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Chapter Eighteen
At the reception for Gil held in the De La Cruz home, men and women approached Amelia to offer their condolences. Many of them glanced at Augusta standing nearby in obvious confusion.
While the exact details of what happened to Amelia were kept quiet through the efforts and influence of Leo’s family as well as Gil himself, the trial couldn’t be hidden.
Since her incarceration for the crimes she committed against her daughter, Amelia’s mother had become a recluse. She’d had few real friends before her trial and effectively drove her immediate family away with her actions.
Gil’s best friend approached and took Amelia’s hand. “I’m truly sorry, honey.”
She nodded. “Thank you...and for reading Dad’s letter, Steven.”
“It was the least I could do.” He patted her hand and let her go. “Gil pulled me out of the bottom of a bottle when Linda left me.” He sighed. “I-I let him down for a while there. Let him lie to me over the phone and avoid me when I was in town. I should have pushed.”
“No. He always valued your friendship.”
Shaking hands with Leo, he said, “Leo, I hear you’re kicking ass in Chicago.”
“Doing what I can, Mr. Kampo.”
“Steven. Don’t make me feel ancient.” He pointed between them. “Glad to see the two of you side by side again. It’s been too long.” Looking at Amelia’s mother, he said curtly, “Augusta.”
“S-Steven.”
“I assume lessons have been learned.” Augusta nodded. “That’s a start, I guess. I’d like to speak to you privately. Gil asked that I do so.” Bending, he kissed Amelia’s cheek. “Let me know if you need anything. I mean it.”
“Thanks, Steven.”
Gesturing, he indicated for Augusta to go with him to the back patio. She did so with her eyes down.
Amelia murmured, “I wonder what that’s about…”
“Don’t worry about it.” Leo led her into the unoccupied library and turned to cup her neck with his palm. “How are you doing?”
“Aching in my heart. A little uncertain.” She took a deep breath. “I should keep hating her but...it’s exhausting, Leo.”
“What happened can’t be erased but it can be worked around if that’s what you want. It will always hurt but you can let the wound scar over, Amelia. After today, if you decide to never see her again, I’ll understand and back you up.” He tucked a strand of hair that had come loose from the bun behind her ear. “However, if you choose to start healing things between the two of you, I’ll understand that, too.”
Amelia lifted her hand and held his wrist. Keeping her voice low, she told him, “Augusta didn’t have much family and no contact with the ones she did have. Dad’s family is mostly gone other than a few distant cousins I don’t particularly like. Really, it’s just us now.”
Tugging her lower lip between her teeth, she added, “She’s been a pariah. I isolated myself, too. It’s almost like we both did time. Does that make sense?”
“It does,” he said with a nod.
“I hated the person she was eight years ago but maybe she’s different now. I know I am. Maybe I won’t hate the person she became. That night changed all of us.”
“Maybe give her another chance and see what happens. There’s no reason you can’t distance yourself from her again if she turns out not to have changed after all.”
“Leo.” She closed her eyes a moment. “She took as much from you as she did from me. How do you feel about this?”
He considered the question. Being honest was crucial.
“There’s a lot of emotional input right now. Between losing your father, seeing you again, and now Augusta...I feel like I’m not keeping up at the moment.” He held her shoulders. “I’m not against reconciling with her but I won’t allow my pity to overshadow my reason. I see anything going off the rails and I’m going to check her. Hard.”
Amelia slid her hands up his chest and around his shoulders. Staring into his face, she smiled slowly. “You didn’t hesitate to do that when you were fourteen. I’d expect nothing less.”
Gathering her close, he kissed her for a long time. When he broke it, he hugged her snugly.
“I missed you, Amelia.”
