Page 69 of A Valentino Reunion

“Gee, thanks,” I say.

“I mean it. I get that you’re going to be upset, and I know I’m going to cause you a lot of pain. I wish I could prevent that from happening. I really do. But this is out of our control. Just promise me that you will grieve, and then continue living like you are now. I need you to watch over my girls. Over my grandchildren. I need you to be there for Bray too. He’s putting up a strong front with everyone watching, but he’s really struggling, Holly,” Reilly says.

“Of course, I will be there for them, Rye. You know, T’s retiring and I thought we could come stay in Sydney for a while.”

“T’s retiring? How exactly does a mob boss retire?” Reilly laughs.

“Theo’s taking over. There’s going to be a whole ceremony and everything this weekend.”

“Oh, do we get to watch?”

“No, we’re not invited. Some old-time ritual, made members only,” I tell her.

“What happens at these ceremonies?”

“No idea. It’s not spoken about.”

“Huh, so your son is going to be the boss. Wonder if I can pull some favors now that my nephew’s running the show?”

“Reilly, you’ve been pulling favors from T for forever. How is Theo taking over any different?” I laugh.

“It just is. Theo is my blood. T is just associated through marriage,” she says. “Do you really think your husband is going to be able to back off, though?”

“He says he’s ready.” I don’t know if he’ll ever really back off. He’s always going to look out for our sons. Family is everything to us.

Reilly looks off into the distance before turning back to me. “Do you believe there’s an afterlife? I mean, I’ve always talked to Dylan, and sometimes I swear I can feel him. But do you think I’m actually going to see him again soon?” Reilly asks me. Dylan is our older brother who died when we were just sixteen.

“I hope that there is. But I also worry about what that would mean for people like my husband… Will T and I get to live on together? Or are we destined to go to different places? Or am I just as bad as he is, because I turn a blind eye to everything, live off the luxury earned from a life of crime?”

“You are a good person, Holly. T is a good person too. Sometimes good people have to do bad things, like Dad did. That doesn’t mean you don’t get into heaven,” Reilly says.

“I hope you’re right. It would be great if Dylan could give us a sign, though. Let us know that he’s waiting for us,” I tell her, and just after the words leave my mouth, a little white bird lands on the pavers in front of us. It seems to look between me and my twin before fluttering away again.

“Well, if that isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is. Thanks, Dylan. See you soon, bro,” Reilly says, holding up her cocktail and toasting the sky.

I can’t help it. The tears come on like a tidal wave. “Reilly, I’m not ready. I can’t. I don’t want to lose you. We’re supposed to grow really old together. Sit in matching rocking chairs and gossip. We’re meant to be together.”

Reilly pushes to her feet and comes over to sit on my lounger. She wraps her arms around me. “I’m sorry,” she says.

“It’s not your fault. I’m sorry I can’t pretend better,” I admit.

“I know how you’re feeling. Even if you’re putting on a face, I feel it too,” she reminds me.

“I’m scared.”

“Of what?” she asks.

“Of not having you. I’m scared of being by myself.”

“I know,” she says, giving me comfort when it should be the other way around. “It’s going to be okay.”

“It’s not, Rye. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to lose you.” I cry harder.

“I know,” she says again. “I’m scared too.”

This has me sitting upright and wiping at my face. “What are you scared of?”

“I remember what it felt like when mom didn’t recognize us. I’m scared of not knowing who you all are. What it’s going to do to Bray when I can’t remember who he is… I don’t want to hurt any of you like that.”

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