She nods as she takes a drink of coffee.
With a louder than necessary voice, she speaks to me.
“Just be careful. I am speaking from experience. These BOYS don’t know how to treat a woman. I would hate for you to become heartbroken like I did.”
She doesn’t look over at Giovanni, but I know that little performance was for him. He brings my coffee over and sets it in front of me along with creamer, sugar, and a spoon.
“Damn it, Iz. When are you ever going to forgive me? I was a dumb kid. I didn’t know what I was doing.”
She goes back to the paper that I know she isn’t reading because her eyes are focused on one spot and not moving.
“Fuck it.” Giovanni throws up his hands and leaves the kitchen
As soon as he does, Izzy sets the paper down and turns to me.
“Sorry about that. You look happy.”
I smile at her.
“I am. I got laid last night. What’s there not to be happy about?”
She laughs.
“I haven’t seen you look so light in a while. Which is saying a lot considering the situation we are currently in.”
“You seem better too. Are you less angry at us?”
She gives me a sad smile.
“I was never truly angry at you guys. I was in my own head. I came here once you know.”
She looks around the house.
“You did?”
“Yeah. When I was a teen. They had this family bbq. Because of Gio’s dad, he got an invite. He was allowed to bring a date, so he brought me. It was a fun day. This place has changed though.”
“Oh? How So?”
“Back then, this place was filled with life. I might not agree with the way they do things, but this place was a home. There were pictures of family members on the wall. Kids were running around. They had family parties quite often from what I heard. Now, it seems so cold and impersonal. The walls are bare of any personal touches. It’s almost as if someone came in and wiped out any memory of what came before. It’s sad if you really think about it.”
Seeing this beautiful place through her eyes I can see why she would see it that way. I look around and notice that it does seem quite impersonal. Even Bash’s room has no indication that it was his other than the clothes and those could really be anyone’s.
I feel sad for Bash. I never considered that his life could be lonely.
I tuck that away for another day though.
“Wow. That is quite insightful.” I pause as she nods. “Have you thought about what is going on with Mia?”
“I have. I was wrong. I’m not her mother or father. She was right. I have no right to tell her what to do. I really wasn’t trying to tell either one of you what to do. I just wanted to protect you.”
I give her a small smile.
“I appreciate it. Mia does too. She just won’t admit it yet. I think we are all learning things about each other that we didn’t expect. Our friendship is strong. We will make it through this.”
She reaches out and squeezes my hand.
“We have to. We are in too deep now. You guys know my secret. I would have to kill you if you wanted to leave now.”
