This chapter is very long, but lots of information is in here.
Patience is a virtue.
Chapter 8 – Just Like Old Times
"No, no, no fucking way. Gaetana – When the fuck did you get back?!" Arizona was frozen in her chair.
"Wow, that's sure something nice to say to your long lost friend you ass." G laughed, "I got back from Iraq five days ago Battleship. You would know this if you read the letters I wrote to you." Now she was serious and looked disappointed.
"Letters? G, I had, I didn't know. I mean I'm busy I must of over looked them, but I never got any." Arizona didn't get a single letter, while everyone else did, that sucked. "Wait, you actually wrote me letters after everything that happened? I-I can certainly say I didn't see a single one G." Arizona was tore up over the fact she lost a long time friend over nonsense.
"Hm, well let's see. You're wonderful and oh so sweet and innocent fiancée has everything to do with that."
"What do you mean G?" Great, another lecture about her less than desirable ex.
"Joanne, she took all of those letters and sent them back to me."
"Are you serious?" Arizona had no idea her ex did that. She was pissed off, again.
"You didn't know but let me break it down for you." She took a sip of wine and a deep breath, "Are you ready?" G's demeanor changed into a deranged one, brows furrowed together and a look of disgust adorned her face. "Oh, it gets good, Arizona," Arizona couldn't read the woman – is she mad at me? "Because she – Joanne - went as far as writing a letter back to me saying 'Stay the fuck away from my fiancée and me. You're a piece of shit. Arizona is too good to be associated with the likes of you. She wants absolutely nothing to do with you.'."
Arizona looked like she wanted to cry or throw a brick at someone. Joanne and G NEVER got along, ever. And they never would. G actually did everything humanly possible to prevent them from getting engaged. Joanne thought it was because she wanted to date Arizona or her, but she was so wrong. G just absolutely despised her because she knew she would be unfaithful. And she couldn't have been more right about that.
G noticed her friend was upset and began to comfort her, "Z, don't worry or be upset. I get it." G reached over the table and began to rub her friend's arm in attempts to comfort her further. "I know that wasn't your fault. And I know you'd never say anything like that. I'm here now because I want my best friend back in my life. To move on from that bullshit. New start, alright?" She saw the dimples that could melt glaciers pop out. "Good. But now, you need to explain something to me. I've heard through lesbian circle of Boston, you two are now split, care to explain?"
"Okay, well I'm sure you know about…" Arizona took a deep breath and looked at her plate.
"I know Tim's gone Battleship, it's okay"
"Right, yeah. Uhm, so the colonel came to MGH and was in the ER. I just knew something was wrong right when I saw him. We went into the chief's office and that's when he told me. The chief insisted I take two weeks to sort everything out, but I couldn't do that. I took one. He did however send me home seeing I was a sobbing mess."
Grey eyes looked into Arizona as they always did when they were concerned about the pair opposite them. Those eyes have seen more than they care to share, and Arizona was always sucked into them even when she didn't want to talk.
"I had to go home, get clothes and just slow down." Arizona took another deep breathe "The services were this past Thursday and Friday. My dad had a red eye flight booked for me that night, to go back to Virginia. I needed to pack as soon as possible to make sure I had everything I needed."
"Do I want to know how this finishes Arizona?" G was honestly asking, because she knew what was going to happen. She predicted it four years prior.
"Yes, I need to tell you because I haven't told anyone the details yet and I just need to get this off of me."
"Well, please, unload onto me blondie."
"I get to my apartment, where Joanne and I lived. And she was supposed to be at work. 24 hour shift at BWH. I heard her voice in our bedroom, but I couldn't process anything so I didn't think anything of it. I walk in and she's nude in bed, and has this guilty look all over her face. I'm already crying hysterically but she doesn't know why. I don't even acknowledge her presence, I am in auto pilot, you know?"
"I do."
"So, I go to open our walk in closet and Joanne flies in between me and the door."
"Uhh, oh..."
