently to what she had to say.
Flo- It’s always hard around her birthday but it’s worse on the anniversary of her death. Just hold him tightly to you and tell him that you love him and it’s not his fault.
Carmen- I will… but Florence…
Flo- [softly] What is it?
Carmen- [softly] Who’s going to hold you?
Flo- [slowly shaking her head] No one… I know my Gia’s in a better place and I’ll see her eventually and I’ll be held then.
Carmen- [softly] I’m sorry…
Flo- You don’t have to apologize… Gia is forever on my mind and as much as it hurts I needed to talk about her.
Carmen- [looking quickly at her watch] I don’t want to go but…
Flo- Go home and be there when Marcus gets there… he may not say it enough but he needs you.
Carmen- [softly] I need him too…
Flo- [slowly nodding] Take care of my grandbaby…
Nodding Carmen rose going to hug Florence. Holding her tightly in her arms Carmen whispered softly to Florence telling her not to blame herself as well. Gently placing her hand on her stomach Florence softly smiled feeling as though this baby would bring a piece of Gia back into their lives. Watching as Carmen slowly left Florence returned to her bookshelf retrieving a photo album of Gia losing herself once again in the images and thoughts of her daughter.
Chapter 10
Knowing she would be forced to leave Alma and the life she HAD found two months slowly passed with Gia constantly looking over her shoulder and watching for Harvey. Her constant state of worry and apprehension was beginning to wear on her and Gia was beyond tired. Having spent a quiet night with Alma and Amaya Gia was finally drifting off to sleep as Alma rushed into the room quickly shaking her.
Alma- [frantically] Gia… Gia baby get up!
Gia- [softly] What is it?
Alma- [shaking her head] You have to get up…
Moving away from her Alma quickly began throwing Gia’s things in a nearby bag. Sitting up watching as she ran around the room Gia’s heart began to quicken fearing what Alma’s actions meant. Taking a deep breath Gia softly questioned her hoping against hope that her thoughts were wrong.
Gia- [softly] Alma what is it?
Alma- You have… you have to leave.
Gia- Why?
Alma- I called and he was gone… [shaking her head] she didn’t tell me when he left…
Gia- [quickly going to her] Alma what are you talking about?
Alma- I tried to call Dina and…
Gia- [softly] Dina?
Alma- The only other dancer from Goldmine I talked to… she was supposed to be keeping an eye on Harvey for me…
Gia- What did she say?
Alma- I couldn’t get in touch with her…
Gia- Then maybe…
Alma- I called and called tonight but she never answered…
Gia- And…
Alma- And something didn’t seem right so I called up to Goldmine they told me Dina’s been out for the last two weeks…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] That doesn’t mean…
Alma- They said Harvey’s been gone for the last three weeks…
Gia- Ok but…
Alma- I called Dina one last time and just let the phone ring. When she finally answered and she told me that Harvey knew what was up…
Gia- [softly] How?
Alma- Harvey got to Dina somehow… she was supposed to tell me when Harvey left to come and get you so you could leave and have a head start on him… so by the time he got here you’d be gone.
Gia- [shaking her head] I’m not going to let him take me back. I’ll find a way to pay him what William owes him but I can’t go back…
Alma- I know that’s why I want you to take the money I’ve saved and run… go somewhere where he can’t find you. Raise your daughter and try to be happy…
Gia- [softly] I don’t want to leave…
Alma- Gia we had this conversation already…
Gia- Alma…
Alma- When you finally settle someplace I’ll come to you…
Gia- I don’t want to keep running from place to place. That’s how I grew up and I don’t want to put my daughter through that. I love William but I wanted him to keep us in one place longer than a year or two. Maya’s barely five months and…
Alma- Gia I want you to be safe and you know Harvey is not going to just let you stay here…
Gia- But…
Alma- [gently touching her face] Baby go now while you can…
Gia- [softly] I just want to be able to stay one place and be happy…
Alma- [whispering] I want that for you too…
Gia- Then you’ll let me stay?
Alma- Gia Harvey’s not going to let that happen…
Gia- [angrily] The hell with Harvey!
Alma- I wish it was that easy but you know it’s not…
Gia- How am I going to take all of Amaya’s things? I can’t carry them and her and…
Alma- You’ll have to leave them… take what you need and I’ll find a way to get the rest to you.
Gia- If Harvey found me here what makes you think he won’t find me wherever I go to next?
Alma- [softly] Gia…
As she attempted to reason with her there was a loud banging on the door and they both turned knowing eyes to one another as Harvey called out.
Harvey- [yelling] Alma open this damn door I know you’re in there!
Alma- [softly] Damn it!
