part0009

“WHERE ARE YOU?” CARLO fired up his cigarillo with the flick of his lighter. He took a long drag from it and let the smoke fill his lungs. He was good now. There were no more cravings for opium clawing from the inside of his chest. A little weed and tobacco mixed in with his alcohol had gotten him through it. Though he knew his addiction would never be cured, he had a strong mind. And in his mind he had to persevere. He listened to the phone tucked between his shoulder and his ear for a response.

“Via del Rione Sirignano,” Renaldo answered.

Carlo frowned. He flicked the ash from his cigarillo. “Why there? Isn’t that a little fancy for you?”

“Very funny,” Renaldo said.

Via del Rione Sirignano was where the expensive apartments in Naples protected the rich. Giovanni owned two. But enforcers like them weren’t allowed to have such extravagance. It would draw the attention of the authorities and make them vulnerable to their many enemies. They lived in the shadows. And by default so did their families.

“Seriously? Why are you in Naples instead of Sicily?” he asked his friend.

“The boss took Umberto and his crew. He sent me here to deal with our politician friend who hasn’t kept his promises about the upcoming vote.”

“Yes. Umberto,” Renaldo confirmed.

“Interessante . He’s at Giovanni side a lot now? Eh?” Carlo asked.

“He thinks he’s you,” Renaldo teased. “He’s really taken to the job. Handles all the new recruits.”

“I might need to remind him that he’s not me.”

“I have to go deal with this business. What did you want?”

Carlo liked the ease of talking to his friend on the mobile phones they now used. Advice was always a phone call away. “It’s Adara.”

“Yes, Kyra told me that you two have reconnected. She’s your lady again? What happened to ‘I’ll kill the bitch and spit on her Calderone grave’?” he mocked Carlo’s mean voice.

“Yeah, things change. And I never said... never mind what I said before.”

“It’s forgotten. What else do you need?” Renaldo asked.

Carlo shook his head. “I need to do this right. I went and visited Veno my jeweler.” Carlo put out the cigarillo and removed the ring he kept in a small black box in his pocket while smoke exhaled from his nostrils. “I don’t want my kid born a bastard. I’m going to marry her.”

“Why wouldn’t I be sure? She’s pregnant. She’s back and—.”

“She’s not the Pink Lady.”

Carlo nostrils flared. His jaw clenched. “Why mention her to me?”

“Because I know what Shae has done to you. And I know that Adara can’t replace her. Even if she is pregnant.”

“So you know Adara’s pregnant?”

“I’ve heard. Quite pregnant.”

“Shae, my Pink Lady, is gone. I’ve made peace with that.”

“Adara is here,” his voice rose above Renaldo’s question. “She’s always been here for me. She understands me. I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

“What do you need? My blessing? Do it.”

“Eh? I need a place for us, for her. I can’t have her sitting out here in my shit shack in the woods. I need a real place for my son. I’m thinking of asking Giovanni to run the Naples operation with the Tacchini’s. Getting permission to live in his villa in Via del Rione Sirignano.”

“He won’t allow that. Too visible,” Renaldo advised.

“I’ll take the legitimate business, step back. Umberto is his golden boy now. I’m thinking of just being an earner.”

Renaldo fell silent. Carlo understood his friend’s response to the news. Neither of them believed Carlo could ever survive retirement. He just wasn’t wired that way. But he’d try anything to protect his son.

“Say something,” Carlo said.

“It’s different here now, Carlo. We got the Russians and the Santoro’s. The Camorristi is different. Adara is probably safer in Sorrento. I wouldn’t move Kyra and the kids out here no matter how much I miss her.”

“I need Adara near me. After we’re married I’m moving her. I got to think of my son. Fuck. Look at what I did to my brothers. This has to be the better way.”

“My goose has just flown into the nest. I got to go.”

“Call me when the job is done. I need to know more about the Santoro’s and the Puglia clan. What Giovanni’s been up too?”

“Sure, but you’d get better answers from Domi. Gio tells us very little lately.”

