Shit. “Yeah…it happens…all the time.”
She grunted, delving into the liquor bag, and nodded her approval. “Okay, here’s what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna take off the poop jacket and tell me all about the shitty night while I be a good friend and drink that for you.”
A bitter chuckle escaped me as I rolled my eyes and surrendered the bag. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
CHAPTER20
Fabio
“Ciccio! Ma che bella sorpresa!” Mamma threw the dishrag in her hand over her shoulder and stretched on her toes, almost stumbling at the doorstep, to fling her arms around me. “I thought you were coming next weekend.”
I pushed my open messenger bag, where Tiara’s head popped up, out of the way so the dog wouldn’t get squished in our hug, the tenderness seeping from my mother an immediate balm to my pain. “I missed you, Mamma.”
She pulled away slowly, examining my face. “You okay, ciccio?”
I nodded once, wearing my stage smile, but I knew she could read right through me. “Super.”
She frowned and glanced at my car in disbelief. “Did you drive all the way here?”
The fourteen-hour drive was much needed, therapeutic even. Not for Tiara, though. She vomited her guts out twice. I scratched her little head, and she rubbed against my jeans in appreciation. “Tiara wanted a road trip.”
The little punk made a weird sound, a mix of a yawn and a squeak, in protest, exposing my lie. Mamma snorted, patting on my back, pushing me inside the house. “Get in. You’ll freeze your dick out.”
Chuckling, I spied Carmen’s blond curly hair popping out of her room. It bounced crazily as she ran toward me. “Papà!”
I squatted, arms wide open, my fake grin immediately turning into a happy one.
My little girl threw herself into my embrace, her squeals of joy making my day. I squeezed her and showered her with kisses until she giggled, asking me to stop. Then all the love she had for me was magically forgotten and given to the little rascal in my bag.
“Tiaaaraaa!” Carmen pulled her out and held her tight, letting the dog lick her all over. She batted her eyes at me, her smile cuteness overload. “Can we please go play outside? Pleeeease?”
“It’s freezing outside, ciccio. Tiara could get sick. You, too,” Mamma said.
Carmen repeated the cute thing she did with her eyes, using her sweet voice for extra impact. “But she loves the snow, si, papà?”
How could I say no now? She was only eight and already charming her way with everything. “Just for ten minutes, cutie pie, okay?”
“Thank you! You’re the best daddy ever. Yaaaaay!” She pecked my cheek and darted outside while Mamma mumbled a few curses in Italian.
I laughed under my breath. “Where are the sisters?”
“Mattia is still at the hospital. Her shift ends at six.” She ambled to the kitchen. “If she knew you were coming, she’d have taken the day off.”
I followed her—and the delicious smell of homemade Ragù. “And Emilia?”
She started cleaning a counter even though it was spotless. “Out.”
My lips twisted as I weighed my next words. My little sister had always been a tough topic to discuss. “Where?”
“Friends.”
I tossed my bag on the other counter and leaned against it, crossing my arms over my chest. “What kind of friends?”
She went to the stove and opened a couple of pots. “You must be hungry. I’ll heat up some Ragù for you.”
I pulled at the back of my hair. “Is she still seeing that bastardo?”
“Ciccio, you’re here for a couple of days. Why don’t you just take care of your girl, give her your attention, and let me take care of mine?”
