AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I look back at my mother, her skin has gone ashen. I nod, then lean down and kiss her forehead. “Ya lyublyu tebya,Mama.” I look at her one more time, before letting them lead me out of the apartment. When we get to the car, Damian and Alexandr are standing there waiting for me. When they see me, they walk toward me and wrap me in a group hug. More tears fall as I lay my forehead on Alexandr’s shoulder.
“Come on, brother,” he murmurs. I nod, and we all climb into the SUVs. I lean my head on the window as I continue crying. Nothing will be the same without her.
A week later, I’m standing outside the ice cream parlor on 5th in a black suit while Dimitri waits in a town car across the road, ready to take me to the funeral. He knows why I’m here and is giving me space with my cousin. He also understands why I don’t want her at the funeral; she’s too pure for this kind of pain, and no one knows we’re related. This keeps her safe.
I had a meeting with Dimitri a few days ago. Apparently, my mother signed all her parental rights over to the Volkovs a few years ago as a precaution; she didn’t want her father, who I never speak to, to get custody of me. Dimitri is also ensuringJuan does not find out about my mother’s death; he thinks he’ll try for custody of me. Not that I would go. You can’t abandon your kid because you did the dirty on your wife, only to want to get back in contact. I don’t think he’ll want to, but Dimitri thinks otherwise. He’s been amazing this past week, it’s been hard and long, and the Volkovs accepted me with open arms. Maria planned the funeral for me, but I’ve been going through the motions, my anger taking a hold a lot of the time. Dimitri put me in the ring at his underground fight club a few times to help control it.
I’m pulled out of my thoughts when I hear, “Sergi” shouted. I turn to catch Phoebe just in time. I lift her up in my arms and she squeezes my neck tight, and I hold her tighter, closing my arms around her. I love this little girl more than anything; she’s the little sister I always wanted. My family.
I open my eyes and my aunt is looking at me with tears running down her cheeks. I lift my left arm and she comes over.
She hugs me tight as she whispers, “I’m so sorry, but remember, she’s always with you, and we’re always here for you; you’re family,mi sobrino.” I nod against her. She only speaks Spanish when it’s just us, as far as her husband is concerned, she’s full Greek, not half. She leans back and places her hand on my cheek, then pulls out a phone and hands it to me. I frown at her.
“This is so you can contact me, Athena, your paternal grandmother, or Phoebe. I gave one to her, she hides in her teddy bear. You can contact each other whenever you like. You’re my family, do you hear me? And I know the Volkovs will look after you as well.” I nod and hug her tight.
I feel tears against my shoulder and move Phoebe’s head, to see that tears are sliding down her cheeks. I put the phone in my pocket and wipe her tears.
“What’s wrong, Phoebe Pie?”
Her little body shakes with her tears.
“I d-don’t w-want you t-to leave, t-too.” I hold her tight to me while Aunt Isabella wipes her tears.
“I’m not going anywhere, sweet girl. I love you, you’re my little sister, right?” She nods. After a few minutes, I kiss her forehead and my aunt’s cheeks, saying bye for now. I walk toward the car and climb into the back.
Dimitri squeezes my shoulder.
“That little girl loves you; she looks at you like you’re her hero.” I smile at that, it’s the first real smile I’ve had since Mama died.
I look at Dimitri. “I would do anything for her; she’s my family.”
He smiles and nods.
Half an hour later, we’re pulling up to the church while my mind going over everything. I decided to act, to have a purpose. I need it, or I’ll spiral.
I turn to Dimitri, a man who I see as a father, and I state, “I know Damian has to take over for you, I know Sofia is be to be his bride, but she’s not aware. And I know he wants me as his second; you and Al have spoken at length about it because of his ADHD, so I know he agrees. And I know I told you no when you asked me, but I changed my mind. I need purpose. I don’t want to lose myself, I want to become a Made Man.”
He looks at me in shock, then slowly nods in understanding, and hugs me. I hug him back tighter, grateful to have him and his family in my life.
three
Avery – Sixteen Years Old
I walkthrough the front door and throw my bag near the coat rack. School sucked; it doesn’t matter that I have clothes that fit now, or my hair’s actually cut and looks nice. Kids are still mean, and all because I said no to a date with Joey, the captain of the basketball team.
I huff. “Daddy?” I shout through the three-bedroom house. Tony and Natalie Gibson are the most amazing people I have ever met. That day in the hospital, they took me in, and made me their daughter. They adopted me, and I haven’t been happier, because they’ve been Mom and Dad since.
My dad pops his head out from the kitchen door, his black hair neatly trimmed, gray showing around his temples, his blue eyes looking at me with pride and love. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist, laying my head on his chest as he wraps his arms around me.
“What’s wrong, pumpkin?”
I sigh. “Joey asked me out, but I said no, and now everyone’s calling me a prude and being mean.” He growls, and I laugh and shake my head, then head into the kitchen.
“I’ll call the school tomorrow, if I don’t end up shooting this kid first.”
I laugh hard; I love my dad, he’s the best. I go to the stove and lift the lid from the pan, and take a deep breath. I smile. Mom’s chili. I look at my dad and smile a sad smile. “I miss her.” He nods and comes over to me, hugging me into his side, then starts to dish up our food. Mum died three years ago. I only had four years with her before ovarian cancer took her from me. To me, she was the best mom in the world.
My dad struggled a lot but didn’t give up; he was my rock, and I was his.