“Ciao .” Carlo got up from the step he sat on and put the flip phone into his pocket. He went inside his home. “Adara?”

“In here!” she said.

Adara rinsed the razor in the sink. Shaving her armpits became harder and harder with her growing belly. She had all but given up on trimming the hair to her private area. Though last night Carlo had started touching her between her thighs while she slept. She prayed he didn’t want to have sex. She was uncomfortable in her skin and ashamed of her body. He walked around with an erection every morning so she knew the temptation was there.

“Where are you?”

“I said in here,” she called out again.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

Each day that passed the tension she felt between them thawed. He was hers again. He stood at the bathroom door watching her.

“I’m getting dressed. Do you mind?”

He looked her over and then snatched her towel away.

“You look nice,” he chuckled at her panicked state.

“Give it back.” She yanked on the towel and covered herself the best she could.

“What’s the fussing about?” he frowned. “I want to see my woman. It’s not a crime.”

“I like a fatty,” He tried to reach her sex, but she swatted his hand away.

“Come here,” he forced her to move in closer. She felt a tingle below over the wicked look of his dark desires in his eyes. Adara dropped her inhibitions and hugged him. The towel drifted to her feet below. She pressed her naked body to his and wished her belly didn’t keep her pelvis from brushing his groin.

“You smell nice,” he groaned.

“I just had a shower. You smell like smoke. Wish we could have shared one together.”

He laughed. She let him go. To see him smiling was a rare thing. She missed his humor. “You really are excited about the baby, aren’t you?”

“I told you. It’s the best gift any woman has ever given me,” Carlo confessed.

“You can thank me after we have late night feedings and you change your first nappie.” She tried to reach her robe behind the door. He took it off the hook and handed it to her. “Thank you,” she smiled. “Mirabella called. She’s been nice to me. She offered to refer her doctor to me, to make sure everything is okay with the baby.” Adara glanced back over her shoulder at him as she struggled to get her arm behind her and into the sleeve of her robe. “She suggested we do a tour of the hospital wing. There is a private nursing area that Mirabella said is preferred by most mothers.”

He stood there with a hand extended and the other behind his back. “What? What are you doing?”

“Waiting,” he said.

“For what?” she asked.

“For you to let me help you.”

Adara realized how silly she looked. She panted a bit out of breath and blushed. He took her sleeve and guided it to her arm. She slipped it inside and tied her robe. “Thank you.”

He walked her out of the bathroom, through his room to the front area of the villa. Young boys were just leaving after arriving and setting up vases of flowers. He had about six red roses for her. Carlo gave the kids some money. They smiled at Adara and left.

“The boys are back?”

“Is that okay?” Carlo asked. “It’s my thing. You know.”

She smiled. “I love those kids. I was sad when I came here and they were gone.” She looked again to the flowers. “What’s this?”

“Stand there,” he said and then he took a step back. Carlo got down on one knee. Adara’s heart couldn’t compete with her brain in that moment. She held her breath and watched as Carlo revealed a ring box from his pocket. Her heart nearly exploded in her chest with joy.

Carlo said something she didn’t hear. She didn’t hear anything but her own heartbeat. She’d never felt so much love and wonder in one moment. Marriage was the last thing she’d expected from him.

“Yes! Yes!” Adara shouted before he asked the question.

“I want to know...”

“I said yes!” she went to her knees with him. “Yes!”

Carlo shook his head in frustration. “Let me ask.”

“Go on. Ask!” Adara giggled.

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” she said. He laughed and put the ring on her finger. He helped her get to her feet.

“Good! We do it Friday. It’s all arranged.”

“Friday? That’s in two days?”

“I can’t... I don’t have anything... I don’t know what to wear and what—”

“It will be handed.” Carlo took her hand and put the ring on her finger. She stared down at the jewel.

“My son will be born legitimate.” He kissed her knuckles. “I swear to you cara, you will never regret this day. I will be the very best husband, because... I care, uh, deep... love, I love you.”

