CHAPTER 50: MOMENTUM
The decision that the bar would remain a bar didn't come right away. Tifa and Barret kept tossing ideas about how to use the shop between them, coming up with possibilities like a diner, a seamstress's workshop, or even a convenience store. But when they considered the proximity to the train station and the local clientele, a bar would really be a perfect place to intercept the working man on his daily commute home. But there was much to be done before they could open their business.
The building was a complete mess. If Owen had owned this place, Tifa doubted that he had set foot inside it in at least half a decade. Cobwebs and dust coated the surfaces and corners, the piping was rusted and there were multiple lines and cracks in many of the walls. After moving their meager possessions to their new home in Sector Seven, they wasted little time assessing what needed to be done. Together, they painted the walls, baby-proofed as best they could, and replaced most of the rotted wood in the ceiling and floor. Luckily, a plethora of useful things were left behind in the building for her use: pots, pans, cutlery, dishware, glasses, cleaning supplies and even some towels and linens. While Barret was working, Tifa tirelessly scrubbed sinks and floors. At first, she had been discouraged by the unsightly look of their new home. But as she cleaned, Tifa began to see the beauty of this place hidden beneath the dust and grime: the tile mosaic in the bathroom and the carvings etched into the hardwood of the banister and bar top were charming and made it feel a little more homey.
Owning a bar meant the purchasing of a liquor license, as well as obtaining a bartending certification from city government. With the extra financial stress that comes with moving into a new home that needed repairs and furnishing, Tifa decided to skip the fifty gil bartending class and study the free workbook and materials provided instead. At only one hundred gil, the fee to take the license exam wasn't too outrageous. It was a necessary expense if they were going to start making any money. Furnishings in their living space could wait until she was actually making a profit. Barret worked with her to find a reliable liquor vendor in the area, and Tifa felt relieved to have his help when it came to bargaining for things. Her soft spoken nature would make it difficult to barter, but Barret was intimidating and somehow knew just what to say every time.
The building had a small second story, which consisted of a bathroom and two bedrooms: one for the girls and one for Barret. It was decided that the large basement space would be used as AVALANCHE's headquarters, since it was the only non-customer area large enough to hold meetings comfortably once Jessie moved all her gadgets in. The only way to access the basement was through a door in the floorboards against the far wall. Barret was currently thinking of a way to obscure the basement door from the public's view, but hadn't yet come up with any solid ideas.
Because Barret now had a longer commute to work, Tifa was alone for most of the day with Marlene. The little girl was a gift: an outlet for Tifa's irrepressible instinct to mother and a source of joy in the craziness of adjusting to their changing world. Marlene's excitement made her scarcely able to sleep once they moved into the bar, her little feet running this way and that, exploring every nook and cranny of their new home. The baby was so excited for this change in their lives, just like Barret, and a small amount of pride swelled in Tifa's chest. By fighting and winning this place, she was giving back to the man who took her in, making life a little better for a precious little girl and providing a place for AVALANCHE to meet. Maybe she could make something of herself after all. Concentrating on these feelings and pouring herself into cleaning the old building from top to bottom prevented Tifa's ghosts from having much of a chance to haunt her in her waking hours.
Even now, as she scrubbed grimy floorboards on her hands and knees, her focus and thoughts were on the future. With a weary sigh, Tifa rested her scrub brush in the bucket of sudsy water and wiped her brow with the back of her arm. The pattering of little feet kept her from thinking about how different the lemon scented cleanser was from the baking soda and vinegar she had cleaned with in Nibelheim.
"Ti Ti, I find this!"
She turned her head toward Marlene, who rushed toward her, clutching something in her tiny hands. The toddler seemed so excited to show Tifa her treasure, but all her guardian noticed was the dust coating her little dress and pale skin.
"Marlene, you're filthy!"
"Look!" She shoved her fist in Tifa's face, opening it to reveal two coins.
"Oh, look at that! Where did you find those?"
