Because of you, his accusing eyes stated without words,the secret that you’re keeping.
Violet was reflective, the kids quiet, and it seemed all part of the usual scene.
Rocco picked up Paul after dinner to take him to soccer practice. Peter insisted that he and Mary tag along. Violet watched them go, perhaps noticing the difference in her son. Or perhaps she only noticed that her kids were gone. She turned to the twins and sighed—a sound that nearly broke my heart in two.
“I’m so tired, Scarlett,” she whispered.
“We’re not going anywhere,” I told her. “Try to get some sleep. We’ll keep an eye on the twins.”
I brought her close, hugging her as tightly as I could, before sending her in the direction of the bedroom. She seemed to stagger from weariness.
Looking toward the kitchen, I sighed. Brando had put the leftovers away, done the dishes, and cleaned the kitchen. He wasn’t leaving me an escape.
I wasn’t sure if I was leaving him one either. But how could I burden him withperhaps? Not after… I took a seat on the sofa, watching the twins play on their stomachs on a thick blanket laid out on the floor. One child got bored, but the twins seemed to keep each other entertained for the most part. Swapping toys, sharing drool and babble.
Smiling, I reached out and ran my hand through Wendi’s thick, dark locks. Then I did the same to Levi’s, the total opposite, only a bit of blonde fuzz on top of his head.
What was I going to do?
“Scarlett.”
I looked up at Brando. He offered me a glass of red wine. I thanked him but declined.
“Perché?”Why?
I said nothing, pointing to my stomach in answer to his question.
He said no more as he took it back into the kitchen. A minute later he sat next to me on the sofa. “I don’t like this,” he said.
“I know.” I took his hand and squeezed.
Gold light filtered in through the windows. Dust motes danced in a thick beam of warmth, a troupe of constant movers. Though the floor had been removed from beneath my feet, I felt as though I could fly.
“I’m all right, Brando. I promise. I just—”
“Forgot,” he said, almost exasperated. “I heard you the first time.”
I nodded, not sure what else to say. After the silence became too much for him, he kissed me, sighed, and then went to take a shower.
Guido came out of his room a minute later, tucking in his shirt.
“You didn’t have to come out here for me. I have things under control. There might be two of them, but they can’t walk yet.”
He smiled and then shrugged. “Si sente più sicuro avere qualcuno vicino.”He feels safer knowing someone is near.
“Yes,” I muttered. “I know he does.”
What should I have said in the silence? No words seemed to come forward—I was too cowardly to even think it could be true, much less speak the words to my husband. I should have said something, though, and lying to him made me hate myself.
A few words came after the thoughts, something to say, some part of the truth, but before I could go to him, a knock came at the door.
Sitting up, I peeked out of the window. A woman with long, dark hair and wide eyes stared at our door. She was quite beautiful. She could’ve either been younger than me or older. It was hard to tell.
“It’s a woman,” I said to Guido, who came out of the kitchen with a cupcake in his hand. “I can get it.”
“Senza senso.” He waved me off. “This is why I am here.”
We both made it to the door at the same time. What I couldn’t see from the window was the stroller in her hands and the baby who occupied the seat inside. The baby was a little girl, judging by the pink bow in her hair. She resembled her mother.
