Sempre (Sempre 1)

Dominic rolled his eyes. “When did you become her guardian? She’s her own woman. Let her have a sucker. It won’t kill her.”

“Whatever,” Carmine said, standing. “I’ll get her something real to eat.”

“Yeah, you do that, Martha Stewart,” Dominic said. “Go knit her a scarf while you’re at it. Maybe some booties, too.”

“Vaffanculo,” Carmine hollered as he walked out.

Dominic turned to her. “That boy needs to chill before he bursts a blood vessel.”

“He’s trying to help,” she said. “Give him a break.”

“I know he’s trying to help, but that’s no excuse to deny someone candy on Halloween.”

“Thank you for it,” she said, pulling off the wrapper and sucking on it. “I didn’t realize it was Halloween until I saw the treatsters.”

He sat on the arm of the chair beside her and laughed. “They’re called trick-or-treaters.”

“Oh.” She looked back out at the kids in costumes. “I didn’t know, since I’ve never been. I didn’t have a normal childhood.”

“Normal is a relative term,” he said. “Besides, it’s never too late to trick-or-treat. Maybe we’ll go one of these years.”

She smiled, knowing Dominic would actually do it. “I’d like that.”

“It’s good to see you. I would’ve come sooner, but Tess made me promise to leave you alone.”

“I’m glad you’re here. It’s nice to see friendly faces again.”

He nodded. “So, how are you holding up? Can’t be easy losing a month of your life.”

“I’m alive,” she said. “That’s more than I can say for some people.”

“Nicholas,” he said quietly. “He didn’t deserve what happened. He was a good friend, always had a joke for anyone who would listen.”

“He did.” Tears formed, guilt eating away at her. “It’s dumb, but I can’t stop thinking about the last joke he told me. He was telling one when he was shot, but he never got to say the answer.”

“Yeah? What was the joke?”

“What’s black, white, and red all over?”

Dominic laughed. “Classic Nicholas. He’d give a different bullshit answer every time he told that joke, like a penguin with sunburn or a zebra with chicken pox. The real answer is a newspaper, though. It’s black and white, and read all over.”

“Oh.” She sat there for a moment before a light laugh escaped her lips. “I like that one.”

“It’s not stupid to think about it. He’d be honored to be remembered by his jokes,” he said, patting her head. “I’m glad you’re up and moving around. Everyone’s been worried, but I never doubted everything would turn out all right.”

“I wish I was as sure.”

“As hard as it is, you have to have hope. Remember I told you before? What my brother did sucks, but if I was in his shoes, I would’ve done the same thing, and I know you would, too. So maybe I’m not the only one who needs to give Carmine a break. I’m sure somehow you guys will figure things out, and it won’t be the ideal fairy tale, but when is life? Especially for the two of you.”

“You’re right.”

“Anyway, I should go.” Dominic stood and froze, clearing his throat. “Damn, that was quick, bro. You’re a regular ol’ Betty Crocker these days.”

“I didn’t make it, motherfucker.” Carmine handed Haven a bowl of vegetable soup. “I just poured it.”

“Well, you did a damn fine job at that.”

“Thanks, asshole,” Carmine said, feigning annoyance as an amused smile formed on his lips. “Don’t you have shit to go break with a sword or something? It’s Halloween.”