Marlene turned to point to the back wall where an old pinball machine sat, covered in dust. No one had paid it much mind, since there were so many other things to fiddle with. But the baby left no stone unturned in her exploration of her new home.
"O'there!"
Tifa ruffled Marlene's chestnut hair, which had grown to brush her shoulders. "Well then, let's put them in your treasure box before I give you a bath. Look how dusty you are!"
Marlene giggled as Tifa poked her nose, then rushed up the stairs with the older girl behind her. She ran to her room and grabbed an empty tissue box that sat on the little bookshelf under the window sill. Plopping herself on the floor, Marlene emptied the handful of contents in her treasure box on the floor in front of her: two paper clips, a tin ring, a red marble, a broken key, and a tiny mirror. While the baby arranged her treasures, Tifa grabbed the shampoo bottle, a towel and a bar of soap from the bathroom. She couldn't bathe Marlene there, due to the malfunctioning hot water heater, so Tifa had no choice but to wash her down in the bar area.
She lead Marlene back down the stairs, letting her scribble on a sheet of paper as she heated a large stock pot of water on the stove. When it was warm enough, she plugged the sink and dumped the water in. Always eager to play in the water, Marlene allowed herself to be washed with little complaint, and Tifa allowed her to play until it was too cold for her to stay in. A set of plastic cups and a wooden spoon for makeshift bath toys kept her busy for a while. Tifa sighed, sitting on a bar stool nearby to look over the material for her license exam. She had a rudimentary understanding of liquor, thanks to her father's bad habit. She knew signs of inebriation, the content of multiple mixed drinks, and how to tell a poor quality drink from a top shelf item. But still, she drilled the information into her brain until she knew it backwards and forwards. It was a bit difficult with Marlene's constant distractions, but Tifa managed.
Silently, she recited the words again and again, wondering if she and Barret could really pull this off. He had faith in her that she didn't have in herself, and it was both encouraging and terrifying. There was so much that needed to be done to the dilapidated building before they could even think about opening in addition to the lengthy legal process of registering for and purchasing a liquor license. Acquiring alcohol and a stock of food would be a huge hit on their shoestring budget, even though team AVALANCHE had offered to help when they could. In short, this was an enormous financial risk, and Tifa was terrified that she'd fail these people who depended on her success.
Over the past week, she had contemplated what to call her bar when it finally opened. Tifa discussed a half dozen ideas with Barret, but the only one that seemed to stick was 'Seventh Heaven.' When he asked her what her inspiration had been for that name, Tifa said that this business was their new hope and she wanted it to be a source of comfort and light in the darkness of the Sector Seven slums. Tifa didn't tell him that her real inspiration was her desire to see all of the people she had loved, who she liked to imagine were residing in heaven.
Cloud, Aria, Claudia, Mama, Papa, Zangan…
The harder she tried to push them out of her conscious thoughts, the harder they fought to climb to the surface of her brain.
"A, B, C, D, E, F, G," Marlene sang, swirling her cups in the water.
Tifa continued in automatic response, not taking her eyes off her booklet. "H, I, J K…"
"L, M, N, O, P!" she shrieked, tossing a plastic cup into the air and laughing when it landed in front of her with a splash.
"That's it! You're so smart, Marlene!"
After being pulled from school at such a young age, Tifa knew the value of a good education. She vowed that as long as she was around, she'd each Marlene everything she knew and send her to school when she came of age for it. That precious little girl wouldn't be stuck bussing tables as an adult if Tifa could help it.
She flipped a page in her booklet when she heard a key in the lock of the front door. Her head came up in alarm and she stared at the doorknob as it wiggled. A quick glance at the clock told Tifa that it would still be about an hour or so until Barret came home. Who was here? What did they want? Protectively, Tifa grabbed the towel, scooped Marlene out of the sink and held her head to her chest. She was fretting over whether she should hide the baby or not when the door opened, revealing a familiar face and brown hair pulled into a ponytail.
