Master Of None.

8:35AM, July 24th, Wednesday. Yawning in bed, staring at my ceiling as the sun breaks through the curtains. My room is a golden yellow, not too bright but not dull either. The color brings out the green of all my houseplants in the window sill. It gives the room a warm aura. Home.  I've lived alone since I was 16. Growing up with 5 younger siblings made me realize I'm definitely meant to live alone.  As I disassociate a little longer, I lay thinking about the chaos that has drowned my life in stress the past month. s**t, I think its been less than a month, a few weeks give or take. It all began when my grandmother had passed away. After years and years of drug abuse, she overdosed.  All of us in the family knew she used but this was never something we seen coming. She knew her limits, she was a sixty year old woman, forty five or so years as an addict.  It was a b***h and a half to pay the funeral costs too. Drained my entire savings. No one else really had much to pitch in but I had a bit of money I was planning to use to jump start my café. I was the only one in the family who just wanted a normal life. Through all the grief, no-one could muster the strength to go to her house after the funeral was said and done. The house remained untouched for at least a week. I couldn't even go to that side of town without breaking down.  The way she cared for the whole family, past all the crazy; I'm positive the others felt the same as I did. We avoided anything that brought up memories of her.  That is until I got the call that her house was aflame.  It was the middle of the night, the neighbor had actually called me. We traded numbers so when I'm out of state I can check on Gma Vee, or if shes ever causing trouble I can come get her in line before police show up. Everyone at the station knew my family by name. Each and every one of us.  After I was alerted of the fire, I called my siblings and we all gathered at the hospital across the street. Just watching as the firemen try to tame the flames eating away at our childhood.  The lump in my throat just thinking of the night makes me sick.  The house was ransacked then burned.  They said it had clear signs of arson and the neighbors claim they seen someone carrying boxes out. Assuming it was just family going through everything, they thought nothing of it.  My gut feeling said something was wrong.  Very wrong. Who could've done something like that.  And why?  There wasn't much of value, we aren't dirt poor but its hard to say any of us live comfortably. When one of us gets the slightest cushion of savings either one of us gets arrested or someone gets hurt. One of us has to foot the bill, in this family we don't let each other drown.  Or so I thought.  I snap out of my daze when I hear a car door slam outside.  Rolling out of bed when Im sure I hear footsteps heading up the front porch, I peek out my window.  I'm hoping its just a package or something.  But its not.  The fed ex guy doesn't wear a suit.  Three loud knocks at my front door and I feel my heart sink to my stomach... This is never a good sign in the movies. I walked around the corner, down the hall leading to the front door. The house was extremely quiet, the dogs didn't even bark which is an absolute surprise. Usually they'll bark at the wind. My living, breathing alarm system. Kind of looking defective today, hah. As I made my way to the door, wondering if he was an officer or someone here to deliver more bad news, he knocked again. This time louder.  "I'm coming, I'm coming." I yelled.  Doesn't he know no one knocks anymore? A call would more than suffice. I swing the door open and throw my hand on my hip "you're banging like the police, you better BE the police. What can i do for ya, babe?" I asked in a condescending manner.  I hated talking to the police after Gma Vee passed away. They just acted like we were all junkies and dismissed the case like it was nothing. It was reasonably hard to hide my disdain. "Hi, ma'am. Im a detective with the local police department from the next town over." He flashed his badge. But I didn't get a good look before he pocketed the shiny chunk of metal. My eyes eager to take him in, absorbing ever bit of detail physically possible. He may be in a suit, but he looks burly and rugged. Not a bad thing at all though. He's about my age, maybe a bit older. His face, smooth like he just shaved, or maybe he didn't grow facial hair? I don't know but I wanted to touch his cheeks, give'm a little squimsh.  His long black hair is pulled back in a tight bun. I wondered how long it actually was, I didn't think detectives could have long hair, honestly. But I guess women detectives have long hair so why wouldn't the men be able to too? I liked it. When I didn't respond he kind of coughed and continued "My condolences about your grandmother, God love her. She was a wild soul and we are all so lucky to have met her" you could tell he felt a little awkward, I don't blame him. No one ever has anything nice to say about Gma Vee. She was the most notorious dealer here in south Detroit. She ruined so many families. "You knew her?" I was a little taken aback when he said "god love her." She used to say that a lot, especially when she was speaking of the dead or days of the past. "We all did, all the rookies had at least one run in with her." I roll my eyes at that comment, thanks grandma. What a legacy. "But thats not why I'm here. I was wondering if you and your siblings could come in for questioning? With recent evidence we have reason to believe we are dealing with a homicide. We would like to get a better idea of what your grandmothers life was like leading up to her death. Fill in a few holes and figure out what went wrong. Do you think you can do that?" My heart ached at the word "homicide". I didn't like to think about it but we all knew this wasn't normal.  Something happened and I wanted justice. It just hurt having it being officially looked into. I wanted them to get to the bottom of it already but they already ignored the idea of it being a homicide until the house was burned.  Jumping at the offer, though. I found myself more ready to dig for answers than ever before. Even if those answers don't suffice. I need something.  "Yes, absolutely, please. I can call them and we can all be there. Is there a certain time that would work for you guys?" Slight desperation making its way through my voice but his doubled it back. "Ill be there all night, I usually work doubles on Wednesdays. If you'd like I can take you to the station and back? You can call your siblings on the way."  Did....did he not know what time it was??? And I literally JUST rolled out of bed, I haven't even had a chance to brush my teeth. I know I'm a slob; Lord knows the first impression I've given this well dressed stranger. "Um, thats okay.. I actually need to get dressed and ready first?" I let out a nervous chuckle. The words just went over his head though.  "I can wait, I've got time. I have all the time in the world to solve the few cases I have and I'd love to help a family find closure." He caught me by surprise with his persistence. Its clear he didn't catch the hint or maybe he blatantly ignored it but I wasn't going to deny his offer. I needed this.  If he knew my grandma maybe he had a bit of a clue to the type of people she dealt with. But he might not since he's asking all of us to come in. He couldn't have known how shielded us kids were from her daily life, from her real job.  All I knew is he could possibly help me get some kind of idea of what happened to Gma Vee and thats all I wanted. All i needed.  I realized we were still on the porch and i started to feel bad for making him stand there for so long, especially since its clear he came here, specifically, to pick me up. Its not hot out but it's definitely too warm to sit outside in a suit.  I stepped to the side, moving out of the doorway. "Well, if you're staying then I should stop being rude and let you in. Do you like tea or coffee?" He stepped in and we began to walk down the hall. "Coffee, please. No creamer" he replied softly as we made our way to the dining room.  He stayed one foot behind me the whole way, keeping pace until we reached the table.  He took a seat and I went to the kitchen to put some coffee on.  It dawned on me how hungry I actually was, I haven't had breakfast yet. I probably wouldn't have time to cook but I didn't exactly want to stop anywhere either.  Socializing, even the slightest interaction like taking my order, is so draining these days. Im surprised I've sat here talking to detective... Detective what?  I just realized I let a man in my house without ever getting his name. Ultimate face palm.  "So,whats your name? Since we're going to be friends the next few hours." I go ahead and peer my head out the kitchen in his direction but he wasn't at the table anymore... Fuck. WHERE the hell did this guy go. In MY house? I set the coffee pot back down and started to walk around the corner into the dining room. Does he know who he is dealing with? He thought Gma Vee was wild? I'd probably be slightly intimidated if he wasn't alone. Emphasis on the word slightly. All the possibilities, my mind roaming through every terrible scenario. I think about calling out "hey, where'd you go?" but if he ducked off in a backroom to sneak up on me it would be unwise to let him know I've noticed. Or even worse, that I'm looking for him.  As I reach the end of the dining room, nearing the hall I hear a flush from the bathroom. My heart instantly slows to a normal pace and I feel a wave of relief flood over me.  As I hear the sink turn on I quietly rush back to the kitchen. I don't want to look like I was being a peeping tom or something.  The second I got back to my spot the door creaked open and I could now hear his footsteps were making their way back to the table. I wonder why I didn't hear them wander off. I brushed it off though. "My bad about that, I had to pee so bad." He pulled the chair our and sat back down. "Its a long drive from Detroit to Ann Arbor."  I don't remember telling him where the bathroom was, but I'm assuming it was open. It is in the hall on the way to the dining room. How else would he have known where it was? I scramble to think of a response. "Thats okay, I understand completely. I have the bladder of a squirrel, I swear. Ahah." And theres the nervous laughter again. A squirrel? Really? Why do i have to be weird.  While the coffee is brewing I get two cups down then set a bowl of sugar out on the table. Its all I can do to not focus on the brief silence and the holes he's staring through the back of my head as I'm scrambling through the kitchen. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. Pouring us both a cup of coffee once it's done, I take my chance to figure out exactly who is sitting in my dining room. "I meant to ask earlier , whats your name, stranger?" "What babe doesn't suffice?" He chuckled, recalling I did call him babe when I first opened the door. I shoot a glare at him as I walked the coffee over. He sat upright, reach out for the cup. " Its Vince. Vincent Grant" "Well Vince, its nice to meet you." I took the seat next to him, poured a spoonful of sugar into my cup before giving it a stir.  I was careful not to share my name in return; hoping he would notice. But he didn't. Or maybe he knew it already? "Were you and Veena close?" Veena.  I haven't hear her full first name in a long time. It made me pause in remembrance. I'd almost forgot why he came here. I guess he noticed my discomfort and he shifted awkwardly. "I- I'm sorry, we don't have to talk about that right now."  I sighed. "We were as close as you can get to the woman who keeps the world an arms length away. I wish I could say we were closer. I only knew what she wanted me to know about her. She kept everything and everyone in the dark." He looked like a sad puppy eyeing me up and down, empathy dripping off of him. I hated pity.  After our short talk, I got up to put my cup in the sink. He was still sipping on his coffee as I made my way to my room. I didn't want to make him wait too long so I skip the shower. I was more than ready to get some kind of answer before the day is over.  Digging through my closet I throw on my favorite shorts and a dark blue crop top that hugs my chest. Then I throw on my light blue flannel and roll up the sleeves.  As I'm slipping my dark grey vans on I hear a bang come from the kitchen.  I duck and roll towards my nightstand, making sure to be silent. Equipping myself with the throwing knifes I keep near my bed, I begin to make my way back to the dining room. I listen to the chaos unfold outside untill it went silent before I decided to open my bedroom door cautiously.