If she was here, she would know what to do.
The fact of the matter was I didn’t know shit. Penny managed every aspect of my life. Everything from doctor’s appointments to what I would wear to the clubs. Hell, she even vetted the women I slept with. Nothing got past her. She protected me, which allowed me to live my life the way I wanted. I had gotten so used to having Penny around, I was literally flying blind right now. I didn’t know which way to turn.
How was I supposed to navigate my life when I didn’t know what to do? How did people do this shit every day? How did someone know they were doing the right thing?
Because I honestly didn’t know shit.
Hearing my cellphone ring, I answered it.
“Hello?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Luc?”
“Who else would it be, bro. What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Penny’s dead. I don’t know if I can do this without her.”
“What are you talking about Lorenzo?”
“Everything. My whole life I’ve let others do for me. Then I met Penny and she took over. Since college, she had taken care of everything. Now she’s gone and I don’t know what to do.”
“Ah,” my twin sighed. “You’re at a crossroads. I knew this day would come.”
“Glad someone did. Want to let me in on the answer?”
“Look Lorenzo. You are almost twenty-seven years old. It’s time to grow up and start acting your age. You are not a college student anymore. You’re partying days are over. They have been for a long time. No one said anything because we all hoped that you would smarten up on your own. Now that Penny isn’t there to be your buffer anymore, you will have to learn to do shit on your own. Time to grow up brother. Playtime is over.”
“Kind of harsh there, Luc.”
“Not going to sugarcoat anything for you, Lo. This has been a long time coming. You need to understand that the world does not revolve around you. The world is not one big party. Life is messy. You will make mistakes and how you handle those mistakes will determine what life you lead. Now, how are you and Donatella getting along?”
“She hates me.”
“Have you even considered that she is also hurting? Penny was her sister. Her only family left in this world. Now she is truly alone. She has no one, Lo. You are the only connection she had to her sister. Have you tried to get to know her?”
“She isn’t like us Luciano. She’s different.”
“Hold it right their asshole. Just because she doesn’t come from money doesn’t mean she’s any less. You know that. Please tell me you haven’t been indifferent to her because of where she is from.”
I didn’t say anything and that was when my brother ripped me a new one.
“You selfish inconsiderate prick! What makes you think you are better than her? She is the one putting herself through college. She is the one shouldering the death of her sister and her best friend. She is the one who, through everything, is still holding her head high and doing what needs to be done. She isn’t complaining and bitching about some fucking rug that means nothing. You need to get your head out of your ass before Gio gets wind of how you’re acting. You know what. Never mind. I am coming to get her. I’ll be at your house in twenty minutes.”
“We’re not there.”
“Okay, where are you? I can pick her up.”
“Florida.”
“I don’t know where that is. Is it a new club downtown?”
“No,” I cautiously said. “It’s not exactly downtown. More like down south, way down south. Like south of the Carolina’s.”