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“Oh, Elisabetta.”
She squeezed my hand. “And I know you’re hurting, too. I know everything with Antonio has got you messed up and you’re nervous and you’re worried, and…”
“It’s been a month since I’ve seen him or spoken to him,” I said. “I thought it would’ve felt easier by now. I thought I would’ve been able to forget him. I thought…”
“But you love him, don’t you?”
I nodded, not even wanting to say the words out loud.
“And he loves you.”
“Doesn’t matter. Everything we’ve been through, it just doesn’t matter.”
“Did you get your period yet?” she asked me softly. And my stomach flipped as I shook my head. “Do you want me to get you some pregnancy tests?” she asked.
I let out a huge sigh. “I don’t even want to think about it right now,” I said.
“I know, but…”
“Elisabetta, not now, okay?”
“Okay,” she said. “But no matter what happens…”
“I know.” I smiled at her. “I know, you’ll be there for me.”
“Me and Gia and Imogen,” she smiled, “we’ll all be there for you if you have a little Antonio or a little Callie or…”
“Oh my God, Elisabetta.”
“Sorry,” she said, making a face. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
I knocked on the door and squeezed her hand. My father opened it. He looked at me. It was the first time I’d seen him since everything had happened. We’d spoken on the phone, but I hadn’t been able to look him in the eyes. I felt so betrayed by everything.
“Callie,” he said. His voice was hoarse, his eyes bloodshot. He stepped forward to hug me, but I shook my head. “Okay,” he said, nodding. He looked over at Elisabetta and gave her a wide smile. “You must be Elisabetta,” he said. “You look so much like Callie.”
“Hi,” she said, nodding. “Thanks for having me over for lunch.”
“It’s okay. You’re family,” he said. “Your mom’s inside.” He stepped back and ushered us in.
I walked into the familiar apartment, looking around me, surprised at how it still felt like home. I guessed even though I didn’t know my father, I still knew his residence.
“There you are, girls.” Mother stood up and walked over to us. She held her arms open and gave us both a hug and a kiss. She looked at me. “How are you feeling, Callie?”
“Okay. Still very overwhelmed and…”
“I know,” she said. “And it’s going to be that way for a while. At least that’s what my therapist tells me.” She looked over at Elisabetta. “And my darling, how are you?”
“I’m okay.” Elisabetta didn’t sound so sure. She looked down at the ground.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked her.
“I just…” She shrugged. “I just feel like I shouldn’t be here in you guys’ special family moment.”
“You are family,” I said, gazing at her. “Look at me, Elisabetta.” She looked up at me, her blue eyes staring into mine. “You’re my family. You’re my sister.”
“And you’re my daughter,” my mother said, taking her other hand.
