Memories to Burn a Broken Soul

Chapter 12

November, 1993
4:29pm

*Knock Knock* *Knock Knock*

Brian hears the sound coming from his front door. He looks at his mom with a questioning look, as they weren't expecting guests. The two usually just spent Thanksgiving together. Brian walks to the door, opening it to see a crying Sal standing on his doorstep, his head hanging.

"Sally baby, what's wrong? What happened?" Brian asks his love, pulling him into a tight hug. His mom hears Brian mention Sal, so she stands behind the couch watching over the boys.

Sal chokes back a sob, "My dad..." He says, finally lifting his face to reveal a swollen, fresh black eye.

Brian and his mother gasp simultaneously.

"Baby... I'm so sorry. Come in, let's get you ice." The taller man says, grabbing Sal's arm, pulling him to the kitchen. Bertha is already pulling out a bag of frozen peas, wrapping it in a cloth before handing it to Sal.

"What exactly happened, honey?" Bertha asks Sal, the three of them sitting at the table adjacent to the kitchen.

"He was d-drinking," Sal sobs out, "He started yelling at me for making a mess. All I had was a cup on the table. I-I told him that and he got mad and hit me. He told me to get out of the house since I didn't know how to clean up after myself and that I'm such a d-d-disappointment." Sal cries louder as he explains.

Bertha pulls Sal's chair close to hers and hugs him tight.

"You are not a disappointment! You are such a good boy, Salvatore. You are a perfect gentleman with great manners. You are incredible honey. I love you very much." She says into his ear as she squeezes him tighter, feeling him grasp onto her.

Bertha always made Sal feel so loved, especially after beatings from his father. She genuinely loved him like a son, and she knew he needed her. "Are you sure I can't call someone?" Bertha asks Sal, already knowing the answer.

"No, please. It will make everything worse. He'll kill me." Sal says, completely believing his father would actually kill him.

Bertha sighs, standing up and walking to the stove where she was preparing Thanksgiving dinner. "Alright Sal, you're staying the night. No ifs ands or buts. Now, do you like sweet potatoes?" She asks, looking back at her son and Sal holding each other.

"I love them." He responds, smiling at her. She always made him feel so much better.

Sal sets the table as Brian brings each dish over. Bertha finished carving the turkey, setting it in the center of the table before sitting down. They pass around the dishes, grabbing a bit of each food for their own plates.

Once the feast had begun, Bertha asks, "Boys, what are you two thankful for this year? And do not say each other." She side-eyes each boy, knowing that's what they would say.

Brian swallows a mouthful of peas before perking his head up. "I'll go first! I'm thankful we're almost halfway through senior year!" He says sincerely. They both look over to Sal, waiting for his answer.

"Uh, I guess..." He starts, embarrassed to say what's on his mind. "I-I'm thankful for you Bertha. For always taking me in and loving me like a son. I-I don't get anything like this at home, so it's nice to feel appreciated by a mom."

Bertha tears up, reaching her hand across the table to grab Sal's.

"Oh honey, you know I love you with all my heart. If I could take you away from your father, I would in a heartbeat. You deserve the world, Salvatore." She says to him, squeezing his hand. They share a smile with each other before resuming their feast.

"I'm thankful for your relationship." Bertha says, pointing her fork between the two young men. "I've never seen either of you happier than when you're together. You make each other better people. I have a feeling this relationship of yours will last many years, if not a lifetime."

The boys look at each other, sharing a quick kiss, feeling so much love in the room. Brian's mother smiles at them, getting up to grab the pie out of the oven. Brian and Sal share a love of apple pie, and that's exactly what Bertha made for them.