Page 111 of Always You
I exhale and look up at Nana.
“I haven’t spoken to him about all this Nana. I went to his house and found, Samantha, the one he was engaged to. She said, they’re back together, and she’s the one who handed the report to me. I don’t want to talk to him. He’s been trying to call me. I told him we can only talk about Dante right now.”
Her hand rests on my shoulder with a soft squeeze. “I’m sorry, honey.”
Tears strain my eyes and Nana envelops me in a hug.
“I’m shocked it was Rachel who killed my son. But I want to ask, did he tell you he was back with this woman?”
“No, he didn’t. He had been acting strange since before Thanksgiving. He kept saying it was because of work. So, I left it as that. Then, when all this happened, it made sense. He’s back with her and he knew about all this, but didn’t tell me.” I sigh as I rest my head on Nana.
She rubs the palms of her hands on my back motherly. Nana is the only mother I know. I love her so much. She’s my rock, the woman who helped raise me.
“I find it hard to believe he’s with her. On Thanksgiving, he looked at you like you were his world, just like your grandfather looked at me. I despise his mother. She was evil always with you and now we know she killed my baby boy. We have justice for my Leo. Mila, I really think you need to talk to Dominic. He is the father of your son. Hear him out, and if you feel like he had a part or don’t feel it, then it’s your decision. And if he chooses to be with this woman, it’s his loss.”
I sigh, relieving a knot, pouring a second cup of coffee.
“I know, Nana. I think I’m just scared of what I’m going to hear. I love him. I’ve always had. I don’t want to face the fact he’s with her or he knew what his mother had done all along. I’m just confused.”
She kisses my cheek. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out, you're strong and smart. Honestly, I don’t see him having any part of this, honey. I strongly believe it.”
* * *
With a clunk of the skates, we unsteadily make our way onto the ice, Dante holding onto my arm. He is a natural at ice skating, gliding across the rink, while I do my best to stay upright without falling on my butt. As we spin around in circles, a flurry of soft snowflakes begins to fall from the sky, like delicate jewels glistening in the sun. Dante sticks out his tongue and laughs as each snowflake melts on his skin. As it gets colder, we know our time is short, and the snow would make it harder to drive home, so we skate a few more laps before reluctantly leaving the rink.
It’s New Year’s Eve today, and the streets get busy, snow or not. Everyone’s out in Time’s Square celebrating. Nana is heading to her friend’s tonight, and Uncle Roger is out with his girlfriend, ringing in the New Year. I’ll stay home with Dante while he sleeps. And watch the countdown with a glass of wine—my phone buzzes. Our Uber is here to take us back to Uncle Roger’s house.
I notice a couple of missed calls from Dominic and a voicemail. I haven’t listened to them. Since I arrived in Manhattan, I’ve turned my cell off. I’m drained, not ready to face him yet.
“That was fun, Mom, I love skating.”
“Me too, baby.”
“I wish Daddy was here. He would love it. I could teach him how to skate.”
I rub a hand on my heart, sadness invades my broken heart.
“Me too, baby, me too.”
Three hours until the ball drops and I’m on my third glass of wine, but who’s counting? Dante passed out in his bed. It’s an overly large house with five bedrooms, so we all had our own rooms, a beautiful brick house with a basement. I’m not feeling it tonight. Turning the T.V. off, I turn on the radio,Fingers Crossedby Laura Spencer plays.
Ugh, great, of course, they play break-up songs on New Year’s Eve, damn them. Just how I want to bring in the New Year. I take a swig of wine straight from the bottle, fuck it. I’m sure the asshole is bringing in the New Year with her. Fuck, I hate you… no, I love you… No, no, no.
“I want all the tears back I cried. All you did was prove me wrong. When you said, you loved me, while you must have had your fingers crossed.”
Ugh, I sing the verse to the song in annoyance. Fuck you, Dominic, and your stupid snobby bitch, you—lying douchebag.
The doorbell rings. Opening the door, I am surprised to see Dominic standing there, looking as handsome as ever. My chest tightens and butterflies flutter in my stomach. It's almost as if I imagined him into existence, I said his name and he appears at my doorstep.
Okay, Mila, you’ve had way too much wine, you’re hallucinating.
My eyes flicker at his appearance: he’s wearing a hoodie, not something you wear in this harsh weather, dark circles around his eyes. A backpack swung on his back; his hand wrapped in bandages. His eyelashes flutter as the snowflakes stick to them. I frown. What is he doing here? I finally manage to get a word out.
“What are you doing here?”
He shivers in the cold. “Baby,” he softly whispers.
“What are you doing here, Dominic?” I repeat. My chest tightens, and a ball of nerves erupts in my stomach.
