Zylinski Books

    As promised to my loyal followers, I have FINALLY posted an excerpt from the Rules of Vegas sequel, Going All In, a story told through Andy's perspective.  **I strongly suggest that if you haven't read RoV, to not read this excerpt.  Please consider this a small spoiler alert.**

                 After a long day of moving and heavy lifting, I was sitting outside smoking a cigarette.  It was completely dark other than the glow from the sliding glass door.  I offered to bunk on the couch while my mom and John were staying a hotel and we were going to drive back home tomorrow.  Anne was organizing the kitchen and knowing her, she probably wouldn’t go to bed until her chore was finished.  I began dozing as I watched her stand on her toes placing things away in the higher cabinets.  I thought about offering to help her, but I lacked the energy to move.  My lower back ached from doing the bulk of heavy lifting with Mark and his brothers.  Her honey colored hair was in a pony tail and her cheeks were pink from the amount of work she was doing.  She had a red bandana folded as a head headband for her long hair.  My eyes closed and the next thing I knew I heard the glass door open. 

                She sat down next to me in the hand me down porch furniture from Mark’s parents.  “Thanks for helping us move today,” she said taking a sip of lemonade from a can.  She handed the can to me and I took it taking a gulp. 

                “No problem.”  I said as I lit another cigarette.  It was quiet as we listened to the hum of air conditioners from neighboring houses and the chirping of crickets.

                “I feel so grown up, my very own house.”  Anne marveled with her eyes twinkling.  I imagine that will go away when she has to write the mortgage payment.  She gazed around the back yard with a sense of pride across her face.  It faded when she looked back at me, “You should consider quitting, you know.”

                I leaned back in my chair and away from her to exhale the smoke, “Okay, Karen,” I mocked and she rolled her eyes.  “Better than other things I could be addicted to.” 

                “Why did you start smoking in the first place?” She asked with distaste in her voice, while finishing the can of lemonade off. 

                “Bombed an interview and haven’t been able to stop since,” I replied.  I took another drag and let it fill my lungs.  It was a sickening sweet feeling, just like the first day I started. 

                Anne sighed.  I knew she hated my new habit along with the rest of the family, but I didn’t care.  “I know you don’t like working in my dad’s office, but have you ever considered the possibility that maybe some of the other associates can get you in somewhere?  I mean Gary worked in real estate before going to law school and Dave used to be in advertising,” she said.  I recalled Anne telling me that she used to work there during the summers, mainly for Dave doing the same stuff I do.  I felt like I already burned that bridge since I walked around with the attitude that I wasn’t going to be there for very long.  It would take some major effort to become buddies to the point where they would want to help me. 

                “Well, some of us aren’t fortunate enough to have our lives all set up so quickly,” I said darkly.  I knew I should feel sorry for that comment, but for whatever reason no remorse came. 

                “What’s that supposed to mean?”  She asked more fiercely sitting up in the chair setting her can on the glass patio table. 

                “It means that I think it’s bullshit that you get everything, while I’m stuck at home night after night with your dad and my mom in a dead end job meant for the future rats of the world.  I think I’ve earned a break!”  I said angrily.  I immediately regretted the rat comment and how I lumped John into it; but yet I couldn’t find the words to take it back. 

                “Andy, get your head out of your ass,” Anne snapped.  “I’m sorry that you can’t find a job and can’t move out yet, but you can’t be jealous just because I’ve had some good fortune and you haven’t!” 

                I was surprised that Mark hadn’t intervened.  He must have been showering or sleeping.  “Me be jealous of your crappy paying job at a middle school and your commitment filled relationship.  Please, Anne that’s the last thing I want,” I said while standing up.  I heard the can fall off of the table and roll away into the darkness somewhere.  I began pacing around the poorly placed patio furniture while Anne sat dead still.  Mark and I tossed it out here as an afterthought wanting to get everything off the trucks as quickly as possible so we could order pizza for dinner. 

                “You better go smoke another cigarette because you sure are miserable,” Anne said. 

                For whatever reason, going elsewhere seemed to be exactly what I needed.  “Fine, I will.” I replied with a large intake of breath and opened the door to go inside the house.  I glared at her as I opened the kitchen door.  Her face went from evil to shock as I walked into the kitchen.  I weaved through the stacks of full and empty boxes.  Anne was following me. 

                “Andy, stop!  What’s going on?”  She asked more concerned now.  I moved from the kitchen to the living room.  Anne went through the dining room to meet me at the front door where my book bag was in the entryway. “Wait, where are you going?”  She grabbed my upper arm to try to stop me. 

                We stood there for a moment with locked eyes.  I watched her big, brown eyes turn more fearful as I stared her down.  “Anne, let go of me.”  I warned, unsure of the consequences if she didn’t let me go peacefully.

                “No, Andy.  Whatever is bothering you, you don’t have to leave.  I’ll go upstairs, I’ll leave you alone.  Please, don’t leave.  You don’t know the area,” she spilled out quickly.  She was clearly desperate to reason with me.   

                I continued to stare her down and finally glanced at her hand gripping around my left arm.  Her knuckles were turning white, but I couldn’t feel it.  “Anne,” I said more fiercely.  “Let go of me now.”  She didn’t waver and neither was I.  We both began to stand up straighter and more squarely with one another.  I couldn’t bear being  here anymore.