Page 100 of Enzo

“Do you want to make the omelet, and I'll put together a salad?” I ask.

He makes a face. “A salad, too?”

“Why not?”

“Sure,” he says, easily. Like it's no big deal. He’s steady, and I like that. I like that I don’t have to gauge what mood he’s in.

***

ENZO

I loved being around Mama whenever she cooked, and Molly and I making dinner reminded me of those memories.

We’re sitting across the dining table and have just finished eating. It feels like we do this regularly. It doesn’t feel like we’re hiding, or living in a temporary space. We’re accidentally playing house.

I hear a notification ping on my cell phone.

It's a text from Matteo. He's sent me a link, and I remember that Father's interview is streaming soon.

“My father is doing an interview and Matteo sent me a link to it. Sorry. Mind if I watch it? I doubt it’ll be too long. My father isn’t known for his conversational skills.”

“No, go ahead. We can both watch it.”

We head over to the living area. I turn on the TV and we settle the plates on our laps.

“Why is he on TV?” Molly asks.

“I'm going to tell you a family secret.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I trust you.”

Her eyes widen slightly. “Are you sure?”

I stare at her for a moment. “I’m sure.” I stick my fork into a piece of cucumber. “My father recently had a kidney transplant, and my brother Matteo gave him one of his kidneys.”

“That was kind of him. Very giving.”

I nod in agreement.

“My father is doing this interview to show everyone that he's fine.”

“But you told me he’s not fine.”

“I know. That's why I said this is a secret—”

“Oh. I see, but why would he lie about it?”

It’s an obvious question to ask.

“Because that’s who my father is.”

The difference between him and Molly is stark. As clear as night and day. Wrong and right. “If anything were to happen to him,” I continue, “he doesn't want the business to take a hit. The share price could dive …”

Father appears on the screen then, looking very made up and different.

“He doesn't look like that in real life,” Molly notes. “He's almost smiling.”