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Fat tears tumble down my face. I don’t know what’s worse. Believing him a drug dealer that hid his criminal life from us, or knowing he was the man I believed him to be but can’t have. Not if I’m to protect my children.
All of a sudden, it hits me. “How were you able to get him out? Of jail, I mean.”
“Our cousin has a large security detail. He also has connections in cyber security who were able to hack into the dark web. It would probably have taken a lot longer, but the local Sheriff’s office utilized an informant after tips came in. Fortunately, his information actually helped to exonerate Luca. Between that and the evidence the security teams gathered, it was enough for Gianni’s lawyer to get the charges against him dropped.”
Luna stands, prompting Matteo to do the same. I swipe at my tears as I prepare to say goodbye. Hell, I’m going to need another shower after they’re gone. If nothing more than to find somewhere private I can go to cry without my children hearing.
Dabbing at my eyes with the back of my hand, I follow along behind them to the door when I notice they’ve both stopped mid stride. As I follow their gaze toward the steps, I see two sets of feet.
Oh god. What have they heard?
I stand frozen in place as Caleb comes slowly down the steps to stand beside Matteo. “Hi.” His voice is unusually timid.
“Hi, Polpetta.”
“What’s that mean?”
Matteo chuckles. “Meatball.”
Caleb laughs nervously. “That’s what you call Mimmo.”
“Yes. We just need some sauce,” Matteo says as he ruffles Caleb’s hair.
Luna bends down in front of Caleb. “You must be Scar. Mimmo talks about you all the time.”
My son beams at her. But it’s short lived. The look on his face instantly falls, causing the crevice in my heart Luca left to widen a little more. Instead of asking about her son, he glances up at Matteo, wrapping his little arms around his leg.
“Can you tell Luca I miss him?”
My hand flies to my chest, as the remaining tears spill over.
“Yes.”
All of a sudden, there’s a shrill sound coming from the stairway. Everyone’s heads snap in that direction, and I gasp. My sobs get trapped in my throat as I watch Myla struggle. “Ma… Ma… Ma… Me too?”
“Oh my god.” Running up the steps, I pull her into me. This child. This sweet, sweet child. I can hear Luca so clearly in my head.I have no doubt she’ll speak when she’s ready. Farfalla has too much to offer the world to stay quiet.It’s clear this was her line in the sand. It was too important for her to remain quiet any longer. My brave, beautiful girl chose this moment to voice what’s important to her. And it’s clear. That’s Luca.
“I’m so proud of you, Myla.” I cup her face, kissing her cheeks. I never imagined this awful day could bring something so joyous. Oh, how I’ve missed hearing her sweet voice.
Matteo looks at us, a bit confused. I’m not sure he even knows how big this moment is. “Yes, Myla. I’ll be sure to tell him.” He smiles warmly.
Luna reaches for the door, her brother close behind her.
“Thank you for coming,” I manage to get out around my sniffling.
“Thank you for speaking with us.” She gives a shy wave to Caleb. “I see why he’s so taken with all of you,” Luna says as she walks out.
Gathering my children in my arms, I encourage them to come to bed. “Come on. It’s late. If Caleb can share, why don’t we all sleep in my bed tonight?”
It’s late. I’ve been staring at this ceiling for hours. I don’t know how I thought I’d sleep with two restless children in my bed instead of one. But I have to admit, flying limbs and pokes in the ribs are not what’s keeping me awake.
It’s Luca.
My heart hurts. Luna’s soft pleading voice keeps coming back to me.My brother is a good man, Jillian. Luca has devoted his whole life to me and my son.Tears well up, and I sniffle quietly, because I know she’s right.He’s never done anything criminal in his life. He wouldn’t steal a stick of gum.
Dabbing my eyes with the back of my hand, I head to the kitchen to put on a cup of tea. Maybe some chamomile will calm my nerves. But their words continue to taunt me, this hole in my heart has widened to the size of the Grand Canyon now.Mybrother is the best man I know.Matteo seemed tormented as he tried to defend his brother amidst the appalling backdrop that was their life growing up. For Luca to be the man I knew him to be, despite his upbringing, says a lot about his character. That nothing could change him and his devotion to the ones he loves.
Not letting the water get hot enough to cause the tea pot to screech, I swiftly grab it as I hear the bubbles inside begin to rumble and pour steamy water into my cup. I don’t even have it in me to grab one of Mom’s mugs tonight. I’m so sad, the thought of one of those one-liners simply seems too abrasive.
