CHAPTER EIGHTY SEVEN – A CALM END TO A CHAOTIC DAY

"Hey," Tina's voice broke through her thoughts. "Want to grab a drink? After today, I think we've earned it." Laura hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "You know what? Yeah. I could use a drink." They ended up at O'Malley's again, tucked into a quiet corner booth. As they nursed their beers, Tina let out a long sigh. "What a day, huh?" she said, shaking her head. "I keep replaying it in my mind. Could we have done something differently? Stopped it before it got so out of hand?" Laura took a sip of her beer, wincing slightly as the movement aggravated her bruised ribs. "I don't think so, Tina. Sometimes these things just... happen. We did the best we could." Tina nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess. It's just... Fierro's Place means so much to all of us, you know? It's more than just a job. And to see it like that today..." "I know," Laura said softly. "But we'll bounce back. Mr. Fierro will figure something out." They lapsed into silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts.