Page 11 of Enzo

Dex mutters something like this being unbelievable.

“You have good fatherly instincts, Jett,” Mama says.

Jett's expression softens and he thanks her for the compliment. The conversation moves on. Almost. Because nobody mentions the enormous elephant in the room. Nobody talks about the fact that Father has seen all of us together and about to share a family meal without him.

Like this is what we've always done.

Like this is what a family looks like.

These get-togethers at Mama's place have been healing. I sense that it's not only me who feels this way, not only Rio and Matteo either. It’s been good for the others.

Dex still cracks jokes, but he's so respectful around Mama. Jett surprises me the most. He warms to Mama in a way I never expected. He's always offering to carry things for her or help her in the kitchen, and sometimes I wonder if, through Mama, he's getting a tiny piece of something he lost far too soon with his own mother.

And Zach is fond of her, too.

Coming here, we all get to have Mama all over again. Mama cooking for us, instead of us talking to her on a video call with thousands of miles separating us. Here, we all sit around a table, with Mama, my brothers and their partners, and little Brooke. And at every meal I look around the table at all the people who make up my family, and I feel such a precious sense of belonging.

I leave Mama's get-togethers not just with a full belly, but a full heart.

Finally, I make a stab at conversation. “So ...” I glance at everyone. “Are we going to talk about Father?”

Everyone looks at me.

“He's recovering well,” Matteo says.

Rio exhales loudly. “He sounds stronger.”

“He does,” Dex agrees.

“I suppose the doctors are happy with how the transplant's gone,” I say.

Soon we're talking about his recovery, his medication and ongoing medical needs. About how long before he's properly back on his feet.

Zach doesn’t say a word.

Mama looks around at all of us before finally speaking.”I love that you are all here, and I need you all to understand that your father not being here is not your doing.”

I glance around at everyone. Jett looks like he wants to say something, but he's holding back. Dex, too.

Everyone is quiet.

Mama smiles at Brooke, before clasping her hands together. “I'm leaving for Soave soon, but I wanted to have this one final meal, for now. I will be back,” she assures us, looking at us one by one and smiling. “It makes me truly happy to see all of you sitting around the table together.”

Murmurs of appreciation go around the table. People thank her for saying such lovely words, for reminding us of who we are.

Of helping to bring us all together. I hear echoes of the guilt I sense she still carries some guilt for Aurora. Everyone starts helping themselves to the food spread across the table.

“Mama,” I place my hand over hers. “You did this.” I glance around the table. “You.”

She smiles.

We start to fill our plates, but I can't help but think of Father. He has all the riches and success, yet he's recovering from surgery alone in that glittering penthouse tower that overlooks the Manhattan skyline.

He has all the wealth in the world, and yet he's the poorest man I know.

Chapter 3

ENZO