Page 28 of Rome for the Holidays
“Fuck. Shit. Fuck.”
Gio handed him the letters, “I did not want to write to her as you. She would have known it was not you, and it would have been worse.”
Vincenzo looked down at the letters, “I need to fix this.”
“How? She does not want to hear from you.”
“I do not know yet. But she needs to be here at my side.”
Gio looked at him, “Do you think she could be the Don’s wife? She is really quiet and shy. I do not know if she could handle this life.”
Vincenzo nodded, “She can. I know she can. With me by her side she can do anything.”
Gio nodded slowly, “Okay.”
Vincenzo opened the first letter,
My Vin,
Are you certain you want to hear my voice? I’m a little worried. I know that I don’t sound like I do in letters. I am working hard to fix it, but I still don’t want you to never talk to me again after hearing my voice. But I would really like to hear what you sound like. I have imagined your accent for a long time. I bet it’s as sexy as I think. Oh, my gosh, I didn’t mean to write that. Oh well. I do think you are sexy. Is that weird of me? I hope not. I hope I didn’t read too deep into this. I mean, if you don’t like me that way, I understand. You have said that I’m yours, but those could be just words. I don’t know. I have no way to know. I just don’t want to keep this in the dark anymore. I really like you Vin. I have always thought of you as not just my best friend, but more. I fell in love with you a long time ago, and I hope that I can actually meet you in person soon. I’m saving up what money I can to make that possible. It might take some time, but it’s my goal to meet you. To talk to you in person and finally see if this could actually work. If this is too much, I understand, I just couldn’t stay quiet anymore.
Your Harper
He ripped the next one out of the envelope,
My Vin,
I haven’t heard back from you. That’s weird. Well, I hope you are well. Did I scare you off with my confession? I can try to stop. I don’t have to go there either. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. I’m sorry. Let’s see, um. Something less awkward, um. I started taking more classes. I really like them. It helps keep my mind off what I confessed to you and how worried I am that I lost you. Jackie says I haven’t, but I haven’t heard from you, so I’m more scared than ever. My mom got sentenced today. I don’t think I told you. She is going to jail for a long time for child abuse and stealing from her work. I didn’t want you to worry unless there was something you could actually do. That’s why I didn’t tell you. ut as of today, I’m officially free from her forever. I am happy now with Jackie, Joey, and the kids. It’s been wonderful. Really. They love me. Actually, love me Vin. It’s so unreal to have that for the first time. I didn’t know what it meant to have a family that loves me. Now I do. I have been helping Jenna get ready for her first dance in high school and it’s so fun to pick out dresses with her. Jackie hates that I never got to go, but I told her I wouldn’t have anyway. My guy lived in Italy, and I wouldn’t go with anyone but him. So, she understood. Anyway, hope to hear from you soon.
Your girl.
He ripped the next one open, and his heart sank as he saw how she wrote the letter.
My Vin,
I still haven’t heard from you. I’m getting scared that I moved too fast. I know we are young, but I know how I feel about you. Is that what you are worried about? That I don’t know how I feel? I assure you I know. No one has treated me like you have. Even Jackie and Joey show me love as their child, but you have shown me what it means to actually be in love. You gave me unwavering friendship when I had nothing else in the world. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is. I don’t want you to think I’m just writing it now because you feel I have to. I wanted you to know. Because I couldn’t keep it inside anymore. I’m sorry Vin. If you have moved on, I understand. I know you have a lot more opportunities there than I ever did here, and while it hurts more than words, I get it. Women over there are beautiful, and they are right there. I’m not. I get it. Plus, it’s not like we ever said we were an item. You are allowed to be with who you want. I don’t have to write anymore if you have a girl that is jealous. I promise I will stop. I will miss you Vin. Just tell me if I need to stop writing to you. If this is my last letter to you. I hope it’s not. I’m not ready to say goodbye. Not yet. Please tell me if I need to say goodbye. Hope to hear from you soon,
Harper
He read the next one, and saw that it was dated a week after that last letter
Vincenzo,
I guess this is it. My last letter to you. It hurts more than I want to admit it does. I still haven’t heard a word, so I’m guessing you moved on. I hope you know I’m happy for you. I really am. You deserve to find love and happiness, even if it’s not with me. You are a good man Vin. I will miss you. Miss your friendship and letters. I will miss the little trinkets you sent me and the treats you gave. I will miss dreaming about you. But you don’t belong to me anymore. You are someone else’s Vin. I will tell you; I hate that. Knowing that you are someone else’s and never again will you be mine. I hope she knows what a treasure she has. Lucky girl. It hurts more than I thought. Writing those words. Goodbye Vin. Thank you for being my anchor in the storm. For being the only person in my life to constantly be there for me. You saved me. Kept me fighting to live a better life because of your words. Because you gave me something worth fighting for. It was the chance to one day meet you. For all of that, I will always be grateful to you. Always wonder if you are well. Have a great life Vin. Good luck with whatever life throws your way.
Harper
Vincenzo saw the last letter and dropped to his knees. She thought he loved another? That hurt him more than the letters did.
He had to fix this. But how?
He looked up at Gio, whose face was white, “I’m sorry Vin.”
Vincenzo shook his head, “I haven’t lost her. I refuse to accept that.”
Gio shook his head, “How do we fix it?”
Vincenzo shook his head, “I don’t know.”
