1976

Alexandra held the few multiple sheets of paper in her trembling hands. She didn't have a clue as to what was hidden in the papers, but his will was at least in the mix of the papers. The papers crinkled in her hands, making little noises as she held them. She stared at the papers in fear, debating whether or not she should stick to her plans and read the papers.

"Ok," she said and let out a deep breath.

Alexandra pulled out the papers with Frank's handwriting on them, and began to read:

"Dear Ally-Kat,

First, I just want to apologize to you. I've known about what was going to happen for a while now. I chose not to tell because didn't want you to worry or to freak out. But most of all, I wanted to keep you safe. Sadly, this was the only way that I could keep you safe like I wanted. I'm sorry, Ally, I really am.

Before the wedding, Mike told me to call him. I did and he gave me my "last wishes", so to say. I chose twenty-four hours with you, and for them to leave you alone. For some reason, he said yes- which I'm not complaining about. At exactly twenty-four hours later, as far as I know right now, I'd be either dead or not far from it. Am I happy this is going to happen? Of course not. If I could, I'd do everything to prevent it from happening in any sort of way. Sadly, there was nothing I could do.

I didn't want for us to spend the rest of our lives running from these people. What kind of a life is that? You know that plans we had for once we got married: we'd move into a house, when we were ready we were going to adopt, and we were go to live our lives. I feel like I've taken that all away from you, but if things didn't go right, we'd be running for the rest of our lives. I had to make a choice: stay alive and run, which wouldn't be the life you deserved- or sacrifice myself, and let you lie your life. I chose to sacrifice myself."

Alexandra shut her eyes for a moment and let out a shaky breath. She felt tears begin to run down her cheeks and tried to wipe them away with her hand. She opened her eyes once more and looked back down at the letter, which now had a few wet dots on it from the tears that had ran down her cheeks and collided with the paper.

"I want you to live your life. I want you to move on. I know what you're thinking: how can you move one after all we've been through since high school? I'm going to be honest and tell you that I have no idea how you will, but I want you to try. I want you to move on and live your life, and don't mourn me for the rest of your life, like you nearly did for your father and our baby. You're young, you're beautiful, you're a great person- you can do it. I believe in you, and you have my approval.

Also, remember that none of this is your fault. These people have hated me and my family my entire life, and they got even angrier when they found out that I wanted out. They've hated my guts and have wanted me dead ever since the day I was born. Like I said, it has nothing to do with you or anything you might think you did.

Again, I'm so sorry, Ally. I wish there was some other way. I hope that you'll forgive me for choosing the option I did. I hope you cherish our time together as much as I did and do. I'm so grateful to have had you in my life since high school. Thank you for all these wonderful years. I love you, my sweet Alley-Kat.

Love, Francesco 'Frank' Angelo Razzano"

Alexandra let out another shaky breath as she set the letter down. She stared at the blank television screen, not paying attention to the music playing from her record player. She raised her left hand to her mouth, and began to chew nervously on her thumb nail. She looked over at the digital clock next to the television, which read that it was 12:38 in the morning. She wondered how long she'd sat just staring at the letter, considering she'd picked it up nearly an hour previous to the present time.

Alexandra picked the papers back up, then turned to the next page; it was Frank's will. The finalization date was exactly a month before their wedding date. She found that a bit frightening, but was not entirely shocked based off of what he had said in his letter. She wondered how long he'd know about it. She separated the printed will from the letter and read:

"I leave all of my assets to my lovely wife, Alexandra Katharine Conti Razzano. All of my personal belongings I will leave to my mother, Renata Maria Razzano. If she wishes to separate these items among other family members, she may do so. Any items that were in my place of residence are left to Alexandra Katharine Conti Razzano. Alike to my mother, if she wishes to get rid of them or to give them to family, she may do so."

Alexandra set the will back down on the coffee table with the letter. She sat back against the couch, letting out a deep breath and wiping her cheeks with her hand. She turned and looked at the record player, that had gone silent without her noticing for who knew how long. She got up from her seat and took out the Aerosmith album and slid it back into its case, then replaced it with the 1974 Eric Clapton album: 461 Ocean Boulevard. She placed the needle on it, where she had placed it specifically so that it would start on the song, I Shot the Sheriff, her favorite song off of the almost new album.

