Page 39 of Mafia’s Dirty Secret

“I know, honey, and you’re doing a great job. Don’t you worry about that a bit.”

“Thanks. Let me get her medicine, and hopefully, we can all get some rest.”

It hadn’t taken long to get Ruby calmed down this time, thankfully, but it had taken a lot out of Marie anyway. The wall that held back her fighting spirit all these years had finally collapsed completely, and she’d let her own venom out. That’s what she was ashamed of. The fact that she’d been mean. But, her mother had responded to it and stopped her hateful ranting. That was a plus, anyway.

21

Ruby’s medicines, taken without any more problems, had her asleep within fifteen minutes. Marie suspected the tantrum had worn her out too. Her mother was ill, she knew that, and temper tantrums like she’d thrown, just because Marie was out, would wear her out easily.

Marie slid into bed, texted Matteo, and promptly fell asleep. She didn’t even know he’d texted her back until she woke up the next morning. She saw the text, a simple goodnight, and smiled. He’d known how tired she was. How tired she stayed.

She got up, prepared breakfast for Regina and herself, and once Regina left, she fed her mother, bathed her, and changed her gown. Her mother had insisted on pajamas for the longest time, but there’d been too many accidents. Marie got rid of the pajamas and kept her mom in long t-shirts and nightgowns made of thin cotton in the summer. In the winter she had nice fleece gowns that would keep her warm.

Her mother watched her most of the time, silently. Around lunchtime, she finally spoke up. “So, you found a backbone, at last, did you?”

“I suppose I did, Momma.” Marie felt a pang of guilt over the things she’d said and stood at the end of her mother’s bed. “I’m sorry I was so mean, Momma, but you can’t keep throwing temper tantrums just because you don’t want me to be happy. I have to get out of here sometimes. If I go out to eat or see a movie, it’s none of your concern. At all.”

“I see.” Ruby pursed her lips, her eyes a little angry, but she didn’t act out. “Good for you.”

“Thank you, Momma.” Marie had no idea if her mother meant it as a compliment or not, and she didn’t particularly care either. “I’m going to wash these sheets and get lunch ready.”

“Thank you.” Ruby took her eyes off of her daughter then and looked at the television.

Marie was a little shocked, but she didn’t let it show. She walked out of the room with her head high and got the chores done. When Jane arrived, she showed her a picture of how she’d looked the night before, a picture Matteo took for her, and Jane acted much the same as Regina had.

“You’re gorgeous, girl, and I’m glad to see you got to flaunt it some. How was dinner?” Jane looked tired, but she was still getting over her bout of pneumonia.

“It was nice. Momma threw a major tantrum and I had to come home, but it was a nice night before that.”

“I hate to hear you had to come home. You deserved a night out. And that fella of yours sure was determined to let you have a good night.” Jane smiled and the tired lines disappeared. “I think you’ll have another chance.”

“I will. I told her off.” She wasn’t bragging, just informing the other woman of the night’s events. “I really let her have it. She’s been much calmer since then.”

“It’s about time, Marie, I tell you. Good for you.”

Marie smiled at the praise and grabbed her bag. “I have to head out to that megastore to get some supplies for Mom, but I’ll be back before it’s time for you to leave.”

“That’s fine. I’ve got time, honey. Just be careful.” Jane waved her off and Marie left the house.

She got her shopping done, came home, checked on her mother, and started dinner. In between, she made phone calls about some bills her mother got and wasn’t sure the matter was settled when she eventually hung up the phone. There wasn’t anything else she could do, for now, so she vacuumed, dusted, and swept the kitchen. Later, she got ready while Regina took care of Ruby. It was a hectic day, and by the time she pulled up at Matteo’s she was ready to crawl into bed and sleep it all off.

Matteo met her at the door and hugged her before he led her into the house. “You’re tired. Bed?”

“Please. I don’t want noise, or food. I don’t even want to float. I just want to lie in bed with you.”

“That I can do.” They went up the stairs to his bedroom and she didn’t even bother changing behind the screen. She took her clothes off, slid into the nightgown he handed her from his dresser, and climbed into bed. Her shoes had disappeared at the door, and she slid her feet into the cool sheets with a sigh.

“That is so good,” she whispered and let her head sink into the pillow. “This is perfect.”

“Good. Want to talk about it?” Matteo had changed and slid into bed with her without disturbing her. The problem was, the moment he slid into bed, she was aware of him.

“I don’t, but things keep playing over in my head. I don’t have the most maternal mother in the world. She can be… a tyrant might be the nicest way to put it.” She felt the pull of his presence and let her hand stray over to his hip.

“I gathered that.” His hand came down to hers, covered it, pulled it up. Not on anywhere intimate, but close. Her heart thudded in her chest as anticipation mixed with desire.

“Yes, I suppose you did.” She rolled to him, looked into his dark brown eyes to plead with him. “Please, let’s not talk. Just make me forget all of that. Please?”

“Whatever you want, Marie.” He tipped her chin up to examine her face. “What do you want?”