Harvey- [yelling] If I have to break down the door…
Alma- [whispering] Stay here… I’ll try and distract him…
Gia- [softly] For what?
Alma- While I distract him take Amaya and leave…
Gia- [softly as she shook her head] Alma…
Alma- [placing some money in her hand] This is enough for a couple of nights in hotel… call me in a day or two and tell me where you are and I’ll bring you some more money so you can leave for good…
Gia- But Amaya’s sleeping and…
Harvey- [yelling] Alma open this damn door!
Alma- [whispering] Take her and leave…
Quickly hugging her Alma looked back at Gia one last time kissing her gently on the cheek before she turned to leave.
Alma- [whispering] I love you…
Gia- I love you too…
Alma- [gently caressing her cheek as she turned and walked away] Take Amaya and be safe…
Gia- [softly] Alma…
Alma- Go now and be safe…
As Gia attempted to call out to her one last time Alma simply shook her head closing the door on her. Taking a deep breath Alma slowly walked to her front door where Harvey continued to pound and yell his threats.
Harvey- [yelling] Alma open this damn door before I break it down!
Alma- [calmly as she slowly opened the door] You don’t have to yell…
Harvey- [pushing his way inside] What in the hell took you so long?
Alma- Some of us do sleep…
Harvey- Where is she?
Alma- Where is who?
Harvey- Alma don’t play games with me. You know why I came here. Gia’s coming back with me whether she or you wants her to or not.
Alma- [shaking her head] Gia’s not here…
Harvey- Where is she?
Alma- How would I know?
Harvey- [roughly grabbing her by the arm] Alma…
Alma- [jerking her arm away from him] She heard us on the phone.
Harvey- Ok and…
Alma- [shrugging] She got scared and ran.
Harvey- Scared of what?
Alma- Harvey she has a five month old baby… do you really think she wants to be up on that stage dancing?
Harvey- I don’t care…
Alma- Give her some time and maybe she’ll come back to you…
Harvey- [softly] Like you did?
Alma- Harvey I was tired of that life and I couldn’t do it anymore. When you found me…
Harvey- [shaking his head] I don’t want to hear anymore of this… I came for Gia and…
Alma- [softly] For me… just let her go for now…
Harvey- [softly] Alma…
Alma- [moving towards him] Harvey please…
As their conversation hushed Gia soundlessly moved around the room gathering what she could for her and Amaya. There were several hotels in the area and it was the matter of finding the right one. Thinking back on how she was moved from place to place Gia wanted more for her daughter. Shaking her head as she gathered a sleeping Amaya carefully in her arms Gia went to the door listening to Harvey and Alma once again. Her heart quickening Gia listened as the once calm conversation quickly took on a dangerous tone.
Harvey- [pushing Alma away from him] You must think I’m some kind of fool.
Alma- No I don’t… I just…
Harvey- [angrily] Where the hell is she?
Alma- I told you she’s gone…
Harvey- [yelling] Alma don’t play no damn games with me!
Alma- [shaking her head] I’m not trying to…
Harvey- Then I’m going to ask you one more damn time. Where in the fuck is Gia?
Alma- [softly] Harvey…
Harvey- [slowly shaking her head] That’s not what I wanted to hear…
Before she could stop him Harvey pounced on Alma striking her as he repeatedly questioned her of Gia’s whereabouts. Hearing as Alma cried out Gia turned ready to run away with her daughter and not look back. But as she heard Harvey’s continued abuse Gia stopped taking a deep breath before she turned and walked back towards he and Alma. And as he had Alma bent over her couch shaking and hitting her repeatedly as he yelled Gia softly spoke.
Harvey- [yelling] Where in the hell is she?
Gia- [softly] I’m right here…
Alma- [shaking her head as tears fell] Gia no…
Shaking her once more Harvey released Alma letting her fall in a heap before turning his smirking face towards Gia. Slowly looking her up and down a lust filled smile on his face Harvey softly spoke to Gia.
Harvey- [smiling] I’ve missed you baby…
Gia- [softly] Have you?
Harvey- Yeah… Goldmine’s not the same without you.
Gia- What do you want Harvey?
Harvey- I think it’s time you came back…
Gia- [shaking her head] I don’t think so…
Harvey- [laughing] You don’t have much choice…
Gia- I’ll find a way to pay you what William owes you…
Harvey- [shaking his head] I think not…
Gia- [softly] Harvey I don’t want to go back. I have a daughter and…
Harvey- [smirking] Is it my fault you were stupid enough to lay down and open you legs for the first customer who paid you a little attention?
Gia- [softly as she shook her head] It wasn’t like that…
Harvey- Then where is he? Is he helping you with the baby? Is he…
Gia- I’m still not coming back…
Harvey- What about William and what he owes me?
