“What does that mean?”
“Reaper order me to watch over her. He put her in my care.”
“But she is not yours?”
“No.”
“Was Dwayne given the same order?”
“No. He’s only here because I knew going home would be best if we both went.”
“I would have helped regardless, Reginald. You know that.”
“No. I needed Mass with me. I can’t do this without him.”
Nodding, I said nothing more as Dwayne, Marko and Paolo walked into the cabin, closing the cabin door behind them. Whatever happened, Dwayne knew, and getting him to talk was going to be impossible. Dwayne wasn’t ever forthcoming with information.
No. The only person who would be able to tell me what happened all those years ago was Reggie. I was going to have to tread lightly, too, because from what I saw now, Reggie was no longer the carefree love bug of the family. He was someone altogether different, and I wasn’t sure I was going to like what he had become.
The loudspeaker overheard crackled as I heard the plane’s engine start. “Mr. Valentinetti, we should be in New York City by seven pm. It should be a smooth flight and clear skies. We are second in line for takeoff. If you haven’t already done so, please take your seats and prepare for takeoff.”
“New York?” Dwayne questioned, buckling his belt.
“I have a business meeting I couldn’t postpone.”
“Cool. Haven’t been to the Big Apple in a while. Wouldn’t mind stopping in at Gino Pizzeria. California is nice and all, but they can’t make a good pizza to save their lives.”
“You will be staying on the plane, Dwayne.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“But I want a pizza.”
“Shut up, Dwayne,” Reggie muttered.
“Make me Reginald.”
Dear God, they still did it. For as long as I could remember, both brothers would relentlessly go after each other by name-calling. It was childish, and it got real old fast. Both men hated their birth names. It was something of contention in the family. While most of us didn’t care, apparently Reginald and Dwyane didn’t like the fact that their father named them after his side of the family. While I didn’t see the problem with their names, Reggie and Dwayne did and were constantly badgering each other over them.
However, when I expected Reggie to shout,‘don’t call me that, Dwayne,’it never came. Instead, I watched as Reggie turned and looked out the window, ignoring his brother.
Looking back at Dwayne, I could see his demeanor change instantly. Instead of being the playful bully, I knew him to be, his face fell, and even he too quieted, almost remorseful, as if he hurt his brother and didn’t mean to. They were both acting off. It was alarming. Even Marko noted the difference when he lightly motioned towards Dwayne.
These men were not the cousins I remembered.
They were hiding something, and whatever it was, had to do with Reggie.
I took out my phone and texted my brother Luciano’s number.
Me:Luc, can you make room for a guest?
Luciano:What’s wrong with the house?
Me:Don’t want him there. Can you house a guest, yes or no?
Luciano:Sure. Who?