Page 74 of The Killer Cupcake
Meanwhile, Carmine had Janey sedated at the colored hospital, then sent home to Willa under guard. Kathy never said goodbye. How could she face her aunt now, knowing what madness and poison had wrought?
The constant pretending carved her hollow. By the second day, she felt nothing—not love, not hate, not even anger for the man she'd once built her world around. Just emptiness. And that terrified her more than anything. Because somewhere in that void, his child was growing, and she had no idea what to do about that either.
No choices left—just the performance.
"You ready?" Mabel's knock pulled her from the mirror.
The Douglass had become her sanctuary—Carmelo couldn't follow her into Mabel's domain. Kathy finished with her earrings and turned. "Yes, ma'am."
"Lord have mercy, you're something else. Every young man in this hotel's got his heart in his throat over you. Prettiest thing we've seen in ages."
Kathy studied her reflection. The lilac dress fit perfectly, sewn with her own hands for this night. Her hair was pinned just so. But it was all mechanical now—a doll dressing itself.
"You sure you want this, Carmine, taking you to the bus station so late at night? My boys would be happy to?—.”
"No, ma'am. Carmine and I have an understanding." She collected her bag, the smile automatic now. "It's time I went home."
Mabel studied her with those knowing eyes. "You're something remarkable. Know that?"
Kathy waited.
"When you first came here, I thought you were just another broken girl. Then I heard the whole story—how that boy lied, how you lost everything. Except..." Her gaze dropped meaningfully to Kathy's middle. "You're carrying his child, aren't you?"
Kathy stood perfectly still. If she acknowledged it, if she said the words aloud, the careful everything she'd built around herself would crumble.
"No judgment here, sweetie. Just admiring your strength. Not many could handle all this with such grace."
"One day at a time." Kathy's voice came from somewhere far away. "I've been on my own since Daddy sent me from Harlem. Guess me and this baby will figure it out together."
Mabel's smile was soft with understanding. She took Kathy's bag, and together they headed for whatever came next.
"Alright.You got this. We got this!" Matteo's hands worked Carmelo's shoulders, kneading the muscle like their mother used to when they were boys—before everything went to hell. Carmelo bounced on his toes, shadowboxing the air.
"You ready, Champ?” Matteo asked.
“Yeah, tell them I’m ready,” he said. Matteo patted him on the back and started for the door.
"Wait—one thing,” said Carmelo.
Matteo's hand was already on the door when Carmelo's voice pulled him back. Something in his brother's tone—too bright, too eager—made his stomach twist.
"What is it?" Matteo asked.
"After the fight, you bring Kathy straight to me." Carmelo's eyes shone with the kind of desperate hope Matteo hadn't seen since they were kids planning to run away from Pa. "I told her last night at the party—we're leaving.Subito.Right after the bell."
"Melo—?”
"Going west,fratello. Not telling anyone where, but when you make it to Vegas, I’ll know. Kathy and I will find you and Debbie. Just like we planned.” He threw a quick combination of air punches, dancing around, and grinning. "Like starting over, you know? Clean slate. New life."
"Listen, brother—" Matteo started.
"No, no,ascolta—listen to me." Carmelo grabbed Matteo's shoulders now, reversing their positions. "I almost lost her. You understand? If she'd heard about Maria from someone else, if she'd found out about—" His voice cracked. "I can't risk it again. Can't lose her. Ever."
Matteo's chest tightened. Kathy already knew. Had known for two days. Every smile she'd given Carmelo, every kiss—all performance. And here was his little brother, planning their escape like she hadn't already bought her bus ticket home.
"What about Maria? The bambini?" The words came out strangled.
"Pa's problem." Carmelo turned back to the mirror, adjusting his robe. "He wanted those kids and that marriage; he can deal with it."
