Page 114 of Capo

Thirty-Four

Chloe

I call Charlie. I have nowhere else to go except to a hotel, but maybe I won’t have any money come morning.

There’s Kerry, but I don’t know if Christian is with her and I can not stay under the same roof as him. Gayle and Rebecca don’t even know that I’m alive. They must think I left without a word. I’ll try to pick up those pieces one day, but showing up at either of their homes in the middle of the night, trying to explain my sudden reappearance… I can’t do it.

“Sis?”

“Are you awake?”

“Sure.” There’s music, voices and laughter.

“Are you having a party?”

“It’s Saturday, dude.”

“Can I come over?” My voice breaks on the last word.

“Hang on, I can barely hear you.” The background noises disappear. “I’m in the staircase. Something wrong?”

I inhale on a sob. “I need a place to stay.”

“Of course. Mi casa es su casa. You’re not with the man anymore?”

“I… don’t think so.”

“Shit. Fuck, I’m high as a bat. Know what, I’ll kick everybody out. You on your way?”

“Yes,” I sniffle.

“Good, good. Just ping when you’re outside. I’ll come down and get you.”

“Thanks.”

Charlie and Chad come through for me like I’d never have expected. For the first time it’s not me taking care of them, but the other way around. They make sure I eat, that I get dressed in the morning, that I get a pinch of fresh air every day.

A week and one day after I left, I get a text. It’s Ivan.

I’m coming over with a key to your storage. All your things should be there.

It sends me into a new fit of sobs as I text him back that I’m home. I’m not home. I don’t have a home anymore.

I pace the hallway, waiting for his arrival, excited about seeing him. It will be like seeing a little sliver of Luciano. A tiny part of me hopes it is Luciano, but the rational side of my brain knows that won’t be the case. The knock almost has me flying through the roof. I pull open the door, out of breath. It is Ivan. I glance behind him. Alone.

“Come in.”

He holds up a key and a piece of paper. “This is for you.”

I take the items and clutch them in my suddenly sweaty hand. “Do you want some coffee?”

He doesn’t move. “It’s good to see you.”

I rake my hand through my hair as I chew on my lip. “How is he?”

“He’s not a man of many words.”

“But you know him better than anyone.”

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