Victoria Greene

Kiss and Make Up

I stood at the door of Joseph's nursery watching him sleep. A doctor had come to check on him and concluded that he was fine and not harmed, Charles, however, was grazed by a bullet and needed a few stitches. He didn't say anything about what happened with Dr. Narcisse or why the man took Joseph. Though I did not care. I had my son and that is all that mattered.

"Ya can't stand here forever". Charles said snaking his arm around my waist and kissing my head.

"I can't stand the thought of leaving him again". I said.

"Hey Hey". He said turning me around to look at him.

"Nothin' is gonna happen to him or ya okay". He said wiping my tears.

"He touched me". I said and he hugged me.

"He'll never do it again". He said kissing my forehead.

"Come on let's get ya to bed". He said leading me out of the nursery.

"Are we gonna share the bed". He asked as we walked into the bedroom.

"I don't mind". I said taking off my slip revealing my nightdress. We both got on the bed and into the blankets.

"Good night Charles". I said.

"Good night Victoria". He replied and I turned to look the other way and close my eyes. Joseph's wails woke me up an hour later and I got up and went into his nursery picking him up from his crib.

"Ssh I'm here baby". I said as I took a seat on the rocking chair and I took out a breast before he began sucking. I watched my son feed with a smile on my face.

"He's amazin'". A deep voice said and I lifted my eyes seeing Charles standing at the door with a smile on his face.

"He is". I said looking at my son who was still feeding. He walked into the room and made his way to us. He knelt next to me and gently touched Joseph's curls.

"We made this". He said looking at Joseph with a look of pride.

"He's ours". I smiled. I finished feeding Joseph and was about to burp him when Charles stood to his feet opening his arms.

"May I?". He said and I handed him our son. He put him on his chest gently patting his back and Joseph burped. He cradled him gently rocking him as he started falling asleep.

"You are good at this". I smiled at him.

"I used to look after my little sisters when I was a kid". He said. This was new information to me as he did not talk about his family.

"How many sisters do you have,I remember you once mentioned that you have four siblings". I said as I watched him put Joseph back into his crib.

"I have two sisters Concetta and Filipa". He said looking at the floor.

"Do you speak to them". I asked and he shook his head.

"Concetta hates me and I don't blame her". He said.

"Nonsense no sister could hate her brother". I said and he shook his head.

"I failed her". He said and I swore I saw tears in his eyes.

"No no you didn't". I said trying to comfort him.

"It was 1912. Concetta was five and I was fourteen. The old man was out lookin' for a job and my mother was busy and asked me to look after my sister". He said looking at the floor and I stood listening attentively.

"I wanted to go out and play some dice with some friends. I left in our apartment building lobby and went out to gamble. It was supposed to be for five minutes. I swear it was supposed to be for five minutes". He said as tears rolled down his face and I held his arm.

"This creep saw her sittin' there alone and he. ..Uhm. ..". He said not being able to finish the sentence.

"That son of b*tch only got six months in the slammer and my sister has to live with this for the rest of her life. My parents hated me from thereon. I hate myself too I failed her". He broke down as I hugged him.

"She was only five years old and that sick f*ck ruined her. And I was too busy gambling to protect my sister". He said.

"You were only fourteen Charles. You were a kid yourself". I said and he shook his head.

"My old man was right. I bring misery to everyone's lives and no one could love me. I'd be better off dead". He said and I took his face into my hands.

"No. I love you, our son loves you okay". I said.

"Ya was touched by a man because of me, I hit ya and Sonny was nearly killed because of me". He said and I shook my head.

"But you saved us, you are our hero". I said.

"What happened to your sister was not your fault okay. Some people in this world are sick and unfortunately for your sister, she was hurt by one of them. But you cannot live your life blaming yourself for another man's actions". I said.

"I haven't seen my family in nine years. During the holidays when everyone is at home with their loved ones. I'm usually at a brothel or speakeasy with a broad because no one loves me". He said.

"Let me show how much I love you". I said as I ran my hand down his chest to his manhood.