Page 98 of Broken

Her gasp reminds me that I’m not alone. She squeezes my shoulder when, for the final time as a priest, I give the viaticum to a man who was forgotten by the many and who’ll be remembered by the few.

But I’ll remember.

And I’ll act, too.

As tears drip down my cheeks, I say farewell to that cheerful smile, praying Gianni finds peace in death like he never experienced in life.

CHAPTER 28

Andrea

The EMTs turn up their noses when they see Gianni. His stench is certainly memorable, but how they handle his body has me wanting to slap them.

One of them covers him with a blanket, tossing it over his small frame like he’s trash, while the other turns to Savio. “He has a gunshot wound. This is a crime scene, Father.”

As the EMTs talk to Savio, I shake my head at their lack of awareness. Can’t they see he’s in shock? And didn’t they notice the drug dealer sneaking out of the church?

Maybe they don’t care about the homeless in their city or the known criminals wandering the street, but my man does.

I want nothing more than to draw him into my arms. I don’t, though. He wants out of the Church, but I won’t have him resign in shame—I won’t advertise the fact he broke his vows.

Halfway through some spiel about staying put to be questioned by thecarabinieri,he rasps, “You should go inside, Andrea.”

Because I didn’t expect to be brought into the conversation, I still. “I can wait here, Father?—”

“You’re shivering,” he states, making me aware that I had his attention without even knowing it.

“I’ll be fine.”

He turns to me and, with it, draws the EMTs’ attention onto me too. “You are cold, unwell, and you need something to eat and drink. This was a disturbing morning all around. Please, go inside. I’ll be with you shortly.”

My protest dies before it hits my vocal cords—a warning flashes in his eyes, but it’s tempered with a gentle, barely-there smile.

Biting my lip, I nod and make a retreat.

Each step hurts. Distance between us… I hate it.

While I make myself a chamomile tea, I watch from his kitchen window as thecarabinierishow up and speak with Savio. He gets mad—twice. The veins in his temple bulge and the officers try and fail to placate him.

Whatever Gianni was to him, Savio grieves his passing, and as a result, I mourn Gianni too.

My cell buzzes, drawing my attention away from the scene outside the presbytery.

Seeing it’s Diana, relief hits me—the last thing I want is to be dealing with my parents on today of all days.

Diana: You okay?

Me: Yeah. You?

Diana: I’m fine.

Me: Good. I’ll TTYL. I’m a little busy :*

Diana: I want details.

Me: Lol. Talk later

When Savio walks toward the house, I can sense his anger, and I know what’s going to happen.

---