I turn away, stalking to the far corner of the room. It’s my son, one of the few people who don’t need to fear me. Just the sight of him brings me peace. Even though I’m losing Marlena, I still have Frankie. And I still have Giovanni.
I slump down to the floor, putting one hand over my face. For a man who is always in control, being unable to stop my wife from leaving is the worst possible thing. Frankie works his way through the broken glass and scattered furniture to sit by my side. He puts an arm around my shoulder, and I’m touched.
He’s a good kid. He protected Marlena when it counted, and he’s here to comfort me. I wouldn’t let any other man touch me, but Frankie’s sympathy is a welcome relief.
“I saw Marlena,” Frankie says.
I don’t respond.
“She was crying,” Frankie continues. “Judging by the state of this room, something bad happened.”
“She’s not coming home from Italy,” I say. “She just wants me to put her on a plane, and that’s it.”
“I’m sure she didn’t mean it,” Frankie tries.
“She meant it,” I insist. “She’s worried about her brother, and she doesn’t want to be tied to the life.”
“She knew what she was walking into,” Frankie reminds me.
“I don’t know if she did,” I sigh. “I don’t think she’d ever seen something so violent.”
“It’s rough for everyone,” Frankie says. “Even me. Even Giovanni.”
“I can’t ask her to put up with it,” I groan, realizing that I’m about to let her go.
Frankie looks around the room, sizing up the destruction. “I didn’t realize that you love her.”
I pause, letting the weight of the words sink in. I do love her. I’ve loved her for a while now, only I haven’t had the balls to admit it. All the promises to make things right, to keep her safe, weren’t just posturing to impress her, they were because I care for her, really and truly.
I love everything about her, from her hair to her soft brown eyes. The way she smiles and says my name. I love her curves and making love to her in the bedroom, and in the limousine, and beside the pool. I love how smart she is, and how she’s willing to put everything aside for her family.
I remember how hard she fought getting on that airplane, how she gave me the silent treatment for a full day. I remember how she told me that she didn’t want to make love to me, and then turned around and made the first move.
“I’m never going to find someone like her again,” I say. I know it’s the truth. I was damned lucky to find Frankie’s mother, and after her I thought I would never fall in love again.
But life gave me a second chance, and I squandered it. I caused the only woman ever to mend my broken heart to walk away, and there’s nothing I can do to stop her.
“If you care so much about her, go talk to her,” Frankie says.
“Her mind’s made up,” I say.
“Talk to her, Dad,” Frankie insists. “She’s stubborn, but so are you. You’re equally persuasive, and I know she loves you too.”
“What can I offer her?” I demand. “I live in the dark, when all she wants to do is live in the light.”
“Come on,” Frankie says, pushing me away. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Go talk to her.”
I look over at him, surprised at his sudden take-charge attitude. Is this the same kid who jumped aimlessly from career to career before finally enrolling in law school? Is this the same kid who refused to fight the playground bully and got smacked in the face growing up? I wonder what I’ve done to deserve such a levelheaded son.
“You’re smart,” I say, giving him a small smile.
“Smarter than you,” he teases.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I reply, chuckling softly.
“I didn’t make a mess of my room,” Frankie observes. “At least not since I was a kid.”
“All right, Mr. Know-it-all,” I exclaim, rising to my feet. “You want me to talk to her?”
