By the time we came back outside, a couple of cars were pulling in. It was time for a shift change of the Suits. After they parked, the newcomers observed me and Angelo with a few security guards, and asked, “Everything alright?”
One grabbed a hold of my shoulder and shook. “Rossi is officially a part of the team.”
Another guard chuckled. “Time for a cigarette break.”
The two Suits that had just arrived went toward the house as we were guided away by the men who we had just tussled with.
Walking down a row of grapevines, I did wonder if ‘cigarette break’ was code for ‘putting a bullet in their naïve heads,’ but it ended up being truly what was claimed. The men offered us smokes, but Angelo and I declined. It would be a habit we would never pick up because Noemi once told us it makes men have foul breath. That description was one that stuck with the two boys who wanted as close as possible to the female gender.
Plus, we were still in a bit of shock about what had just transpired.
Exhaling smoke, one of the Suits said, “I am Pietro.”
My mind was still spinning, fighting to catch up. I wasn’t sure if I had done anything wrong. Would my mother’s tears be happy or mad? The feisty woman would soon let me know whether I had lost my marbles or made her proud.
I replied, “It feels odd to just now be putting a name to a face I see almost daily.”
It was true. I worked in the fields and vineyards. Pietro worked the house and the perimeter around the property. I had shovels, hand tools, and feed. He had guns and skills beyond my own. All the time, we had never shared words. Now, up close, I could see Pietro was somewhere in his thirties. It was hard to be sure. His eyes showed youth, but his scars showed much wear and tear.
His straight hair, split down the middle, moved as he nodded, while his lips pulled on his cigarette. “We are not to mingle.”
“Stay detached. Do our job,” said another Suit. “I am Cristian.”
Cristian also looked to be somewhere in his thirties. His dark hair was a little longer and pulled back into a ponytail. His suit adjusted as he leaned his head back to blow smoke into the air, as if he had been waiting for that inhale all day and was savoring the whole experience.
A part of me had waited so long for this day—to become part of the team with my dad. I was genuinely disappointed that we were hiding in the groves. It was now clear the Suits had no superpowers to reveal. They were… normal. It was like finally getting a bike for Christmas, only to find it was missing tires.
“Shit. You really are a quiet one,” Pietro mentioned to Angelo.
Angelo looked at him, but I could see the promise he just made, weighing heavily on his mind. He was dazed and worried for all involved. Especially me. As soon as our eyes met, he looked to the ground.
Not wanting to discuss personal business in front of Suits I didn’t know, I asked them, “How are we supposed to be ‘detached’ when we know everyone so well?”
Cristian blew out more smoke. “It just happens. You will see. The suit means distance.” He stared down, actually appearing sad. “As soon as you put one on, they will stop conversing with you.”
Angelo’s eyes snapped to Cristian. “You worked the fields.”
It wasn’t a question. It was Angelo connecting dots as he always did.
Cristian tried to shrug it off, “Long time ago,” and took another drag of his cigarette.
Staying in one spot, Angelo turned, taking in all the land around us as if realizing he had just forced us into saying goodbye to the Earth. We would soon no longer be a part of the natural force behind the Giordanos. We would now be stepping into a suit to become a robot with guns, not part of the sun and free laughter while doing manual labor that I was already missing.
Pietro gestured toward the house. “Sorry we had to be rough with you in there. What the old man says, goes. Is there anything we can do to make it up to you?”
He was trying to make sure we started being team members on solid ground. I understood that being important, but an opportunity is an opportunity. “Yeah, sure.” I kicked at a rock that didn’t exist. “Uh, can you, uh, get us some condoms?”
They both laughed.
Pietro teased, “Can’t add those to Mrs. Rossi’s grocery list for town?”
I actually wasn’t sure my mother would not be understanding of Angelo or my needs, but we didn’t have the guts to find out. So, I lied, “Only if we wish to die.”
Cristian kept smirking as if totally comprehending my one request. “I will make sure you have plenty.”
Angelo wasn’t smiling, but I had his full attention.
I had just made sure he could be with Noemi, just like I knew he was dying to be.
In the cave’s entrance, Angelo stood there, motionless, holding a plastic bag of condoms and lube. Cristian had come through in a big way. Why Angelo was now handing them over to me, telling me I should be the one to have Noemi, was at first beyond my comprehension. That’s why I stood there in shock, watching him walk away. “Where are you going?” But as soon as I heard the sniffle behind me, I began to understand. This was a huge deal. Angelo was simply not feeling worthy of her gift.
Facing Noemi, I saw her expression now full of hurt, believing Angelo had rejected her. I lifted my hand to gesture for her to calm, but then noticed I was holding a bag of goods, announcing we were here for her virginity. I quickly brought the bag down and behind me. “No, Noemi. This is not him not wanting you. This is him thinking he doesn’t deserve you.”
She blinked in such a way I knew my words made complete sense.
Then her little bare feet took off running.
As soon as she passed me, I smiled and thought to myself, You will make a fine Italian wife someday. Go get your man.
It was dark, but we all knew these woods well. The stars helped light the night, and voices made it easy to find Noemi and Angelo. She had pushed on his chest, knocking his back into a tree trunk. “We made a deal, remember? You promised what is mine is mine. And that you would protect my heart.”
He couldn’t even look her in the eye. “That is what I am trying to do.”
“No. You are running from me.”
“Noemi, you don’t understand. My soul is no longer mine.”
“What?” She shoved him again. “Angelo! Stop talking as if you have lost your mind.”
“But… I made another promise—one I may fail to make true.”
“Then don’t fail. Fight.” When he still refused to meet her glare, she grabbed his face. “Fine. Then I will fight for you until you are ready.”
As soon as he took a sharp inhale, I knew he was thinking of Zeta, the young girl who wouldn’t fight for him. His eyes raced to me. I had been keeping my distance to not interfere, but now I took steps forward. “You won’t fail Scarlett.”
“Scarlett?” Noemi asked me but didn’t wait for an answer. She snarled, “I’m sure we are speaking of a Giordano.” She poked Angelo’s chest. “You listen here. You are your own man. As much as they want to own you, it is impossible. God gave you your soul.” She jabbed her finger again. “You.” Then pointed up to him. “God would not be angry with anyone who does all he can to protect that gift. In fact, I think he has sent you to Earth to help protect other such souls.” Angrily, she wiped away tears I hadn’t known were falling. “Your big and beautiful heart wanting to help you fulfill God’s wishes would not and could not help you damn your own soul.”