Evelina

(xxxii)

Evelina

As I sat beside the telephone booth, my tears fell freely, mixing with the grime of the city street. The sharp chill of the glass against my temple as I leaned my head on it grounded me, but the weight of my grief pressed harder. My call to Vincenzo had been hurried—I'd only managed to give him the address before the line went dead. The kindness of a stranger had allowed me to make that call, but now all I could do was wait.

The darkened sky above felt oppressive, as though it mirrored the storm within me.

---

[Flashback]

I was only eight when they first brought me into their home. The man they called Papà had introduced me to his family with a wide, reassuring smile. Yet, it wasn't him who first approached me.

An eleven-year-old boy stepped forward, studying me with an intensity far beyond his years. His dark eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Papà, I like this girl," he declared, earning a chuckle from Papà.

"She's not here for your approval," Papà teased. "She's your sister. Try to remember that."

Antonio tilted his head, unconvinced. "Sister? But she's too pretty to be related to us. Whose genes are these?"

I blinked at him, unsure how to respond. Then he smiled—a small, kind smile that melted some of my fear.

"I'm Antonio Giannino, but you can call me Tony. I'm eleven," he said, his tone softening. "If anyone bothers you, come find me. I'll be your knight in shining armor."

His words felt like a balm. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe this family wasn't like the ones before.

But then he leaned in conspiratorially, his voice dropping. "Even if it's Dad. When he gets mad... he can be a bit of a monster."

He grinned, but his words left a knot in my stomach.

[Flashback Over]

---

You were right, Tony. Your dad could be a monster—but only to you and the others. Never to me.

A bittersweet laugh escaped me as another memory clawed its way to the surface.

---

[Flashback]

The morning after the mafia ball, the house was eerily quiet. Everyone else had left, or so I thought. I shuffled into the kitchen, half-awake, and nearly jumped when I heard his voice.

"Morning, Eve."

I turned, startled. "You're back?"

Tony spun his chair around to face me, his signature smirk firmly in place. "I'm here, aren't I?"

I couldn't help the smile that bloomed across my face. Despite the teasing, I adored him. He was more than a brother to me—though I'd never admit that.

He opened his arms. "Hug?"

I hesitated for only a moment before running into his embrace. "I missed you, Tony."

"I know," he said, always so maddeningly confident.

But his warmth and steadiness were what I needed.

[Flashback Over]

---

Now you're gone, Tones, and I miss you more than I ever thought possible. Even the memories we shared—our stolen moments—now feel like daggers in my chest.