"Again, auto-pilot and I fling her out of my way. I think I threw her down to the floor unintentionally. All I'm thinking is, 'the sooner I pack, the sooner this will all be over', well." Arizona took one final deep breath, "Turns out, she was hiding her afternoon lover in our closet."
"Are you fucking kidding me?"
"Nope. She was standing there, just ass naked, beat red, visibly embarrassed." Arizona was rubbing her temples, "It was a fucking intern G, an intern. From her hospital."
"Well, she has the competency of an intern."
"I snapped. I stopped crying and instantly went into monster mode. I was screaming so loud at Joanne I couldn't speak the next day. I just, I knew something was up, but after seeing it happen in my bed. I lost it on her." Arizona could feel her blood boiling just from replaying the scene in her head.
"So, you went ape shit..?"
"I packed everything of mine. All my clothes, my things, just everything. I told Joanne to get out before I pushed her off of our balcony. I called Teddy and asked her for a place to stay. I just happened to luck out when she told me her third roommate was transferred to another hospital out of state."
"Wow."
"I know G." She took another breath to even out. "I'm so sorry I haven't tried harder to contact you. I was just so mad before you left and just blinded by my whore of an ex. When I wasn't getting letters I figured you hated me because of Joanne. I was really mad then but I'm not anymore. I'm sorry."
"Battleship, don't worry about it. It was over a year ago. I've been in Iraq or Afghanistan for the last three years anyways. A lot changes you know? I'm proud you stood up for yourself, though. Whenever I saw you two that last night and I saw her screaming at you. I lost it."
"I think you got the best revenge from that, please refresh my memory." Arizona fondly remembers that day, even if it was bad and the final time she saw G, it was particularly funny.
"OH I would LOVE to Arizona." G smiled wide and took a drag from her glass. "Let's see, whore bag Joanne was cussing out my best friend Arizona in the middle of our Memorial Day party at the funeral home. Bad idea."
"Yes, I remember, she was mad. I dressed to 'skimpy' for a BBQ." Arizona had another gulp of wine, and smiled devilishly.
"YES! And then I recall screaming in her face and saying she was just jealous everyone was hitting on you. To which she replied I could never have you or her if I tried."
"Hahaha, but what she didn't know..."
"What Joanne didn't know was that I was banging her little, much more attractive, very heterosexual, perfect, baby sister. Ha-ha. Do you remember her face when I said 'I'm already banging your sister I can't imagine you'd be any better?' Then she dumped her beer on my head and stormed out."
"God I will never forget that G. Everyone was laughing their asses off. Even if it was the reason we stopped speaking, I am still happy you banged her sister."
"She was a decent lay too. Shame it was only done to spite her douche bag sister."
"Haha, you're something else, hey can we cheers?"
"Cheers to what Battleship?"
"Cheers to you getting home in one piece, to our friendship, and to the single life!"
Two wine glasses clanged together and in unison the woman both said "Salud"
"So, can you tell me why you're home early now?"
"Yes, of course! Our battalion was pulled out a month early, to many injured and the battle has only been picking up. We needed a re-group. So we came back a month early to only leave a month early. I am due back out for training in the Carolinas November 1st. Two months training, then it's onto deployment number four."
"How are you doing?" Arizona was always awed by the bold attitude this woman had. She never flinched at death or his friends, she was a true to term hard ass. Her family was even more brazen. But they were the sweetest people you'd ever meet, you'd never guess they were all undertakers.
"Doing it. Staying busy you know? I went right back to work at the funeral home the day after I got back. I can't process these emotions yet until I know I'm out of the Navy for good. How about you Z?"
"I'm okay, I'm alive and healthy. I'm okay. I'm happy you're okay. I'm really nervous about my deployment next year. Okay"
"Are you telling me or yourself you're okay?"
"Both." It was honest.
"You're going to kick ass Arizona, I know it."
It meant more coming from an active combat warrior. "Thanks." She smiled back at her friend.