Gia- I’ll pay you back when I can. I’ll give you all the money he owes you and…
Harvey- What about the hospital cost? What about all the money I’m spending to keep his sorry ass alive?
Gia- Harvey…
Harvey- You know what I’m tired of constantly going over this… you will continue to work at Goldmine until all of what William owes me is paid off.
Gia- [shaking her head] You knew he didn’t have the money…
Harvey- [shaking his head] Your problem not mine…
Gia- [softly] I don’t want my daughter around what goes on in Goldmine…
Harvey- [shrugging] Then send her to her father… that is if you know who he is…
Alma- [softly as she gingerly stood beside Gia] I’ll work for her. Let me work off her and William’s debt…
Gia- [shaking her head] No…
Alma- Let me back Harvey and I’ll…
Harvey- You’re used up Alma… no one wants to see you up on that stage lest of all me. They all want to see Wet Dreams and that’s what they will get.
Gia- [shaking her head] I’m not coming back…
Harvey- Then I guess I’ll have to call the hospital…
Gia- [softly] For what?
Harvey- Do you really think I’m going to keep paying for the machines and drugs to keep him alive?
Gia- But he’s getting better…
Harvey- So?
Gia- You can’t take him off of the drug therapy now. He’s making progress and they think he will finally come out of his coma.
Harvey- Gia I don’t give a damn if William lives or dies. He ran up an $175,000.00 debt on me and when I came after my money he gave you to me. And when that wasn’t enough the bastard up and had a stroke on me thinking I would just forget about my money… [shaking his head] I don’t think so…
Gia- [softly] William did not give me to you…
Harvey- [smirking] He knew what kind of money you would bring me… hell he all but wrapped you up and put a bow on you before he brought you to my office…
~Flashback~
She was finally out of school and Gia could not keep from smiling. So many hopes and plans laid out before her and she all but had to reach out and take them. Her hard work through school despite the many she had attended paid off and she had her choice of schools she could attend. It would be nice to attend Columbia and still be close to William seeing that he was the only family she had but something was drawing her to UCLA. For as long as she could remember that school had been in her head and now being given the chance to attend Gia was unsure if she could turn away from it. Thoughts of schooling and all else went from her as she entered the darkened apartment. William said he would be up waiting for her after Karen’s graduation party but something was definitely off. Softly calling out his name Gia stopped in her tracks as she came to him, his head in his hands, seemingly crying. Whispering softly to him Gia questioned him to see what was wrong.
Gia- [softly] Daddy…
William- [still looking down] Gia…
Gia- Daddy what’s wrong?
William- Gia baby…I’m in a world of trouble and I don’t know if I can get out of it…
Gia- What are you taking about?
William- I wanted to make some extra money in case you decide to go away but things got away from me and now… [slowly shaking his head] I just don’t know… I just don’t know…
Gia- What are you talking about?
William- I got in over my head and now I owe this guy… oh baby I don’t know if I’m going to be able to pay him what I owe him.
Gia- How much do you owe him?
William- [standing going to the nearby window] Too much…
Gia- Daddy…
William- Baby I might have to go away for a little bit and…
Gia- Daddy no…
William- There’s no way I can pay him back and…
Gia- I could get a job and…
William- No I want you in school…
Gia- [softly] I don’t want you going away from me…
William- I have to go and talk to him and…
Gia- Let me come with you… if you don’t like what he says we can run away together just like old times.
William- Gia…
Gia- Daddy please…
Slowly nodding his head William took Gia by the hand going to meet Harvey at Goldmine. Shocked as the dancers paraded around nearly nude apprehension grew within Gia and she fought the urges in her to turn and run. She had promised to face this unknown man with William and she would face whatever she had to if that meant her father could stay with her. Taking a deep breath as her father knocked at the closed door Gia prayed that whatever decisions made after this meeting she would be able to live with. The door slowly opening Gia again had to fight the urge to run as Harvey’s smiling face came into view.
Harvey- [smiling] William…
William- Harvey…
Harvey- Come in… [slowly looking Gia up and down] we have a lot to discuss…
Blocking out their conversation Gia nervously smoothed her short skirt as felt Harvey’s eyes on her. Gathering her nerve Gia looked up at Harvey only to look away as he stared back at her. Paying that whatever conversation they were having would go faster Gia kept her gaze from Harvey thankful when William finally came to her telling her it was time to go. Silent on their return home Gia wondered if they had agreed on anything or if she and William would make another great escape. Still quiet William opened the door for Gia ushering her into the living room. Sitting as she watched him pace back and forth across the floor Gia finally spoke up as she softly questioned him.
Gia- [softly] Daddy what is it?
