Power Play Read Online Free Page B

care.
    “Why would you do that, Celeste?”
    “You know why. You can’t jump straight back into a stressful situation. You’re lucky I’m not sending you to the Caribbean to relax for a few weeks.” Mom took a spot next to Joey.
    “Yeah. Because
that
would suck,” Drew deadpanned. Our group laughter sliced through the awkward marital tension in the room.
    “You haven’t enjoyed a vacation in twenty years.” Mom slid her hand against Papa’s forehead. So tender even when they were at each other’s throats.
    I wanted a relationship like that.
    “Well, if the boss lady says I’m out of commission, we’d better figure out a plan.”
    “I’ve already got all the shifts covered at Three-one-three,” I told Papa, happy to be able to bring some stability to the work front. “I’ll be opening and closing every day. I’ll manage the orders and schedule the cash pickups. And Sammy and I will coordinate with the Mitchells for the stand’s produce shipments.”
    “Whoa, whoa, back up a minute, Gaby.” Papa stopped me. “Those are the things that I do.”
    “Yeah, I know, Papa, but you won’t be at work, so I’ll take over the stuff you would normally do and delegate—”
    “Gaby. Stop,” Papa commanded.
    I cocked my head in confusion. Despite Mom’s warning yesterday, I went rogue and figured out what needed to be covered, managed, and handled at the new store. Other than Papa, I was the only person who knew 313 Artisans from storage closet to front register. And since he couldn’t work for at least three weeks, maybe longer depending on the limitations his doctor set for him, I’d taken the reins to make sure everything was in order.
    “Joey’s going to take over at Three-one-three for me while I’m out.”
    The blaze of startled confusion in Joey’s eyes was as intense as the angry confusion in my own.
    “But Pop, I—I—” Joey stammered.
    “Joey will take care of my role, and you, Gaby, will resume your current role and manage the schedule. I don’t want to hear another word. It’s final.”
    Arguing with Papa about it made no sense. Arguing with him never made any sense, but especially today when he was laid up in a hospital bed, anxious to be released. It would be just our luck that a stupid squabble would make him relapse.
    It’s almost as if Papa planned the whole thing. I could picture him sitting in the tiny office at the back of the store, elbows on the desk, tapping his fingertips together.
How do I get Gaby not to freak out about telling her I’m handing the store over to Joey? Oh, I’ll tell her while I’m in the hospital after I’ve had a heart attack. She couldn’t possibly argue or get upset with me in my fragile state. And my diabolical plan to keep Bertucci stores run only by male members of our family continues on. Muahahahaha…
    Okay, I’m sure Papa didn’t really think like that. And I shouldn’t be so selfish, especially now. We should focus on working together until Papa got back on his feet.
    “Sure, Papa. I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” I told him. I was still standing behind everyone, almost in the corner of the room. No reason for me to be up in Papa’s grill. His beloved lost sheep came home.
    Joey stiffened, the veins in his neck popping out as he turned his head toward me. Between the freaky veins, the sideways glare, and the ramrod-straight back, his entire body screamed sheer terror.
    Seriously. Rotting, undead corpses may have been closing in from behind me, judging by the look on his face. The terror must have come from my easy agreement to leave a store he’d never set foot in in his completely incapable hands. It couldn’t be from surprise over me not standing up for myself. My brothers had to be used to that by now.
    “Good.” Papa shifted in his bed, as if trying to get comfortable. He took a deep breath and let it out. “Tell me about Denver, Joe.”
    Yes, Joe, tell us about all your important
Halo 3
playing and weed smoking.