"Jessie…" Tifa breathed. "You scared me!"
"Ah, sorry Tifa!" Jessie adjusted the large box she was carrying before stepping through the door. "Barret gave me the key so I could drop off my computer."
Shifting the baby into one arm, she held open the door so Jessie could squeeze through. The older girl smiled and thanked Tifa before putting down her load to greet wet little Marlene, who grinned up at the visitor from her towel cocoon.
Jessie looked around with a low whistle, taking in the wide bar space. "Wow, nice place. Barret told me about how you kicked some guy's ass and won it! I didn't know you were a fighter!"
Tifa felt her face flush. "Oh, it was nothing…just lucky I guess."
"You certainly don't look like a brawler. I'd like to see you in action someday!" Jessie smiled as Tifa looked away, ears turning pink at the praise.
"Wanna get down! Please?" Marlene squirmed in her arms.
Secretly grateful for the excuse to retreat, Tifa peeked up at Jessie. "Oh, let me take her upstairs to get dressed. Make yourself at home!"
Tifa let Marlene pick out which little dress she wanted to wear before laying her down for her midday nap. She hummed little melodies to lull the baby to sleep, and lingered in the bedroom much longer than she needed to. Out of the trio of AVALANCHE members that Barret had taken under his wing, it was Jessie who sparked her curiosity most, and Tifa found herself longing for her attention. Jessie was smart and beautiful, with rich brown hair and sparkling chestnut eyes that made her feel so plain in comparison. For some reason, Tifa found herself becoming painfully shy in the other girl's presence and wasn't completely sure of the reason behind it. Growing up, she had never really had any female friends her age, and wondered if she would say the right things. Although Jessie was a few years older than she, Tifa couldn't quell her desire for a bond with another young lady. Unlike her fellow waitresses at Bailey's Pub, Jessie was always kind and treated her like an equal instead of someone to be ordered around. She wanted something more—something deeper, like the bond she had had with Claudia—but had no way of telling if Jessie could ever share that desire. Barret was wonderful, but she couldn't talk to him about love and life like she did with her mother or Claudia. There were some things that boys just didn't understand.
Eventually, she creeped down the stairs. The hatch door to the basement was open and she could hear Jessie rustling around, probably setting up her computer and arranging her workspace. Tifa stooped by the side of the pinball machine, checking for any coins Marlene may have missed. She had never seen anything like this machine, for any games that she grew up playing in Nibelheim were certainly never powered by mako electricity. Did it still work? She fetched a rag to wipe to dust away and polished the plastic and metal. Tifa bent to plug it in, excited to see the machine light up, but nothing happened. She removed the plug again, running her fingers over the prongs to remove any dust she may have missed.
There was a knock on the door and it immediately cracked open, Wedge's round face peering around the frame. "Hello? Anybody home?"
Biggs appeared behind him and pushed Wedge over the threshold. "Of course someone's home. Barret wouldn't have asked us to come if no one was here, would he?"
Tifa barely breathed a greeting when she heard Jessie's footfalls on the basement stairs. "Wedge! Is that you? Finally!"
"What do you mean, finally? You said two o'clock." Biggs whined.
The girl rolled her eyes and they landed on Tifa, still crouched beside the pinball machine with the plug in her hand. She froze, feeling exposed and insecure as the trio stared at her.
"Oh, hey! Does that thing work?" Jessie chirped.
"N-no…" Tifa gulped, feeling incredibly uncomfortable. "I plugged it in, but it didn't light up."
Biggs elbowed Jessie in the arm. "I'm sure our genius over here could fix it!'
"I hope so. That way, Tifa could have something to keep her busy so your arguing doesn't drive her crazy." Wedge grinned at his own zinger.
Jessie sighed and tried to hide her smile as she moved to crouch beside Tifa, who immediately handed her the cord. "This is important. Barret wants to use this thing to conceal the entrance to our basement HQ. If I could get it to work, no one would question the presence of a pinball machine in the bar."
