I think there was also a part of me that was jealous. She was about to inherit riches she could care less about. Since birth, I had witnessed the Giordano life. Once old enough, I had to work for them, yet always return to my ‘humble’ home. I think I was angry because Scarlett had me now seeing all those riches differently. Everything about me was changing. And I felt lost.
With heavy feet, I walked to the kitchen to retrieve a banana. “You can eat it while we walk.”
Bare feet pattered, fighting to keep up with me. “Are you mad at me because I ruined the TV like your suit?”
Now, I was angry that she knew I had once cared about those things. Shame had me irrational. I grabbed a banana from the counter. “Scarlett, please. I need some fresh air.” I handed her the banana over my shoulder. “Here.”
Timidly, she took it.
I double-checked the two guns in my holster and then opened the door. Sunlight hit me and had me stepping onto the front stoop. I took one step down, then another, until my shoes were on the gravel driveway. I wanted to run. I wanted to run hard and fast and not look back. But an invisible pull had me peering over my shoulder.
Standing in the doorway was the truly brave one.
I faced her.
Some people think being brave means you’re not afraid. Scarlett had taught me being afraid, and still trying, is true bravery.
The bare feet that had been chasing me throughout the living room and kitchen took more brave steps forward, even though they didn’t want to. They slipped into abandoned sneakers by the front door, then took steps forward.
On the top step, she stood, staring at me, the banana hanging at her side.
What am I doing?
What I was doing was not wanting to look in the Mirror of Truth. Now that Angelo was not here, I couldn’t project opinions on him. I was forced to consider my own level of love for Scarlett.
I dropped to my knees on the step in front of her. “I’m so sorry.” I carefully took off her shoes. “No walk.” I laid my hands on her soft feet, which had never known shoes until I tried to force them. “Not until you are ready.” I reached up for her hand. “Please, forgive me.” I rested my forehead to her stomach. “Scarlett.”
Her forgiving and gracious hand touched my head, making me feel blessed. Her fingers ran through my hair, causing me to melt into her. My eyes drifted shut. “Thank you.”
She whispered, “I wish my name meant to me what it does for you.” She held me to her. “And I wish it didn’t mean you are stuck with me.”
Such a fast learner.
I wrapped my arms around her thighs, holding her tight. “I may have been hired to protect you, but there is no money that could ever change how much I care about you.”
She whispered, “I care about you, too. So much it sometimes hurts my tummy.”
I kissed that tummy. “Thank you.” I nuzzled into her, loving how it felt to hold her. I realized I had been without true affection. Even Angelo and I were now further apart, even though we were stuck in the same house together. Something was missing.
Peering up to Scarlett, I admitted, “I’m tired.”
Her long black hair moved over her shoulders as she nodded. “Me too.” Her eyes welled. “The night scares me.” She swallowed. “It is hard to sleep with my back open.”
I kissed her hand, so willing to teach again. “Exposed. You don’t like your back exposed.” Still holding her hand, I stood. “Let’s go rest.”
In my room, I moved a table, then shoved my bed into the corner. There were no windows. Only two walls to guard Scarlett’s back. I pointed, “Crawl in, Dove.”
As she followed my direction, she watched me take off my jacket. “No more suit?”
She had no idea what those words meant. “No more Suit. I choose Scarlett.”
With no shoes, socks, or holster, I got in the bed at her front. So that she knew she was as safe as I could make her, I held up a gun. “If anyone dares to enter this room, I will shoot them. Understand?”
With her banana in hand, she snuggled to my back. “Yes.”
With a gun in mine, another under my pillow, and a Giordano Princess at my back, I took the best nap of my life.
By early afternoon, I awoke to Scarlett eating her banana. She looked so relaxed in her corner, lounging about, her finger following a tiny imperfection in the wall as she chewed.
Stretching, I celebrated, “Scarlett, I feel like a new man.”
Like a true Italian, she offered me food; a bite of her banana.
I smiled and took one.
After swallowing, she asked, “Sal, could we dance?”
“Dance?”
“I saw it in a movie. It looked like such fun.”
Elated, I jumped out of bed. “That may be the best idea yet!” Scarlett’s face lit up, so I added to her awe. “Ever have a piggyback ride?” Her eyes popped as she shook her head. “Stand up.” With banana peel in hand, she rushed to her feet. I turned my back to her. “Give me your hands.” I waited, my hands at my shoulders until I felt hers. Then I pulled. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”
“What?!” she squealed so excitedly.
“That’s right! Climb aboard the Sal Express.”
She was so trusting. I had no idea why, with all she had been through, but she leapt on my back. “Here we go!” I took off running, raw laughter in my ear as Scarlett held on tight. I couldn’t help but feel a full circle moment as my bare feet pattered on the expensive floor that could kiss my ass.
I rushed to the stereo and turned up the volume after finding dance music. What was the song? Who knew and who cared? Scarlett and Sal were going to dance.
“You ready?”
Another wonderful squeal rang in my ear.
“Okay, let your body slide down mine so we can move to the beat.”
“Beat?”
“Never mind. Stay put and hold on!” I started bending my knees to the rhythm while turning up the music even louder. Then I really started to move. It is possible I looked like a fool, but this fool was so happy.
Scarlett? She was screaming and laughing, her arms holding on for dear life!
I rushed to the kitchen, tossed her banana peel, then danced us around the living room, shaking my hips and clapping while screaming over the music. “See? The beat!” I spun us around and around. Scarlett’s hair was as free as her laughter. “You want to try?”
“Yes! Yes!”
I shouted over the music, “Slide down.”
As soon as she did, I spun to face her and grabbed her hands. “Dance, beautiful Dove!”
Holding my hands tightly, her eyes were locked to mine as she started to bend her knees.
“Yes. Do it again.”
They bent then straightened.
“Yeeeees. Again!”
Her smile was simply marvelous as her knees started bouncing to the beat.
“You are a natural! Now, let’s move our feet.” I began, stepping side to side.
Scarlett watched, then followed…
With our joined hands, I moved her about the living room floor. She never stopped smiling in between all her gasps and laughter. She was a Goddess gaining her Godly powers. An angel gaining her wings. She looked like a butterfly finding the sun.
It was time to set her free…