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“Oh no. I didn't mean like that. I just meant if you need some company, someone to talk to, you have a friend here.”
“I appreciate that but it's hard to get moments like this with my dad here.”
“Well, I'm happy to include him or I can come around here when he's preoccupied.”
"That's really nice of you."
"Hey, we all need someone now and then."
I wasn't sure if Gabe was trying to make a move or if he was really just a good guy offering friendship. One thing was clear, my instincts seemed off since being with Alessandro because even a nice guy like Gabe made me feel uneasy.
"Sienna?" My father poked his head out of the back door looking confused. "Why aren't you in school? Oh, you have a friend over. Is it the weekend?"
"No, Papa. Don't you remember? We're on vacation. And this is Gabe. You went on a walk with him this morning and he brought you back here for breakfast.
“Oh, that's right. Hello again,” My father gave him a nod.
"Ciao, signore."
“You were the one arguing with that other man this morning.”
"Arguing?" I looked at Gabe curiously for an explanation.
"It was nothing really. Just caught a man littering on the beach and I pointed out that we should all do our part to keep the beach clean so that everyone can enjoy it. He didn't like that and told me to mind my own business. I admit it got a little more heated than I would have liked."
"Some people..." I shook my head disapprovingly at the litterer.
"I know. I was actually grateful when your dad came by and gave me a reason to leave."
"Angioletto, you know I don't like you talking to boys that I don't know."
"Papa, Gabe is a friend."
My father looked at Gabe with a scrutinizing glare. “I don't like him.”
“I'm sorry,” I said to Gabe with an apologetic smile. “He gets confused sometimes and this is just one of his bad moments. I should probably let you get back to your vacation and see if I can get him settled down.”
“Oh yeah, of course. Well, I'm sure I'll see you around. I don't leave for a few more days.”
“Okay, I'll see you around.”
After Gabe left, my dad and I spent time sitting on the beach, watching the waves and looking for sharks’ teeth and seashells. He might have thought I was still a child, but we still had a great time together, and it was a memory that I wouldn't soon forget.
The time together in the fresh air did my father some good and by dinnertime he was back to his old self again. We enjoyed dinner at a local seafood restaurant that overlooked the water and strolled on the beach until my dad was tired enough to go to sleep.
Papa went to bed early after such a busy day so, I poured a glass of wine and made myself comfortable on the back porch. The silver moonlight danced over the waves, lulling me into a trance.
I'd forgotten how exhausting it could be to care for my father twenty-four hours a day, and while I wouldn't trade the time for anything, it was more than I could handle long-term. I hadn't had a chance to think about Alessandro for a few days and it was a mixed blessing. While it was a nice break from the complications, I wasn't actually addressing what had happened or how I felt about it.
I thought back to all our times together, letting the memories run through my mind like a movie montage. I wasn't sure when it happened, but at some point I dozed off under the stars.
My father’s yelling woke me, and I jumped up from my patio chair.
"Papa?"
I turned to go inside just as the door burst open to reveal Gabe with a gun to my father's head, holding him tightly by the arm.
"Papa!" I cried out before turning my attention to Gabe. "What are you doing? Let him go. Look, I don't have a lot, but I'll give you whatever money I have."
