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I cross the room and tell my smart-activated TV to turn on. I take my seat on the sofa next to her (though a cushion separates us) and make my movie selection. She gasps when the title card flashes on the screen and then whacks me with a throw pillow.
“I didn’t know you were so violent. Is there a reason you just hit me?”
“Carmen Jones! My favorite movie?” she says. “You really think you’re slick!”
“Well… am I?”
“Yes. Always have been.”
“Yet you’ve always been so drawn to me.”
“Oh, is that the situation?” She releases an uncontrolled laugh deep from within. It’s a sound I remember well. Her dark eyes practically glisten as she stares at me from where she sits tucked into the opposite corner of the sofa. “I have a different recollection of events.”
“Is that right?”
“That’s right,” she says sharply, like the ADA she is. “I seem to rememberyoupursuedme. Remember our first date on prom night? The drive-in movie? The garden at Rose Hill? You saying you wanted to kiss me?”
I rub my jaw, a grin almost forming. “Hmmm... I don’t recall.”
“You’re such an ass!” She whacks me again with a pillow and we both descend into laughter.
Mine deep and throaty. Hers bubbling out of her. In a flash it’s like many years ago when we were a lot younger and more carefree.
The movie starts and we fall into silence as we redirect our attention. It’s in this moment it hits me that Delphine has allowed me back into her world.
Sure, we’re in my loft apartment at my compound. I’m the one who brought her here, refusing to takenofor an answer. But she’s letting down her defenses. She’s no longer addressing me as some stranger.
Mr. Mancino.
I’m back to Salvatore.
Jon.
I’m the guy she’s trusting to handle her situation. I’m the guy who’s going to set everything right again.
Just like always. Even if Delphine doesn’t realize it. I’ve done it so many times, I’ve lost count.
At some point, Delphine curls up on the sofa and lays her head down on the same throw pillow she whacked me with. We trade words here and there about the movie and other random topics, like my loft and the charity fundraiser she’ll be going to this weekend.
We avoid the heavier stuff. The reason she’s staying under my roof in the first place. I figure it helps her to keep things light when only an hour ago she’d been caught up in anger and anxiety.
The movie’s not even over when she drifts off. I stay put and watch until the end. The time’s half past midnight as I tell my smart-activated TV to turn off and scoop Delphine into my arms. I can’t leave her sleeping on the sofa. Her cats have already crept out of her room and given me death glares like felines so often do.
I return her to her room, laying her down in her bed. She doesn’t stir. She simply snuggles closer to the pillows and continues dreaming. I stand back and watch for a moment longer. My resolve’s never been stronger. My thirst for blood greater.
Tonight might’ve been an easygoing time watching movies, but I’ve got work to do.
Vengeance to seek. I won’t stop ‘til I get my way.
12. salvatore
Come Sunday,many spend their mornings being normal—a slow start with some coffee, the crossword in theNortham Tribune, doing chores around the house. I spend mine beating the shit out of guys who need some sense knocked into them.
Ralph Mirra drops his shopping bags and bolts for the nearest exit the second he sets sights on me and Stitches. He knocks over a mother and her small child in doing so, but he doesn’t give a fuck. He keeps going like it never happened, sprinting down the walkway lined with shoppers out for an afternoon at the mall. They gasp and rush to get out of his way.
Ralph’s got his eyes on the glass elevator up ahead.
Stitches and I linger for an extra moment and watch him.
