Page 2 of Tammaro DeLuca

“I do.” I paused, testing the next words out on my tongue. “We’re going to get married one day. I want you to be happy and I want to be the reason that every day is good because you feel good to me. You know?”

I felt like all of that was gibberish. Not sure if she understood what I meant.

“When it’s time, I’ll say yes.” She kissed my chest and curled her body into mine.

“Good.”

I wanted to say more, but my cell rang. I answered immediately when it said Papà’s name on the display screen.

“Pronto.” I answered.

“Dove sei?”

“I’m down at the pier.”

“Come to the hotel now.” He disconnected the line immediately after and I had a feeling it wouldn’t be good. His tone was hard, and my mother was shouting in the background.

I sat up immediately, and Yolanda moved aside. Her bedroom had a balcony that overlooked the beach. The moonlight was beautiful against her skin and the sound of the waves had been our background music as we made love. None of that mattered now that I was being summoned by my father. I had to do what was required of me. I knew nothing outside of my job, but when Papà was angry, you didn’t let that fester.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“Papà needs me. I have to go.” I hurried to get dressed, pulling off the condom right before pulling my pants up. It was torn in places, making it difficult to roll off. We realized much too late that it was the wrong size, smaller than I needed. We’d get it right next time. I got dressed in record time and kissed Yolanda a dozen times since I didn’t want to leave her.

“Call me later, Mar.”

“I will.” I kissed her once more and ran out the front door of her apartment. Her mom was at work, so I didn’t have to worry about being seen.

When I got to the hotel, the balloon in my chest deflated once I stepped into the room. Papà was packing things into Mamma’s suitcase. Someone had tossed the room, as if hoodlums had ransacked it. What was going on?

“Get your things ready to go. We’re leaving today.”

I searched the room with my eyes, looking for my mother, but then I heard muffled cries coming from the side of the bed. I followed the sounds to see my mother tucked in the corner, sniffling.

“Mamma?” I moved to get close to her, and she recoiled back like a scared animal. I squatted in front of her, and she tried to cower away. Not before I saw her face.

“Who did this to her?” I shouted.

Someone bruised Mamma’s face, and her lip had blood trickling from it.

“Boy, get your shit before I drop you in a gutter and make sure you starve.”

I moved to get in his face, but my mother’s hold on my arm pulled me back.

“Don’t make him angry, Tammaro. It’s okay.”

Was it? Because if he put his hands on her, he deserved to get his ass beat, too.

“We have to hurry. Your flight leaves in a little under two hours. You can’t miss it.”

We wouldn’t because most of our bags were at the door. Suddenly, two men came inside to carry our things down. I didn’t have long to survey the room before they hauled us out. Somewhere in the middle of it all, I must’ve dropped my phone, but I didn’t realize it until it was too late, and I was across the world at home.

I never got to tell Yolanda about what happened. With the phone being prepaid and something I’d grabbed while I was in the states, I had no way to reach out. I tried remembering the number, but none of my attempts were successful. Trust that I tried so many times that my mother complained about the bill.

My father didn’t come back with us. Many times, I overheard my mother on the phone begging for him to talk to her so they could see it through. It wasn’t until he came for a visit that I understood what was happening.

“Aila, I don’t care that you found out the truth. A wife in Florida, Italy, California or anywhere else won’t change a thing. This is my home, and you will continue to run it as so. Without the money I give you, there’s no way that you’ll ever succeed. That boy goes to a private school that you can’t afford on your own. At least now that you know, there’s no need to pretend anymore.” He sat down at the dinner table and waited for her to say something.

My mother stood there and listened, knowing he was right. I walked into the room, angry at how he’d used me as leverage with her.

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