Page 81 of The Unraveling of Julia

Thanks, babe! But why horseshoes?

That’s their trademark.

Who knew that?

Everybody but you.

So it’s a flex? Nice!

At the wake, Julia played the role of Mike’s Widow, but inside she was horrified, utterlyhorrified, struggling to metabolize the fact that he’d beenmurdered. That he died so violently reverberated deep within her, and she overheard snippets of conversations.

If there were more cops on the street.

What’s the matter with people.

They better catch the guy.

I hate the new DA.

Julia shook off the memory as she reached the waiting room and pulled open the door.

Conversation subsided as heads turned in her direction. There were eight people in the waiting room, and worry strained every face. They were all adults, and an older woman sat wrapped in a paisley pashmina, praying a crystal rosary.

Julia introduced herself. “I’m a friend of Gianluca’s. I came to see how he was.”

“I’m Sherry Borsoni, his mother,” a middle-aged woman said in an American accent, managing a shaky smile. Julia knew it was Gianluca’s mother from the family resemblance. Sherry had his large eyes, but hers were blue, with thick eyebrows and almost the same mouth, wide and generous. Her hair was the same lustrous black, but straight to her shoulders, shot through with silver. She was lean, too, in a tan V-neck sweater, skinny jeans, and black flats.

“I’m so sorry this happened.” Julia extended a hand, and their eyes met with shared anguish.

“Thank you. I never would have believed it.”

“I know, it’s awful.”

“He was so careful, but I know that accidents happen, and the weather was so…” Sherry didn’t finish the sentence, her lower lip trembling.

“I know.” Julia let the moment pass. She doubted that Sherry knew about her and Gianluca being followed by the white Fiat, and it wasn’t the time or place to air her suspicions. Meanwhile everyone else was watching them, whispering in somber tones, and she got the impression they knew who she was, which surprised her. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

“Not at all. I’m glad you came. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Aw.“How is he? They wouldn’t tell me.”

Sherry sighed, pained. “He was in surgery when we got here. The doctor said he had a traumatic brain injury, a fractured skull. There were also several broken bones, two ribs, his femur, and a bone in his arm, the ulna I believe.” Sherry’s dark eyes filmed. “He was in hemorrhagic shock when they brought him in. He lost a lot of blood. They had to transfuse him.”

“Oh no.” Julia flashed on blood glistening in the darkness, then realized it was a memory from Mike.

“They tend to the brain injury first. He’s in surgery now, and they say it will take several more hours, then he’ll go into the recovery room. We won’t see him until dawn.” Sherry’s mouth trembled at its downturned corners. “But it’s a good hospital. He’s in wonderful hands. We’re praying for a full recovery.”

“So what’s his prognosis?” Julia blurted out, trying to get her bearings.

“We don’t know at this point.” Sherry tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “He called me before he left. He was on his way to your place for dinner, wasn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Please, let me introduce you. My family has taken over the way we always do. We don’t visit, weinvade.” Sherry motioned to the crowd. “Everyone, this is Julia Pritzker, Gianluca’s girlfriend.”

Gulp.Julia felt mixed-up. A minute ago she was mourning Mike, now she was Gianluca’s girlfriend.

“I’ll introduce you, but you don’t have to remember the names.” Sherry pointed out her mother-in-law, her sister-in-law, her brother-in-law, and teenaged cousins. Julia shook their hands and saidpiacereto each one. They smiled with muted goodwill, Sherry most of all. “My son is so excited about you. I must say, I noticed the change in him, almost overnight. It’s as if he was brought back to life.”