Page 7 of Divine Obsession

Chapter 2

The Bronx, New York City

4 years old

HER HAND WAS COLD AGAINST mine, sending unsettling chills down my body. I didn’t know where we were going, but we were rushing; running. I stumbled over my feet, trying to keep up, but her grip on me was like steel.

It was early in the morning and people were rushing to work. I asked her once why she didn’t have a job, but I got slapped for not minding my business. The street was busy and I was so small, all I could see was knees and shoes. Grey suit trousers, black skirts, tights.

When I looked up, through the small space between people’s heads, a snowflake fell on my nose.

We stopped abruptly and I bumped into her legs.

“Watch where you’re going,” She hissed.

“Sorry, mamma.” I looked up at a big brown-stone building. We were no longer on the main street, but an alley. “Where are–”

A sharp strike against my cheek silenced me.

“What did I say about asking questions?”

I always asked too many questions.

She shook me so hard I bit my tongue. “Tell me. What did I say?”

“Don’t ask questions,” I mumbled with tears in my eyes.

“That’s right.” Pulling away, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of smokes. After struggling to flick the lighter on in the wind, a cloud formed around her face. “Now, listen. I got something I need to do. You’re going to stay here.”

I frowned. She never left me alone. She took me everywhere – bars, other people’s houses, the salon.

Something was wrong. I could feel it.

I knew not to ask questions but I couldn’t stop myself. “When will you come back?”

She was silent for a long time, only puffing on her cigarette. “I don’t know.”

“Will you come back before dark?”

I hated the dark.

When her cigarette finished, she lit another one. Her hands shook and twitched more than usual as I watched her bloodshot eyes. “I don’t know.”

“B– But… Mamma…”

“I have to go now.”

“Don’t leave me, mamma! Please!” Tears fell down my face. I didn’t know what was happening. Sheneverleft me alone.

When she leaned down, I thought it was to hit me.

Instead, I felt her arms surround me, warming me from the harsh winter. Mamma never hugged me. “I’ll come back for you,mia cara. I promise. Just wait for me.”

One kiss on my cheek.

Then she pulled away.

“Mamma…” My chest shook with sobs.

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