Page 51 of Unforgivable Ties

Fuck. Just like Stephanie didn’t know my last name, she also had no idea how old I was. I should have briefed her on more things before we came over here.

“Only twelve years,” I said quickly. “Not a big deal.”

When I said twelve years, I realized just how big of a gap it was. The age difference had never seemed significant when we were alone, but hearing the numbers aloud made them seem heavier.

Alessandra nodded thoughtfully, but I could tell she was skeptical. “Well, age is just a number, right?”

Before anyone could respond, a piercing wail filled the room. Alessandra quickly excused herself to go after Graham, leaving Stephanie and me alone with my mother.

For a moment, the room was filled with awkward silence before my mother broke it. “So, Stephanie,” she began, her eyes twinkling with the same curiosity I inherited from her. “Vincenzo hasn’t brought a girl home before...you must be really special.”

“It’s not like I come home often,” I interjected, to spare Stephanie from having to respond to my mother’s comment.

Stephanie gave me a soft smile, her fingers brushing against my hand ever so slightly. “I think Vincenzo is the special one,” she replied, her eyes revealing a certain fondness that I hadn’t seen before.

Fuck. She played the girlfriend role so well. I wouldn’t be able to guess this was fake if I was an outsider looking in. My mother seemed pleased by Stephanie’s response, and somehow, a wave of relief washed over me.

We continued to talk, my mother growing increasingly enchanted with Stephanie with every passing minute. There was an easy rapport between them, like two old friends catching up after years of being apart. The conversation flowed with a natural grace, covering everything from Stephanie’s medical studies to her upbringing in the suburbs of Wisconsin.

A timer went off, breaking our conversation.

“Ah, Vincenzo! Can you help me with the turkey?” my mom asked.

“Sure thing,” I said, standing up from the table and following her into the kitchen.

I helped her take the turkey out of the oven and as we bustled about the kitchen, she gave me a knowing look, one that had often meant I was in for a long lecture during my teenage years.

“She’s amazing, Vincenzo. Everything about her.” My mom sighed and stared down at the turkey. “But sometimes, love isn’t enough.”

She was referencing her and my father. My mother had loved him endlessly, enough to marry him knowing what he did for a living. I was sure it was hard for her, having him come back beaten and bruised from his dangerous dealings. But, as much as she hated it, she dealt with it for him.

Things changed when my sister and I came along. Suddenly, his dangerous job felt far too close to home. I remembered my mother begging him, pleading with him to leave it all behind for the sake of his family. But he was in too deep, and couldn’t leave the mafia behind.

But she stuck by him until the end. Until this lifestyle had led to his untimely death.

In a way, I bet she felt freed. She no longer had to worry about the danger that came along with having a mafioso husband. But I knew she also felt regret. She didn’t leave when I was young enough, and I had already gotten sucked into the lifestyle.

“Let’s just...not talk about it, Mom,” I muttered, poking at the turkey awkwardly. She gave me a small, sad smile and squeezed my hand before turning back to her work.

“The snow is really coming down, huh?” she said, changing our conversation back to small talk.

Dinner was a lively affair, filled with laughter and light-hearted banter. Stephanie slipped into our family’s dynamics as if she’d always been there, her laughter mingling with ours in a symphony of joy and warmth. The evening seemed to hum with a new, intoxicating energy that lingered even after we cleared the table and washed the dishes.

“Well, we have an eleven pm flight to catch,” I said to my mom. “And the drive is like an hour. I think Steph and I will head out soon.”

“I don’t think you’re going anywhere tonight,” she said, gesturing out the window.

The world outside had been transformed into a winter wonderland. Thick, fluffy flakes were still falling from the sky, blanketing everything in sight with a soft layer of white. The once visible roads were now hidden beneath a thick coat of snow, making it almost impossible for anyone to venture out.

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, gazing outside at the relentless snowfall.

“You’re welcome to stay the night,” my mom offered, her voice soft as she touched my arm.

I really didn’t want to spend the night. But we didn’t have any other options. I wasn’t risking Stephanie’s life trying to brave these conditions in a Honda Odyssey.

“Thank you,” Stephanie said to my mother.

“Graham and I will take the upstairs bedroom,” Alessandra said, walking towards the stairs. “Hopefully, there’s not too much snow in the morning.”

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