Page 101 of The Unraveling of Julia

“I’m notSpider-Man.”

“It happens in Star Wars, too, with The Force. Luke has to learn to use The Force. You haveThe Force!” Courtney grinned, excited. “Wait’ll I tell Paul! He loves Star Wars!”

“No.” Julia put up a hand. “Don’t tell Paul.”

“Why not? This is the coolest thing ever!”

“I don’t want him to think I’m a freak.”

“Why can’t you look on the bright side?”

Why can’t you be happy?Julia shooed the thought away, but it was Courtney’s own words and they hit home. Whycouldn’tshe be happy? If she were a medium, she could talk to Mike, and to Gianluca. What about her mother? Her father? She wondered if her gift was a blessing, or a curse. She’d be opening Pandora’s box.

Courtney was saying, “Jules, it’s a gift from God, like any other talent. You’re an amazing artist, remember? You used to paint all the time. Hello, you found some watercolors that a little girl did, and she might be your bio mom. Maybe yourbio momhas superpowers, too. What if you’rebothpsychics? Mother-daughter psychics?”

Julia reeled. “I can’tbeginto deal with that, and anyway I’m not a psychic. It’s not the same as a medium.”

“What’s the difference?”

“I don’t know,” Julia had to admit. “I’d have to ask Helen.”

“You mean Yoda.”

Julia let it go. “You know, she gave me an exercise to try at the hospital, with Gianluca.”

“Try not. Do. There is no try.”

54

They walked down the hallway toward the waiting room, and Julia spotted Sherry, Tonio, Raffaella, and the rest of the clan through the glass. She turned to Courtney. “Court, you gonna be okay with the Morettis while I see Gianluca?”

“Totally. I’ll hang and tell them how great you are. I’m your hype man.”

They reached the door, and Raffaella spotted Julia through the glass, glowering.

Courtney whispered. “The sister’s giving you the stink eye. Use The Force.”

Julia opened the door.

Sherry, Tonio, and everybody greeted her and Courtney, with only Raffaella keeping her distance. The family looked exhausted and drawn, all wearing the same rumpled clothes, so they must’ve stayed over. Sherry’s eyes were puffy and bloodshot, and Tonio was haggard, his chin dotted with grayish stubble.

Julia braced herself. “So, how is Gianluca?”

“Not good.” Sherry pursed dry lips. “He’s developing pneumonia.”

“Oh no,” Julia said, stricken. “What does that mean? What do they do?”

“They give him antibiotics. They say it happens when you’re on a respirator. We have to stay strong. It’s nice of you to come, after the last visit.” Sherry gestured to Raffaella behind her. “Raffi has something she wants to say to you.”

Raffaella stepped forward, her manner cool. “I’m sorry,” she said in a perfunctory tone. “I’m sorry about your loss, too. I assumed you were married because of your wedding ring.”

“Of course, I’m sorry, too.” Julia felt unguarded enough to level with her. “I admit, it’s strange, even to me, to be seeing someone so soon after my—”

“I get it.” Raffaella frowned. “But I love my little brother and will always look out for him. I want him to be happy and find a woman devoted to him.”

Sherry sighed wearily. “Raffi, that’s not an apology.”

Julia interjected, “Sherry, thanks, but she’s entitled to her view, and I can understand how she feels.” She turned to Raffaella. “I know you want what’s best for Gianluca, but please believe me, I care for him very much, I truly do—”