Page 21 of Mob Princess

Except for those four days, we’ve texted every day. We’ve shared stories about our childhood, and I have plenty of happy ones to tell her. I’ll never tell her the ones about how my grandfather trained me to be a mobster. The things my dad had to watch my grandfather and uncle force me to do. The things my dad taught me. The physical training I endured to know exactly how to torture someone.

They say if you can explain something, then you really know it. My uncle and my mom’s cousin definitely knew plenty about coercion. They also say nothing teaches you better than firsthand experience. They’re right. My brothers, cousins, and I caught on right snappy. It only took a few broken fingers and arms, bruised ribs, and dislocated shoulders to get the hang of internalizing every emotion we have. We also learned fifty different ways to inflict the same injuries on others.

Besides remembering those days, my text conversations with Lina have been awesome. She’s hilarious and easy to talk to. We enjoy a lot of the same books and TV shows. We often dislike the same foods and discovered she’s way more adventurous than I am with new foods.

We’ve discussed philosophy, physics, linguistics, calculus—who knew that could be sexy—and tons of other things I’ve never bothered to talk about with women in my past. Hell, not even most of my friends.

Our conversations last for hours sometimes. I want to see her again, but she hasn’t hinted at wanting to see me. I have to imagine she does since we keep chatting. That or she loves having a pen pal.

We’ve shared some photos from vacations. Even the ones of her snowshoeing make me hard. I’ve jerked off to them as many times as I have ones of her in bikinis and sundresses. I’m ready to the climb the walls.

Me

My trip to Canada’s been postponed indefinitely. I’m going to miss the festivals.

Lina

That’s a bummer. You should go up just for the hell of it and enjoy yourself.

Me

I thought about it but it’s a long way to go for a day or two to see flowers.

Lina

Seize the opportunity. Take a weekend off and smell the roses or rather the tulips.

Me

Tempting. It’s been a few months since I’ve been anywhere besides DC.

I’m so fucking tempted to invite her to come with me.

Lina

I’m actually going to be in NYC tomorrow.

Was she testing the water with all of this before telling me? Was she not planning to tell me at all and just decided to?

Me

How long will you be in town?

Lina

I arrive tomorrow morning. The plan is to leave the day after tomorrow. But nothing’s set in stone. I was supposed to go right after the funeral. Things got moved around and delayed.

Me

I’d like to take you out.

To breakfast.

Lina

I’d like that. I have meetings at eleven and three. Other than that I’m free.

Me

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