Page 100 of Victorious Vice

I rise from my desk, shuffling a few papers around. “Thank you, Phyllis. I’ll be right out.”

I draw a deep breath, getting myself ready.

Inside, my guts are in turmoil. I feel like I need to run for ten miles to take the edge off. But there’s no time for that.

I look outside my office window into our backyard. The pool house stands in the distance, the sparkling blue water beckoning me.

About twenty-five laps would take the edge off too.

Maybe this evening.

I walk out of the office, down the hallway, and into the living area where my grandfather sits.

“Vincent,” he says.

“Mario,” I return.

“What the hell did I need to come all the way out here for?”

“It’s a fifteen-minute drive from your office, Mario. This wasn’t a hardship.”

“My own daughter’s house,” he says, looking around. “Paid for with my money. And you know I was hardly ever invited here.”

“I’m not surprised, given what I know now.”

He glares at me. “Family is family, Vincent. You’ll do well to remember that.”

“Will I?”

“You will. Blood is thicker than water, as they say.”

I laugh, shaking my head. I learned so much during that time I spent in the Buddhist temple in Tibet. One thing I’ll never forget is learning the true meaning of the old clichéblood is thicker than water.

“I agree,” I tell Mario. “Bloodisthicker than water. In the original meaning of the phrase, ‘blood’ refers to bonds formed by choice, such as those forged in friendship or battle, while ‘water’ refers to family ties, as in the amniotic fluid of the womb. Do you know what that means, Mario?”

“I know it’s bullshit,” he says.

“You’re short-sighted,” I tell him. “I learned the true meaning from the wisest man I’ve ever met. Bonds made by personal commitment or shared experience can be stronger than those formed by birth or family. And in my case, that’s certainly true.”

“Bullshit,” he says again.

I can’t help a smile. “Look it up. The first version is always the correct version.”

“So family means nothing then?”

“Family can mean everything,” I tell him. “But when you treat your family the way you’ve treated them, Mario, family hasnomeaning.”

He sniffs. “I’m not going to justify myself to you or anyone else. I’m over eighty years old. Now what the hell am I doing here?”

“Fair question.” I nod toward the stairway. “Follow me.”

Once we walk up the stairway, I head toward the room where Serena is staying. I knock on the door.

Renée opens it. “Yes, Mr. Gallo?”

“Is she doing all right?”

“Yes. She’s resting. She enjoyed her snack.”

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