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“No,Babbo. If I go, I want it to be on my merit. I have a chance, you know? I’m good.”
“You are fabulous. So beautiful on that stage.”
“Do you need me to stay around? I’m meeting with Ari and Pina.”
“Ah, you’re going out?”
“Ariana wants to go shopping.”
“Where?”
Oh, boy.
“Politeama-Liberta.” That quarter of town was the heart of Palermo and home of a glamorous fashion district. At the same time, it was where the Fiori and Caputo territories were merging. “I will be fine.”
“Maybe you should take a guard.”
“The girls are with me and their driver will be there too.” He frowned, still not convinced, so I tried some more. “Dad, I’ve been down town a million times and never had any problems.”
“I know. I just worry.”
“You know… there are rumors.”
“About what?” He snapped at me.
“Adrian is not well,Babbo.” People chattered, but Salvatore confirmed it. His father was wasting away. “I know it’s not my place, but maybe it’s time to try and talk to him.”
“Don’t speak like that under my roof.”
“He’s dying. He was your brother for so many years. Can’t you try and forgive his sin?”
“I’m not God, Grazia. I have no power to forgive, and Adrian deserves to go to hell. He’s going to leave that devil son of his to try and fight us.”
“He would never…” I don’t know what I was thinking, defending Salvatore to my father, but I didn’t get very far.
“Don’t you dare start with me, Grazia. That chapter is closed.”
“I’m sorry.” I let my head fall down. “I just thought you’d regret not talking to Adrian one more time.”
“I can’t wait to see him in the ground and spit on his grave.” He drank his coffee in one gulp and threw the cup across the room, turning it into shards of porcelain. “I’m sorry,bambina. Don’t concern yourself with Fiori anymore. Go, meet your friends. Do you have enough money?”
“Yes.”
“Buy yourself something nice. Something to make you happy again, ok?”
“I told you I’m fine.”
“Your sparkle is dim, my dear daughter. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring it back.”
I rose from my seat and went to kiss him on the cheek. In his stubborn, old-fashioned way, he meant well.
“I’ll go now. The girls will be here any moment.”
“Both of them?”
“Yes, why?”
“Just asking. Ariana seems too old to hang out with you.”
