Their Broken Angel

Chapter Eight

The morning passes quicker than I thought it would. I can tell that Alessandro has more questions, but for once, someone is respecting my decisions and he's dropped the subject of my past. We've mostly just talked about my job at the bookstore. Well, I've ranted about how much I love Sally and he's just smiled and expressed his desire to meet her. 

"What would you like for breakfast?" Alessandro questions, seemingly genuinely interested in my response. 

"An apple would be wonderful." I respond, hope shining in my eyes. It's been so long since someone has willingly given me food, I don't want to push my luck. I know he keeps saying that I can have whatever I want, but forgive me if I don't quite trust that yet.

"No." My heart sinks at his words. Of course he doesn't actually want to feed you. Stupid girl! I think bitterly. "Before you get all upset, let me finish, sorella. An apple is a snack. That's not breakfast. So I'll ask again, what would you like for breakfast?" He explains softly, making sure to keep his tone calm and level.

I look up in shock, not truly believing that I could be so fortunate as to have stumbled upon a family member who actually cares about my opinions and health. I have to think for a hot minute before I can even remember what I like to eat, or a least, what I enjoyed as a child. I haven't had the privilege of a good meal in too many years. 

"Umm, I don't really know. I can't exactly remember what everything tastes like but I think I like pancakes? I'd honestly be fine with whatever you wanted. You probably have more taste than I do." I respond honestly. 

"Pancakes it is then." Alessandro says with a reassuring smile."Don't worry angioletto, Dante will make sure you relearn all there is to know about food." He chuckles lowly, amusement filling his eyes. "He'll be more than outraged to learn you don't have a favorite." 

"Thank you. Really." I whisper. He cares. Not just that I'm eating, he cares about my preferences, he wants me to have opinions and favorites. Maybe this could be a good thing. Who am I kidding, this is obviously the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just hope the others are as good as he is, I hope they like me too.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. I don't think there's ever been a better smell than that of food that you know you get to eat. I can't help the huge grin on my face as Alessandro answers the door and sets a massive plate of food in front of me. A large pile of pancakes, coated in gooey syrup lies right in the middle, covered in fruit, butter, and whipped cream.

It looks like a dish sent from heaven. Looking up at Alessandro for confirmation that I'm actually allowed to eat this masterpiece, my grin doubles when he nods and motions for me to dig in. Taking a bite faster than I thought possible, I shovel food into my mouth like I'm afraid it's going to grow legs and walk away from me. Well, technically like I'm afraid someone will take it away from me, but same difference. 

Alessandro lets out a belly laugh when I moan in pure delight. "This is the best thing I've ever tasted." I say, mouth full of food.

"Well I'm glad you like it, but you need to slow down. You're going to get a stomach ache if you eat it all too fast." He replies.

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Before too long, we're back in my car, headed to the bookstore to say goodbye to Sally and head to California. Everything went smoothly with the social worker, I'm officially leaving Oregon forever! Practically jumping out of the car, I race to the door and fly to the back where I just know that old lady is trying to carry some impossibly large stack of books. 

"Sally! You'll never guess what happened!" I shout excitedly, pulling her into a hug as soon as the pile is safely placed on a nearby table.

"Good heavens child, what happened? And why are you not in school?" She questions, eyes narrowing at that last bit.