He didn’t care if I agreed or not; he wasn’t trying to win me over to his side. In short, he was just sharing his unvarnished truth. But until today, I’m not sure I would’ve ever been completely sold. But now, I can almost see Becky in a different light. As for Victoria, there’s something off about her story; it just doesn’t make sense when I take into account what the agent I spoke to had said.
Second, I work in finance, so I’m very well acquainted with bank practices when it comes to handing out large sums of money. Her taking the money isn’t an issue; I’ve never denied her or Victoria anything and had, in fact, gone above and beyond because of the horrible life she’d had before her mom, and I got married.
But if the money didn’t come from the bank, where did she get it? And how many other lies has she told? When I think of all the things I’d brushed aside, things I’d been assured by her were just a young girl fighting against her mother being replaced; I wonder how I could’ve been so wrong.
This is the point where I close down, the boundary I can’t get past in my head, the thing that makes me more ashamed than I’ve ever been. In trying to give my daughter stability, did I, in fact, destroy her life like that kid said?
GABRIEL
I was halfway to Uncle Marvin’s place when he called and canceled because one of his parishioners needed him. I call that divine intervention. I have three separate chess games going with three of the nosiest men in my life. Pop, Gramps, and Uncle Marvin. These weekly or sometimes bi-weekly games are used to stick their noses in my shit.
The only adult male in my immediate vicinity who doesn’t try sticking his nose in is Uncle Garrett, and that’s because he prides himself on being the fun uncle who lives to spoil his nephew and nieces, which pisses off my Pop, his big brother.
So, with the probe disguised as a game of chess canceled, I decided that since I was already outside, I’d go grab Gianna some ice cream from the local parlor. Hey, I may not have dated, but for someone who reads as much as I do, it would be dense not to know at least the basics.
Imagine my surprise, though, when I saw Felix Fontane sitting on one of the benches outside, not seeming to notice the chill in his polo shirt and jeans. I sat and watched him for a minute before heading in to order her treat. I didn’t say anything to him; I doubt he even saw me. But seeing him look so despondent gave me ideas.
Obviously, he was feeling some kind of pressure from the things that have been going on in his life; why not up the ante? I’d planned on keeping her away from that whole house until after her visit to her grandma, but maybe this is the kick in the ass he needs. Stomp him while he’s down. And when it’s all said and done, if he ever comes to his senses, I’ll remind him that that is exactly what he did to his little girl.
By the time I got back to the house, I had a plan in mind, ready to go. It’s going to be hard waiting all day to see things come to fruition. ‘Gabriel, come, quick-quick.”
“What the hell? What happened?” I felt lightheaded as I moved towards her. “Did something happen to Gianna?”
“No, shh, just follow me.”
I followed Anna to where Rosa was standing outside the door to the home gym slash training room. As I got closer, I heard the strains of my song; Beauty Is A Dream. I looked over their heads to watch as Gianna floated around the room to the tune and knew that I’d never seen anything that beautiful in my life before.
She’s perfect! Stunningly beautiful her moves as graceful as a gazelle at play, each move telling the story without words; she’s a dancer. The song came to an end, and the three of us slipped away from the door without being heard. I was still shocked, stunned into silence, and had to clear my throat a couple of times before I could speak.
“How did that happen?”
“After you left, she just asked if she could use the room. Anna and I were busy, so we told her to go ahead without us. I guess she felt safe with you out of the house and us otherwise occupied.”
“I came down to get a snack and was going to check in on her. Then I had to go grab Rosa.” Ann took over the story.
“Gabriel, your eyes are wet.” It’s the first time in years that either of my little sisters had called me by my full name, but not the first time I’d seen concern mixed with awe on their little faces as they looked at me. “Are they? I need to get out of here. Give her this.”