Conversation was light between them and they picked up where they left off nearly 18 months before. Arizona didn't realize it at first, but she missed her big dykey best friend Gaetana. She forgot how much they shared in common aside from liking women and how nice it was to actually talk with someone who liked women.
"So, now that dinner is finne, want to go relive our glory days? Steal a bottle of wine from the cellar in the funeral home and get drunk in my Papa's office?"
"G, I think I'm okay to go home, really."
"Come on, its Saturday and you don't have to work until Tuesday. Glory days!"
Oh the glory days…fuck it!
"Fine! That sounds fan-fucking-tastic, let's go"
Most any normal, or boring, human being would think it was odd to hang out in a funeral home. But when your life is defined by said funeral home, it becomes ingrained in your DNA. The same goes for those who are akin with the personnel of the funeral home. It was just how it was. It wasn't odd for G to pick Arizona up in a hearse after a one night stand, or for her to leave dinner in a rush to go do a 'removal', these were all normal things.
Gaetana's family business was huge, four generations huge. It was the largest in all of the Boston area for nearly forty years. The building itself was nestled in West Roxbury, on a city block plot. People in the industry call it the 'funeral factory' due to its constant flow of bodies.
Her grandparents lived on top of the funeral home, while the first level housed four chapels and the organ. The basement was the show room full of caskets, housed three offices, one wine cellar, and a full bar. The home itself was gorgeous, immaculate. Behind the funeral home was a four car garage, the embalming rooms and a four body fridge. It was a in every sense a funeral factory.
Arizona will never forget the first time she met G over ten years ago, Timothy introduced the pair…
Flash back to ten years earlier…Arizona's POV...
"Z, you're coming with me to this rugby social! I will drag your ass out of this dorm room if I have to! Teddy, tell Arizona to come." Timothy was always good at coercing anyone.
"Uh, well. We do have exams Tuesday, but I don't see why she shouldn't go out, it is Saturday"
"THEODORA ALTMAN!" Arizona hated how quickly her roommate would fold to Timmy's dimples.
"What? Arizona, its fricking Saturday. It's gorgeous, and apparently there will be lots of women, it'll be good to uh, socialize." Teddy always had a small crush on Timmy, who couldn't love the blonde hair blue eyed dimply man.
"SEE! I'm essentially saving you from social suicide and removing the cobwebs from that thing you call box"
"TIMOTHY!" Arizona flung her notebook at Timothy.
"You guys are the weirdest siblings ever." Teddy laughed out loud at the pair.
"Come on Phoenix, let's go, I have a lady I'd like you to meet anyways."
Arizona hated and loved how much her brother looked out for her. He was always trying to introduce her to new 'women' and get her out in the field. He was always backing her up when she needed it most and never strayed away. He really did save her social life.
"Timothy, I told you, I don't need you to put me out onto the field. I have luck with the ladies." Arizona was awful at lying and that was a huge one. She could count on one hand how many women she has been with since moving to Boston. It was pathetic, in her first year of undergrad she had slept with two women. It was embarrassing.
"You're lying Phoenix. Besides, this chick is a bad ass. She's a mortician and plays on our rugby team."
"Wait, she play's on the BU rugby team? Like with the men? I told you, I don't like butchy women Tim."
"Just shut-up and let me work my magic okay? And no, not the men you idiot. Although she could"
Arizona was never a huge jock growing up, she ran track and that was the extent of it. Timothy was always going – basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, baseball – she eventually forgot what he did.
When he was accepted to Boston University for International Relations he joined the rugby team without any hesitation. Arizona enjoyed going to his games every Saturday, and even more so the social afterwards.
This social was like any other one on any other Saturday. It was the first game of the season, so it would be huge. However, it was at a funeral home, which was weird. The property was large and secluded enough to house a small army of people in the parking lot. But, free beer is free beer no matter where it was when you're in college.
"Tim, are you seriously taking me to funeral home?"
"Trust me Arizona!"
They left his car and began walking to the group of 'ruggers'
"TIMMM!" the undeniable scream of a dozen coeds greeted them.
