The Shadows Between the Lines

Chapter 3

Fiona Marino POV

My alarm blared, awakening me from my deep sleep. Getting out of bed, my mind rushes with all of the events of yesterday. But, it is just another day. The world doesn't stop turning and I have a job to do.

I sent Mallory a quick message hoping she arrived safely and to call me when she gets a chance. It could be a while before she responds as she is going all the way to Japan, but I want it to be there when she arrives. As I go to put my phone in my small, beige tote bag, it begins to ring. My sister's name flashes across the screen as well as a photo of her and I together, smiling foolishly as we ran around our childhood home back in Italy.

"Hey", I say as I answer the phone and put it on speaker. I grab the rest of my bags and leave the house to head into work.

"Hey Fiona!" Her loud, excited voice startled me as I attached my phone to my car Bluetooth.

"Woah calm down there sis you're gonna wake everyone all the way back home," I chuckle a little as she laughs along.

"I'm sorry, it has just been so long since you have picked up the phone to call. Or picked up our calls! What is up with that Fiona? I swear if you found another sister you like better than me I will string her up and feed her to the fis—"

"Woah woah woah! Calm down! I haven't found another sister. That is ridiculous. No one could replace you in a hundred years."

"That isn't that many years..." She draws out years in a high pitched, squeaky voice.

"Fine, a million years."

"Thank you, that is much better sister." I roll my eyes at her antics as I approach the parking lot of work.

"I am gonna have to let you go. I have work today." I hear her groan in annoyance.

"Ughh! You always have work. You never take breaks. Why don't you play hooky and come visit us?"

"Because, Francesca, this is real life. And I have responsibilities and obligations here."

"I know I know, I just really miss you. And mom misses you. She has been really mopey lately. After all, you know what time of year it is..." I sigh and park the car. Sitting momentarily in silence.

"Yeah, I know what time of year it is."

"All I am saying Fiona, is that we could really use your presence here every once in a while. You were our backbone for so long, I just don't want mom to crumble under the pressure."

"Okay Franny, I will stop by sometime soon. I promise."

"Really! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you" I quickly turned the volume down on my phone and cringed at the shriek that rang through the car.

"Okay calm down now, I can't listen to your rants if I'm deaf."

"Whatever, I'm not that loud."

"Whatever you say. I gotta go Franny, duty calls. I will see you soon though, okay?"

"Okay sis! I love you!"

"I love you too sis, bye." I hang up the phone and make my way inside. The bell rings as I walk in, alerting Grace of my arrival. She looks up with a concerned smile and diverts her eyes to a shorter middle aged man sitting in the waiting room. As we make eye contact he stands, sets down the magazine he was flipping through, and approaches me.

"Are you Fiona Marino?"

"Yes, can I ask what you are here about?" I observe his stance and demeanor trying to figure out what he could possibly be here about. To my dismay, he tells nothing through his facial expressions.