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“You think so?” I bat my eyes and fluff my hair. “I have been looking good.”
“You and the man are happy.”
“Yep, we’re happy.”
“He’s taking care of you, right?”
“Meeting every need.” I waggle my eyebrows. “All of them.”
“We’ll come back to your husband’s sexual abilities at some later date. I’m just kind of curious why you keep returning to work. I mean, it’s not because you like the uniforms.”
“Saul does.”
“You disgust me.” She leans forward on her elbows. “I’m not complaining. I love you more than life itself, you know that. I just hate to see you busting your ass while pregnant if you don’t need to.”
“What’s the alternative? Sit at home and fuss around? I’d rather earn a paycheck, even if it’s basically lunch money compared to what he has.”
“God, I’ll never stop feeling jealous. He’s gorgeous and rich, and he isn’t afraid to be a father. You bagged a winner.”
“I really, really did.”
Except as I head out to Nana’s, I keep thinking about how great Saul is, and how much I haven’t been able to do for him. It breaks my heart, and while he puts on a brave face, I know he’s hurting inside.
Jason goes on about how great school’s going, and Nana seems like she’s in a great mood, which is why I’m not paying all that much attention on the short walk back to our place after my visit. I barely notice the car when it pulls up next to me, and it takes a second to recognize the girls that get out of the back.
“Maddie?” I say, staring at her. I’m standing in the middle of the sidewalk like I just saw a ghost.
“Hey, Molly. Look at my good luck.” She comes over, smiling awkwardly, and gives me a friendly hug. “I figured I’d have to face Saul if I wanted to talk to you.”
“He’s back at the house. Do you want me to get him?”
Her eyes go wide. “No, god, no, please don’t. I’m sure he doesn’t want to see me.”
“Why?” Then I remember. “Oh, right. Because you’re Renzo’s wife.”
“I figure his anger works on the transitive property. He’s pissed at Renzo, which means he’s also pissed at me.”
“I don’t think he really works that way, but I get it. You came all the way out here to talk to me?”
She takes my arm and steers me over toward the houses. An older couple walks by with two little yappy dogs.
“Renzo’s been a mess since everything went down. You should see him moping around the house. He named Dante as his acting underboss, but he hasn’t made it official yet. I think because he wants Saul to come back.”
“That’s good, right? I mean, Saul’s the same way. He’s really messed up over what happened.”
Maddie sighs and squeezes my arm. “I hate this. The boys were so tight. They grew up in freaking hell under their asshole dad, and now they’re growing apart because of some stupid misunderstanding.”
“He won’t listen to me. I’ve been telling him to go back home and talk to Renzo for weeks, but it’s like he can’t hear that name without getting all stressed.”
“Same with me and Renzo. I’ve been pleading with him to come out here and apologize, but he’s too stubborn.”
“How can we fix this?”
“I don’t know.” Maddie leans against the house, looking glum. She stares at the ground and I join her, feeling powerless and empty. But at least she cares too, and it’s obvious Renzo’s as broken up about this as Saul is.
“There has to be a way. Both of them want to get past this fight, they’re just too proud.”
“Maybe Gian and Carlo can mediate somehow.”
