The Beginning (The Life 1)

“Sorry, were you done?” Anna was hopping from one leg to the next, which meant she was chomping at the bit about something or the other.

“Good morning. What brings you two here?” My voice was in direct contrast to her overly excited one. “And why are you two dressed so early?” From the position of the sun, I knew they were at least an hour ahead of schedule. Every other morning they’d still be figuring out what to wear or how to do their hair at this time.

“Aren’t we picking Gia up for school?”

“I wasn’t planning on it.” Yeah, I was but heck if I’m owning up to that.

“Well, change of plans, brother. By the way, we’ve already spoken to dad about this weekend; he promised to take care of it.”

“Fine!” I stood up from my place on the prayer mat and headed for the en suite bathroom to take my morning shower while they booked it out of my room, arm in arm.

I didn’t realize so much time had passed. I can get a bit carried away when I meditate, but I need it on days like this. My thoughts had driven me to the mat at the ass crack of dawn because my emotions were all over the place. The scuffle I’d overheard between Gianna and Victoria had played on my mind the whole night, and I felt guilty for not foreseeing something like that happening.

I’d warned Victoria not to touch her again, but of course, there’s no way for me to know about hair pulling since it doesn’t leave a mark. Is that why she’d gone that route? What else happened that I’d not caught? I’d hardly slept because of my own fuck up and because I’ve been trying to figure out a way for that shit to not happen again.

It’s still too early for me to have the lay of the land. My conversation with the father last night didn’t give many answers, but if I had to make a guess, the guy seems clueless to me. If that’s the case, then it would make my life easier, but if he’s part of the abuse, then things might get sticky because no matter what we do outside, she still has to go back to that shit. It’s like walking a tightrope.

On top of all that, I still have to play this thing as if I’m not really interested. Not for the Fontanes, but the Russos. If I get too involved, I have no doubt that my family would be up my ass. For some reason, they, especially Ma and the twins, have an unhealthy obsession with my dating life or lack thereof. And I still have no idea why I’m even getting involved like this; it serves no purpose.

Dousing my head in the shower wasn’t much help and brought me no closer to an answer, but at least I’d cooled down. I’ve not come this close to committing this level of violence in a very long time. Not even when I pounded that putz about a week ago did, I feel like this.

Meditation did work to help clear my mind, though, so at least for now, I had some answers. I’ll keep using my family until I have a better idea. That’s best for now until I know more about her home life.

Breakfast was a bit rushed, and all the talk was about the coming weekend. “Are you inviting Lance since the girls are bringing a friend?”

“If I don’t, he’d make my life hell.”

“True, I’ll call the priest and let him know.” Pop was just being his usual indulgent self, but I noticed he kept giving me looks over his coffee cup. Now I wonder just what it is that my sisters told him last night?

“Let’s go, Gabe; we’re gonna be late picking Gia up.” Rosa all but pulled me up from my chair, making everyone else at the table laugh.

“You girls really like Gia, huh.” Ma smiled at them while I kept my face neutral.

“Yes, she’s very nice.”

“I asked around; everyone seems to think she’s a nice girl. But she doesn’t seem to have a lot of friends. Why is that?” Sheila asked as she refilled Pop’s cup.

“We’re not sure, but we think it has something to do with her stepsister. She’s pretty mean to her at school.”

“That’s a shame; that poor child lost her mother at a very young age.”

“Really, Sheila? I know you mentioned something like that yesterday, but it slipped my mind. What else did you learn?”

“Not much, just hearsay from some of the others I talk to. I’ll know more today when I see Ella; she’s their housekeeper.”

“I hope it’s nothing bad; she seems like a lovely girl and the twins like her.” For Ma, that’s as good as a benediction from the pope.