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Nyla
Sitting in the center of my bed, I hold my phone to my ear, not realizing I’m holding my breath as well. I blink back my tears and wipe under my nose as my call goes to voice mail again. Gio won’t answer my calls and I’m not supposed to go to the house. I pout and toss more things into the box I’m packing.
We’re moving. Elijah has purchased a new house for us. He’s been trying his best. Lizzy whines for Mom and Dad a lot and all I do is mope around.
In my head, I keep playing all the things I could and should have done differently. I had the shot four seconds before I took it. Four seconds made the difference in me being motherless.
“Ny,” Lizzy calls as she stands in my doorway with a teddy bear clutched in her arms.
“Hey,” I reply and force a smile. “You want me to brush your hair?”
She gives me a sad smile and nods her head. I push the box to the floor and wave her over. She comes to the edge of the bed and places her bear down before she grabs the bedspread and pulls herself up onto the bed. I lean to reach for the grease and brush.
I should probably place her hair in box braids. I don’t know when Ava will send for me, and Elijah doesn’t have a clue what to do with our hair.
“I miss Mommy,” Lizzy whispers as she places her head on my thigh. I start to brush and grease the first section of her hair, tears welling up.
She doesn’t remember what happened that day the way it happened. I’ve asked. She remembers seeing Mom and Dad fall and then her memory jumps to Elijah and Gwen arriving. I’m not sure what that means or how I feel about it. She’s so young.
At least we’re getting her to eat more than ice cream these days. It took a month, but she eats Elijah’s cooking now. He’s actually not a bad cook.
“I do too. We’re going to get through this. I need you to be a big girl for me. Be strong. Elijah is here to help. Okay?”
“Okay.”
I talk to my little sister until I’ve greased and brushed all her hair. She falls asleep in my lap by the time I get to the other side. When finished, I place her on my pillow and climb off the bed.
Moving to the window seat, I try calling Gio again. Again, my call goes to voice mail. I don’t hang up this time.
“Why are you doing this? Why won’t you talk to me? Gio, please,” I sob into the phone.
I hang up and toss the phone across the room. I’m so heartbroken. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I sob into them as I rock side to side.
I’ve lost everything.
CHAPTER6
Intention
Gio
Three months later…
“Ah, my Michelangelo,” Nonno croons as he walks over and palms my face, then kisses my cheeks. “It’s good to see you. Look at you, you’re almost as tall as me, no?”
I chuckle. “Not yet, Nonno. But I’m getting there.”
He smiles and slaps my cheek, before turning to Jace. His eyes light up. Moving over to Jace he cups his face and kisses his cheeks as well.
“Welcome,l'altro mio nipote.”
Jace’s eyes go wide, but he catches himself and smiles. We have all always treated Jace like family, but I know for a fact he still feels like an outsider. My best friend has never felt like he’s had a family of his own.
It’s so clear having Nonno call him grandson means a lot to him. My grandfather has just earned Jace’s loyalty. I note the fact for later to make sure Jace remembers who his loyalty lies with first.
Nonno moves between us and places a hand on each of our backs as he guides us forward. I take note of the fact that while still a little frail, he looks better than the last time I saw him.
