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“So, what now?” Dad asks.
“Can’t he leave? He loves you and Angelo. Won’t he change for your sake?” Mom adds.
“It’s not that simple, I’m afraid. Dante is the head of the family. He can't just decide to change his profession. It’s a mess.”
“I’d say it, fucking is,” Dad fumes.
“Arnold!” Mom snaps at her husband.
“Oh, come on, Catherine. Mia isn’t a child. I’m sure she’s heard plenty of colorful language.”
“It’s alright, Mom. I know just how Dad feels. It was a terrible shock to me too.”
“I’m sorry, Mia,” Dad says. “I’m being a selfish brute. I haven't asked how you feel about all of this yet. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
“No, of course not, Dad. Dante loves me and he’s the gentlest man I’ve ever been with. He’d never hurt me or Angelo.”
“That’s something, at least,” he sighs before he flops back onto the sofa.
“What exactly did he tell you, Mia?” Mom asks.
“He said that he’s wanted to tell me for a long time, but he knew I may have an issue with it, so he put it off until he could show me who he was as a man.”
“What are you going to do, my child? Do you love him enough to get into this sort of world?” Mom asks.
“I don’t know what to do. I love him and he’s Angelo’s father and all, but I don’t know if this is the kind of life I want for my son. What do you think? I value your opinion, guys. I’m at a loss here.”
“What is your heart telling you, my darling?” Mom asks.
“Her heart! This is no time for your romantic machinations, Catherine. The man is a criminal. Get as far away from him as possible, Mia, and stay away. Nothing good can come of this relationship,” Dad snaps.
“You forget that they share a child, Arnold.”
“I haven’t forgotten a thing. Angelo is better off growing up without a father than learning from one who’s a crime boss.”
“This is a nightmare,” I say and drop my head into my hands in despair.
“If you need some time away to think this through, you could always go to my brother’s house in Texas, sweetheart. It’s a big house and he’s never there. I’m sure he won’t mind if you use it,” Dad suggests.
“Yes, that’s an excellent idea, Mia. Dad and I will help you with finances until you decide what you need to do.”
“I can’t ask you to do that, guys,” I protest.
“You didn’t ask, my darling. We’re offering,” Dad assures me. “Besides, if Dante knows where you are, he’s bound to bug you until you give into him. What you need is distance.”
“Okay. I think you’re right.”
“I’ll call Uncle Ben and arrange everything,” Dad says and comes over to hug me.
This is when I lose it and break down in tears. It’s been a long time coming.
* * *
I have to talk to Gina. I can’t leave her out in the cold. Besides, Dante is her cousin, and he’ll almost certainly call her eventually after he hasn’t heard from me for a while. It’s bad enough that I’m icing him out. I can’t do that to Gina too.
I call her after I leave my parent’s house.
“Hi, M. What’s up?”