Page 108 of DeLucas After Dark

I looked down at the mobile in my lap. It was a gift from Enzo DeLuca, wishing me luck on the baby. It felt like an omen. A gift to wish me well. I held stock in the promise of something fruitful and hoped like hell that it wasn’t too late to make this right.

BENIAMINO

Iknocked on the door of Mrs. Flowers’ home. When she peeked out to see me, she took her time to open the door.

“What are you doing here?” She asked.

“I came to talk. Mind if I come in?”

“I do, but I don’t want everybody in my business.” She sighed.

I entered, and we sat down in her living room to chat.

“Listen, you’re right. Mr. Flowers did die at the hands of my family. I had no idea who he was, or that he was bridging the gap in both of our families. I can’t go back in time and make it all go away. I can say that I’m sorry that any of this happened.”

“That’s supposed to make it better?” She scoffed.

“No. I wanted to apologize and to also let you know that I’ve taken care of your problem.”

“What problem?” she asked skeptically.

“Seems that my father isn’t the only mob family that your husband approached. You’re still paying them and they’re harassing you about more money. I put an end to all that. They won’t be coming around here asking you for anything. You’re square, settled as long as you don’t go looking for more.”

“I don’t need you sticking your nose in my business.” She defended.

“Simone would never forgive me if she knew that her mother was in too much over her head. Your husband’s death only shifted his debt over to you. Cecil verified that for me. They planned to kill you when they came back. Now, you don’t have to worry about that.”

“This doesn’t change what happened. I’m still not allowing you to marry my daughter.” She stated.

Standing up, I knew this conversation was over. “You’re right, it doesn’t change the past. You told me when we sat right here in this room that you’d respect her decision. I’ll tell her myself when I get home. If she wants no part of me, then I’ll walk away willingly. If she does, you’ll have to keep your word. No disrespect, but I can’t allow this to hold me back from happiness. I love Simone and this drama between our parents has tainted that. I’ve allowed it to keep me away from the best part of me. Your daughter.”

I walked out of her house without waiting for a response from her. It wasn’t up to her whether or not Simone became my wife. I wished that things could have been done differently, but I had to deal with the hand that I was dealt. Facing Simone was the next step, and I had more than a little making up to do to her. The distance between us was about to dissolve.

* * *

Walking into our home, I found Simone sitting in the middle of the floor, going through a box. Stunned stupid by her beauty and how much I missed her, I stood watching her before I made my presence known.

“My mother wants you to call her.” She said.

“When did she tell you that?” I asked.

“About ten minutes ago. She called to see if you were here yet. I guess you stopped at her house on your way here?” Simone looked up at me. “What kind of game are you playing at?”

I was about to answer her question when her phone rang.

She sighed. “It’s my mother again.” She answered the call with more than a little annoyance in her tone. “Yes, mother?” She looked up at me again. “My mother wants you.”

I took the phone from her and waited for me to talk. “Hello, Mrs. Flowers.”

“There’s no need to tell Simone about any of this. I’ve always wanted to keep her so far away from all this.”

“You have. There's no need to doubt yourself now.”

“I called Cecil to see if you were telling me the truth. Turns out that you are. My debt has been wiped clean and I’m free to live my life.”

“That’s good for you. I’m glad it worked out.”

“I wanted to say thank you.” She responded. “And that I won’t stand in the way of the two of you getting married.”

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