Page 154 of Enzo

“What is it Mama?”

“I ... I didn't think of how difficult it would be for you, tesoro.” She swallows, her attention on table, as if she's working something out in her head.

“Mama, it's okay.”

“It's not okay.” She shakes her head, disagreeing. “I .. I didn't think about it at all.” She runs a hand over her hair. “I thought you'd forget about it, and now I see that you carried this burden for far too long. A burden I placed on you.”

“No, Ma. It's ... it's okay. He hurt you more.”

“I would rather the pain have been mine only. I'm sorry, tesoro.”

Enzo gets up and goes over to her, lifting her to standing as he wraps his arms around her.

She looks up at him. “You asked me once if what you did was bad. I should have answered you, but I couldn't because I was so broken. I'm sorry. What you did wasn't bad. You were a child, innocent and pure. You have a good heart, Enzo. A beautiful heart.” She hugs him, pressing her face against his chest.

“No more, Mama. No more thinking about the past. No more holding onto secrets. I told Father I showed you the photo. He wasn't pleased.”

“I am sure that's an understatement.” Isabella sighs. “But he knows. It was about time he did.”

Isabella wipes at edges of her eyes and looks at me. “I'm sorry. I didn't intend for your first visit here to be so ... full of emotion.”

“I feel like I'm in the way.”

“Never. Enzo hardly ever brings anyone home to meet me, so I know that you are very special to him.”

My heart gives a ridiculous little squeeze.

“I'm sorry that you had to leave your home, Mama. I'm angry that the media hounded you out.”

Isabella waves her hand dismissively. “I'm not too sorry. I love being with my boys.”

“Enough to want to live here?” he asks, trepidation in his voice.

“Enough to spend a month here, every now and then, perhaps.”

“Good, Mama. That makes me very happy.” Then, he pauses. “There’s something else Mama.”

I catch the hesitation in his mother’s expression.

“I'm going to do a press conference.”

Isabella’s eyes widen. “For what?”

He takes my hand again. “For Molly. What's happened to her isn't fair.”

A shiver darts through me. “Enzo, no. You don’t need to.”

He hates the media. The thought of him speaking out publicly on my behalf makes me feel ill. I can’t have him do that. He turns to his mother who hasn’t said a word.

“I couldn't speak out then. I was a child, but I’m not a child anymore. What's happening to Molly isn't fair and I can do something about that.”

She looks at him for a long moment. “Whatever you decide, tesoro, you have my support.”

I put a hand on his thigh. “It’s really not necessary.”

“I need to, Molly. Please let me.”

I hear the plea in his voice, and recognize that this is something important to him. My concern for him isn’t as important as his desire to face the press and put things straight.