The profession didn’t come with the emotion that would normally follow. But when she looked into his eyes she knew there was truth there. Carlo did love her. She believed him. “I love you too Carlo.”

Adara went into his arms and embraced him. “I love you so much.”

Mirabella ran the zipper up Adara’s backside. Two days after she began the special project she finished. She smoothed her hands down the imported silk she’d used as fabric. The last time she worked fast on a dress was for Catalina’s wedding to Franco. She was very proud of her craftiness

“Carlo called me and explained that he wanted a proper wedding, a real one for you and his baby. I had enough time to prepare. I just finished the final touches this morning. I’m so lucky that it fits on the first try,” Mirabella replied.

“Lucky? This isn’t luck. You are blessed with a gift.”

“Thank you Adara. I’ve made a few wedding dresses for the women in the family so I’ve had practice.”

“But my size? How did you know?”

“One of his boys brought me a dress of yours for the correct size. And here you have it.”

“I never imagined a dress for me that could fit me at this stage in my pregnancy.”

“Fashion should be all about flattering curves, at least my fashion is.” Mirabella stepped back. It was then that Adara turned and looked at the Donna’s pregnant belly.

“How soon will it be before your baby comes?”

“It’s your fourth? Did you always want four kids?” Adara asked.

“My husband wants ten.” Mirabella laughed. “This is my miracle baby and our last. The doctors weren’t sure I could conceive again.” Mirabella winked. “Enough about me, I need to see you move in the dress. Walk for me.”

Adara stepped away from the mirror and walked across the room for Mirabella. The dress was very modest in design. A classic representation of Mirabella’s work. She’d chosen pearl white fabric that was as heavy as satin but soft and flattering like silk. The overlay of Chantilly lace added that touch of bridal elegance the dress needed. Mirabella made the bust line snug without exact measurements and gave the dress lowered sleeves that draped down and revealed a hint of Adara’s shoulders. Mirabella used pearls to add a trimmed band high above her waistline just under the crease of her breast. This caused the fabric to smoothly complement Adara’s belly. The dress went snug on Adara’s hips but spread out at the knee to a short train behind her.

“Donna Mirabella, can I ask you one more personal question?”

“Don Giovanni... he um, well, has being a father changed him. For the better?”

Mirabella looked up from her finishing touches on Adara’s veil. “Are you thinking this baby will change Carlo for the better?”

“I’m hoping. I don’t want Carlo to change, I know what he is. But I’m hoping that he can trust me not to feel that he has to be someone different.”

“I see,” Mirabella said.

“I’m sorry if my question is too personal.”

“Oh, it’s not. Fatherhood and changing behavior is the initial reaction. When Giovanni first met Eve it affected him. He talked about legitimizing the family a lot.”

“Leaving the Camorra? He did? And?” Adara asked.

“He had his sons, he had our family and things changed. Men don’t. Even if their hearts want them to. Who they are is always buried underneath.”

“Carlo has issues with trust. Sometimes I think Carlo pretends for me. I think he wants his Pink Lady,”

Mirabella glanced at her with concern.

Adar quickly masked her statement with a smile. “I want our marriage and our baby to free him. To give him peace not pain. He’s had enough pain.”

“He loves you. I can see it. Change can come in many forms. It does for me and Giovanni. We’ve become.... who our children need us to be. That’s what you should rely on,” Mirabella said.

“I suppose. I guess I can say it with you. Since you’ve been so helpful with me.”

“The Pink Lady?”

“Yes. Carlo has issues of trust because of that woman. He broke up with her before he met me. It hasn’t been that long since they parted. Did you know her?”

“The Pink Lady’s name is Shae?” Mirabella asked.

“Yes. Did you know her?”

“For a short time. I knew her,” Mirabella mumbled.

“She hurt him. And I think... I just feel like a part of him still loves her.”

Mirabella walked over to Adara and presented her veil. “Shae was a woman that Carlo needed at a time. That time is over. Trust me. Carlo is his own man. Baby or no baby, he would not walk into a church and commit before God if you were not the woman for him. You’re the lady he wants now.”

