Page 25 of The Man with a Treasure

“Stay detached. Do our job,” said another Suit. “I am Cristian.”

Cristian also looked to be somewhere in his thirties. His dark hair was a little longer and pulled back into a ponytail. His suit adjusted as he leaned his head back to blow smoke into the air, as if he had been waiting for that inhale all day and was savoring the whole experience.

A part of me had waited so long for this day—to become part of the team with my dad. I was genuinely disappointed that we were hiding in the groves. It was now clear the Suits had no superpowers to reveal. They were… normal. It was like finally getting a bike for Christmas, only to find it was missing tires.

“Shit. You really are a quiet one,” Pietro mentioned to Angelo.

Angelo looked at him, but I could see the promise he just made, weighing heavily on his mind. He was dazed and worried for all involved. Especially me. As soon as our eyes met, he looked to the ground.

Not wanting to discuss personal business in front of Suits I didn’t know, I asked them, “How are we supposed to be ‘detached’ when we know everyone so well?”

Cristian blew out more smoke. “It just happens. You will see. The suit means distance.” He stared down, actually appearing sad. “As soon as you put one on, they will stop conversing with you.”

Angelo’s eyes snapped to Cristian. “You worked the fields.”

It wasn’t a question. It was Angelo connecting dots as he always did.

Cristian tried to shrug it off, “Long time ago,” and took another drag of his cigarette.

Staying in one spot, Angelo turned, taking in all the land around us as if realizing he had just forced us into saying goodbye to the Earth. We would soon no longer be a part of the natural force behind the Giordanos. We would now be stepping into a suit to become a robot with guns, not part of the sun and free laughter while doing manual labor that I was already missing.

Pietro gestured toward the house. “Sorry we had to be rough with you in there. What the old man says, goes. Is there anything we can do to make it up to you?”

He was trying to make sure we started being team members on solid ground. I understood that being important, but an opportunity is an opportunity. “Yeah, sure.” I kicked at a rock that didn’t exist. “Uh, can you, uh, get us some condoms?”

They both laughed.

Pietro teased, “Can’t add those to Mrs. Rossi’s grocery list for town?”

I actually wasn’t sure my mother would not be understanding of Angelo or my needs, but we didn’t have the guts to find out. So, I lied, “Only if we wish to die.”

Cristian kept smirking as if totally comprehending my one request. “I will make sure you have plenty.”

Angelo wasn’t smiling, but I had his full attention.

I had just made sure he could be with Noemi, just like I knew he was dying to be.

In the cave’s entrance, Angelo stood there, motionless, holding a plastic bag of condoms and lube. Cristian had come through in a big way. Why Angelo was now handing them over to me, telling me I should be the one to have Noemi, was at first beyond my comprehension. That’s why I stood there in shock, watching him walk away. “Where are you going?” But as soon as I heard the sniffle behind me, I began to understand. This was a huge deal. Angelo was simply not feeling worthy of her gift.

Facing Noemi, I saw her expression now full of hurt, believing Angelo had rejected her. I lifted my hand to gesture for her to calm, but then noticed I was holding a bag of goods, announcing we were here for her virginity. I quickly brought the bag down and behind me. “No, Noemi. This is not him not wanting you. This is him thinking he doesn’t deserve you.”

She blinked in such a way I knew my words made complete sense.

Then her little bare feet took off running.

As soon as she passed me, I smiled and thought to myself, You will make a fine Italian wife someday. Go get your man.

It was dark, but we all knew these woods well. The stars helped light the night, and voices made it easy to find Noemi and Angelo. She had pushed on his chest, knocking his back into a tree trunk. “We made a deal, remember? You promised what is mine is mine. And that you would protect my heart.”

He couldn’t even look her in the eye. “That is what I am trying to do.”

“No. You are running from me.”

“Noemi, you don’t understand. My soul is no longer mine.”

“What?” She shoved him again. “Angelo! Stop talking as if you have lost your mind.”

“But… I made another promise—one I may fail to make true.”