Page 15 of Destiny

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But when I arrive at his house later that night, I’m surprised not to hear the normal screaming and playing inside.

“Where are Aurora and Alessia?”

“Their grandmother, Caroline, Clara’s mother, begged to take them out to dinner and ice cream.”

Oh, did she? Or was this your plan all along? My hopes are starting to get up again that maybe he has ulterior motives for this little dinner.

“That’s nice.”

“Yeah. She’s in the early stages of Parkinson’s, so she doesn’t always feel up to being around them. But when she does, I’m happy to drive the three of them downtown so they can walk around together.”

Well, now I feel like an asshole. This whiplash of different emotions is making me dizzy.

“So, you’ll have to go pick them up at some point?”

“Yeah. In a few hours. Or sooner if Caroline calls me.”

“Gotcha.”

As we’re eating the lasagna that he slightly overcooked, we hear the first few cracks of thunder.

“Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good.”

“No, it doesn’t. I better call Caroline. I’m so sorry.”

“That’s okay. Go ahead.”

He leaves but says he needs to go pick all of them up before it starts raining even harder.

“Sure, of course. I’ll just leave.”

“You don’t have to. Please, keep eating. I’ll be right back.”

I take him up on that offer and sit back down after I wrap his leftovers up and put them in the fridge.

Suddenly, the lights flicker off.

“Holy shit.” The storm must be more severe than either of us thought.

Nevertheless, I turn on the flashlight feature on my camera and search for candles. I find some and light them throughout the kitchen and living room.

Then, I get a call from Marco.

“There’s some flooding and a powerline down,” he explains.

“Oh, no.”

“So, I’m going to need to stick around to help.”

“Okay.”

“Please just stay at my place where you are safe. I know you don’t live far. But it’s really crazy out here. Promise?”

His concern for my well-being really touches my heart.

“I promise.”

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