Mirabella raised the tiara covered in crystals that held the veil and crowned Adara. She stepped back and admired her beauty and youth. Her wedding day was one of the happiest in her life. She wished that same happiness for Carlo and his young bride.

The young woman eyes stretched in admiration. She touched the tiara and then the veil that flowed behind her shoulders. “It’s so delicate. It’s amazing. Bennisima! ”

“How about we finish your makeup?”

Mirabella and Adara glanced behind them. Arielle walked inside. Neither had heard the door open. Adara moved fast for a pregnant woman in a fishtail bridal gown. She went straight to her surrogate mother with so much happiness.

“Do you believe it? I can’t. I wanted this, I prayed about it. But I didn’t think... I didn’t think it could happen,” Adara gushed.

“I do believe it.” Arielle took her face and held it. “Let me get a good look at you. Oh my! This dress, it’s splendid. And you are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

Mirabella observed the women in respectful silence. Arielle, with her deep olive tan and trim figure wore a Chanel pink single breasted dress-suit that complimented her shapely hips and womanly figure. Mirabella felt the sting of jealousy painfully aware of her own disappearing figure. Giovanni’s sexual desire for her was now often spoken rather than shown due to her late stage in her pregnancy. It made her hormonal, her confidence ebbed and flowed around beautiful women.

“Grazie, Donna Mirabella . È meraviglioso, non credi anche tu? So beautiful for mia piccolina .” Arielle addressed Mirabella directly.

“I’ll leave you two, to get her ready. A little touch up on her makeup and she should be fine.”

“No!” Adara said. “Please stay. I want you both here. If that’s okay?”

Mirabella glanced to Arielle.

“It’s fine with me,” Arielle said with a formal smile. It took strength but Mirabella pushed down her dislike for the woman and nodded that she’d remain. It wasn’t only the fact Giovanni had a business relationship with a woman outside of their marriage that bothered her. It was knowing that Arielle was in love with her husband that made her uncomfortable. As the women pretended at pleasantries while taking on the duty of fixing Adara’s hair, veil and makeup, Mirabella kept recalling the rage and vengeance in Giovanni over Tacchini. She didn’t feel the same level of hatred but a darker part of her soul understood jealousy and agreed with it.

CARLO RUBBED HIS SWEATY palms and focused on the doors to the sanctuary. He’d never been experienced with nervousness. The feeling was an occupational habit. But he sweated like a pig in the church and kept glancing to the door expecting the devil to come through to drag him away from his second chance at happiness. He remembered Abedi’s warning. She told him his future and it was nothing like the one he had before him now. Was he being selfish by pursuing happiness with Adara? Should he tell her to run from him and keep their baby safe? Should he tell her his curse?

“Relax!” Renaldo grabbed his shoulder and squeezed. “You look like a trapped goat getting ready for the slaughter.”

“If you want to run I got a car outback with the keys in the ignition.”

“Very funny,” Carlo said.

“Proves me right. You’re ready.” Renaldo affirmed.

“Is she late?” Carlo asked.

Renaldo checked his watch. “It’ll start soon.”

Carlo nodded and blew out a long steady deep breath. The others gathered sat patiently in the church rows. A few smiled. In the sanctuary was his mother and sister who had travelled in from Sicily. And his nieces and nephew that he hadn’t seen in months. So were the boys who scattered to the wind when he disappeared to Africa. The Battaglia family and enforcers were present. This was family.

Don Giovanni waited in the vestibule as Mirabella, Arielle and Adara approached from the other end of the hall. He looked up at his wife first then to Arielle, and then to her. Even after everything she knew of his role in the death of her family part of her felt grateful for her future thanks to him. He was dressed nicely in a tailored dark suit with a golden diamond tie-pin.

“You look beautiful sweetheart. Congratulations,” Mirabella pressed her cheek to Adara’s and gave her a squeeze of love.

