by Debra Lee
Inside Bruno’s, Jackie bought the talking doll Lisa admired from the moment they entered the store. And when they left and began the walk home, Jackie spotted the ice cream parlor and could not pass without stopping.
At the outside counter, Jackie looked down at the child near her side and smiled. “Will it be one scoop or two, Lisa?”
“Two chocolate.”
Jackie nodded approval to the waitress. When the teenager turned and bent over the cooler to dip the ice cream, Jackie raised her hand about to place it on the top of Lisa’s head. About to pet the child just as Papa had her. She froze. Was it right or wrong to touch Lisa? Jackie wasn’t sure. She wasn’t even sure if it was right to hold the little girl’s hand on the return walk. So she didn’t.
The five of them sat down to dinner at the table in the corner of the kitchen in the restaurant. Anna served a delicious three course meal.
Papa was quiet through the entire meal. But Jackie didn’t mind. It gave her more time to watch and listen to her brother and his wife.
Jackie knew the petting, the love taps between them was right. Just like the way they were looking at each other was proof they were in love. A happy married couple that had no reason to feel the shame Jackie felt more strongly each time she glanced at Papa sitting across the table from her.
“So Jackie, what do you do in America?” asked Frankie before twirling the last of his spaghetti onto his fork and plopping it into his mouth.
Jackie put down her fork and sat tall in her seat. “I’m in the movie making business.”
“You’re a movie star, Aunt Jackie?” Lisa piped up with. Then she added, “You sure are pretty enough.”
Jackie smiled appreciatively. “Thank you, Lisa. But I’m not a movie star. I’m sort of the one responsible for putting things together from the start. Sometimes I’m called the producer. I’ve also been a director.”
“Either one makes your aunt an important lady in Hollywood. Isn’t that right, sis?”
“I suppose. Without producers it would be a little difficult getting a movie made.”
“Can I come to America and visit you, Aunt Jackie? I’ve seen lots a pictures and Mama says someday I will get to go there.”
Jackie’s eyes left Lisa to steady on Papa. “Of course you can visit. All of you can.”
“Perhaps Papa and Lisa can visit you in America,” Frankie said. He slid his arm over his wife’s shoulder. “But Anna and me will be staying right here. The restaurant can’t run on its own.”
“Couldn’t someone else in the family take over for a week?” Jackie asked.
“There is no one else,” Papa spouted. “Frankie is the only one who can run the business. His brothers are too busy with their own lives to even bother coming home to visit.”
“Let’s not get into why my brothers don’t come home anymore, Papa,” Frankie said in a tone that sounded more like a command.
Anna jumped up. “How many for dessert?”
Jackie assumed her sister-in-law’s sudden move was an attempt to deflate the rise of anger in both men. It worked. Everyone seemed to enjoy Anna’s pie and cake. Then Frankie insisted Jackie retire to the apartment with them while Anna tended to the dishes, but Jackie remained behind. She admitted to being the world’s worst cook. But she knew how to wash dishes.
“Anna, why don’t my brothers come home anymore?” Jackie asked once Lisa and the men went upstairs and she helped Anna clear the table.
The stout woman put down a handful of plates on the kitchen countertop. As she began running water into the sink, she attempted an answer. “It’s all an unfortunate misunderstanding. I mean really, can you imagine that your brother Paulee accused Papa of molesting his daughter? The child is his granddaughter for heaven’s sake.” Jackie couldn’t move. Apparently Anna didn’t notice her shocked state and continued on. “For some strange reason all the brothers believe Paulee’s daughter is telling the truth. God only knows why.”
God and me, Jackie thought.
“People who do that kind of thing to children are sick in the head. Don’t you agree, Jackie?” Still unable to locate her voice, she just nodded when Anna glanced over her shoulder to her. “Besides, Papa is wonderful with children. Not too many men take time out of their day to play with a child. Why I’ll bet Papa is upstairs right now tucking Lisa in bed for the night.”
