Savage Pride

20

“The whole family appreciates you both coming out,” Zeno interjects. “I hope you’ll be staying for lunch at the house.” “We have to get back to the city, I’m afraid,” Christiano says. “I’ve got a meeting with some important people, and I’d like Savio to join me.” He looks smug, and it makes me want to knock him on his ass. Zeno’s eyes blaze with intensity, but I’m not sure if it's anger, jealousy, or grief stoking that fire. When he speaks, his words give no hint at emotion. “I’m sure he’ll be an asset at any negotiation.” “Yes, and it’s important I give thorough consideration to all my options before I make a decision.” “I know you’ll do what’s best for the organization. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I need to get back to the house and check on our guests.” Zeno’s words are clipped, as though he’s reached his capacity for tolerance. Without waiting for an answer, he turns to collect his mother, who had migrated to the grave for a final private moment with her husband. The rest of us offer our goodbyes to Christiano and Savio before returning to our cars. I am bone-weary as I plop into the back seat, but our day isn’t even half over. OceanofPDF.com “You okay, Daddy?” I had thought I’d run upstairs and freshen up after we made a brief stop at home before going over to Hardwick, but when I spot my dad standing on our porch, staring into the trees, I have to check on him. He hasn’t been himself all day, even taking into account his grief. He’s quiet, and we both listen as a breeze rustles the leaves on the trees around us. “These past couple of days, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I’ve led my life and the things I could have done differently.” He gives me a sad smile and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I ever tell you how we ended up here at the cottage?” I rack my brain and realize he hasn’t. “I guess I assumed Silvano needed someone, and you offered to take the job.” “Not exactly. We were young when we got married—your mom especially. I was twenty-three, and she was only eighteen. Nowadays, having a baby before you’re married isn’t uncommon, but back then, it was still frowned upon. Your mom got pregnant after we’d been dating for only a couple of months.” My jaw grows slack as my father proceeds to rewrite the history of their relationship, erasing the doctored story I’d been told while growing up and had believed wholeheartedly. “I had no money and was new to the family, but Silvano took me under his wing. He’d moved up the chain of command quickly and had become a top-ranking capo in his mid-thirties. He’d gotten married two years earlier, in part to position himself to be underboss. He bought Hardwick to solidify his roots and give his new family a place to grow up alongside the other powerful residents at Tuxedo Park. Zeno was born close to the time they moved in, and Silvano recognized his need for help at the house. He wanted someone who was connected and knew I was in a situation. He approached me one day and said that if I planned to marry your mom, we could move to the cottage rent-free and work for him. I love the city, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for my kids to grow up in a place like Hardwick.” Dad pauses, turning his sad eyes to meet mine. “Who knows what would have happened without Silvano’s intervention. He changed our lives, and … I … I’m not sure I showed him the gratitude he was owed. Now he’s gone, and I can’t do anything to right the matter.” I’d been told from the time I was little that my parents were madly in love, so much so that they’d eloped only months after meeting. Gia was born within a year, but it had never occurred to me to question the timeline. To question whether they’d ever loved each other in the first place. I feel like time and space are colliding to warp the world around me until things I’ve known all my life suddenly look unfamiliar. “Did you want to marry Mom?” Dad’s face softens. “Your mom has a vivacious spirit that’s infectious, even more so when she was younger. I knew she’d always keep things interesting, and I got you out of the bargain, so I have no regrets.” That wasn’t exactly a yes. My parents’ relationship was never one I would strive to replicate. They lead mostly separate lives, and Dad usually can’t be bothered to deal with Mom’s antics. They aren’t partners so much as roommates, but that didn’t seem so problematic when I thought the relationship had originated out of love. Now, I wonder if my dad has lived his entire adult life in misery. “I just want you to be happy, Daddy.” “I am, Lulu. Especially when you’re here.” He squeezes me affectionately as Mom steps out the front door in leggings and a T-shirt. “Are you not coming to the lunch?” I ask with surprise. “I’m not feeling so great, so I’m gonna stay home and rest. Elena won’t miss me with so many others there, but you can call if you need me.” She crinkles her chin in a show of remorse, eyes dancing between the two of us before she slips back inside. I look at Dad, my brows tightly knitted. “What’s going on with her?” Dad sighs. “No idea. Come on, let’s get the other girls and go.” Elena had insisted on a catered lunch so everyone could attend the funeral without worry. Gia can’t help but check on things as soon as we enter the house, but otherwise, we are off duty. The luncheon is elegant yet casual. White linens hang from round tables set up all over the plaza. Each table is adorned with an artfully designed floral centerpiece and eight flatware settings. A buffet table sits at the far end of the plaza along with a drink station and a small table filled with desserts. Some people eat while others mingle, and a few children play in the grass off to the side. Carter and Cora are already seated at a table and wave us over when we step onto the plaza. More precisely, Carter waves us over while Cora sips on her water and pretends not to notice us. “Have you already had a chance to eat?” Gia asks, accepting the seat Carter pulls out for her next to him. “No, we wanted to wait for you all.” “I’m so sorry you had to wait, but that’s very thoughtful of you. We ran home to freshen up. Mom wasn’t feeling well, so she stayed at the house.” Carter’s brows furrow. “I hope she’s not sick.” I’m pleased to detect genuine concern. He isn’t simply saying the polite thing or feeding Gia what she wants to hear. He really cares about people, which is an unusual quality in my experience. “I think the past few days have overwhelmed her. Nothing to worry about.” Gia smiles. “Let’s get some food. You’ve waited long enough!”