“Grazie Donna. ”

“Call me Mirabella. Remember what I said. We’re family now.” Mirabella walked over to Giovanni and he kissed her cheek. Arielle noticed but pretended not too. She busied herself by giving Adara a parting hug.

“This is it. I’m so happy for you, cara , be happy.” Arielle said.

“I am. Grazie .”

Arielle stepped aside and the Don approached. He stared down at Adara for a moment then gave her a smile.

“I have a wedding present for you.”

One of his men left out the front door and then returned. Adara couldn’t see behind Giovanni but she heard the door to the chapel open and close. The Don stepped aside and her brother emerged with Dominic Battaglia. She hadn’t seen him in four long years.

“Luca?” Adara asked.

He had changed. He was seventeen now. He looked older than his age with a little facial hair.

Her brother walked over to her and she fought back her tears as she hugged him. She wasn’t sure what name they gave him when they were separated. She had no contact with him when she joined the agency. And only recently discovered through Arielle that Giovanni had put him in Sicily with the Mancini’s a year ago. Now he was in her arms.

“Are you okay? Are you well? Say something!”

“They tell me you’re getting married?” Luca asked. He looked down at her pregnant belly. He looked up at her with concern. “To a Battaglia?”

“It’s a long story. I’m so happy you’re here. I prayed... I just didn’t believe in my heart it would happen. That I’d live to see you again.”

Luca Calderone hugged her once more.

“It’s time,” Arielle said. The siblings parted and both were reluctant to let go. Adara wished for Luca to walk her down the aisle. But that wasn’t how it was done. And they both knew it.

“I’m happy,” Luca said with a final parting kiss to her cheek and then he was escorted into the sanctuary.

“You will be just fine. I’m so happy for you, cara . This is the future I prayed for you, the one I promised you,” Arielle said. Adara nodded that she remembered. She kissed her surrogate mother and let her go. Arielle walked over to Giovanni. She gave him a nod of respect and then went into the sanctuary.

“Grazie Don Giovanni. Thank you for keeping my brother, my family safe.”

Giovanni extended his arm. In a perfect world, the arm extended to her would be of her father Angelo Calderone. In a perfect world, the man she was about to marry wouldn’t be known as the cruelest and most feared enforcer in all of the Campania. But there was no perfect world. Adara and her baby would live in this world. It was the world she belonged too. The Calderone’s were dead. After today she would never speak their name again.

She accepted Giovanni’s arm.

The door opened once more. Mirabella walked down the aisle followed by a young man Carlo didn’t know and then Arielle. The women both smiled at Carlo before finding a seat at the front of the church. The organist played and everyone in the church stood.

“No escaping now,” Renaldo whispered.

“I never run from anyone.” Carlo gave him a sly smile. Renaldo chuckled and shook his head.

He didn’t need an escape. He wanted her. The only woman brave enough to give him a chance.

Giovanni appeared with Adara’s arm locked around his. His bride’s veil did not cover her face. Her tiara glistened like a thousand diamonds crowning her head. She was beautiful in every way. He was frozen stiff by the love and happiness he witnessed in her eyes. His blood ran cold. He tried to shake it. To push the Sukuma witch words from his thoughts. But he couldn’t. Her words strangled his thoughts.

“There is no redemption for you Carlo. You are one of the damned. You rot from here,” she touched his chest. “This is where your soul used to be. Understand? When the roots of a tree are nothing but decay its rot spreads death to its branches. The rot inside of you will live on for generations. Beware Carlo. Happiness is an illusion. Death will always come with a smile on his face, and that face will look like your own.” Abedi whispered as she pushed the opium pipe to his lips.

Carlo closed his eyes and mentally flushed away the African prophecy away with his doubts. It was supposed to happen for him this way. A real destiny not the curse his life had become. It was what Shae tried to tell him when she left him behind. Why they could never be. Adara was the happiness he deserved, the one he earned. And he wouldn’t let his demons convince him otherwise. In Adara he saw his redemption and he believed he could have a future.

