Mafia Obsession

Scarlet

I lie in bed, my phone clasped tightly in my hands. I’m texting my friend, Charlotte, but I haven’t told her anything about what’s happening. I’m talking to her about her college course and nothing else. I wouldn’t even know how to start explaining any of this.

Dad dead, Mom missing, my world spinning over and over and over.

I was almost relieved when the cell phone rang, interrupting our steaminess. The orgasm was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, so intimate. His tongue was so hot. I was right. It helped me forget, but once the orgasm began to come to an end, I had to think about the next bit-going all the way. He still doesn’t know just how inexperienced I am.

Changing text conversations, I send Elio a message. Any updates?

We’re surrounding the location now, he replies. Your mother seems to be on some sort of opium. She looks really out of it. There are a few men in there who seem to be on meth, properly amped up. We’re going to approach this slowly and cautiously, but I promise I’ll get her out of here.

Thank you, I reply, for everything.

Don’t thank me yet, angel, he texts. Thank me when she’s home.

Are you going to bring her here? I ask. Or are we going back to the apartment?Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

There’s no way in hell I’ll let you go to the apartment when the loan shark is still out there, he texts. I’ll bring her to Dad’s apartment.

Won’t your mom get suspicious? It’s one thing having a live-in singer, but her mom too?

I’ll have to tell Mom the truth, he replies. Or a version of it, anyway. I’ll tell her the singing front was a lie. I’ll tell her I’ve finally found a woman for me, but you and your mom need my help.

He’s finally found a woman for him. I shouldn’t let myself get all warm and tingly over this, especially when so much dread clings to me, but it’s like his words are all the brighter because of the darkness. I have to remember this is a story he’s telling his mom, a justification for bringing Mom here, not the truth.

Thank you so much, Elio, I type. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this.

You don’t need to thank me, he replies. I’m going to keep you and your family safe. I’ve already failed once. I’m not going to fail again.

You didn’t fail. Dad’s death isn’t your fault.

The sad truth is Dad’s death is his fault. My emotions are so confused right now. Dad got us into trouble with loan sharks and then vanished, leaving us defenseless. If it weren’t for Elio, I’d have no way of finding Mom. I loved Dad, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive him for that, even after his death. Does that make me a terrible daughter?

I won’t be able to text for a while now, he replies. Try not to drive yourself crazy. I’ll let you know when I’m bringing your mom home. I think she may need to go to the hospital first, so it might take a while.

As long as she’s safe, that’s all I care about, I send.

We’re heading in soon. Stay safe, angel. And you, Elio.

I can’t keep up my casual texting with Charlotte once I know Elio’s mission has started. There’s too much fear drumming through me. Mom is high as a kite, could possibly OD, and if the meth heads decide to kick up a storm…

Closing my eyes tight, I imagine a different future. I see myself standing in a room full of light. Mom’s sitting with a baby in her lap, looking so healthy and full of life-both of them, my child and their grandmother. More children run around, their happy footsteps like the world’s best backing track. Then my husband walks into the room, my Elio Marino, dashing and silver-haired with those intense eyes. Even after all the years we will have spent together by then, he’s completely captivated when he looks at me in the fantasy.

I spring to life when my phone rings. I haven’t been sleeping, exactly-I don’t think I’d be able to-but I’ve been disappearing into fantasy after fantasy. When I see that it’s Elio, I answer quickly.

“Yes? Hello? Is she safe?”

There’s a long pause, and then I hear Mom’s voice. I can tell she’s crying. “Oh, Scarlet.”

“Mom?” I yell. “Are you okay?”

“Your friend is driving me home now.” She sounds out of it and distraught at the same time, her voice torn. “I’m so sorry. I can’t even… I tried to find your dad, but I lost my pills. These damned pills. I’m done with them.”

“Mom, do you know… about dad?”

“Yes,” she whispers. “Elio told me. Well, I demanded to know. I need to tell you something, but that can wait until we’re together. I’ve not been a very good mother.”

“Mom-”

“It’s the truth,” she snaps. “I’ve let Philip lead us on a merry dance. I’ve ruined your childhood. I’ve let you work to support our family when I

should have been. When you needed me most, I decided to get high instead. Scarlet, I’ve been a terrible mother, but I can do better.”

