Page 155 of Crazed

A chill runs through my veins. I gape at Massimo, unable to speak. My vision turns blurry from my tears.

He continues, "I'm having your mother's casket transferred from Russia to here as well."

My mouth falls wider.

He adds, "I didn't order tombstones yet. I wanted you to pick them out."

Too many emotions fill me. I barely remember my mother or leaving Russia. All I ever knew was my father, but I know he fiercely loved my mother. He never dated anyone else to my knowledge. I heard him speaking to his best friend a few times about how much he missed her and hated how her grave was in Russia.

I glance between the dirt and Massimo, too shocked to put words together.

"Say something, dolce," he orders.

I finally choke out, "I-I don't know what to say!"

"Are you happy? Or upset? I can't tell," he confesses.

I toss my arms around him and squeeze him, sobbing, "So happy! I-I don't deserve you!"

He embraces me tightly, muttering, "I'm glad you like it."

When I retreat from him, I look back at the empty dirt.

My father is there.

My mother will be here soon.

How is this possible?

A fresh set of tears fall. "Thank you," I restate.

Massimo kisses the top of my head. "You don't need to thank me."

"Yes! I do!" I insist.

We spend a few more minutes at the graves, then he asks, "Do you want to go pick out the tombstones?"

I nod, choking up again about having my parents buried next to each other.

Massimo leads me to the SUV, and we drive to a nearby building. He guides me inside, and a bald older man greets us.

"Good morning, Mr. Marino. I assume this is your wife you told me about?" He holds out his hand.

Massimo shakes it, answering, "Yes. This is Katiya."

"Mrs. Marino, what a pleasure. I'm Daniel, the monument mason here. I can design and create anything you want. Your husband tells me you're looking for a headstone for your parents?"

"Yes," I reply.

"Great. I take it you've never had to do this before?"

I shake my head. "No, I haven't."

"Okay. So, the trick is to not be intimidated."

A nervous laugh escapes me. "Sounds easy."

He grins. "That's the spirit." His face turns serious. "Let me show you how we categorize things. It'll make the process easier."

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