Tim wrapped his around Arizona and guided them through the maze of people. He was looking for the woman Arizona needed to meet.
"GIA! You ugly bastard get over here!"
This was the woman Tim needed me to meet, this? She had short wavy brown locks, the signature 'hockey hair' curling under a Red Sox hat. She was tall, like freakishly tall, almost as tall as Tim and he was 6'-2". She had a black eye that matched her overly broken cricked nose. Her right arm was covered in tattoos – so stereotypical. And these big grayish looking eyes that could melt steel. She was intimidating to say the least.
"Timmy, what did I tell you about insulting yourself in front of guests?" G punched him in the arm and he hit her back.
"Gia, I would of said how I truly felt but I didn't want to scare my sister. Gia, this is my bigger, little sister Arizona."
G extended a hand, "Pleasure to meet you Battleship"
"Battleship? Uh, you too." Arizona met the taller woman's hand shake. For someone who looked like they wrestled bears her hands were incredible soft.
"Yes, the battleship Arizona. I mean it's a cool name, but battleship is way cooler. You drink like your brother battleship? If so, I'll have to go get another keg."
"Don't be fooled, she can drink, but not as much as me" Tim rustled Arizona's hair.
"Screw you Tim, I can drink, and I bet I can drink more than you!" She swatted his arm away
"Then let's stop talking and let's start drinking!"
G led the twins to a keg where they began to drink under the September sun. They drank for what felt like hours until G's grandparent's and uncle kicked the lot of everyone out.
Tim, a few other teammates and Arizona were the only ones who were left.
"Tim, wanna go to the Office, few celebratory cigars?"
Tim looked at Arizona for a response, and she simply nodded. It was the first time she had been out this semester and she was having a blast. She and G actually got along really well. And she could tell that Tim and G were already super close. It was nice to have a friend that wasn't using Arizona for answers on homework or forced to be a lab partner with. It was refreshing to be expunged from the burden of being a pre-med student for once.
"Uhh, so, uhh, where is this Office, G?" Arizona was drunk but not overly drunk to the point where she was stumbling.
"The funeral home of course!"
'OH, duh"
The group of six headed inside, it was the first time Arizona had ever been inside a funeral home. Ever. She was creeped out at first, but was okay with it.
They headed into the basement, where it became even creepier. There were caskets everywhere. I wanted to ask Timmy what the hell possessed him to want to be here but they all acted normal. So I went with it.
We went into this huge, sprawling office, the walls were covered with sports memorabilia, awards, and family insignia alike. Pictures of what I assumed was G's grandfather with various athletes, politicians, everyone it seemed like. It was an every sense an office, with the exception of the full bar in one corner.
G emerged from the bar with a cigar box and bottle of bourbon. The group situated themselves around the coffee table and took to the sofas and chairs around it. As time drug on, Timmy and Arizona where the only ones left from the group. It was almost midnight and Arizona couldn't believe she was out this long and late. It was invigorating.
G stepped out to let someone out of the funeral home where then it was just the twins lounging in the office.
"See, Arizona, I told you that you'd have a good time today." Timothy was sprawled out on the plush carpet, nearly half asleep.
"Yeah, I had a blast. And you were right, I do like G, she's pretty cool." She was laying back on the leather couch just above Tim.
"Told you so Phoenix. You don't need to sleep with every woman you meet, sometimes you just need a wing-woman to get you out there."
"Ha-ha, whatever you say Tim."
End flash-back
"You going to stare into the dark all night battleship or come inside?"
Arizona was startled from her reminiscing thoughts. It had been a while since she went to the office or even to the funeral home.
"Yes, yes." She hopped out of the car and followed G into the back of the building.
Everything looked the same, right down to the basement and her grandfather's office.
"So, what can I fancy you with this evening my lady? We have an 89' Pinot Grigio, a 94' Sauvignon Blanc or if you're feeling up to it, a velvety 84' Chardonnay."
"G, just give me the cheapest wine in there. I feel bad taking the good stuff."
