Page 8 of The Vincinti's 1
Chapter Five
Leon and Calderonestepped outside.
Leon took in the scene in front of him and he heard her remark.He motioned the guard away from the two of them.Then he walked slowly down the stairs.
The young woman stood up and moved toward the kid without touching him then she looked up at Leon.“Mr.Vincinti, my name is Rowen Caldousce and this is my little brother Calli.He’s a little nervous right now, that’s why we stopped.”
Leon stared at her and nodded, then he looked over at Calli and said, “There is no reason to be afraid, young man.I don’t bite.”
“I’m sorry sir, but Calli doesn’t like to be touched,” Rowen explained.“He has Autism and that’s one of his quirks.We left our father’s house a little while ago and he insisted we come here.I think he has something he wants to show you, he’s just too afraid right now to do it.”
Leon leaned over to look into Calli's eyes and he could see the boy’s terror.“Young Calli, please don’t be afraid of me.I’m not such a bad guy.”
Just then, a dog raced around the corner of the house and a young woman chased after him.The woman stopped and watched as the dog came up to Calli and Rowen.
“Meena, call off the dog,” Calderone shouted out sharply.
“Cheri, come here girl,” Meena called out.
The dog stopped but she didn’t go to Meena, instead she carefully walked toward Calli.The dog stopped and stared at the boy then moved toward him slowly again.
Calli didn’t move but he watched as the dog came closer.Then he seemed to relax as he simply stared at the animal, not in terror but in awe.
The dog, Cheri stretched her neck out to sniff him and Calli let her.Then Calli reached out his hand and Cheri sniffed his fingers then licked them.
Rowen gasped softly and her own eyes widened.
Calli knelt as he slowly raised his hand to stroke the animal and Cheri allowed it.
Meena gingerly moved towards the small group.“I’m sorry, Cheri got away from me.”
“Please don’t be mad,” Rowen begged them.“I’m so sorry but this is spectacular.Please don’t be mad at the dog.”
Leon looked at her and asked, “But what does this mean?”
Rowen had tears in her eyes as she watched the first contact Calli had with anyone other than their mother when he was a baby.“Calli can’t bear anyone touching him.This is the first time he’s willingly touched anyone, even me.”
Leon’s eyes widened at this startling news while staring at Calli and shook his head.Then he looked back at Rowen and asked her, “You sent me a message this morning, didn’t you?A warning about a threat against me.”
Rowen nodded but couldn’t take her eyes off her brother, finally she tore her eyes away from Calli and looked at Leon.“Yes I did, I’m glad you got it.But Calli has something to show you on his computer and that’s why I came back.”
“Can you and Calli show me then?”Leon asked.
Calli listened then he let go of the dog and he got to his feet.He patted the laptop and nodded.He looked down at the dog and took a step toward Rowen.
The dog stepped closer to him again.
Calli’s eyes brightened and he almost looked pleased.
Rowen saw the pleasure in her brother’s eyes and not the fear he always had when he was home.She wanted to hug him but she didn’t dare.She looked at her brother and asked, “Are you ready?”
He nodded then patted his laptop.
