Page 121 of Vita Mia

“Okay?”

When she approached Jilly, she paused. The look on her daughter’s face alarmed her. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s Mirabella Battaglia.”

Shae’s smile faded. If she had something in her hand she would have dropped it. She stared at the phone as if it were a serpent. Jilly held it out to her. She tried to think of what to do, or say. If she hung up on the Battaglias what would that mean? She had dreaded a call from them after the news reported the arrest of Giovanni. Lucio pretended not to care, but she knew he did. This call was her greatest fear materialized.

“Mama?”

“Thank you honey. Go get Rolando and you two come down and eat. I’ll check on the kids.”

“But Ma?”

“It’s okay, everything’s fine,” she smiled. “I was expecting this call.”

Jilly walked out of the kitchen fast. Shae left right after. She went to the door that led to her back yard and slipped out of it. She let go a deep sigh and spoke. “Hello?”

“Hello Shae, it’s Mirabella.”

“Why are you calling here?” Shae demanded.

“I ah, I need you to deliver a message to Carlo.”

“Well, I can’t. There is no Carlo. Remember? His name is Lucio now.”

“Shae—“

“Look lady we have done what you said. Carlo is dead. Lucio is all that’s left. He’s working, he’s happy. No drugs or alcohol. No more nightmares about his life with you people. He can’t help your husband get out of jail without joining him in a cell. He’s supposed to be dead for Christ sake! That was the bargain.”

“Tell him that Renaldo is dead. Tell him he needs to call me.”

Shae covered her mouth.

Mirabella held the line in silence giving her time to process the news. Eventually Shae was able to utter one word: “Dead?”

“Yes. It’s very important that he calls me back. Can I leave my number?”

“No!” Shae hung up on her. Shae held her breath expecting it to ring. Expecting that Mafia woman to call and threaten her. But nothing happened. After a moment of reflection, she went back in the house. Jilly and Rolando were at the kitchen table arguing over who drank the last of the milk. Jewel came walking in with her toy. Baby Carmine wasn’t with them. Shae went up the stairs in a hurry and the kids didn’t notice. She entered the room to the sounds of her baby laughing as Lucio did his pirate voice in the shower with him. She found them together and she tried to remember the bitter sullen man she’d met years ago in Italy. He was gone.

Wasn’t he?

Lucio stepped out of the shower. He held Carmine in his arms as their son bucked back and forth in an effort to continue to play with his father. Lucio wrapped a towel around his waist and then wrapped Carmine in a towel.

“And there’s mama!” Lucio said. He handed the wet baby to his wife and dropped his towel. Shae shook her head smiling. Carmine sucked his fist and peed all over her shirt.

“Carmine!” Shae squealed. She grabbed the towel and covered him quickly.

“Good boy,” Lucio chuckled.

“Not funny, did you teach him that?” Shae laughed.

“We practice our aim in the shower. He wanted to save his for mommy.”

“Cute.”

She grabbed a diaper and lay her son on the bed. He pulled his foot up to his mouth. She smiled at how happy and beautiful he was. The bond between him and her husband was something that grew stronger every day. Lucio was always in Papa’s arms. He adored Jewel, but Shae could see his pride in having a son. They agreed to tell Carmine about Adara. Shae had pictures of her and some of her things in a locked chest. She wanted him to know the sacrifice his mother made for him.

“I will be late for dinner,” he said and pulled up some boxers.

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