Page 136 of Secrets of the Brother
Slightly blurred jewel tones. Stained glass.
I must be in a church.
If the stained glass was bright then the sun was still out, which meant that not much time had passed. I slowly rolled my wrists and ankles. I wasn’t tied up. Another good sign.
A voice I didn’t recognize interjected. “Can we get on with this, betting for the Breeder’s Cup race is about to open in America.”
Nevio snarled, “Shut up, priest. We’re finished when I say we’re finished.”
Okay. My mother. Nevio. A church and a priest.
Even my drug-hazed mind could figure out what was happening.
I just needed to stall for time until Enzo arrived.
And there wasn’t a doubt in my mind he would arrive.
Claudia spoke up. “I just need to get her changed. I won’t have my last remaining daughter married in that black rag.”
“Fine, but make it quick.”
My mother pulled me to a sitting position. I pretended to come awake, fluttering my eyelids. “Moth—” Oops. Best not upset her. “Claudia?”
She smiled. “Yes, dear.”
“Have you rescued me from the Cavalieris?”
She blinked. “What?”
Careful, don’t oversell it.
“I assume you heard me yelling your name the other day when you came to visit? I so wanted to see you, but they wouldn’t allow it.”
“I knew they were keeping you from me,” she hissed.
I bit the inside of my cheek. “Of course.”
She gave me an awkward half hug, catching my hair in her gold bangles as she patted my cheek. “Don’t worry, Mother is here now.”
So it’s Mother now?
Hoping I wasn’t pushing too hard, I asked, “Where is here? And where is Father?”
“Your father,” she cleared her throat, "couldn't make it. Here is church and look, sweetie, Nevio is here!”
I forced a smile. Fortunately, Nevio didn’t turn around. He continued to talk animatedly on his mobile.
My mother waved her hand dismissively. “He’s been very worried about you.” She patted my thigh. “We need to get you ready.”
I swallowed past the dryness in my throat. “Ready for what?”
She smiled, a smear of red lipstick dotting her front, slightly tobacco-stained teeth. “Your wedding, silly. I told you, Nevio has been worried.”
My cheeks hurt as I kept my smile. “Of course.”
She gathered a garment bag under one arm as she sank the long, lacquered claws of her other hand into the soft flesh of my upper arm. She pulled me to my feet. I had to brace my hand on the back of a pew as we made our way to the restrooms.
We pushed inside the dimly lit small bathroom. The linoleum was chipped and missing in some spots on the floor. On the walls was a tile pattern of pale yellow and white squares. In the center of every ten or so tiles was a faded daisy.
