Asylum

Chapter 45: Run, Run, As Fast as You Can

Ivan would want to comfort me, to help, would probably insist on going to the funeral to support me. And that would be what I would want him to do, if we were a normal couple, if I weren't lying about almost every personal bit of information I'd ever fed him. But we weren't close to a normal couple; I had to keep him out of everything to do with Mormor's death, or my entire identity and real job ... and every lie I had ever told him ... would be revealed, laid bare in the ugly light of day.

I ... I didn't know what I was going to do, but clearly I had to get out of Asylum. Not at the end of my shift. Now.

I grabbed my coat and my backpack out of my locker and scuttled quickly out of the break room to Stefano's office. I had to pass Marshall, standing outside Ivan's closed door, but I kept my eyes cast down to avoid his friendly smile and slipped through the other doorway in search of the club's manager.

Stefano looked up and stood immediately. "Jesus, Lex. What's wrong?" He walked over and shut the door behind me, gesturing to the small sofa. I shook my head and stayed standing.

"I have to leave," I apologized. "I just ... I just found out that my grandmother ... who's really been more like a mother since my parents died ... she's died, too, and I need to find out what's happening and talk to the rest of my family and ..."

"It's okay, it's okay," Stefano reassured me. He put a hand awkwardly on my upper arm and rubbed up and down in what I was certain was meant to be a comforting manner. "Just go. Colin and I will cover your station tonight."

"Colin?" I asked, my doubt obvious in my voice.

"Yeah, he's been bugging me for a while to try him out behind the bar. I had been planning to give him a shot sometime anyway ... probably not on a Saturday night, but still ... I'll let him help out for a little while, just so I can float to cover the last couple of breaks. But don't worry about us; we'll be fine. Go take care of yourself and your family."

I nodded and sniffed, then turned to go.

"Lex, um ... when is the funeral?"

I froze. "I ... uh ... I don't know yet."

Stefano shook his head. "Never mind. We'll be fine as long as you're out, however long that is. I'll get Malcolm to cover your shifts next week. Just ... take as long as you need and let us know when you're ready to come back."

I nodded as he walked me to the door.

Marshall must have said something about my odd behavior, or overheard Stefano asking me what was wrong, because Ivan had joined him in the hall. He looked from my tear-stained face and running mascara to Stefano, hovering in concern, and back again.

"What's happened?" he asked softly.

"Lex is going home for a little while," the manager interjected. I stayed quiet, my eyes fixed on a spot on the baseboard in front of me, reminding myself that Stefano had no idea that I was anything to the owner but one of many employees. "We've got her station covered for tonight, and I'll call in cover for next week. Shouldn't be a problem."

Stefano laid a hand on my shoulder. "You take care of yourself, Lex. We'll see you soon."

I nodded at his dismissal and cursed myself for a coward as I turned my back on Ivan and Marshall without a glance and almost broke into a run to get out the door and into the damp chill of the alley.

It was too early in the evening for cabs to be lining up outside of Asylum yet, but a bright yellow taxi was just dropping off a gaggle of club-hoppers as I rushed out to the street. I waved it down as I struggled into my coat, and threw myself into the back seat.