Something is sticking out. It’s like a piece of the wood has split.
I press against it.
Click.
A hidden panel opens. My hands slip inside and pull out a bundle of letters tied together with a worn navy ribbon. As I lift them out, I see one word scrawled across the top in fancy script.
Francesca
My heart plummets.
My father saved the love letters he wrote to Francesca?
Why would he do that? He married my mother.
I’m hesitant to open them. I’m scared of what I might read, but curiosity gets the better of me.
I untie the knot and open the first letter.
My Love Francesca,
I can no longer hide my feelings for you. Our friendship must end because I wish it to be more. Every night I close my eyes and see your face. You haunt me in the most beautiful way. I want your laughter in my kitchen, your body in my bed, your soul by my side, and your heart in my hands. The night your hand brushed mine, you looked at me like I wasn’t a failure, and I started to believe again. My love for you is stitched into my skin and will never be removed.
-Sal
Sal!
My heart drops to my stomach.
It can’t be.
Salvatore.
Why the hell is he writing her a letter?
I flip to the next one.
My Love Francesca,
I beg you with everything in my soul please don’t go with Vincenzo. He isn’t the right man for you. I know he’s my best friend, but he’s not the best person for you. Your life will be hell. Your father will never allow it and neither will his. This will start a war and you may find yourself dead. Don’t choose him. I love you more than he will ever and I’ll treat you like the queen you deserve and not as the wife of a mafia boss. You’ll never make it out alive. Take heed of what I say, sweet girl.
-Sal
I thank god it’s not my father who wrote these.
I continue reading.
My Love Francesca,
When this is over, it’ll be you and me. No lies. No sons of mob bosses getting in the way. I’ll find a way to make it right, even if I have to burn for it. I’m not asking you for forgiveness. I’m the right choice to make.
-Sal
My Love Francesca,
I should have known you’d choose him. How could you? Even though we were friends, I believed we would be lovers soon. Instead you chose the son of a rival mob boss over me.
You think his name opens doors that mine can’t.
