Savage Pride

31

I cry—long, and hard, and ugly. The cleansing wash of emotions leaves me ragged and bleary-eyed. I do my best to wipe away the snot and tears before making the slow trek back to the cottage. I give myself the afternoon to wallow in bed, only leaving my room for bathroom breaks and a single stop in the kitchen. I don’t want to eat, but after not having anything all day, my stomach insists. When Gia returns from work in the evening, she comes straight to our room and curls up with me in bed. She doesn’t ask questions. She doesn’t give empty assurances. Gia’s most innate skill is intuiting how to provide the perfect form of support and comfort to those she loves. “I’m so sorry, Lulu,” she whispers. “I know, G. Me, too.” A few sounds filter in from downstairs, but otherwise, the room is quiet. My sister’s presence is enough to give me more mental strength than I’ve had in hours, enough that I can pretend to function for the evening. “I made arrangements with Z to stay on and work.” “Have you told Mom?” I shake my head. “Tomorrow. I’m not up for it today.” “Totally understandable. You know, maybe she still has some cash stashed away. If we used my money and hers, maybe you could still swing school.” The hopefulness in her voice is why it’s impossible not to love her. Gia will always hope for the best and explain away the worst. “No, G. She already paid what she could.” My sister lifts her head to look at me in surprise. “If she already paid some, how much was the debt to start with?” “Fifteen,” I say dryly. She falls back down onto the soft mattress. “Jesus,” she breathes. “Yeah.” “Well, on a totally selfish note, a part of me is glad I’ll get to see more of you. I know that sounds awful, but it’s true.” It’s probably the most selfish thing I’ve ever heard my sister say, and it makes me smile. “I love you, too, G. And I’m glad we’ll get to spend some time together.” We’re both quiet for several long minutes before Gia speaks again. “How was talking to Zeno?” I huff out a dry laugh. “I might have been a little short with him. He didn’t catch me at the best time.” I tell her all about our conversation and what I’d learned earlier in the day from Nevio. “I’m not sure what to think of all that—any of it,” she muses, staring blankly at the wall. “You and me both.” “So, Zeno followed you down to the lake—” “We don’t know that,” I cut her off. She shoots me a critical look from the side of her eye. “Right. He just happens by you at the lake—the same as he just happened by you in the kitchen the other night. Are you sure Zeno doesn’t have a thing for you? Maybe that’s why he doesn’t want Nevio around you.” “Gia, you know Zeno as well as I do. Do you really believe he’s so shy he couldn’t make a move on a woman if he wanted her? That he’s wanted me all this time but was so meek he couldn’t find a way to tell me? I’ll admit that his behavior is confusing, but I’m not about to read into it.” “Now you sound like me,” she teases. She’s right, and it draws a reluctant smile from me. “Oh, G. You’re the only reason these next few months are going to be remotely tolerable.” I pick up my phone after ignoring it all afternoon and find I have a missed text from Grace. Grace: The Bishops want to have you all and the De Rossis over tomorrow night for dinner. That work? I shoot a sly grin at my sister. “Looks like we’re all having dinner at the Bishops’ tomorrow night.” As I’d hoped, her face lights up like a kid at Christmas. Realization dawns that I have a secondary purpose for my stay here at the Hardwick estate. I’ll do my best while I’m here to help my sister make a move on her crush. Considering how into each other they both are, it shouldn’t be all that hard. Helping her find her happily ever after would make every minute here worth it. Me: Sounds wonderful! We’ll see you then. Gia and I both get up to go downstairs for dinner, and as I freshen up after a day in bed, I start to wonder if fate has kept me here for a reason. I’m still not thrilled with delaying my graduation, but my perspective begins to shift. I have the next six months to play matchmaker for Gia, guidance counselor for Livia, and spend some precious time with my father. Knowing my sacrifice serves more than one purpose is gratifying enough that I’m able to refrain from strangling my mother at dinner. That alone is proof that miracles happen.

The next morning, I find myself alone with my mom in the kitchen and decide it’s time to have a talk. Gia is finishing in the bathroom, and the younger girls were still asleep when I came down, so I’ve got some time before we’re interrupted. I walk to the coffee maker, right next to where she’s peeling an orange. “Aldo came by yesterday while you guys were out.” I impart the information with perfect calm and quiet enough that we can’t be overheard, just in case. Mom drops her orange. “He wasn’t going to give you more time, but I told him I’d get it paid, so he’s giving me until the end of the week.” I place a mug under the coffee spout, not meeting her stare, though I can feel her wide eyes gaping at me. “I understand Gia has already helped you recently. You’ve cleaned her out, so she has no more to give. I’m doing my part to help this one time. You hear that?” I finally lock eyes with her. “Once, Mom. That’s it. After this, you will be on your own. Gia and I have agreed.”