Page 11 of Rome for the Holidays
She was desperately in love with Vincenzo. With every letter he sent, she fell more in love with him.
He was sweet, kind, funny, respectful, always worried about her health, safety and whatever else she was dealing with and never in her life did she have someone to care like he did.
He sent her small presents and treats, which she savored late at night when her mom was gone on her dates.
And she hid the letters in a floorboard under her bed, making certain her mother never found them.
She didn’t need speculation. Rose allowed her to send the letters from the library and to get them.
She loved Vincenzo, and Harper would tell her all about the man she was in love with.
It was nice to have a friend in someone other than Vincenzo.
Rose even hired Harper to put the books away that were left out when people left them.
She knew Harper knew the library like the back of her hand, and Harper appreciated her giving her the job.
She wrote to Vincenzo about it, telling him all about how Rose helped with homework if she needed it, but often Harper didn’t need help.
She always understood the homework and most of the time, she did what she could in class, so she didn’t have to take it home.
She was happy with her life. Though it was not the best, she was content.
If she stayed away from her mother, she would be fine.
Until one night, Saul was asleep, and getting older and didn’t hear like he used to.
She heard someone open her door, and went stiff in her bed, trying to keep her breathing even.
This new man dating her mother was the worst.
He was manipulative, mean and got what he wanted, no matter what.
Harper heard one of their fights, and though her mother had fought back, the man, Alfonso Muir, beat her until her face was black and blue and she had to take off work for a few days.
Harper hated it and stayed at the library until the very last minute she could and walked slowly home.
Her mother still got angry when she came home, but Harper slipped into her room before anything could happen.
Now though, Harper lay in bed scared. She gripped the knife she had kept under her pillow, and held it tight, not wanting the man to come near her.
She heard Saul stir, then he jumped up, growling and Alfonso grabbed Saul by the scruff of his neck quick as lightning and she screamed as Saul started to twist and bend to get to Alfonso’s hand.
The man shoved him up against the wall so hard, the entire trailer shook, and Saul let out a loud yelp, and then with one more shove, he went still.
Harper put her hands to her mouth to stifle the scream again and her mother came out of her room, wrapping a robe around her naked body.
“What happened?”
Alfonso held Saul’s body in his hands, “The dog attacked me out of nowhere. I was just trying to find the bathroom.”
Harper shook his head, “N-no h-h-e wasn’t. H-he w-was c-c-coming in m-m-my r-r-room.”
Alfonso whipped around, but Lola growled, rushing Harper, and slapping her across the face, causing her head to whip to the side.
“Don’t you dare try to make this about you. Alfonso wouldn’t come in here ever. He doesn’t want a waif. He wants a woman. Pack your things.”
Harper shook her head, “W-w-where a-am I-i s-supposed t-to g-go?”
