Page 49 of Remember When We
I may have been going through hell, and the other day Dad did tell me Gio should know about Matthew. However, the person who should have found some way to contact Gio over the years was Dad.
He could have done it, but there was no point at all when I’d specifically said that I didn’t want him to know. At least not until the other night. I’d never voiced those opinions at all.
Dad looked scared as he watched us, and Gio gave him every reason to be afraid with the cold hard stare he gave him.
“Morning.” Dad said.
“Grandpa, Gio came back.” Matthew beamed with excitement. “He’s going to show me his bike later.”
“That’s wonderful. It’s a cool bike.”
In the past Dad loathed Gio’s bikes. He hated the noise and thought it was dangerous.
Gio continued to look at Dad in silence.
I thought I’d break the tension.
“How about I make us all a good breakfast?” I smiled trying to mask the inner turmoil that brewed inside me.
“Breakfast then we talk,” Gio said, there was a coldness to his voice that got to me.
I’d known this man all my life and knew when he was angry. A quick glance at him as I moved over to grab the frying pan revealed he was seething. He was seething and it didn’t help me. because that thought I’d had earlier about him finding out about the whole fucked up situation with Frankie would be exactly as I imagined.
He’d go crazy when he found out. I’d lived in it for so long I was used to it.
It was however time to face the music.
* * *
After a good breakfast of Spanish omelette and pancakes Dad, Gio and I gathered in the sitting room to talk. I allowed Matthew his PlayStation, because it felt like the kind of talk where he needed to be kept distracted.
Gio sat near me. Dad seated himself on the sofa opposite us.
I could feel it in my bones that he was going to say something with regards to our situation. I wasn’t all that surprised when he zeroed in on Dad and glared at him.
“Paul, I just need to make something very clear.” Gio began. He straightened up and squared off his shoulders. “I’m not the guy I used to be, and I’m not the kind of guy that would try to impress you, because you’re Lyssa’s father. It is however the one thing that’s stopping me from killing you right now. You knew I had a son and even if Lyssa thought I shouldn’t know about him, you should have found some way to reach me.”
To my surprise Dad nodded. “I should have, and I feel guilty for not doing so. Apologizing isn’t enough, but maybe we can move forward in some way.”
I didn’t know how Dad could say that knowing our current situation.
I didn’t know how we could move forward.
“Yes, I will decide how best to move forward with my family. Thank you very much.”
Fuck. He was serious. He was actually serious and Dad nodded.
“Right, so there was a reason why I came back here to Philly. I won’t get into the details of you wanting me to stay away from Lyssa. I’ve crossed that bridge already.” Gio glanced at me. “I came back here, because of Marshall.”
I’d guessed that already. Dad straightened up and his eyes widened.
“Marshall?” He asked. “Why? Have you found anything out?”
It was sad seeing Dad like this. Over the years as the police gave up, I saw pieces of him fade away. Dying a little every day without hope for justice.
“I have. What I’m about to tell you is strictly confidential, so you mustn’t repeat this to anyone. It could fuck up what I’m doing.”
I stared at him, a shiver ran down my spine. He didn’t look at me though Instead he kept his focus on Dad.
