Page 75 of His Playground

“Thank you. When I heard Louie got hitched, you are not what I pictured and I’m so fucking glad you’re not.” I laugh.

“What did you picture?”

“Typical mob wife, gold digger.” I smirk. “Cold, calculated.” I could go on but I choose not to. “You’re nothing like the women who usually end up in this world.”

“Mmm, well, neither are you.”

“Oh, but I can be. I was born into it.” I plop back down on the bed, my head hitting the pillow. The room is still spinning slightly but not as bad.

“Sugar, I should have asked if you needed anything. Water? Let me go get you some water. Be right back.” Charlotte dashes out the door as quickly as she came through it.

I want my husband. I could get her to call him, but I know he needs to do his job. To keep us all safe, I have to let him do whatever it is he’s out doing.

“Antonia?” Jazzy’s voice is quiet, her footsteps even quieter as she tiptoes up to the bed. “Are you sick?”

“I was, but I’m feeling much better now. The doctor gave me some medicine,” I tell her. “Are you okay?”

“I woke up and Daddy wasn’t there. Tío E wasn’t there, and you weren’t there,” she says.

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry. Jump up here. You can sleep with me. Did you have a bad dream?”

“Earlier, but Tío E told me he was going to make all the monsters go away,” she says.

“What monsters?” I press her.

“The ones who made my mommy sick. Are they making you sick too?” she asks.

“No, I just ate something bad. I’m going to be okay,” I say. “Who made your mommy sick, Jazzy?”

“I don’t know, but the men used to come and see mama and she would hide me in the cupboard. They gave her somemedicine too and asked her about Daddy. Mama wouldn’t tell them, though, and they’d get mad. Do you think they know I’m here? With Daddy?”

“Mmm, I don’t know.” I roll onto my side to face her. “But what I do know is that you’re safe here and no one is going to hurt you. Tío E will keep his promise. He never breaks a promise.”

“That’s what he said.” Jazzy yawns.

“Close your eyes. Let’s sleep, and when we wake up, Daddy might be finished with his work.”

Charlotte comes back in. She places a glass of water on the bedside table. “I didn’t hear her wake up,” she whispers.

“Aunt Charlotte, you’re here too?” Jazzy’s eyes pop open at the sound.

“I am. You need something?” Charlotte asks her.

“No, I’m going to sleep here with Antonia.”

“Okay, sweet dreams,” Charlotte tells her.

As soon as the room is quiet, I close my eyes. I can feel sleep pulling me under again.

I wake up to whispered voices, and then something cold touches my chest. My eyes pop open to find Jazzy hovering over me. “Antonia, I can hear your heartbeat,” she says, holding the end of a stethoscope in her tiny hand.

“Can you? Is it good?” I ask her.

“It’s strong.” She nods enthusiastically. “Right, Doctor?”

I turn my head and find an older man looking down at me. “It is. How are you feeling?” the doctor asks.

“Good. Can you take this out now?” I hold up my arm again.