Page 93 of Vita Mia

“I know. I know,” Mirabella said.

They served breakfast to the kids. When Dominic didn’t immediately return to join them, Catalina left to find him and make sure he was okay. Mirabella focused on the children. She tried laughing and telling stories with Zia’s help. But inside her stomach was twisted into several pretzel shaped knots. She kept looking to the entrance for Dominic to appear.

***

“DOMI?” CATALINA KNOCKEDon the door to their room. She pushed the door open. Dominic stood by the window in nothing but his trousers. She saw the bruises on his back and paused. He glanced over his shoulder in her direction. Immediately he located his shirt and pulled it on. She could see the same black and purple bruises peppered his chest.

“Domi? What happened?”

“Some questioning, by the Carabinieri. Nothing serious,” he replied.

“Domi?” she reached for him but he walked away.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry,” he said.

“I do worry. I can’t help but worry. If they did this to you then... what is happening to the others?”

Dominic sat down on the bed. Catalina came over to his side and sat next to him. “Have you slept? Did you eat?”

He stared straight ahead.

“Talk to me?”

“You’re right. I haven’t slept. They kept me awake. I have no appetite.”

“Let me feed you.”

“Mirabella wants answers. I don’t have any right now. I... I need time.”

“Let me fix you something to eat. I’ll bring it to you. Then you can sleep and rest. We can take the time. As much as you need.”

Catalina got up. He grabbed her hand. He held it for a moment. He then kissed her hand and let it go. “I just need to rest.”

“Okay Domi.”

Dominic scooted back to the pillows in obvious discomfort. She knew then he needed medical attention. Catalina went back to the kitchen. She whispered into Mirabella’s ear the state of things. The doctor was called and the women went about preparing his meal in silence. If in 36 hours Dominic had suffered such brutality what were the others going through?

Catalina returned with a plate of food for him and Armando on her hip. She found Dominic sleeping. She set the plate down. Armando reached for him but she held him back and used his pacifier to keep him quiet. She left and returned only with a pitcher of water and glass for him to drink. He’d taken care of her under the direst circumstances. It felt good to be able to do the same.

***

“LADIES,” DOMINIC SAID.

Mirabella and Catalina were in the parlor. The babies were in their walkers and the children were at the beach with the men and family. The moment news spread of Domi’s release family began to arrive in Mondello.

“How do you feel?” Mirabella asked. “The doctor said nothing was broken, thank God.”

Dominic smiled. “The doctor says I’ll live.”

He sat in the chair that was once preferred by Giovanni. Catalina got up from her seat. She plucked Armando out of his walker and brought him over. Her son went to Dominic immediately. Dominic played with him while she and Mirabella patiently waited for whatever news he’d choose to share.

“You’ll need to leave for Napoli as soon as we can arrange it,” he said and glanced to Mirabella.

“Okay.” Mirabella said.

“Domi? Can you tell us what is happening?” Catalina asked.

“He’s in Poggioreale. Not the place I would want him to be in, but he’s at least in the Campania. That’s a start.”

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