I wipe a tear from my cheek. “I love you, Mom. That’s never changed.” “I love you too,” she replies, “but sometimes, more than love is needed.” “You’re a good mom,” I tell her.

“No, Scarlet. I’ve been a terrible mother, but I can do better, and that’s the point. We’ve got a lot to talk about when I get home. Well, to Elio’s apartment. One thing we need to talk about is exactly how you got involved with this man.”

I swallow. “I’ll explain when I see you. I love you.”

She says I love you again, and then I hang up. I can’t lie down after talking with Mom. Standing, I pace up and down, anxiety twisting through me. Despite what happened to Dad, I’ve got a big smile on my face. I’m grinning like a loon. Mom is safe. That’s the most important thing.

About thirty minutes later, the door opens. Mom is wearing a hoodie two sizes too big-given to her by Elio or somebody else-making her look small and vulnerable. Her hair is tied up. She looks young and lost. Rushing across the room, she falls into my arms. I hug her fiercely, looking over her shoulder and seeing Elio in the doorway. Thank you, I mouth.

He nods, meeting my eyes with heavy emotion. “I’m going to explain to Mom,” he says, shutting the door.

My mom sobs fiercely as we cling to each other. She cries for a long time, then takes my shoulders and pushes herself back so she can look into my eyes. “I’ve got to tell you now. Perhaps I should’ve told you years ago, but sit down, Scarlet.”

I can’t imagine her telling me anything that will make this any less of a relief. She’s here. She’s safe. That’s all that matters. I can’t ignore the shiver of nerves deep inside when I sit down, and she sits beside me, taking my hand and massaging it slowly. I can feel how cold and clammy she is. She still looks out of it. I think that’s one reason she’s being so forward.

Her eyes are saucers. She’s obviously still high, but I can tell she needs to say this now. “Philip was…”

“It’s okay, Mom,” I mutter. “Whatever you want to say, it’s okay.”

She looks at the floor, tears glistening in her eyes. I smooth my free hand up her arm, rubbing her shoulder gently. “It’s not okay. I’ve been lying to you.”

“Lying?” I say. “About what?”

“About your father,” she replies. “I just have to say it. Otherwise, I’ll do what I’ve spent so many years doing-being a coward.”

“Whatever it is, I can take it,” I say, thinking of Elio, of how much more manageable life seems when I have him backing me up.

She lets out a long breath. “Philip wasn’t your father.”

I just stare at her for what feels like minutes, trying to make sense of this. It’s like she’s spoken a different language. Then my thoughts give me a slideshow of all those moments-the sour looks, the lack of love, the seeming indifference-and suddenly, it makes sense.

“I had a boyfriend. He passed away, unfortunately. When you were two, I found Philip. I wanted you to have a father. I wanted you to be like the other children. So we agreed to tell you that you were his. By the time I realized what a mistake it was, you were too old. Or maybe that’s just an excuse for me being a complete coward.”

“That’s why he never seemed to care about me,” I whisper.

Mom squeezes my hand so tightly it hurts, but I don’t have the heart to tell her. “I think he tried his best in the beginning. Then those silly get-rich- quick schemes started. It made him bitter. It brought out all his worst qualities and mine. Let’s be honest.” She laughs shakily, sounding distant. “I have to tell you now, before it, before you know what wears off-the shit I put in my body.”

Hearing Mom curse is so strange.

“Now he’s gone,” Mom whispers, shuddering all over. “He wasn’t a good man. Oh, let’s be honest. He was terrible in many ways, but he didn’t deserve to be killed.”

When she starts crying again, I pull her into a hug and stroke my hand through her hair, muttering soothing words. I hope they’re soothing, at least. I tell her it’s okay. I tell her I still love her. I say it repeatedly, holding her tightly, hoping she can feel the love burning through me.

Philip wasn’t my dad. My dad died before I can even remember. It all makes sense. He never wanted me because I was never his. I wonder if I should hate Mom, but I can’t. She’s the only family I have left… until I make one of my own.