“You could make yourself a plate if you’d like,” she chuckles.
“Nah, I like doing it this way,” I snicker.
“Lots of trouble you are,” she goes back to her pot of ravioli. It is one of my favorite dishes and my mouth is watering just thinking about the goodness in that pot.
“There you are,” my grandmother takes a seat next to me, snatching some rolls as one of the soldiers takes it out of the kitchen, causing me to laugh.
“I see where you get it,” Katherine rolls her eyes and laughs.
“What are you doing here?” I ask my grandmother.
“We need to talk,” she says and I take her arm so we can walk through my garden where we will have some privacy.
I see that some of my plants are coming in nicely. Should have a good harvest before the summer months.
“What’s up?”
“There is darkness near,” she starts.
“Someone was shot, so yes,” I agree.
“But in that darkness is a light so pure that even you can’t see it just yet, that light doesn’t know that it’s meant to heal everyone,” she says cryptically.
“I don’t understand,” I stop to look at her.
“My gift doesn’t come with the full story, you know that. This is just something I’m feeling. You can help, but only you know-how,” she says.
“I’m still not getting this,” I shake my head.
“You will soon. Love awaits as well. There are many things in your future,” she kisses my cheek and then signals she wants to head inside.
“I need to go and lay down,” she informs me.
“I’ll get someone to take you home,” I remark, signaling for a nearby soldier.
“Yes, miss?”
“Take my grandmother home and see that she makes it inside,” I utter and he complies with a bow.
“I’ll check on you tomorrow,” I declare before she can say no. My father can’t say no to me going to see my grandmother.
“Thank you, dear,” she replies, taking the soldier’s arm as he leads her to her waiting car.
“You’re a good granddaughter,” Katherine notes to me.
“I try,” though I’ve been keeping secrets. I accept a bowl of ravioli from Katherine and take it to my room, trying to comprehend what my grandmother said to me. It’s all too much.
I just know right now, all our futures are up in the air until everyone comes to a conclusion or compromise.
Nineteen
Ivan
I thought long and hard about a lot of things while waiting for my father to get in. What he said, about Rodion being shot, about the Italians. I spent a lot more of that time thinking about the woman that has me intrigued about who she is and how she makes the darkness seem less dark and more alluring.
I wish I could see her, but I’m following orders and staying put until my father gives the okay to resume business as usual. Though Tim has been keeping the casino running and I’m getting in the ring tonight. And though I’m being described as the devil in disguise I’m going to try something different, not kill him. I’m sure the poor guy is already shaking in his boots. I’ll go easy on him.
“Ready?” Tim asks from my bedroom door. I suited up tonight, trying to look unified since most of the outfits are always in suits. My father would be proud.