A volcano erupted inside Jackie. She lost her grip on the empty salad bowl she’d carried into the kitchen. As the plastic container crashed against the tile floor, she dashed from the room.
Chapter Thirty One
Jackie’s legs felt like they were filled with lead as she climbed the stairs to the apartment in slow motion. With each step, the closer she got to the top, the further back she traveled in time. In the midst of all this, Anna’s voice came at her again.
“Why I’ll bet Papa is upstairs right now tucking Lisa in bed for the night.” No, don’t let it be true, screamed inside Jackie’s head.
Jackie was ten years old again. Then she was five, about the same age as Lisa. Papa was tucking her in bed like he did every night. Papa was tickling her belly. His fingers were wiggling further south to that spot.
By the time Jackie reached the landing at the top of the stairs, she was breathing heavily, like she’d just finished running a marathon. While she took a few seconds to catch her breath, she stared down the dark hallway. Without having anyway of knowing for certain, she sensed the room she once claimed as hers now belonged to Lisa.
Jackie took her first step in the hallway, automatically stepping over the creaking floor board she remembered so well from her childhood. She stepped over three more before she stood outside the room where the door stood ajar just enough for her to peek inside.
Another volcano, a heat so intense that an explosion seemed inevitable, fired through her. Lisa was in bed and Papa sat on the edge of the mattress next to her. Lisa’s giggles mingled with Papa’s wicked chuckle. It wasn’t necessary for Jackie to see what was causing their amusement. Her eyes closed. She was the one in the bed. She was the one Papa tickled. His fingers were on her belly wiggling further south. His middle finger touched her clitoris.
Jackie’s eyes flew open. The giggles and spurts of laughter had ended. The mood had become serious. At first, she couldn’t see Papa’s hand. Then, she spotted the lump slithering beneath the blankets.
No, she couldn’t let it happen all over again. She had to protect Lisa. She banged open the door. “Papa!”
Papa jerked his hand out from under the covers. But he did not altar his position on the bed. When he peered up into Jackie’s eyes, she was positive he knew she had seen. “Your time’s up, Papa.” Jackie’s words were cold and sturdy. Her eyes were crueler as they steadied on his. “Get out, Papa. It’s my turn to say goodnight to Lisa.”
Without uttering a single word, the man slid off the edge of the bed and slithered from the room like the snake he was.
For the first time, Jackie saw the fear in Lisa’s eyes. Jackie took a deep breath to try and swallow back her anger. It would be wrong for Lisa to think she was the cause of her aunt’s anger.
“It’s okay Lisa,” Jackie told the child with a smile and let herself down on the edge of the mattress where Papa had sat.
“Grandpapa and me weren’t doing anything. Honest Aunt Jackie.”
“Lisa…”
A loud thud cut off Jackie’s next words, then the cry for help from her brother.
Lisa shot out of the bedroom ahead of Jackie. Anna reached the sitting room about the same time as Lisa and Jackie. The three of them arrived to see Frankie pick Papa off the floor and carry him to the sofa.
“What happened?” Anna blurted.
“I don’t know. He walked into the room, stopped in front of me. I think he was about to say something when he just fell over.”
Thus began the long night ahead. Anna called for the ambulance which was twenty minutes arriving and another twenty getting to the hospital. A neighboring shop
owner stayed behind with Lisa, while Frankie rode in the ambulance and Anna rode with Jackie to the hospital.
The three of them were left in the waiting room after a nurse insisted the doctor had to examine Papa before they’d have a report on his condition.
Jackie sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs in a corner of the small room. Anna followed Frankie’s lead to the bench at the wall near the door.
Jackie watched her brother drop his head between his knees, while his fingers raked through greasy dark hair. Anna sat tall on the edge of her seat staring off into space. I hate to be the one to tell you this folks, but the man you are so worried about had his hand in your little girl’s panties tonight, rested on the tip of Jackie’s tongue. But even as the thought crossed her mind, she feared she wouldn’t be able to voice it. But Papa couldn’t be allowed to continue doing this to Lisa. Jackie knew better than anyone what Papa’s caressing would lead to.
