Page 83 of Merciless Monster

I fall asleep the minute my head touches down on the pillow. It’s a deep sleep until about 2 a.m. when I wake up from a dream. Dante and I were walking together on the beach, holding hands and kissing every few steps. My heart aches when I realize it wasn’t real.

I stumble out of bed at 6 a.m. My head feels fuzzy from spending half the night staring up at the ceiling. I drag my weary bones to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee. It’s my morning ritual. Coffee and toast with butter—my lifeline. It’s too early to wake Angelo, so I switch on the TV and settle in for a bit until the caffeine kicks in.

No news sells like bad news. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a thought pierces my brain. What if I switch to the news channel one day and see Dante’s face on the screen with a headline that reads,Mafia Kingpin sought by Interpol.

Come on now, Mia. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This isn’t a Mario Puzo novel.

That’s it. I have to get a life. I can’t sit around like this, holding my breath for the rest of my life. This is bullshit. I’m a fighter. I have to decide to either make a success of my new start or just go to Rome. Anything in between is pointless.

With a newfound resolution I switch off the TV and move upstairs to get myself dressed and Angelo ready for school.

Today is going to be a good day. The first of many if I can stop pining for Dante.

* * *

“Hey there! It’s so good to hear your voice, Gina. I’m missing you like crazy.”

“Hey, M. Missing you more. How’s life in the lone star state?”

“Biiiig!” I chuckle. “How’s LA? I miss the ocean so much, you won’t believe it.”

“Texas has an ocean, you know.”

“I know, but it’s so far away. I could practically walk to the beach back in LA.”

“You’re not missing much. It's the off season here now, so not much happening. How’s my favorite godchild?”

“Getting old. He told me he can’t call me Mommy anymore cause he’s too old for that now. So, now I’ve been downgraded to Mom,” I chuckle.

“Oh, no! You must be heartbroken,” Gina laughs.

“Shattered. I tell you, Gina, they grow so fast. I don't suppose you and Jeff are planning any babies soon?”

“Nah, I don’t know if I want to have kids. Besides, I have Angelo.”

“Fair enough.”

“Listen, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Yeah?”

“Dante called me.”

The mere mention of his name sends a current through me. I nearly drop the phone.

“What?”

“Yeah.”

“What did he say?”

“He’s pretty pissed.”

“I see.”

“He wanted me to tell him why you left LA and where he can get a hold of you.”

“Shit. You didn’t tell him, did you?”

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