Chapter 12 (cht5)
It has been a week since Henko saw Ivan. No matter how horrible that experience was, it was not something that stayed on his mind for very long. The day after Ivan left his apartment. Henko went to the bar. Looking at all the destruction that made by Ivan and his men, caused his heart to crumble. He needed to get his business back up and soon. The girls had come in to pitch in. They helped clean up the broken bottles. Taken down several of the art work and moved around what furniture they could. He wondered, if he got the bar back up and running. Would he be able to pay to keep the bar open and the protection fee? Henko questioned it many times. He was unsure what he wanted to do. Yet, looking at the girls helped him come to a decision.
"Mama! Are you serious?" Amy's voice was deep in concern.
"Mama! You can't do that!" Sandra yelled out. Henko listened to the girl's dispute what he just told them. Henko didn't want to but he knew he had to no matter what.
"Girls, I know that you don't want me to, but this is the only option I have."
"But selling the bar. You had the bar for six years. How can you just sell it?" One of the girls protested. Henko didn't know what to say. He loves the bar and he loves the girls that work here as well. They have turned into a family for him that he hadn't had. Many of the girls were taken off the streets and Henko helped them with getting on their feet by hiring them. Many girls had gone through these doors and soon found their way in life, but many also stayed. Tears were threatening to fall from his eyes. He wiped them away before they could fall. He didn't want to sell the bar either, but with what was going on, he had to close it down.
"It's not like I'm not going to open another bar somewhere else." Henko spoke.
"Do you have any idea where you want to move the bar to?" Amy asked.
"At this time, I do not. It is because the move is so sudden that I haven't had a chance to look for another place at the time." Henko tried his best to place a smile on his tearful face. "Once I get the new bar up and running, then I will hire all you wonderful girls." Tears were now falling down Henko's face. He couldn't stop them from falling. He had never thought that something like this would happen. Going over all the options that were given to him, this was the best. He would move the bar to a new location out of the mafia's range. He just didn't know where he could go.
"Are you going to keep the bar closed from here on out?" Sandra asked. Henko took in a few breathes to calm down.
"Yes. I don't plan on reopening it again. I don't want any of you girls to get in the middle of all the crossfire that is going on. I would be happier knowing that you are all safe.
"Mama, I don't want to leave you." One of the girls spoke out.
"Me neither." The girls were trying their best to keep their tears in, but it didn't help them too much. The tears would still fall.
"Why don't we have a celebration for the move of the new bar?" Henko couldn't help but smile.
"I think that would be a good idea." Henko nodded still wiping away his tears. His makeup was all smeared on his face, but he didn't care. All the girls look the same. He started to laugh at what they all looked like because of all their crying. A girl brought over some vodka and another grabbed some glasses. The girls clunked their glasses together making toast of never separating.
Once it got late, Henko said his goodbyes to the girls. Several were still crying as they hugged Henko. Of course, he assured them that they would be back together soon. After saying their goodbyes. Henko locked the doors and headed towards the convenience store. Even though he was filled with liquor. He felt like he wanted to drink some more. So, he picked up a six pack along with some snacks. Walking through the store he spotted the magazine stand. 'Apartments for rent' caught his eye. He walked over to it and picked the item and flipped through it. Ivan knew where he lived and if he wanted to, he could easily come to his home and harass him there as well, or worse. Henko shook his head. He didn't want to think about that, not at this time. Some of the places stood out to him. He decided that he should also get the magazine as well. He walked over to the cashier and paid for all his items. The man at the counter looked at him with a strange look, but Henko just brushed it off. Paying for the items and talking the bag from the clerk, he made his way outside.
Looking at the stars' sparkle in the sky made Henko feel calmer than what he was before. Walking to his apartment he didn't see anyone in front of the complex. Henko was always worried that Ivan would be standing in front of his apartment since that time, but he had yet to see him. Henko's heavy heart relaxed knowing he was safe for another day. Making his way into his apartment, he placed the food in the kitchen and took out the magazine. Taking it to the front room, he sat down. First, he just flipped through it seeing if anything popped out to him like earlier. He did find some places that he was interested. Finding a pen, he began to mark all the places that he wanted to check out when he had some time.