"But how do we get to the basement if this heavy piece of tin is covering it?" Biggs asked, leaning against the machine.
"Well, I had a cool idea. If we could rig up some hydrolics and if I tamper with this machine, we could have this thing rise up and down, kind of like an elevator. I want to install a panel underneath that we could punch a code in to get downstairs. Barret doesn't want it to even look like there's a basement entrance at all."
Wedge bent to the floor to inspect the underside of the pinball machine. "Sounds good to me—can't be too careful. Do we have what we need to do that? It seems complicated."
Jessie rose to her feet to head toward the basement steps. "I brought a whole bunch of stuff—it's in the basement. Biggs, help me with this. Wedge, lock the door and make sure no one comes in, alright? We'll be right back."
He gave her a quick salute before she disappeared with Biggs. Tifa stood and retreated back behind the bar, anxious for something to do with her hands. It was exciting to watch these three in action. How cool! A secret entrance to AVALANCHE's secret headquarters: it was like something she'd read about in a book. She felt Wedge's eyes on her as she returned to her studying.
"May I get you something to drink, Wedge?"
"No, no. I'm fine, thanks." He slowly paced around tables. "You've really done a fantastic job fixing this place up. It was in awful shape when you guys moved in."
"Thank you," Tifa said, shyly ducking her face toward her booklet. "We have a long way to go, but it's coming along."
"Barret says you're going to bartend. I think you'll do great." He leaned on the bar top, fixing her with a friendly smile. "You know, we really owe you for this. The basement is perfect for us!"
"Really, it's nothing." She swallowed, overcome with shyness. Tifa felt her cheeks pinken as struggled to keep her eyes on the polished wood of the bar top. "I like having you here."
She saw his wide smile out of the corner of her eye and her heart fluttered in her chest. Tifa was so flattered that these three chose to talk with her and treat her like a friend when they certainly didn't have to. Eventually, she found the strength to flick her crimson eyes upward to meet with his brown ones. His expression was soft and inviting, and she found herself unable to pull her gaze away.
"Say, Tifa…"
He was interrupted by the sound of a clatter from the basement steps. "Ouch! Wedge, can you help me with this?"
"Coming!"
Tifa watched him rush to Biggs's aid before she hid away in the privacy of the kitchen. What was wrong with her? She wanted so badly to feel loved, like she belonged, but once the others tried to get to know her she clammed up and shut down. She dreamed of feeling like one of the crew, but were her social issues and lack of self-worth thwarting her chance at finding contentment? It was easy to hide. It was easy to cower behind the walls she had built in her heart from years of anguish and hopelessness. But now, she had hope. Was healing waiting just around the corner? Did she have the strength to face the frightening task of opening up to these people who waited to befriend her?
She distracted herself with the task of scrubbing chipped tiles and preparing dinner while Biggs, Wedge and Jessie talked and laughed and worked. Maybe one day, she'd find her voice and courage again.
… … …
The sound of glass shattering broke the silence.
"Uh oh!" Marlene cried.
She left her spot amongst her toys on the floor to run toward Tifa, who stooped to pick up shards of glass behind the bar. Barret skillfully caught her little wrist as she ran past and scooped her up into his arms. "You alright, Tifa?"
"Y-yeah, just dropped a glass."
Tifa was so nervous. Tonight was opening night for Seventh Heaven and she felt anything but prepared. The bar top and wooden tables had been sanded and refinished, there was a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and there wasn't a speck of dust to be found. Glass liquor bottles glistened behind the bar and clean rows of glasses were stacked neatly underneath. Jessie had fixed the hot water heater, the kitchen was clean and the pantry was stocked with food and ready to feed their customers. Fresh rolls were baking and stock pots of soup, rice, and chili sat upon the stove, hot and waiting to be eaten. But it was Tifa who wasn't ready. What if her customers weren't satisfied with her selection of food and drinks? Did they have enough stock? What if someone started trouble? What if no one came at all? Her shaking hands and nervous clumsiness may be for nothing if people failed to notice the grand opening flyers she and Barret had hung up outside shops and in the train station.
