Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Okay. Okay. She can do it, but I don’t want this all on her. She’s gonna need some help.”
“And I’ll see that she has it.”
“So, where is she anyway?”
“She’s gone back to square off some things, but she’ll be back in a day or so. It’s going to take some time to get your house ready anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about. The guys are already on it.”
I didn’t like the sound of that, but I didn’t bother bellyaching about it. I was finally getting out of this fucking rehab center, and that was all that mattered. So, I settled back and let Dad and the brothers do what they needed to do while I continued my rehab and waited for them to give me the news of my impending release.
The following day, I went for my therapy session, and when I returned, a nurse was waiting to take me for tests. I had no idea what they were and didn’t bother asking. I just did them and prayed that they showed improvement. I felt certain they would. I felt stronger than I had in weeks. I was standing—almost on my own, and I could shuffle a few feet here and there.
It wasn’t much, but it was progress.
By the time I was done with all the testing, I was in dire need of some shuteye. I dozed off and woke up the following day with Mom pacing at the foot of my bed. She was looking down at her phone, and it was clear from her concerned expression that something was wrong. “Mom?”
She turned to face me, and my chest tightened when I saw the worry and exhaustion in her eyes. She forced a smile as she said, “Oh, hey. You’re awake.”
“Yeah, I’m coming around.”
“Your father said you were going to be heading home soon.”
“That’s the word.”
“So, that must mean you are doing better.”
“Little by little.”
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that. I was so worried.”
“I know, but it’s gonna be fine.” Mom’s expression remained tense. “So, what’s going on? You look like you have something else on your mind.”
“Oh, no. I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep all that well last night.”
“Come on, Mom. I know you better than that.”
“It’s nothing, honey. Really. Besides, you’ve got enough on your plate. You’re going to be moving home soon and tackling all that. You don’t need to concern yourself, and...”
“Mom,” I cut her off. “Just tell me what’s going on.”
She let out an exasperated sigh, then finally answered, “I’m just worried about Carmine.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“That’s just it. I don’t know.” She grimaced. “I just have a feeling that something is wrong... that he’s up to something.”
“Up to what?”
“That, I don’t know. He’s just been so secretive lately. He’s always on the phone, taking calls outside where I can’t hear what’s being said, but I can tell he’s upset. And he’s been different with me.”
“Different, how?” I pressed, trying to make sense of her scattered thoughts.
“Distant. Cold. He won’t even touch me, and lately, he’s been oddly paranoid.” She let out a sigh. “Last week, he accused me of going through his things, but I hadn’t. I’d just put away his laundry, but he got it in his head that I’d been searching through his things. I tried talking to him, but he was too furious to listen. He ended up storming out of the house and didn’t come back for hours.”
“Any idea where he went?”
“No. I wanted to believe that he’d just gone to his office, but I have a feeling that he was somewhere he shouldn’t have been.”
“You think he’s fooling around?”
“I don’t know what to think.”
Mom and I had our differences, but I loved her, and seeing her so vulnerable hit me hard. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. It’s not like I have any actual proof that he’s doing something he shouldn’t. It’s just a feeling.” She shook her head and scoffed. “And his brother popping up unannounced isn’t helping matters.”
“His brother?”
“Hm-hmm.” Mom rolled her eyes. “His name is Vittorio, and he’s just as arrogant as his name. Carmine has been running hand over foot to make the man happy, but he always snubs his nose. But he’s all smiles whenever I’m around. It’s creepy.”
“I don’t like the sounds of this guy.”
“I don’t either, but maybe it’s all in my head.”
“I don’t know, Mom. You’ve got good instincts. If you think something’s up with this guy and Carmine, there’s probably something up.”
“But what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s just something in the family or with their company.” I didn’t want to upset her any more than she already was, so I tried to remain calm as I told her, “Just keep an eye on things, and if he gives you any more reason to worry, then we’ll look into it.”