He's done nothing
1210 Words
Rina Zante
I placed our lunch on the tray and left the kitchen for our room. Mammà laid asleep on the bed, a light snores filling the room. A little sad smile sat on my lips. Watching her this way broke my heart. She was exhausted, having worked her butt off today.
I tapped her. "Mammà."
The snoring came to a stop as she stirred. "Hmm?"
Slowly, her eyes let open.
"The food is here."
"Grazie a dio."
I set the tray on the floor as she rose. Her loud yawn erupted and I glanced up to see her stretching. That was right: she was tired.
Mammà had done quite a chore today by stoking up the kitchen with supplies. The market was particularly congested today. The rush had really stressed her out.
I helped Mammà sit on the floor before securing my spot opposite her. It was true we had a table in the room. However, it was as good as useless since only one chair existed here. Besides, Mammà and I were fond of eating together on a single plate.
We ate in silence and from the look on her face, I could tell that the antipasto went well for her. A wry smile couldn't help but creep on my face.
It was surreal: we were able to afford a nice warm meal. A real antipasto. However, there was a price for such luxury. A very hard price we—or rather, I had to pay.
I hadn't told Mammà of my new job because it was a spiny seed I couldn't swallow. Then again, I didn't have any choice. It wasn't as if I had the will to flaunt Piccolo Master's order and continue as a regular maid. I had to tell Mammà. Yes, she was going to know about it.
However, I knew better than to bring up the topic while we were eating.
As soon as Mammà excused herself for belching, I knew it was the time.
"Mammà, there's something I want to tell you."
Mammà's once neutral face pulled together to form a frown. "What is it?"
My gaze slipped from her to the almost empty plate of antipasto. "The Luna's son asked me to be his maid." Wait, did I just say ask? Ha.
"Wow. That's…that's beautiful!"
I flashed my eyes at Mammà whose frown followed mine. "What's the matter? That's good news, no?"
I rolled my eyes and before I could insult myself for being that careless, Mammà spoke, "Rina."
Disappointment glinted in those eyes of hers; I was forced to bite my lip. Mammà didn't like it when I rolled my eyes. She'd warned me multiple times against doing so. It was plain rude, and for the record, I agreed with her.
However, this case was different. I felt it was okay, if not necessary that I express my disapproval by engaging my rather large eyes into a circle drawing.
"Mi dispiace," I said.
She said nothing, but rather held her gaze at me. I waited for her to ask me what the problem was. This time, I surely would come clean. I'd tell her everything. That I was uncomfortable with the idea of being Piccolo Maestro’s personal maid was a grave understatement. I was horrified about it.
Mamma did just as I'd expected. She asked me if I had any issue with the new placement.
"Sí," was my unfaltering response.
Mammà's frown grew in intensity. Concern had begun eating her up, and that fact was too much to bear. Mamma could do anything for me—anything. Now, I wondered what her reaction would be if she found out about Piccolo Maestro’s ill-treatment. Or maybe I didn't need to wonder. Mamma would stomp to wherever he was and scrunch up his ears, scolding whatever sense he'd lost back into him. She would make him apologize to me, that was for sure. She'd done the exact same thing to a person who'd touched me inappropriately, despite the consequences. Despite the fact he'd rented out a shop for her.
The word 'consequences' echoed in my mind. Piccolo Maestro had warned me never to on him.. Never. I should basically remain mute and take all the cruelty in. This, together with the fact that Mamma would get into huge trouble should she confront Piccolo Maestro, made me break down.
I covered my face with my hands and sobbed. There was no way out in this mess. I was in a quicksand.
Mamma wrapped her arms around me, bringing me to her bosom. I clung to her like the lifejacket she was. "Va bene. Va bene."
We remained in the cuddled-up position for some time, then I decided it was enough. Our break time would soon be over. I pulled away from Mamma and wiped my eyes, purposefully avoiding her gaze.
The rest of the antipasto should be unpalatably cold now. It didn't matter. I'd eat it anyway.
I could tell Mamma was watching me. I could tell a thousand questions laid on her tongue—should I look at her, they'd leap out. I didn't want Mammà to drown in suspense. So, I made the conscious decision to break the ice.
"Mammà," I began, gradually lifting my eyes to hers. The worry borne in them was shimmering. It was pure, and my heart broke knowing that I'd put Mammà through a lot within these past few minutes. "I'm…"
The next word was going to be difficult to say. It was like forcing an entire length of sausage down my throat. I forged on, nonetheless. This was for Mammà. "I'm thrilled. Very. I mean, it's an honor to be promoted to that position. Anyone would give an arm for that."
She was not buying it. Or maybe, she was. I couldn't tell. Her expression hadn't changed one bit. "I just feel…"
"Did he harass you?"
My mouth hung open momentarily before I realized myself and shut it close. I put on an astonished front, or so—I'd thought. "What? No." I was about to continue, saying things like: 'why would he do that', 'of course not', when I remembered those would cast light on my uneasiness. And possibly lie.
"Tell me the truth, Rina. I'm your mother."
I tried again to be calm, and even went on to maintain eye contact with her, just to prove my truthfulness. "No. He did not."
Following her silence, I went further, “Why would you say that?"
"Well, because I'm not blind. I saw how he glared at you the other time the Luna called him to order."
I should have known. "I know. That's right. But trust me, he's done nothing."
"Rina." She inched forward, her hand on my shoulder. "My wolf might be weak, but it still senses things. I know when you're happy or sad. Relaxed or disturbed. And lately, you don't look your cheerful self. What is it, dolcezza?"
I sighed as my shoulder slumped in defeat. True, Mamma had caught me. But the fact remained I must keep my mouth shut else, I'd ruin everything. The sooner I came up with a safer explanation, the better.
Mammà's left brow quirked up. She was ready to hear what I had to say.
- Writer
