Page 51 of Fall
“What?”
“If he comes around your family again, don’t ask any questions. Just play dumb. You don’t know anything, and you never talked to me or anyone about any of this. Do you understand what I’m saying, Tams?”
“Are you trying to tell me I’m in danger?” she asks with a sobering stare.
“Don’t say anything to anyone. That’s the best advice I can give you. I’m sorry I can’t say more, but theless you know, the better. It could be nothing,” I add the lie to appease her and do my best not to show her how terrified I really am.
It’s not nothing.
Her news is big. The implications are grave and far-reaching, with the potential to hurt everybody that matters to me.
I have to tell Antonio. And Father. Father needs to know we might’ve all been put in danger by his consiglieri.
“I have to go away for a little while,” I admit to her. “Sorry I can't tell you much more about why, but when I get back, I’ll let you know everything. In the meantime, please do not say what you know to anyone. Not your sister, and definitely not Lorenzo.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
As Tammy Lou jumps out of the back of the SUV, an unexplainable feeling spreads out from the pitof my stomach.
Trust your gut, Nonna always says, so I go with it. I make a snap decision.
“Hey, Tammy Lou,” I call to her and kneel over the backrest, reaching for one of my suitcases.
“What’s up?” she asks as I open one of them.
I pull out my mother’s family crest and the box of letters from her that my father just gave to me. I don't think I should take this withme while I'm away.
“Can you hold on to something for me?” I ask, pressing the items against my chest. “It's from my mother, and they’re private. But I know I can trust you. Read it. Don't read it. Just hang on to them for me, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course,” she answers with no hesitation. “I’ll tuck it away with my things.”
“Thank you. Promise you won’t get rid of it or giveit to anyone, okay? My dad just gave this to me this morning. I've only gone through a few of the items inside. But for this trip… I just think it’ll be wise not to take them with me.”
“Absolutely,” she whispers solemnly.
When she lowers her hands toward me, her palms open to accept the box as though it’s the most precious thing in the world, I know I’m doing the right thing. “Thankyou so much, Tams.”
“Of course. I’ll take good care of it. You don't have anything to worry about.”
“You have no idea how much I’m going to miss you,” I tell her, and wrap my arms around her with the box pressed between us for a long minute.
After she jumps out of the SUV, I watch her walk the entire way to her front door while Vinny and the driver hurry back to the frontseat. This might be the last I see of Tammy Lou. It’s a given that I’m about to face a lot of uncertain times, but I’d be lying to myself if I believe my friend is perfectly safe.
She’s not.
No one is.
For the first time, it sinks in that just knowing me puts people at risk. Father always used to say that it’s best not to be too close to anyone outside the family, for theirsake. I suppose if I weren’t close to her, she also wouldn’t be able to put two and two together about Lorenzo, or to warn me. But at least she’d be a hell of a lot better off.
The driver beside Vinny drives over the speed limit for the entire ride toward the airport. I try to reach Antonio for the whole way there. My phone calls are all going straight to his voicemail, so I send him atext that reads, ‘911, please call me'. He still doesn't answer by the time I got to the private landing strip. And I don't hear from him while Vinny makes me wait inside the vehicle for confirmation that the flight and our luggage has been cleared. Out of desperation, I send a string of short messages.
Me: Do NOT trust the Pinuccis.
Me: Why aren't youcalling me back?
Me: Are you okay?
Me: Please call. Sorry for over texting. I have to go.