The man had to be stopped, screamed inside her head. Just like Desmond and Marcus. Anna had been right. Someone that does that sort of thing to a child is sick. Papa was sick in the head. A dangerous man and it was up to Jackie to see to it Lisa did not end up like her. Feeling less than whole because she’d been confused all her life about what love really was.
“Frankie, I have to tell you—”
“Are you the Bertonis?”
Jackie jolted around in her seat to see who had interrupted her after she finally found the courage to confess.
The lanky man looked like he was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion as he staggered into the center of the room.
“I’m Frank Bertoni,” Frankie said and jumped to his feet.
“Doctor Romaro.”
“How is my father? He’s going to be okay, isn’t he? Can we see him?”
The doctor’s grim expression was answer enough for Jackie. But she listened to him anyway.
“Your father’s been sedated. It will be morning before he regains consciousness.”
“Then he is okay?” Frankie prompted.
“I’m afraid he’s had a stroke. It’s left him completely paralyzed.”
“You mean he can’t move?” Jackie cut in.
“That’s correct.”
“But he will recover?” Frankie again.
The doctor’s eyes steadied on the floor. “I’m sorry. The damage is too severe for recovery. His remaining days will be as an invalid.”
“A vegetable? Is that what you’re telling us?” demanded Frankie.
The doctor cleared his throat. “He hasn’t lost his memory and will understand what’s going on around him, but will need round the clock care. Someone to feed and bathe him-”
“I’ll take care of Papa,” Anna offered.
As she said the words, Jackie knew she couldn’t stand by and allow the woman to make the sacrifice.
It was like pulling teeth to get Frankie to leave the hospital. But with Anna’s help, Jackie finally convinced him a good night’s sleep would leave him better able to face Papa in the morning.
Frankie offered Jackie Papa’s bedroom at the apartment. But she didn’t bother unpacking. How could she? The entire evening had turned into a nightmare. One Jackie knew wouldn’t go away if she crawled into Papa’s bed and attempted sleep.
She stayed up the night determined to sort through everything that had happened. Trying to decide what she should do. At the same time, keeping in mind who would benefit from each decision she made. By dawn, she had completed her decision making.
Jackie left the apartment before her brother and his wife. She had a few stops to make before going to the hospital.
She entered the hospital before eight, spotting Anna pacing outside Papa’s room at the end of the corridor and headed in that direction.
“Is Frankie with Papa, Anna?”
“Yes. The doctor said one at a time. Too much excitement isn’t good for Papa.”
“I see.” Jackie paced in a small circle then stopped directly in front of the woman. “Anna, I hope you and Frankie will forgive me for making arrangements.”
“What arrangements?”
“I know you said you’d take care of Papa. But you have the restaurant to run.”
“We can manage.”
“Of course you can. But between running the restaurant and caring for Papa you’d have no time for Lisa, right?”
Anna shrugged.
“That’s why I’ve made arrangements for Papa’s care. Andriaco’s Nursing Home is the finest in Italy. They can give Papa all the care he will need.”
“No, Jackie. We can’t afford that.”
“I can. You will be able to visit Papa whenever you like.”
“But Frankie will insist Papa come home with us.”
Jackie had to convince Anna, then her brother if need be that this was for the best. Otherwise she would have to find the courage to confide in them face to face about what she’d seen the night before, knowing they’d never believe her. Especially since Frankie refused to believe Paulee about what Papa had done to his daughter, Frankie’s own niece.
“You must make Frankie see what a strain it would be. Besides, Lisa could grow to resent Papa for taking up so much of her parents’ time. And certainly neither of you want that, now do you?”
The door to Papa’s room opened and Frankie came out with watery eyes. “I can’t stand to see him like that,” he muttered before turning his back to them to hide his tears.