“Ti amo, ” he said to her in front of everyone for the very first time.

“I love you too,” Adara whispered back to him, her bottom lip quivered and her face flushed pale-pink with happiness. Carlo accepted her hand and Giovanni answered the priest when asked if he gave permission for them to wed. He then stepped back and away. It took a little effort but during their matrimonial rites Carlo was able to help Adara kneel on a cushion provided for her before the altar. He said his vows with anxiousness and forced himself to not grin when she said hers in return. The wedding happened fast. All of it was a blur until he could say to her and the world that she was truly his. It felt like eternity before their vows were exchanged.

“Sit down, come here.”

“Is she going to be okay?” Jilly asked.

Doris rubbed her hand down Jilly’s arm and glanced at the medical staff passing outside of the waiting room. Shae was fine at breakfast. They were laughing with the girls and planning the day. And then she stood. From nowhere blood dripped between her legs. By the time they arrived at the hospital both Shae and the baby were in distress. That’s all they told her. Doris had to call someone to watch the girls before she followed. Jilly would not be left behind. Now she regretted bringing the young girl. If something happened to Shae or the baby it would scar Jilly forever.

“Let me see if I can get some news.”

“No! Don’t leave me,” Jilly wept. “Oh God, please don’t go. Just don’t leave me.”

“It’s okay, she’s okay. Stay here and—”

“Are you the family of Shannon Dennis.” A doctor approached them fast.

Doris and Jilly stood for the dreaded news.

“We are her family!” Jilly announced to loudly for the quiet corridor.

“Yes, doctor. How is she?” Doris asked.

“She made it through surgery.”

“Surgery?” Jilly gasped.

“We delivered her daughter. Both mother and baby are doing fine.”

“What surgery?” Doris asked.

“Placenta previa, it’s an opening of the womb in preparation of labor. It happens with special cases. Shannon had a high risk pregnancy. But she arrived in time for us to deliver the baby. We did so by C-section to be cautious. And she’s recovering.”

“Thank God!” Doris smiled. “Can we see the baby? Is it possible?”

The doctor looked at them both. He nodded. “It’s a girl, she’s six pounds three ounces.”

“I knew it would be okay. I always did!” Jilly laughed. She hugged Doris. “I knew it! I told you!”

“Let me take you to see the nursery,” the doctor said.

The doctor led the way. Doris had to keep pulling Jilly’s hand to keep her from running ahead. The girl’s excitement had Doris sprinting ahead of the doctor as if they knew the way. When they arrived at the nursery they saw many adorable babies wrapped in pink and blue blankets with snug little caps.

“Which one is she?” Jilly put her nose to the glass. “Which one is my baby girl?”

The doctor went inside and spoke to a nurse. The nurse nodded and walked over to the far left. She wheeled a cart with a baby swaddled in pink, sleeping.

“That’s her Jilly,” Doris said and rubbed the young girls back.

“We are going to name her Jewel. Like a treasure. I came up with it. Shae said yes. Her name is Jewel.” Jilly grinned. “Hi, Jewel. I’m your auntie. Auntie Jilly.”

Doris stared at the little girl. She was a creamy peach colored with puffy cheeks. She knew how much Shae loved the idea of being a mother. This was the greatest gift of all to her friend.

“I can’t wait!” Jilly said. “Ah, um, can I go to the bathroom?”

“Huh?” Doris frowned.

“Yes, yes, now.” Jilly said and squirmed a bit.

Doris looked down the hall. She saw no one with them, just a few doors. “Well I can...”

“I’ll find it. You wait here. Watch Jewel. Don’t let no one take her!” Jilly said and ran down the hall.

Jilly didn’t wait. She had it all planned out. She knew exactly what to do. She darted down the hall and then to another. She looked around and saw patient rooms. Her heart raced and her breathing became labored. She was even sweating. She didn’t have much time. If she got caught Ms. Doris would be angry with her and make her go home. But she had to do it. She just had to.

Jilly turned another corner. To her relief she spotted a doctor coming out of a room.

