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Gina blushed, and her eyes lit up that much more. “I want four children, a big house, and a dog.”
“Done. I want you to have whatever you want. Plus, dinner every night.”
“Jamison Michaels! I will not be your stay-at-home parent.” She pushed against my chest and moved to get up. I wasn’t having that.
I rolled on top of her, pressing her into the soft soil. “Never leave me, Gina.”
I pulled the box from my pocket and held it out to her. She beamed as she took it. She hadn’t even opened the velvet box when she began kissing all over my face—excited about something she hadn’t even seen.
“Open it before you can be grateful,” I joked.
“Not true! I’m grateful for whatever it is.”
“And if it’s just an old piece of gum?” I raised my eyebrow, waiting for her to object.
“Then I’ll treasure it forever in this box, just don’t ask me to eat it.”
We both laughed until our sides burned, but then we sat side by side while she nervously opened the box. She gasped and pulled the gold locket from inside.
“Turn it over,” I said.
“For now, and always… Jamie.” Gina opened it to see one picture we’d taken recently. I was kissing the side of her face, and her eyes were closed as if she was trying to engrave the moment into her mind.
“Promise me you’ll always wear it.” I looked over at her, hoping she’d never break the promise.
“I will. Just make sure that when you buy my engagement ring that it matches.”
I shook my head. She was always two steps ahead of me with her requests. “You’re never happy with what I say.”
“I am. I’m always happy with you. Why do you think I give you so much grief?” She asked me like it all made sense. It never did. It was who she was, though.
“Because you’re you.”
The fireworks started in the distance, and the sky lit up. She rested her head on my shoulder, and I wrapped her in my arms. This night was one I wanted to remember forevermore. It was the night I knew Gina would always rule my heart.
The way she breathed put me at ease. She made me want to be a better man. Not that I wasn’t enough; it was that I wanted to give her so much that it hurt. Being her everything meant an even better me, and I knew she’d be that for me.
2
AUGUST 2004
“Watch your back tonight. This wise guy has owed the family money for some time now, always with a promise to pay it back. Next week, on Tuesday, next month, it’s always some lame excuse. The family is done with his false promises. They will take the loss,” Ricco says as we drive toward Shorty’s Gym.
“The loss?” I ask. Ricco chuckles.
“You know - the loss. Keep him alive. We may or may not get our money back, kill him, we lose our investment. Sometimes it’s better to take the loss than to waste time and energy on a complete fuck up.”
I rubbed the stubble on my chin. “I see.”
Suddenly, a wave of regret washes over me. It all sounds too good. “Easy money,” he said. I always wanted to be somebody, make a name for myself, and provide a good living for my family. No matter what I have, it is never enough. Now, realizing what I’ve gotten myself into, it always was enough.
“You okay?” Ricco asks. “You’re not having second thoughts?” he says as he pulls over on the side of the road. He cuts the engine and stares straight ahead when he speaks.
“There’s no turning back now, Tony. You know too much.” He then turns to me and adds, “And you know what the family does to people who know too much and walk away from the family.” He isn’t asking; he is making sure I remember. I nod ‘cause I remember every word. I’m stuck.
Ricco starts the engine and pulls back onto the road. He said we would collect some money owed to the family. He said nothing about killing anyone.
I will witness a murder tonight, and there is not a damn thing I can do about it.
