“Oh, so it’s only temporary?” I asked, still not making eye contact with anyone.
“It is, but it’s a major design firm that has connections here and in Italy. Like Sofia said, I don’t think it will be a problem for her to stay if she proves herself, and, of course, wants to,” Luke answered, after inhaling his first piece of meat lover’s pizza. He made me crazy, but it was so refreshing to see my younger brother, after reuniting with Sofia, move away from his strict rules about food, work, and life.
“So, maybe she can redecorate your house.” Sofia delivered this idea with the innocent eyes of a doe. I, on the other hand, started choking.
MJ slapped my back a few times until the tears stopped.
“Daddy, you’re a mess tonight.”
“Your dad is having trouble with his motor skills, MJ. Wonder what’s wrong?” Luke said with a goofy smirk. This was clearly payback as I’d done something similar to him with Sofia when she hated his guts in the beginning of their relationship.
“What’sgoing on?” Mom asked, looking at us like we were crazy.
“Nothing,” I answered, glaring at my brother, who shook his head and turned away.
“I don’t need her help, Sofia. I’ll just go to a furniture store and have someone there help me pick out some stuff.”
“But it would give her an advantage to have a client ask for her specifically. Think of the impression that would make on her new boss,” Sofia crooned. “A job for a wealthy tech owner would lookamazingon her resume, don’t you think?”
I side-eyed her and mumbled, “I thought I was destitute and hopeless a few minutes ago.”
“I havenoidea what you’re all talking about tonight,” Mom said, irritated at our secondary conversation. “But youwillcall Vicky this week and have her come and take a look at this house. If it’ll help her, it’s a done deal. She’s family now.”
I groaned at the word ‘family.’ That wasnothow I felt about Vicky. At all.
“She’ll be like the sister we never had,” Luke said with puppy-dog eyes. I kicked him under the table. He grunted but kept eating.
My mother had the tenacity of a pit bull when she wanted her way; there was no chance I could oppose her.
“Yes, ma’am,” I answered, sighing as I threw down my half-eaten pizza, no longer hungry.
In a matter of days, Vicky, the woman who had made me feel things I hadn’t felt in years, would be in my new home.
I had no chance of surviving this.
four
. . .
Vicky
As I packed my bedroom, my emotions conflicted. It still felt unreal that Elena Sala had chosen me. I reread her email countless times, but it only sank in when my visa was approved.
She was some kind of wizard to have gotten it expedited so quickly. Her assistant, Anna, mentioned Elena might sponsor me if all went well, but I was there on a three-month trial basis.
I just had to stay focused and not let this opportunity slip away. Mama’s reaction was predictable; she was incredibly happy and proud of me, but I kept finding her crying. Leaving her tomorrow was going to be harder than I expected.
“Remember to pack a jacket, tesoro. I read online that it gets chilly at night,” Mama said as she walked into my room holding a red jacket.
Mama didn’t have much use for the internet except for schoolwork, but a few months ago, her friends convinced her to open a Facebook page, much to my delight. She was reconnecting with friends and family who had moved away, easing her loneliness a bit. The urgent phone calls about something horrifying she’d discovered on social media had become amusing. I had to explain to her several times that not everything she saw there was real.
“Gratzie, Mama. There’s one already packed plus the one I’ll wear on the plane.” Taking her hand and leading her to my bed, I sat us both down. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
Nodding quickly, she answered, “Yes, tesoro. This is what you’ve been working toward for years. I’ve told you. I’ll be fine. I have friends nearby, and Enzo and Corinna are only an hour away. I’m going to enjoy my new freedom,” she said bravely, with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Don’t think for a minute I’m not going to miss you like crazy. This isn’t easy for me either.” I hugged her and felt a few tears fall on my shoulder.
Pulling away to face her, I said, “You’ve taught me how to be brave in the face of challenges. You’ve modeled for me how to dream big and work hard. But mostly, you’ve taught me my worth. Still working on that one some days,” I chuckled, “but I can’t thank you enough for those lessons. You’ve given me wings to fly.”
