Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Grandpa Riccardo scoffs, causing me to turn and glare at him. “Maybe now those two won’t be stuck to each other,” he says bitterly.
“Don’t you start that shit,” Ma growls.
“What? The boy can’t stay around here. They’ll find him a nice home somewhere. We won’t have to see his weird little ass around here anymore.”
Ma tries to lunge at him, but Uncle Lucas catches her around the waist. Mama is pregnant with my two brothers. She shouldn’t be upset or fighting.
I clench my fists at my sides. Jace and I are eight, but we’re not stupid. Grandpa hates that we’re friends and he calls us names all the time.
“The boy stays with us. I’ll take care of him,” Uncle Lucas says.
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Why are you so disgusting?” Ma fumes.
“Me? Disgusting? What’s disgusting is the fact that you just watched how this little friendship is affecting Gio—making him weak, and you still insist on keeping them in each other’s lives,” Grandpa Riccardo snarls.
“He’s my friend,” I say angrily.
“He’s a finook. The little weirdo, he’s a long-haired faggot, and so are you,” he bites back.
I see red. I’m tired of him calling us those things. I run at him, ducking under my father’s arms as he tries to grab me. I slide across the tile floors and stop right in front of my grandfather and punch him in the nuts, then kick him in his left leg.
He drops to his knees, and I punch him in the face. “Stop calling us that. Don’t call me or my friends any more names or I’m going to kill you myself,” I snarl with my chest heaving.
“Gio,” Ma calls.
I turn to her, dropping my head. I shouldn’t have lost my temper, but I hate this man. She comes over and lifts my head in her hand.
When I look at her, she’s smiling at me. “Good boy.” She bends to kiss my forehead, tears in her eyes. She’s sad, but I don’t think it’s because of what I’ve done.
She turns to a groaning Grandpa as he rolls around on the floor. “I promise you. One day it will be this son who makes good on what you deserve. Stay away from my boys. They are innocents and don’t even understand the things you imply.”
“My fucking balls. Little bastard.”
“Get out of my home. Now, before I kill you,” Mama yells.
Dad and Uncle Lucas come to help him up. Mama keeps one hand on my shoulder and the other on her swollen belly. I watch as they put him out.
Mama turns to me when he’s gone. She lowers until we’re eye to eye and cups my face in her hands.
“I’m so proud of you. You will be a great man one day. Don’t allow fools like him to change how you feel about yourself. You can love anyone you want to. That means protecting anyone who needs you and showing kindness to those kind to you.”
She then kisses my forehead. Gwen appears with a sad look on her face. Ma turns to her and collapses onto her behind.
“No, no, no, no,” she cries.
“I’m so sorry, Ava. Jace was telling the truth. He’s gone. They both are. The boyfriend was there too, it looks like he committed suicide. I think he set Emil up. Give me time, I’ll get more answers.”
“Emil,” Mama cries and curls into a ball.
I’ve never seen her like this. Mama never shows any weakness. I go to hug her, but Uncle Lucas comes and lifts her up from the floor.
I knit my brows and look at Dad, not understanding why he’s not the one comforting Ma. I think of Nonno telling me not to show my feelings for Nyla to keep her safe. Maybe that’s what Papa is doing. I don’t really like it, but I shake my head and mind my business. I still don’t understand adults.
Instead of trying, I turn and head upstairs to follow after Beth and Jace. When I get to my room, Ny isn’t asleep like I left her. She’s sitting on the floor. Jace has his head on her lap as she combs her hand through his hair. She’s speaking to him in Danish, the language he’s most comfortable with.
“Papa is gone. My family is gone,” Jace says in Danish to her then starts to weep again.
I ball my fists. I hate this has happened. Uncle Emil was so strong. I didn’t think anyone could take him.
How did this happen? It shouldn’t be happening to Jace. Not my friend.
“We’re your family now,” Ny says as she brushes her hand over his hair. “We always will be. Don’t cry. I promise, Jace, we’re your family.”
She’s right. From this moment, I vow that we’re all family, just like I promised her. We will grow up and be together, always.
I move over to them and sit behind Ny, my legs on either side of her. Reaching around her, I place my hand on top of hers as she brushes his hair.