Jackie let her hand rest on Anna’s shoulder. “Talk to him about what I said,” she told her and went into Papa’s room.
The sight of him gave Jackie a powerful jolt. Papa lay motionless on the bed. His eyes wide open, staring at her, hypnotizing her.
Jackie blinked, straightened her shoulders, then moved closer to the bed. She reached over and pulled the sheet up further on his chest.
“I hope you are warm enough, Papa. But how will I know? How about blinking your eyelids? Once for yes and twice for no. Do you understand, Papa?”
His eyelids blinked once.
“Very good,” Jackie praised. “Are you comfortable, Papa?”
The eyelids blinked once.
“I’m so glad. And don’t worry, Papa, I made arrangements so you can live out your remaining days comfortably. I’m also so glad you won’t be able to hurt anymore little girls. You do understand, don’t you Papa?” Jackie waited for him to blink, but all she got was a blank stare that sent a cold chill through her.
She felt his eyes boring into her back as she moved to the foot of his bed where she jarred around to face those steely eyes. “Your paralysis is permanent, Papa.”
He blinked twice.
“Yes, Papa. You will live out your days as you are now. Unable to move. A prisoner inside your own body. No longer able to hurt me, Lisa, or anyone else.”
Her eyes stared into his for nearly a minute. Then Papa blinked once.
As a single tear dropped from the corner of his right eye, Jackie said, “Goodbye forever, Papa,” and left the room.
Chapter Thirty Two
Jackie arrived at the airport in Rome before eleven. Plenty of time before her scheduled flight back to the states.
She stepped up to the counter and confirmed the reservation she’d made at the crack of dawn. She regretted cutting her trip short. But it would be too difficult to continue facing her brother and his wife if they were unwilling to listen to the truth about Papa.
When she’d remembered Anna’s explanation of why Jackie’s other brothers didn’t come home anymore she had no reason to think they’d believe her. But she was hopeful the letter she left for them to read once she was gone would help convince them.
Jackie left a second letter addressed to her other brothers. Her confession of why she had left home sixteen years earlier. Her hope that their daughters would receive professional help for the damaging emotional and physical abuse they received at the hands of their father.
On her way through the terminal, Jackie picked up a copy of an
American newspaper. She waited until she found a seat before opening the paper.
Headlines on the front page immediately grabbed her attention. Reputed Italian crime boss indicted for the murder of legendary film producer Desmond Sinclair. Jackie clutched at her heart as she speed read the news story. She released the hold on her breath once she read the part about the judge denying bail because of the severity of the charge. He agreed with the district attorney that Mr. Demario was a flight risk.
The newspaper slid off her lap when she reached into her purse for her phone.
It took a few minutes before finally getting through to the Los Angeles’ district attorney’s office. “Could I speak to Andrew Michaels please?” Jackie asked the receptionist who answered on the third ring.
“Who’s calling please?”
“Tell him it’s Miss Bertoni. Wait! Tell him it’s Jackie.”
“One moment, please.”
“Jackie.”
The sound of his voice sent a strange, yet wonderful sensation through her. “Andy, I just wanted to congratulate you.”
“I take it you’re referring to today’s headlines. You called me Andy.”
“I believe I did.”
A moment of nerve racking silence.
“Jackie.”
“Yes, Andy.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For the Andy. For calling.”
“You know, I think it’s time for that celebration.”
“I agree,” he said. “So how shall we do it?”
“Well, I’ve been told you make a pretty mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich…”
Debra Lee’s Bio
If Debra's in a murderous mood, she might write a murder mystery or a chilling thriller. When there's romance in the air, Debra's been known to pen a love story.
On a personal note, Debra was once a stay-at-home mom, real estate agent and owner of a pizza delivery business. Now she writes full-time. Debra’s the mother of two grown sons and grandmother to one grandson. She shares her home in Pennsylvania with her husband and five felines.
Debra loves to hear from readers and invites all to visit her web site. http://www.debralee.net