William- [slowly shaking his head] I can’t do it…
Gia- You can do what?
William- Harvey wants… Harvey said…
Gia- He said what? Is he going to forget about the money or…
William- Gia I… Baby what I’m about to ask you…
Gia- What?
William- If you work for him…
Gia- [softly] Doing what?
William- He said he’d knock off half of what I owe him… baby I don’t want you to do it but I don’t want to leave here… it finally feels like home and…
Gia- What do I have to do?
William- You saw what was going on in Goldmine right?
Gia- [softly] Yes…
William- You would only have to dance a couple of nights a week and…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] Daddy…
William- [kneeling in front of her] Baby I’m tired and I don’t think I can keep running… if I could just get what I owe him down to a workable number…
Gia- But I couldn’t get up there and…
William- If there was another way…
Gia- There has to be… [softly] Daddy I can’t do that…
William- Gia I wish I didn’t have to ask you to but…
Gia- Can’t we just run?
William- [slowly shaking his head] Baby I’m tired…
Gia- [softly as a single tear rolled down her face] Don’t make me get up there and do that…
William- I’m not making you do anything… [gently caressing her face] just think about it…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head as she stood up] I’m sorry Daddy…
William- [softly] So am I… so am I baby…
Nodding her head Gia turned going into her room locking the door behind her. There was no way she could do the things William asked her. Wiping quickly at her tears that fell Gia slowly shook her head shocked that he would even ask her to dance in the first place. The days slowly passing since William asked her to dance at Goldmine Gia’s decision was made when found William slumped in a chair in the living room lifeless and unresponsive to her calls. The wait in the hospital and all that swirled around her Gia was consumed and did not know where to turn. And in the darkest hour when all seemed the bleakest Harvey came to Gia offering what she thought was a kind shoulder. Devastated when William was admitted to the hospital, a severe stroke having claimed her once strong father, Gia was lost with no one to go to. Coming to her showing a contract signed by William Harvey brought Gia to Goldmine explaining how he would financially care for William while in the hospital if she agreed to work off the other debt owed to him. Thinking she had nowhere else to go for aid or help Gia agreed to his terms not knowing he would slowly change them as the time went on.
~End of Flashback~
Gia- [softly] I can’t come back…
Harvey- Well then I hope you’ve said your good byes to your daddy because I’m not going to keep paying for his hospital stay…
Gia- [softly] You would let him die?
Harvey- [shaking his head] No you’re letting him die…
Alma- Harvey please…
Harvey- Either she comes back or William is as good as dead because I’m not going to keep paying for…
Gia- [softly as she looked down] I’ll come back…
Alma- Gia…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head as she looked at her] I can’t let him die…
Alma- But…
Gia- I can’t…
Harvey- [smirking] I thought you’d see it my way…
Alma- [shaking her head] Gia don’t do this… don’t go back…
Gia- [quickly hugging her] Thank you for helping me…
Alma- [tightly holding her] Gia don’t….
Gia- [slowly nodding her head as tears came] I’ll be ok and I’m sorry…
Alma- Gia…
Gia- [softly whispering] I’ll be back and we can run away together…
Alma- Baby…
Harvey- Ok that’s enough of that… get your stuff and come on…
Gia- Amaya has…
Harvey- You bringing that baby with you?
Gia- Where I go my daughter goes… [shaking her head] I’m not leaving her behind…
Harvey- Ok whatever…
Walking outside Harvey quickly returned with two men in tow. Directing them to Gia’s room they loaded up she and Amaya’s few items as she quickly said goodbye to Alma.
Gia- [softly] I love you Alma…
Alma- [tightly holding her hand] Gia don’t go… something doesn’t feel right. Something…
Gia- [softly] I have to go…
Alma- He wouldn’t do that to William… stay here until…
Gia- I don’t want him to be able to hurt you again…
Alma- [softly] Gia…
Gia- I’ll be ok and I’ll call you when I can…
Alma- Baby…
Gia- [whispering as she softly kissed her cheek] I’ll be back…
Walking out of the door willing herself not to cry Gia went and sat in the waiting car as Alma and Harvey spoke.
Alma- Why are you doing this?
Harvey- Because I always get what I want…
Alma- Harvey…
Harvey- [gently touching her face] Sorry about that… you know how I get when I’m angry…
Alma- Don’t hurt her…
Harvey- She do what she’s supposed to do and I won’t…
Alma- Harvey…
Harvey- [looking around her living room] You might want to clean this up…
Without another word and a smirk covering his face Harvey joined Gia in the car directing the driver to the airport. Her eyes locked on her window Gia watched with silent tears rolling down her face as Alma and the life she had found slowly disappeared from view.