“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“A little adversity does a person good. At least that’s what Alicia used to tell me whenever I said it wasn’t fair Alicia worked all hours of the days to support us, while our granny was getting money for me even though I didn’t live with her anymore.”
“Isn’t that theft?”
“Oh yeah, but Alicia said it was the cost of Granny not snitching to my social worker. With Alicia so young it was unlikely she would have gotten to be my foster parent, and I would have gone into another foster home or group home.”
“Your social worker never checked in on you?”
“Nope. At the beginning she checked in on us weekly then after three months, once a month, then after I think a year we never saw her again.”
“Our social worker checked in on us every other week until I turned sixteen, then it was monthly until I aged out. In the six months before I aged out, she came by a few times to make sure Che and I had a plan for when I graduated from high school.”
“You were lucky. We didn’t know a lot of the stuff we should have before Alicia aged out.”
“I’m constantly impressed by the way your sister worked her ass off for the two of you.”
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“How about Cesare? Underground fighting for your cousin for a few hundred dollars a fight? He could have been seriously fucked up, we’re talking loss of sight, permanent damage. I mean he’s massive, but all it takes is one even slightly well-placed blow. How could Dominic put Cesare through those fights?”
I bristle at how she says Dom’s name—it’s too familiar. “Dom did what Che asked for. He gave him a way to make money that wouldn’t land Che in jail. You know Dominic?”
“Well yeah, he was there for all the wedding stuff the rehearsal dinner and the wedding itself and he came last night. He isn’t quite what I thought he would be. Him or Tony, I like them both, they’re really nice.”
“What did you think he was going to be?”
“I don’t know...leather jacket, gun bulging, and rude. He’s a lot like Cesare, they even look alike. If I didn’t know from Alicia what he really does, I would have thought he was another billionaire finance guy like Enzo. Tony is like any happy grandpa, it’s adorable how in love he is with Matteo. Considering he admitted he wasn’t around babies even when his kids were ones, he handles Matteo like a pro. I’m more comfortable with them than Cesare and Enzo.”
“Have Che and Enzo done something to upset you?” I’m up pacing, wondering what Che or Enzo might have done or said.
She sighs. “I don’t know. I feel like even two years later I still have to be on my best behavior with Enzo, like he’s waiting for me to screw up. One day Cesare is smiling, the next he’s stiff and I’m watching every other word I say. Dominic and Tony never make me self-conscious or feel as if I annoy them. They’re nice, they ask questions they actually seem to want to know the answer to, then they remember the answers months later.
“I don’t even know why I’m telling you this. I’m sure it sounds like I’m bitching. I don’t mean to. I miss my therapist. Only two weeks of not seeing her, and I’m running my mouth to anyone who will listen. Tomorrow I’m looking for a new therapist. Forget I said anything, please.”
Shit. I clench my eyes tight as I lean against the wall. Her confusion and hurt is palpable. “I’m sorry Cesare and Enzo haven’t made you feel welcome. Cesare is protective of Alicia. His first and only desire is to shield her from anything that might hurt her, family included. If you’ll remember, our introduction to you was less than positive. I think we’ve grown too used to it only being the three of us. Also, it’s our own fault, but the women we generally encounter are mercenary bitches. I think we were waiting for you to show yourself like all the rest. I’m sorry, you deserved the benefit of the doubt.”
She’s quiet for so long I wonder if the call dropped. “Is that why you didn’t come last night?”
Enzo was right, it hurt her feelings I didn’t go. “I apologize for not going. I wasn’t in a good mood. You would have hated me there.”
“Alicia says you haven’t been in a good mood since you broke up with your girlfriend. Do you miss her?”
Laughter comes without warning. “No, absolutely not. I’m nothing but relieved for it ending, even if I didn’t like the way it happened.”
“Then why are you so miserable lately?”
Another shrug, even though she can’t see it. “I don’t know how to say it. It sounds ridiculous to say it...”
“Early mid-life crisis or ennui? Ennui, something only people who are too rich, with too many things handed to them so they forget the euphoria of achieving something ever experience.”
Yeah, exactly like that. “Maybe,” I mutter.
Her exhalation of air is almost laughter. “Maybe? Whatever. When I find a therapist I’ll give you her number. Was that a snort? How rude of you, Dante Sabatini. Therapy is the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s nice having someone you can tell everything to and not worry they’ll hold it against you the next day or week like I’m now worried you will.”
I won’t hold it against her. I will, however, talk with Enzo and Cesare first thing tomorrow. “I’m happy therapy works for you. It’s not for me.”
“Didn’t you have to go to therapy after what happened with your parents? I had to see a therapist and all my mom did was ditch us.”