lover’s apart would not last long. “Sí, but I will come back soon to collect my money from you.”
“You can hold your breath on that. I told you already I’m not shelling out a dime.”
Another kiss and a moan from her lips proved she would willingly pay with pleasure instead of cash.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Christmas tree reached to the ceiling. The Diaz’ had gone all out. The baubles dangling from the pines were antiques and this year they added new ones which represented a new beginning. When Anita plugged in the lights they twinkled and the twins jumped around in excitement. Selange hugged Sal since he was closest as she admired the beautiful spruce tree.
“Is dad okay?” he asked.
“Yes, he’ll be fine,” she answered. Alfonzo had contracted pneumonia. The week he spent in the hospital had been hard on the kids. Alfonzo didn’t want the family to know how sick he’d gotten and made her swear not to tell a soul. “I don’t want everybody hovering over me babe. I’m just too tired to deal with their crap,” he said.
Reluctantly, she agreed. But today he’d come home and the medication had him sleeping a lot. Thank goodness for Anita…thank goodness because she was exhausted. She sat every night at that hospital and came home before the children awoke. He told her to go home but she couldn’t because she was afraid to sleep alone. She had this horrible fear that if she left she’d receive an earth shattering phone call of some kind. No, she could not leave, her heart wouldn’t allow it.
Maria entered with a tray of cookies shaped like Christmas trees. In five more days, the family would gather to share gifts. By then she prayed Alfonzo was well enough to come downstairs.
A Christmas song played in festive celebration but it was Allie who danced to the music that served as the evening entertainment. Of course, Angelina wanted to join her sister and as most children who idolize their sibling imitated her every move. Selange’s weary eyes were sparkly hazel pride. Such fun they were having except in her heart she was sad.
Anita tapped her on the shoulder. “Get sleep. I have the children,” she said when Selange inadvertently dozed off.
“No, no. I’m good.”
“Go ahead ma, we’re fine. I’ll help Anita,” Sal interjected. He didn’t tell anyone Uncle had called to say he was coming. Sal worried about his dad and didn’t believe he was alright. He looked sick and his mom had an anxious expression. Not to mention he wasn’t stupid, people die from pneumonia all the time. Yeah, they let his dad out of the hospital but they shouldn’t have until he was up and walking. He slept all day and that can’t be good. Sal frowned as his mother climbed the stairs. He didn’t want anything to happen to his parents. Some of his friends complained about their folks but he couldn’t. His mom and dad were awesome.
Allie told him what happened in Africa. Some man hit their mom and shot the bodyguards. He was furious that someone had hit his mother and he wasn’t there to do anything about it. As usual his mom tried to protect him from the bad stuff, but he’d seen the bruise. She had hugged him, treating him like a kid when he wasn’t. His dad and Uncle handled the problem but still he didn’t like feeling helpless all the time.
He never said much but he swore when he got older and anybody touched his family he’d hurt them…really bad!
***
Days of aches, coughs and cooped up in a hospital bed with worried children constantly calling is how Alfonzo had spent the week. He’d spoken to Giuseppe, his mom and Tony but only his wife, Anita, the kids and the Capo Bastone were aware of his illness. Spreading the news wasn’t wise, weak moments are when vultures pick at eyes and projecting strength is always better than a display of frailty.
He was home now with weak limbs and a several pounds lighter. He spoke to Tony; he was
“You can hold your breath on that. I told you already I’m not shelling out a dime.”
Another kiss and a moan from her lips proved she would willingly pay with pleasure instead of cash.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Christmas tree reached to the ceiling. The Diaz’ had gone all out. The baubles dangling from the pines were antiques and this year they added new ones which represented a new beginning. When Anita plugged in the lights they twinkled and the twins jumped around in excitement. Selange hugged Sal since he was closest as she admired the beautiful spruce tree.
“Is dad okay?” he asked.
“Yes, he’ll be fine,” she answered. Alfonzo had contracted pneumonia. The week he spent in the hospital had been hard on the kids. Alfonzo didn’t want the family to know how sick he’d gotten and made her swear not to tell a soul. “I don’t want everybody hovering over me babe. I’m just too tired to deal with their crap,” he said.
Reluctantly, she agreed. But today he’d come home and the medication had him sleeping a lot. Thank goodness for Anita…thank goodness because she was exhausted. She sat every night at that hospital and came home before the children awoke. He told her to go home but she couldn’t because she was afraid to sleep alone. She had this horrible fear that if she left she’d receive an earth shattering phone call of some kind. No, she could not leave, her heart wouldn’t allow it.
Maria entered with a tray of cookies shaped like Christmas trees. In five more days, the family would gather to share gifts. By then she prayed Alfonzo was well enough to come downstairs.
A Christmas song played in festive celebration but it was Allie who danced to the music that served as the evening entertainment. Of course, Angelina wanted to join her sister and as most children who idolize their sibling imitated her every move. Selange’s weary eyes were sparkly hazel pride. Such fun they were having except in her heart she was sad.
Anita tapped her on the shoulder. “Get sleep. I have the children,” she said when Selange inadvertently dozed off.
“No, no. I’m good.”
“Go ahead ma, we’re fine. I’ll help Anita,” Sal interjected. He didn’t tell anyone Uncle had called to say he was coming. Sal worried about his dad and didn’t believe he was alright. He looked sick and his mom had an anxious expression. Not to mention he wasn’t stupid, people die from pneumonia all the time. Yeah, they let his dad out of the hospital but they shouldn’t have until he was up and walking. He slept all day and that can’t be good. Sal frowned as his mother climbed the stairs. He didn’t want anything to happen to his parents. Some of his friends complained about their folks but he couldn’t. His mom and dad were awesome.
Allie told him what happened in Africa. Some man hit their mom and shot the bodyguards. He was furious that someone had hit his mother and he wasn’t there to do anything about it. As usual his mom tried to protect him from the bad stuff, but he’d seen the bruise. She had hugged him, treating him like a kid when he wasn’t. His dad and Uncle handled the problem but still he didn’t like feeling helpless all the time.
He never said much but he swore when he got older and anybody touched his family he’d hurt them…really bad!
***
Days of aches, coughs and cooped up in a hospital bed with worried children constantly calling is how Alfonzo had spent the week. He’d spoken to Giuseppe, his mom and Tony but only his wife, Anita, the kids and the Capo Bastone were aware of his illness. Spreading the news wasn’t wise, weak moments are when vultures pick at eyes and projecting strength is always better than a display of frailty.
He was home now with weak limbs and a several pounds lighter. He spoke to Tony; he was
Similar Books
