twenty-two
Kieran
The women walk out of the house with Henry following them, making sure they stay safe. Mia walking around in public is basically like my heart walking on the outside of my body and Henry is the only person I trust to watch over her.
"Da, I have something I need to run by you," I tell him.
"I'm listening."
"Last night Henry and Daniel heard rumors about the Carrino family trying to encroach on our territory at the harbor."
"How did that happen?"
"He threatened the harbor master’s family."
"What are we goingto do about it?"
"I'm going to call Elios and remind him whose territory he's trying to invade. If he doesn't listen, we declare war."
"War is expensive."
"That's why I'm going to call him first. Try to negotiate."
"Okay. Get it done, son. Now, tell me how come your new bride doesn't have a ring?"
"I just haven't had time to get her one."
"Well, how about this one?" he says, pulling out a black box from his pocket. "I didn't know I would be giving this to you as an already married man, but this ring was your grandmother’s."
For one of the very few times in my life, I'm speechless. I never thought my Da would give me the family ring, the last time I saw it was when I was told I would be marrying Suri.
"Thanks, Da," I say as I reach for it, staring at it for a moment.
It's an art deco oval ring with a halo of diamonds around a sapphire. My grandfathergave it to my grandmother in the sixties, and it's always been a story that has been told since we were kids.
He fell in love at first sight and within three months they were married. Mia reminds me a lot of my grandmother—she's strong, and knows when to put you in your place, but also calmly. She's the strong, silent type.
Closing the box, I pocket it, then pull out my phone, to text my Ma.
Me: Can you make sure that Mia grabs a dress for dinner tonight?
Ma: Of course, do you know where you're going?
Me: I'm going to take her Tasty Napoli.
Ma: Great. I'll help her pick something up.
Me: Thanks, Ma.
Placing my phone back into my pocket, I look up at my Da. He has a look on his face that I can't quite read. I'm pretty good at reading people, but Da is a professional at what he does, and part of that is keeping his emotions guarded.
"What's going on, Da?"
"Your mother and I've been talking—it's time for me to retire." His words shock me, I'm sure my jaw is sitting in my lap. I knew that he’s been talking about retiring but I thought I would have more time.
After a few moments of silence, my Da breaks it by chuckling. "You going to pick up your jaw, boy."
Shaking my head, I gather myself and mutter, "Sorry, Da."