It had been a few months since she had passed her exam. She and Barret had been working constantly in that time to make repairs and prepare the bar for business. The pinball machine now sat perched atop the hydraulic trap door that served as their only entrance to the basement—AVALANCHE headquarters. It was designed so that even the sharpest eye had difficulty seeing the outline of the door in the floor. Tifa was constantly surprised by the incredible talents of Biggs, Wedge and Jessie, who all seemed to be jacks-of-all-trades. She hoped that someday she'd gather the nerve to ask them to teach her some of their skills. The trio had shown up as support for opening night and their show of affection made her heart swell in her chest. Jessie was currently fiddling with a pair of old speakers in the corner, which she had somehow rigged up to the jukebox she had salvaged. The boys were seated at one of the handful of tables, playing a game while continuously glancing up to watch the television on the wall behind the bar.
"Let me help you clean that! I'll grab the broom," said Biggs, who was currently losing his game of checkers against Wedge. Grateful for a distraction, he hopped to his feet. "Sorry, Wedge!"
Barret tickled the side of Marlene's neck before carrying her toward the stairs. "Alright, little miss. Bed time."
"No, Papa!"
"Yes, Marlene."
She was carried up the stairs, whining all the way. Tifa may have smiled if she wasn't petrified. Numbly, she thanked Biggs for his help and tried not to pace. She glanced at the clock: only five minutes until her seven o'clock opening time. The plan was to have the bar open daily at four in the afternoon and close at midnight, keeping the bar closed on Tuesdays for some time to rest and restock. Today, however, Tifa justified a later opening since Barret didn't typically get home until around six. The thought of starting her first day as a bartender without his presence had frightened her, so she had no problem waiting until he made it home. Letting out a nervous breath, Tifa steadied her hands long enough to plug in the fluorescent 'OPEN' sign in the window.
There was no going back now.
"Hey, Tifa!" Wedge piped up, swirling his glass of soda. "I bet this place will be packed tonight. Your name is buzzing around the slums like crazy."
"Really?"
"He's right," Jessie said, returning the speaker to its proper place. "People heard about you besting a buff dude in a fight and thought it was awesome. I bet you'll have a steady stream of clients."
Tifa moved to her place behind the bar, grabbing a rag and polishing the lacquered wood to keep her hands busy. "I hope I can handle it. I used to waitress, but I wasn't alone."
"You aren't alone now, either," said Biggs.
An awed smile tugged at the corners of Tifa's mouth. She watched Biggs return to his seat and promptly start accusing Wedge of moving his checker pieces. It occurred to her then that maybe she wasn't so different from the others. Everyone in this house was broken in some way, the victim of bad fortune and wronged by ShinRA. Perhaps, she really could fit in. It was risky to dare to hope that her heart had finally found a safe place, but she couldn't help it. Tifa grinned as she swiped the rag over the counter one last time. After years of loneliness and desperation, had she finally found the place she belonged?
Her head snapped upward at the sound of the front door swinging open.
Jessie sent music tumbling out of the jukebox as a group of young men, some with girlfriends in tow, entered the bar. A knot of anxiety formed in Tifa's throat and she shot a frightened look toward Biggs and Wedge. Biggs nodded his head encouragingly and Wedge winked at her, reassuring her that she could do this. They weren't going anywhere. It would be alright, wouldn't it?
"M-may I help you?" Her voice shook as a few patrons perched themselves on bar stools.
… … …
Her draft beers were the most popular by far. Patrons came and went in a constant flow, seemingly enjoying their time at Seventh Heaven. They cheered and jeered at whatever sport was broadcasting on the television, they sang along to the juke box, they mingled and drank their fill before heading home. So many patrons wanted her attention that she quickly felt overwhelmed, juggling food orders and conversations and gil. Once in a while, Biggs and Wedge would take a break from their planning to help gather soiled plates and wipe down tables as Jessie washed dishes. Tifa was immeasurably grateful, and their quiet companionship made her heart flutter with hope. Did they find value in her?