He frowned at her hurried approach. “Is there something wrong young lady?” he asked.

“Yes, I ah, my mother just had our baby.”

The doctor listened intently. “Okay?”

“My father is in the service. He’s in Italy now. I have to call him. Is there any way the hospital will let me? Anyway, please sir.”

The doctor smiled. “Come with me. I think I can help.”

Jilly swallowed her smile and excitement. She needed to appear helpless and kid like. White people responded better to a young black teenage girl that way. At least that had been her experience when she ran with her gang and hustled them from the parking lot for their pocket money. Any story of homelessness did the trick.

The doctor took her into his office. “Do you know the number?”

Jilly removed her backpack. She carried it everywhere. She unzipped the side pocket and removed the number she wrote down after discovering it in Shae’s room. Jilly had once been a very skilled thief. It was hard for her not to steal. She’d stolen from everyone in the house, even the girls she was friends with. She did so for a rainy day. When she snooped in Shae’s room to lift some money or jewelry she found Shae’s planner and the phone numbers in it. After the bad trip Shae took to Italy Jilly swiped the number to the Battaglias. She knew it would come in handy.

“Here, this is the number.”

The doctor looked at it. He nodded and placed the call. He then handed her the phone. She accepted it. The doctor watched.

The phone rang twice before someone answered.

“Hi, uh, can I speak to Mirabella Battaglia?”

The person spoke Italian.

“Mirabella Battaglia!” Jilly shouted at the person.

The doctor frowned. The person again spoke in Italian. She glanced up to the doctor. “Do you speak Italian?”

Jilly didn’t believe in God. How could she after all she’d seen and been through with no real evidence of him in her life? But in that moment she did believe. God had sent her this doctor to help Shae and Jewel. “Can you translate?”

The doctor took the phone and spoke. Jilly waited.

He glanced up at her. “Mirabella Battaglia is not home.”

“Okay, tell the person that it is very important that we get a message to Mirabella. It’s for Carlo.”

The doctor nodded and the person asked them to please hold on. Jilly paced. She was so excited she might actually pee herself. She couldn’t contain it.

“What is the message?” the doctor said.

“Tell them that Shae has delivered the baby. That she needs to reach Carlo. It’s very important. Shae has delivered a baby and Carlo needs to call her.” Jilly was careful not to say it was Carlo’s baby. She didn’t want to ruin the surprise. But Carlo would understand the message. Shae said they broke up because of her inability to have a child. If he knows she gave birth he would want to know more.

“Tell Mirabella to call this number. To give Carlo this number—”

The doctor did as she requested. He spoke a few more sentences in Italian and then hung up.

The doctor looked concerned.

“What? What is it?” Jilly asked.

“Carlo is your father?” the doctor asked.

“Yes! He lives in Italy. He doesn’t know about the baby and—”

“Young lady. Are you lying to me?” the doctor asked.

“Huh? No. Why would you ask that?”

“That person on the phone said that Mirabella Battaglia is with Carlo. It’s his wedding day.”

Jilly eyes stretched. “No. That’s not true.”

“The woman on the phone was very clear about where—wait — are you okay?”

“No!” Jilly shouted at the doctor. “He wouldn’t do that to Shae. He loves her! He loves her! They’re lying, to keep them apart. It’s a damn lie.”

“Fuck you!” Jilly grabbed her backpack off the ground and ran out of the doctor’s office. She ran as fast as she could to Ms. Doris. By the time she reached her she was sobbing so hard she couldn’t stop. Doris grabbed her by the shoulders.

“What is it? What happened to you?”

“It’s not true,” Jilly wept.

“What isn’t true?”

“Carlo? They said Carlo got married today!” Jilly wailed.

“What? Who said that? Where have you been?”

Jilly kept crying. Doris held her to her chest. She held on. If Carlo got married today it would break Shae’s heart. He had abandoned her. Just like most people do. They let you down. “Stop crying Jilly and tell me everything. Do you hear? Tell me everything.”