"I am trying to sex you up, okay? Cleanse the pallet, expunge the dirt that has resided there for nearly four years. SO, 84 and 94' it is! And don't complain. You know my grandparents don't drink white wine. Only Angelo and I do, so please shut it."
Like old times they settled into the big leather sofas in the front of the room. The set up never changed but the photographs on the walls did. Pictures of Gia and her cousins graduating college, Gia in her Navy blue's, even a picture of Tim, Gia and Arizona was on the wall from when Gia earned her FMF pin. All three of them adorned in uniforms.
They both began drinking from the bottle, passing it back and forth in silence, until it was gone.
"I forgot how fast a bottle of wine goes." G meagerly said.
"When did we grow up?" Arizona changed her position to face the other woman head on.
"What do you mean?' A pop from the second bottle settled between them.
"Like, it literally feels like yesterday I was sitting in here for the first time, and now, it's over ten years later. Where did time go?"
"It's called getting old Arizona. It's inevitable. Don't tell me you're going senile?"
"I know, I don't, but give me that bottle you friggin' hog."
Arizona stole the second bottle from G's hands and began to guzzle more wine down.
"So, have you spoken to Joanne since Tuesday?"
"Nope, technically I am still engaged, I haven't returned my ring yet." She pulled out her dog tags which were carrying the ring, "And yes, G, that means I cheated too."
"She deserves that much, are you planning on talking to her anytime soon?"
"I am, she sent me about a dozen texts begging for forgiveness and crap. I told her to bring Tim's guitar – which I forgot to take – to Teddy's apartment tomorrow and we could talk there. You're more than welcome to join, it should be a shit show."
"It's a good thing I'm off duty tomorrow, because I would LOVE to see the whore. Besides, I need to catch up on season 5 of 'The L Word', you game for a binge watching session?"
"You know G, you are the most stereotypical lesbian around."
G whipped a pillow at her friend. "Listen, I spent the last year surrounded by men, I deserve as much lesbian stereotyping for the next two months."
"Sure you do G." She took one final sip from their second bottle, "Fuck, I'm drunk."
"Yeah, me too. Love it when the wine creeps up on you."
G stood up, and began to walk behind the desk in the office. She was shuffling in a drawer and pulled out a frame.
"What's that G?"
"I wanted to send this to you, but I knew Joanne would ruin it." She sat next to Arizona and handed her the framed photograph.
"It's you and Tim." Arizona looked at the photo, studied it intensely. Tim was on the far left and G was on the far right. Between the two giants were about a half dozen tiny humans, giving a 'thumbs up' sign.
"Yeah, this was in June of this year. This was one of the few times we crossed paths during our tours. All of those kids in that picture lived in the village that his team stopped at." She sighed heavily, "I-I can't believe he's really gone."
For the first time since she learned of Tim's passing, Arizona stepped out of her own sorrow and recognized someone else's. It wasn't that the woman was selfish, she just didn't deal well with other people's grief. She forgot how close Tim and G were, and how much she must be hurting as well. She wrapped the woman next to her in embrace in attempt to comfort her. For the first time since she's ever met G, she saw the woman cry.
"I know G" She couldn't fight back her own tears because they were overwhelming. "I-I, miss him. So fucking much." She sobbed.
They sat and cried together for what felt like eternity. Sitting in the silence of their own thoughts and tears. Arizona finally pulled them apart and looked deep into puffy sad eyes. They were blue now. Not as blue as hers, but blue.
G grabbed a box of tissues to wipe her face, "Crying isn't a good look on you Arizona." She chuckled as she stared at the blonde. She was a pro at shaking off emotions and easing the atmosphere, it was part of the job.
"Speak for yourself brutta."
They both shared a light laugh and changed the subject. Eventually Gia passed out drunk on the floor with their third bottle of wine in hand. Just like old times.
Arizona grabbed a blanket and pillow from the closet in the office, were they've always been. Threw them at G and made herself comfortable on the couch. She began to dose off into a drunken slumber, just like old times.
Just like old times.
Thanks for reading :)
