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“I know, Mother, I’m sure you’ve picked out some wonderful men, but I want to concentrate on my studies right now. We’ve talked about this.”
“Robert, you try talking some sense into your daughter, this rebellious phase of hers is getting out of hand.”
My father doesn’t even bother looking up from where he’s furiously typing away on his phone before answering, “Violet, don’t argue with your mother.”
“But Dad—”
“Mr. And Mrs. Daniels, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” I’m so caught up with my parents I didn’t even notice Dante’s imposing figure sidling up to our little group. I should feel relieved that he’s taking the attention off of me but instead my stomach sinks. It’s not a good idea to put yourself in the sights of Vivian Daniels.
“And you would be?” my mother rudely asks. I can physically see her nose raising into the air in disdain.
“Dante Moreno, Bianca’s dad. I’ve heard so much about you both from Violet.” I almost choke on that lie. Talking about my parents is not something I make a habit of doing. Even if I hadn’t spent the past few years trying to avoid Dante to shake my crush, I would never volunteer information on the people who happened to birth me and not much else.
“Well, she hasn’t said a word about you.”
Instead of being offended, Dante just shakes it off, deflecting the obvious jab. “That’s probably because she’s much too busy to hang out with her friend’s dad. I’m sure you’re both proud of her for graduating Summa Cum Laude. I only wish my daughter had that kind of drive,” he says while shooting them a kind smile.
How did he know I graduated with honors? Bianca must have told him because I know that I never mentioned it. I also know for a fact he’s extremely proud of his daughter so he’s obviously saying these things solely for my benefit.
“Yes, well what she’ll do with a degree in English Literature, I don’t know. At least if she had majored in something practical like business she could have gone to work for her father. Can you please explain to me what you plan on doing with your life, Violet?”
“I-I haven’t decided, Mom. I might try to work for a publishing house or maybe I’ll teach—”
“Teach?!” she practicality shrieks. I can feel eyes around the backyard turn our way, and I suddenly wonder if Dante has been keeping up his backyard. If not, maybe there’s a sinkhole he hasn’t found that will open up and plummet me to the sweet relief of death. Anything to get out of this situation.
Before my mother can cause more of a scene by going off on a tangent about how Danielses are made for more important things than teaching, Dante jumps in. “Mrs. Daniels, it looks like you could use a refill. If you head on over to the bar, they’ll fix you up with another martini.”
“It appears you’re right, I could use another drink, especially in this heat. I’m not sure why this entire thing isn’t inside,” she says as she moves away from us toward her next drink, dragging my barely present father along behind her. The weight that’s been sitting on my chest lightens slightly when they’re no longer in sight.
“So, those were your parents.” It’s not a question but a statement of a sad fact. I want to apologize for their behavior. I want to tell him he didn’t need to jump in and rescue me the way he did but the fact of the matter is, I’m glad he inserted himself. If Dante hadn’t stepped in, I’m sure I would be in the middle of a scene right now, with every eye in the place staring at me, either feeling sorry for me or wondering what kind of idiot I am.
I should really thank him but instead I just answer lamely with, “Yeah.”
“Come on, I have something for you.” He grabs my elbow and starts steering me inside the house. It takes all my self-control to stop myself from wrenching my arm from his gentle grasp. The simple act of placing his hand on my body does things to me I don’t want to analyze too closely. I’ve worked so hard to not think about Dante Moreno but it sometimes feels like a hopeless endeavor. With no effort at all, the man has lodged himself firmly into my head and every single interaction we have seems to embed him there more deeply.
We stop in front of a bookshelf in his living room with three small boxes wrapped in ribbon sitting on one shelf. He grabs one of the small squares and hands it over to me without a word.
“You got me a present?”
His body seems to freeze up for just a moment before he starts to fidget, placing his hands in the front pockets of his pants, then pulling them out again. Is he nervous about something?
“Those other two are for Bianca and Hollie. I got gifts for all three of you. It’s nothing, really. Just something to celebrate your accomplishment. It’s a big deal, graduating from college, I mean, I never did it. I was going to give them to you all later, but I thought you could use a little pick me up after what happened outside.” He’s rambling now and I wonder what has him so nervous.
I start to unwrap the box and notice that the ribbon is a light purple color. “A little on the nose with the ribbon, isn’t it?” I ask jokingly.
He just gives me a shy smile. “I had to tell the boxes apart somehow, a violet ribbon for Violet seemed to make sense.” I pull the top off the box and nestled inside the velvet-lined box is a delicate silver chain. Attached to the necklace is a closed silver book pendent with a large V etched into the cover.
I nearly let out a gasp, this isn’t some generic present. He certainly didn’t get the same thing for Bianca or Hollie. It’s so personal and thoughtful, and just so... me. I look up from the necklace to see Dante studying my face intently, like he’s worried that I might not like it.
“It’s beautiful, Dante. It’s perfect. Would you...” I hand the necklace over to him so that he can put it on me.
“Of course.” He takes the delicate chain from my hand and moves behind me, brushing my hair off my neck and to the side. The moment feels private, almost intimate, as he draws the necklace around my neck and fumbles a little with the clasp before securing it. His hands rest on my shoulders for just a moment while I finger the charm that signifies that this man understands me more than my own parents.
I close my eyes, letting myself savor this one moment in time. It’s one I know I’ll both cherish and resent. The moment that showed me what being with Dante Moreno could feel like and reminding me it’s something I’ll never have. I know that I’m young enough to be his daughter and I’ve never forgotten the first day we met when he called me “kid.” I know that’s all he’ll ever see when he looks at me. A kid.
“What are you two doing in here?” My shoulders immediately stiffen and Dante’s hands fall away from me. I can feel a coldness at my back, telling me he’s taken a step away, removing himself from my orbit.
“I was just giving Violet her graduation gift, pumpkin. Why don’t you go grab Hollie and you guys can have yours too.” She lets out a high-pitched squeal and I can’t help but laugh. No one loves surprises more than Bianca.
