Gabriela: Safe flight. I love you
“We’ll hit the specialty stores first. They usually close earlier than the big stores.” Georgíos says to us. “Also, why do you get to drive? You don’t have a license here in Illinois.”
“Because I’m older.”
“What the fu-huck?” he says as he turns to look at Giancarlo, who’s giggling. “That’s not an answer. And you don’t even know where you’re going.”
“Of course it’s an answer. And I have the talking box there. She’s telling me where to go.”
“Wow.”
I laugh as we listen to them bicker.
“Okay, it looks like we have 2 specialty stores and then just the regular grocery store.”
“See? Now we put that into the talking thing and follow what she says.”
“Do you even know what it’s called? It’s not a talking box.”
“It’s a square screen. Would you rather I call it the talking screen?”
“Yes.”
I can see Georgíos rolling his eyes in the rear view mirror.
“Funny.” Carlo giggles more.
It takes us almost three hours to get to the city and shop at the two specialty stores. Now we’re headed to the bigger store to finish up. After we park, Georgíos grabs a cart for us to get Giancarlo in it. It’s funny how many women and men stare at Georgíos and Francisco as we walk around.
“Can I walk?” Giancarlo asks.
“Sure.” I say as I pull him out. Diego takes over pushing the cart as I walk with Carlo.
Suddenly, Giancarlo drops my hand and runs. I chase after him, knowing that Georgíos is right behind me. I hear Giancarlo scream and I tun the corner on the toy isle and see a man holding him. He’s crying and squirming.
“Yasha, put down! Mamà, help, pwease.” he’s screaming as people are just watching.
What the fuck is wrong with people. I hear Georgíos and Francisco swearing behind me.
“Please give him back to me.” I say, trying to stay calm.
“He’s my son. So no. I won’t give him to you. And why the fuck is he calling you mama? You’re not his fucking mother. That bitch is dead.” The smile he gives me sends shivers down my spine.
Giancarlo is sobbing hysterically as I try to take a step forward. I see four other men come up to stand with him. One of them whispers something to him. Yakov slides his jacket to the side and I see a gun in his belt.
“Why don’t you come over here and join us—Gabriela.” He smiles more.
I don’t know how he knows my name. But I just realized this is the man that my parents sent me here to be away from. I feel a hand on my arm. I turn, knowing it’s either Georgíos or Diego.
“I can’t let him take Giancarlo. I trust all of you that you’ll find us.” I whisper to Diego.
I can see the war going on in both of their faces. But they know I’m right. If I let Yakov take Giancarlo, I’ll never forgive myself. And what kind of mamá would I be to him if I didn’t protect him?
“Tell Gianluca I love him and I will do everything I can to protect our son.”
“You protect yourself too. We will come for you.” Georgíos says quietly to me.
“Oh come on. It’s not like I’m sending you off to be killed. At least not yet.” He smirks.
