“Luigi.”
“The detective? The police detective needs you to protect him?”
“You weren’t there. Yes. It had to be done or we’d be attending his funeral.”
“Not me. He’s a blood traitor.”
“When you grow up, you’ll understand this shit better,” he said, in mock imitation of his father’s voice.
“If you’re going to be disagreeable, I’ll leave.”
“Go. I need to sleep. Doc said to rest. Can’t seem to get that anywhere.”
As soon as Terri left, his mother came in with a plate of lasagna. Damn, were they lined up in the hall to see him?
“I have your favorite, Anthony, to help you get back your strength.”
Saks smiled tiredly. He was hungry, but didn’t have the energy to eat. In fact, food seemed pointless now. “You’re a good woman, Ma.”
She put the tray on his lap.
“You’ll find one of your own someday.”
“What?”
“A good woman.”
“I’m not so sure,” he said, looking out the window.
“What? What’s wrong, Anthony?”
He sighed. “I’ve screwed things up badly.”
“Language, Anthony.”
He huffed with wry amusement. Only his mother would think the word “screw” was swearing. “Sorry, Ma. Anyway, I did find a good one. Only, she doesn’t want me.”
“Then she isn’t a good one.” His mother said this with absolute certainty, and he chuckled.
“She was. Beautiful, like you, Ma, and she knows her mind, just like you, and she loved me like no other woman.”
“Who is this paragon of virtue?”
“Christina Serafini.”
“Serafini?” said his mother with disbelief.
“Yep. Chrissy.”
“I thought you hated her.”
“Hate is a little too strong a word. Don’t get me wrong. When we get together the sparks fly.”
“They do?”
“But we are just as apt to argue as make love.”
“You went to bed with this woman?” Her mouth gaped open.