Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
The stench of death filled the space, due to his lover, Rosetta’s head rotting in the space earlier that day.
One of the men had taken it out due to my order. I hadn’t wanted Paolo to see that, when they brought him in to talk to his father for the last time.
Sadness poured over me.
I held Emilio close to my body, needing his warmth and love.
Blue set the box down by the rocking chair.
Still, I shook my head, trying to get that vision out of my mind.
Don’t think about it.
Blue slowly took the items out of the box, taking great care with each one.
Pavel came back to my mind.
“Emily, in my condo, there’s a space under my bed. Open it up. It has albums, my mother’s jewelry, and all of her old books. These things are Paolo’s now. I. . .I think they’re important.”
Shivering, I carried Emilio over to his changing table and laid him down.
Pavel. . .I’m trying to honor you and do what’s right. I hope you can see that.
I swallowed down my sadness. “How did everything go, Blue?”
“It was easy.” Blue took out more items. “They were right where you said they were.”
I stiffened.
“Emily,” Pavel had whispered, “Those items under my bed are not worth a lot, but I want Paolo to cherish them. He should know where he comes from. Feel pride. Tell him. Tell Paolo how I wasn’t that bad the whole time. That I had some good.”
All I could do was whisper back, “Okay.”
My hands shook as I unzipped the small protective dust bag holding Emilio’s suit. It lay across his changing table.
Don’t be sad. You’re doing what Pavel wants. It’s going to be okay.
“Oh good! I am not late.” Baba rushed in, wearing a yellow robe and carrying a lovely wooden chest. A towel was wrapped around her head. “When I am in the shower, I get the clearest visions.”
We all turned to her.
I raised my eyebrows. “What did you see, Baba?”
Baba set the trunk next to the box. “I think it is good that Paolo is learning about his parents’ passing today.”
“You saw that?”
“And other things.”
I quirked my brows. “What things?”
“Let us focus on the fact that in Paolo’s future most new visions have warmed my heart.
“And others?”
“Those are to be dealt with when they come.”
Cold chills ran up my spine. “I need more information than that.”
“I disagree.” Baba gazed at the items that Blue had already taken out. “You were smart to get these memories for my little one. This will make the dark times better for him.”
“What dark times?”
Baba left the chest by the rocking chair and came over to me. “Let me see that little boy. I just want to give him a big kiss.”
I frowned. “Are you going to answer me?”
“Look at the trunk I brought Paolo.” Baba gathered up Emilio and began doting on him. “It will be perfect for Paolo to open from time to time and pull out his memories of his family.”
“Will it?”
“Yes. He will go to that trunk every year on his birthday, when the house is quiet and everyone is asleep in their beds. He will spend many silent minutes staring at pictures trying to see how much of the details of his face match his mother and father.”
I didn’t like the idea of Paolo sitting in his room alone like that. I wanted to be his strength, his foundation. I yearned to hug and love all of his pain away.
Baba rocked Emilio in his arms. “Every birthday. Even as an adult. . .Paolo will turn to these memories.”
“That sounds sad.”
“It will be important for him to have something tangible to hold onto, to remember where he came from and the people who loved him.”
My stomach twisted.
“It’s not just for the dark times, Emily but for the happy times too. You will be allowing Paolo to remember his parents, to never forget their faces, to even show his kids one day. Trust me. This will be therapeutic for him.”
I thought back to my parents, and how I could barely remember what they looked like.
Baba smiled down at Emilio. “And this little one here will be able to share in those memories with Paolo too. You’re going to help Paolo heal. Aren’t you?”
I sighed, feeling the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders. “I just hope I’m doing the right thing.”
“You are.” Baba rocked Emilio in her arms. So comfortable, my little guy began to slowly close his eyes. “Please, do not doubt this decision, Emily.”
I went over to the wooden chest that Baba had brought in. “But, he may be too young to understand—”
“Paolo understands more than you know.”
“I think we should wait—”
“Now is the time, Emily.” Baba gave me a sad smile. “Remember. You are honoring Pavel’s wishes and giving Paolo something he can cherish for the rest of his life.”