Alexandra sat back down on her couch, slumping down between the cushions and the pillows. She pulled her guitar up against her, trying to play the chords and notes that went along with the record: G minor, C minor, G minor… G minor, C minor, G minor... E flat, D minor seven, G minor, repeat that four other times… then repeat all. She played the same song on her record, in which she followed along with again, trying to clear her head. She did this until she fell asleep twenty minutes later.

-/-/-

The next morning, Barney got out of bed sluggishly, due to his lack of sleep from the night before. He ran his hands over his face as he walked to the bathroom. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, not liking the person that was shown on the reflective glass- which was not unusual. He then quickly got in and out of the shower, then got dressed and got ready to attempt to take on the day.

Barney nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard the phone ringing as he ate breakfast. He glanced at the clock that read 6:55 in the morning. Who's calling me this early? he thought confusedly.

"Hello?" Barney asked in greeting as he picked up the handset.

"Hello?" he heard in his sister Beatrice's voice, "Barney, its Bea."

"Hey, Bea. What're you doin' up so early?"

"Oh, Adriana woke up and it was my turn to check on her. Figured I'd call and see how you're doing while I was up since I haven't seen you for a month now."

"That's pretty good, believe it or not. Most siblings don't even talk to each other for years once they're legal."

Beatrice laughed from the other end. "Good point. But seriously, how are you? What's new? I miss my baby brother."

Barney chuckled lightly. "Nothing's ever new in my life, you know that."

"Well, yeah, but I wanted to be nice and not point it out."

"Harty- har- har. SO how're you all? Rob and Adriana, they alright?"

"Yeah, we're all good over here. Rob's getting ready for work, and Adriana's still sleeping."

"That's good," Barney said genuinely, "Maybe I'll come around soon to visit you guys."

"That'd be great," Beatrice said happily, "I'm gonna hold you to that offer now. Maybe we'll invite Brandon and Angie then, too."

"Would you invite Mom and Dad, too?" He was cautious with his tone and wording.

"Maybe one day I'll have the fie of you over one day, then just you, Brandon and Angie another day."

"That'd be safer, that's for sure."

"No kidding," Beatrice laughed, "I have to go, but I'll talk to you soon, alright, Barn'?"

"Yeah, talk to you soon, Bea."

Both Barney and his sister hung up the phone. He continued to eat his small breakfast in silence, the only sound being the voice of Mark Stein of the band Vanilla Fudge singing You Keep Me Hangin' On from 1967. He sat there in blissful silence, enjoying one of the only psychedelic rock songs he liked.

This story is so heavily reluctant on music, isn't it? I mention at least one song in each chapter, it seems. I'm doing that on purpose, since the 1970s were heavily influenced by music from the late 1960s. not to mention each chapter is a song title, like how this one is While My Guitar Gently Weeps by the Beatles- I honestly love this song. I highly suggest that you guys listen to the recording of the song with Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne, and Dhani Harrison.

I finished reading The Lost World by Michael Crichton. It was great. My favorite character- Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum in the first two Jurassic Park films) was high on morphine for the majority of the second half, or the last third of the book. Ironically, it was pretty much that way in the first book as well. It was funny, especially cause he gets really cynical and philosophical when he's high, it's amazing. Now I'm reading Buckaroo Banzai by Earl Mac Rauch; the film from 1984 is my second favorite film in my top three (Rhinestone from 1984 being my first, then This Is Spinal Tap from 1984 being my third). Supposedly the book came first, but it's suggested to watch the film first.

Speaking of music, and the film This Is Spinal Tap- I plan on naming at least one chapter after a song from that film. I honestly love that film, like I said, it's my third favorite film, and I love the songs they sing and their titles… granted some are a bit racy, like "Lick My Love Pump" or "Sex Farm", so those won't be used, but others like "(Listen to the) Flower People" or "Stonehenge" or something might be used.

By the way- please wish me luck! Right before I finished typing this, I got a call from Chick-Fil-A. I submitted an application for work there yesterday, and I got a call to schedule an interview, which is tomorrow, so wish me luck (I'm sixteen and need a job so yeah).

So yeah, I think that's it. Alright, hope you enjoyed the chapter, peace from all the hippies of the world. =^-^=