Page 152 of Vita Mia

“Then what do you have to tell me? And why are you crying?”

“I’m crying because I’m so happy you are my angel. God really has blessed me. I love you so much,” Mirabella kissed her brow. “And I’m sad too.”

“Is it Papa? Did something bad happen to him?”

“No. Papa is fine. He’ll be coming home soon. I promise.”

“Then what else is there?”

“I’m going to miss you.”

“Why?”

“I’m sending you and your brothers and sister to Zia Catalina. To stay for a while. And guess what? You can go back to school. Isn’t that good news?”

“No mummy. It’s not. You need us.”

“Eve—.”

“You need us. Papa is in trouble. I hear the men talk. I know it. And you’re alone. I remember when he was sick how sad you were being alone. I protected you. Remember?”

Mirabella wept. Eve stroked her hair. She held her mother in the nurturing way Mirabella often held her. She stroked her hair and sung the nursery rhyme her father taught her about fireflies. “It’s okay mummy. I don’t need school. I can take care of the kids, and I’ll take care of you too.”

Mirabella lifted her head from Eve’s lap. She shook her head sadly. “No baby girl. It’s not your job. I want you to be happy. To smile and play, and have friends. I need you to be happy again. Okay?”

“I can never be happy without Papa. And neither can you mum. We need him.”

“I know. I know. I will get Papa back. Trust me.”

“I do trust you,” Eve smiled.

Mirabella smiled. She kissed Eve’s tummy.

“Can mama sleep here with you tonight?”

“Yes,” Eve grinned. “Put on your night time clothes.”

Mirabella eased out of bed and removed her dress and the gun strapped to her inner thigh. Eve saw it but said nothing. Her mother slipped on a house dress and climbed in bed with her and she made sure there was room.

“Where is Leeza?”

“With Martha tonight. Sophia has Lola. She has a temperature.”

“Oh?” Mirabella yawned and scooted down so Eve could hold her. “I’ll get her to the doctor in the morning.”

“Don’t worry mum, Sophia called. He’ll be here to see her. You rest.”

“Thank you, Eve.”

“I love you. It’ll be okay.”

***

MIRABELLA WOKE LATE. It was Eve who shook her out of her peaceful slumber.

“You have a phone call. Nico said it’s important that you take it?”

“Oh? What time is it?” she sat up remembering that she had to be ready for pickup to go to the airport by 12. She checked her watch and saw it was only nine in the morning. Not too late. She accepted the phone from Eve.

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