“She wasn’t disrespectful, but she clearly isn’t ready to deal with it. Dr. Lima said it was normal.”
Childhood is filled with normal reactions to life, and children should be permitted to have those reactions, but that doesn’t mean that adults need to bless every fart. Kids can’t be allowed to do whatever they want, whenever they want, without consequence. Dr. Lima once said that too.
* * *
When I getoff with Daniela, I call Valentina. I don’t have the same reservations about setting expectations.
“It’s Antonio.”
“Yes, I know. How are you?”
“I’m very well. How are you?”
“Very well too. Thank you.”
I smile. Despite her respectful response, her tone is forced, and she’s close to asking why I’m calling, but she’s too polite—or maybe too afraid. “How’s Demeter?”
“She’s wonderful. Silvio says that we’re bonding. He’s going to take care of Demeter while I’m at camp. He promised she won’t forget me.”
“She won’t. Do you have any questions about the camp at St. Philomena’s?”
“No. Not really. I had a lot when I first heard about it, but Daniela answered everything and she showed me some pictures.”
She sounds excited about camp, which doesn’t really surprise me. Kids her age want to be around other kids. A mother’s love isn’t enough to sustain a budding teenager.
“She said your niece, Alexis, goes to school there, and that I’ll meet her before camp starts.”
“You will. If you think of anything else you want to know, we can talk about it at dinner tomorrow.”
“Dinner? Are you coming to the valley?”
“Of course. It would have been Isabel’s birthday. Daniela is makingarroz doce,and we’ll eat it together, for heralma.” There’s not a sound coming from the other end of the line. I’m not even sure she’s breathing. “It’s important to Daniela that we remember her friend. She does so much for us and asks so little. Of course, I’ll be there for Daniela, just like you’ll be there.”
I don’t threaten or warn. I simply lay out the expectation and assume she’ll rise to the occasion. I’ve done it dozens of times with Rafael. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it bites me in the ass.
Dr. Lima is an expert. But psychology is not an exact science. Sometimes adults need to set expectations. In the end, I don’t know whether Valentina will come to dinner, but I’ve reframed the issue and given her something to chew on.
I suspect she’ll come around. Although I’ll apply more pressure, if necessary.
56
ANTONIO
We arrive at the Majestic Café neighborhood shortly before eleven. Cristiano and Santi are with me, and Thiago is driving. We park several blocks away while Lucas feeds us the lay of the land, in real time, as he watches it unfold on the monitors in the villa.
Fedorov sent a couple of men to sweep the place after it closed, and he showed up with a handful of guards at 11:30. Two are inside with him, and the others are spanned across the outside perimeter of the cafe.
My men are currently circling his, and I’m flanked by Cristiano and Santi when I enter the building. Alvarez stayed at the house in case this is a diversion—although I don’t think so. He apparently wasn’t happy about being left behind, but that’s too damn bad. I take no chances when it comes to Daniela—or Valentina.
“Dimitri,” I say, sliding into the seat across from him.
The edge of his mouth curls when he glances at Cristiano and Santi. He didn’t expect me to come alone, but I’m sure he’s somewhat amused that I matched him man for man.
After I’m seated, he nudges the plate of pastries toward me. “The pastry chef here never disappoints.”
“I’m all set.”
“They’re quite delicious.” He’s nearly seventy, with weathered skin, and what’s left of his hair is snow white. But despite the outward signs of aging, and all the talk of pastries, he’s not a doddering fool and I’d be a moron to think it.