They were correct in saying that she was a source of curiosity among her customers. Most patrons admitted to stopping by for a peek at the half Wutaian girl who defeated an iconic muscle man of Sector Seven, and Tifa wasn't sure if this helped her reputation or hurt it. At the request of several guests, she had told and retold the story of Owen's defeat as modestly as possible. They'd ask her to demonstrate how she flipped him or tell them how she had the strength to lift a man at least three times her weight. The praise and inquiries made Tifa flush. Bashful and flabbergasted, she kept her answers polite yet vague, weary of having such a private part of her open to dissection from strangers.
The 'foreign' cuisine was a hit, along with her fresh baked breads. Tifa had Mama to thank for her culinary success, and every time she opened that little wooden recipe box, she prayed that there was some part of her that her mother would've been proud of. Within a few hours, she had sold all the food she had made, and had to make do with serving some frozen snacks she could heat up in the little oven. There were a few men who tried to flirt with her, and Tifa would've remained oblivious to their advances if Barret didn't stand nearby and intimidate them. It occurred to Tifa that she could take her wedding band off the chain around her neck and wear it to discourage this type of behavior, but that would stir up questions that she definitely wasn't ready to answer.
Tifa didn't want to be reminded of what had been. She had done her best to tear out the pages of the past and start writing this new chapter of her life. Running and running away from the things that used to define her was so tiring. But Tifa was afraid to stop. She knew what happened to those who stood still in their grief, and it terrified her.
AVALANCHE filtered out one by one: Jessie at ten, Biggs at ten-thirty, and Wedge an hour later. Tifa's confidence may have wavered once her support team left if it wasn't for Barret, who stood off in the corner like a totem: arms crossed and eyes sharp as a hawk. Though he was now well aware of her ability to defend herself, he watched over her, and it made Tifa feel safe in her place in his heart. It was a relief to see the cash register fill up with gil, even though Tifa knew the majority of it would be spent on restocking supplies and covering bills. She was giving back, helping in some way, and she knew it would give her the momentum she needed to swing from one day into the next. Exhausted, Tifa closed the bar at midnight. Barret, despite his fatigue, stayed with her until she had bid a cordial goodbye to the last customer and slid the deadbolt on the thick wooden door.
"You did it, Teef!" he said, scooping her into a bear hug.
She tried to laugh, but he squeezed and it came out sounding more like a wheeze. "Thanks to you! You've done so much for me."
Barret let her go and gazed around the room, taking in the mess left behind. "Psht. The paperwork sucked, but everything else you did on your own. I just watched you work your magic."
She considered his words. When she thought about it, she knew that she had no 'magic', luck or charm that ever brought her success. It was all borne of suffering, grit and tenacity, and any good thing she'd accomplished had always been with the help of another. If it wasn't for Barret, Tifa would've never been able to open this business, even if she had won the building on her own. A small smile graced her mouth as she moved to gather dishes on the nearest table.
"Do you think we made enough to cover the cost of the liquor license?"
Barret scoffed, retrieving a broom from the closet. "Like hell! Cost us an arm and a leg."
He grinned wickedly, holding his gun arm up in the air, and Tifa couldn't help but laugh out loud. It felt good to laugh, especially after such a stressful day. The mixture of Barret's baritone cackle and her own high pitched giggles made her feel so light, in spite of all of the weight she carried daily upon her shoulders.
...
A/N: Barret jokes are the best jokes. I always wondered just how often the AVALANCHE crew hung out in Seventh Heaven. It was their head quarters, but do you guys think they lived there?
We are almost at the end! Only three chapters left! :D I can't believe how blessed I am to still have readers following along. I hope you're all still enjoying. Thank you so mich for your continued feedback and support!