Page 15 of Amadeo
I actually laughed at this. “Those are two different subjects, Mama. One means non-maleficence and the other is being sanctimonious. But if you judged these male doctors' souls by their egos? They would all be in purgatory.”
Her laughter rang over the cell.
I smiled. There, I got her to laugh at least.
“I will let you go now,” she said. “But do try to have some fun? You are still young enough to do that. Ti amo, piccola.”I love you, baby girl.
Click.She had ended the call. The woman was so funny as she insisted on being the one to hang up. It was a funny quirk of hers. If she never allowed them to say goodbye, then it would never beagoodbye. She would see them again. Talk to them again.
Shaking my head, I tapped the cell screen then set my phone down. What would she think if she knew where I wasright at this moment? I shuddered. Or my father? If he knew, he would probably hate me. I hoped he would never know. For one, hate had almost destroyed the man he was. I know he wouldn’t understand. I didn’t either. They pegged me to come here simply because of my specialty. Magnelli said I should do this. Which was his way of saying I’dbetterdo it. And he gave me that bonus. Should I feel shame in accepting it? No. My parents were in huge debt. And with my father’s treatment, it was only getting larger.
Then there was the absolute downright, unbelievable irony. Stephano Descalia had also given me a huge check. He then made a deal with me that I had no choice in. I inwardly rolled my eyes at the absolute irony. Getting paidbythe Descalias. After everything that happened to us, the Ribisis. They should pay. But maybe in blood and not money. I clenched my fists. Then I realized I was so rigid with rage that I might break myself. I let go of it and released a long breath of air. I wondered if I would find the truth here. That had been the real reason I didn’t totally object to coming here with Deacon Walker as my patient. If I knew what had happened back then. Therealtruth…Maybe I could move on too.
I was always praying for my parents to be able to do that. Yet, I wasn’t moving on either. Not really.
Again, the day appeared in my head. I’d relived it a hundred times. After ten days in Milan, I actually got bored. My sister had gone off to again meet with her boyfriend. Damn, she had been in love and our vacation had changed. Of this there had been no doubt. The falling in love part and the change in plans. I sat in an outside cafe, waiting for her. The sun shone above us as she came to the table and looked happier than I had ever seen her. She showed me the ring on her finger, telling me that he had asked her to marry him. It was the best day of her life.
A tear threatened my eye as the memory glowed in my mind. I couldn’t deal with it right now. I pushed it away. Besides, it wasn’t healthy. I would have to join my papa in Larkspur if I wasn’t careful.
I stood from the bed and went over to the closet. It looked funny in here as there were five outfits hanging in a closet meant for at least thirty-five. Three pairs of shoes sat in a space meant to hold thirty pairs. I shrugged and bent down to grab my red pumps. I didn’t own that many anyway. The red shoes made me pause. I slowly looked up to the outfits I had brought.
To one in particular.
Ella made it. I hadn’t worn it in forever. I paused to ask myself a dumbass question. Why did I bring it? Ok, so I knew why, I just didn’t want to admit it.
Again, stupid, stupid, stupid.
I grabbed it from the hanger before I changed my mind. It was such a cute dress and I really should wear it sometime rather than not at all. Again, I lied to myself. I knew– Amadeo wouldn’t be able to look anywhere else except at me– in this dress.
Another twist of fate that would be too. Him staring at me while I wore a dress that Ella had made.
I got changed and paused to look into the mirror. I took out my favorite lipstick and traced it across my lips. Deep red. Just like the dress. I knew what I was doing. I intended to use my wiles to get the truth. I didn’t deny it. Not to myself. Being here had to be fate. There was no other explanation. I was supposed to do this, supposed to be here. To find the truth. I believed this today more than ever.
I stepped out into the hall to head to dinner. To sit down right next to the man that wrecked my family.
Chapter Seven:Purty
Amadeo
I changed into a long sleeved dress shirt and casual dockers. Our father required us to dress on point or abbastanza carino per la regalità…as he called it,nice enough for royaltyas if we were going to see the Queen of England. I always laughed at this. When were we ever going to meet the Royals? Why dress in a suit every damn day? This was as close as I would get while at home and I would bet he was gonna say something to me about it too.
I arrived in the dining room and looked around. Was I nervous? Yes, I was astonished when Dr. Ribisi said yes. Damn, it wasn’t a real date but it sure as hell felt like one. Also, why did I feel so happy and excited? She still disliked me if the look in her eyes was any indication. Maybe it was like she’d said. She didn’t want to be here. I wondered about this. Why did she accept the job then? Or the duty? Then again, all I seemed to do was wonder about this woman. The secrets in her eyes. That was why.
“You sure look slick, brother.”
Turning my head, I stared at Luca. “Slick?”
Nodding, he chuckled. “No tie or jacket but you look shiny and you sure smell PURTY.”
I scoffed. “I always smell good, brother. I think you're just jealous.”
He openly laughed at this. “Ok, ok, kid. Whatever you say.”
He had called me kid for as long as I could remember. So even though I hated it, I refused to let him bait me. Especially tonight. I intended to find some answers. I was also hoping toallow the good doctor to know me better and vice-versa. Then maybe we could move on from my confusion and her rage.
I looked up and saw her coming into the dining room. I had to swallow hard even as my mouth went entirely dry. I admit it, all I could do was stare. Wearing a deep crimson red dress that stopped just above her knees, along with red shoes. I could hear the song creep in, unbidden to my mind,I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight. I've never seen you shine so bright, mhm-hmm…The lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek.
My gaze rose up to see her face. Still no makeup and I loved that, just a touch of lipstick. I admit it, I stared at her lips for maybe thirty seconds too long and I got caught doing it.
