Love's Inferno

Chapter 29 - Ghough; Bones and All

Shiloh

I unlocked the door to Uncle Sal's apartment with one hand, the other clutched a Tupperware full of freshly baked blood orange and chia seed muffins. I'd been neglectful of him since his health scare, but I knew he would never hold it against me. I could barely keep up with myself. I knew he wouldn't begrudge me for it, but I felt bad all the same. I didn't have time to bake cannoli's or make the filling. Honestly? I didn't have the patience as my thoughts about New York burned a hole in the closest corner of my mind. Outside his door,  sturdy in my crocs - I knew one thing, well two. One, I needed to butter up Uncle Sal successfully. Unlocking the door, I missed the time when my biggest issue was buttering him up to be able to replace my flooring, because now? Well, now my issues were significantly bigger. I needed to butter him up because two... I needed to know what happened in New York. There was too much about this family I didn't know, and while I wasn't naive enough to believe it would ever be my family, but for now (one year to be precise) it was the one I... had? Or was faced with? and it's not like I could Google it. I mean I could, but not successfully. The door swung open, and I walked a few steps down the passage to find Uncle Sal sitting in his usual spot, but I didn't cross the threshold. What was not usual was the people sitting to his left and right. Generally, Uncle Sal was not fond of visitors of any kind. Uncle Ern, Aunty Francesca and I would all attend church together but Uncle Sal was not a part of these ritualised Sunday excursion's. He also hated guests, so it was odd indeed to walk into the lounge and find him encircled by company. When I walked in they were all talking in hushed tones, and while I tried not to eavesdrop (okay I didn't try hard) I couldn't help but catch the fervour-riddled whispers.

"We could end it all now. Surely she deserves to know?!" Aunty Francesca smacked her hand against her thigh as Uncle Ernest sighed, uncharacteristically and loudly.

"It's too late now Fran and you know this very well. Are you really willing for Dante to be... damaged, again? He almost I wasted away the last time." Uncle Sal sounded indignant, neck ruddied, not that I could see much from the hallway where I hovered unceremoniously.

"She's just a girl, and we don't know why her family-" Aunty Francesca began before she was quickly interrupted.

"The child doesn't have one Francesca! You know this. We are her family. We have a responsibility to-" Uncle Ernest sounded exasperated, truly pulled to the edge of his ever-present patience.

"To tell her the truth!" Aunty Fran's voice cracked on a louder decibel.

"The truth doesn't matter if she's not alive to enjoy it." Uncle Ernest levelled a look at Aunty Fran, which made her recline in her seat, seemingly nettled by the united front. "My idiot son has only ever been right about one thing, and that's the fact that she's no longer safe unless they're married. The rumour mill has begun to churn out stories about Dante's imminent nuptials. Their marriage is important not only for her safety, but for Dante."

"You're right Ernest. He's too old to be alone...still." Aunty Fran agreed.

"That's real nice of you Ern but it's not just that. Carmine taking this much of an interest? Before we know it the fucking prick will be demanding a sit down. We need to get the ball rolling on their wedding. An engagement party at least, it'll throw off the need for a sit down. It will keep New York in New York."

"And by that you mean Rosalie far away?" Aunty Fran supplied.

"Certo." Uncle Sal replied.

With that, it seemed the conversation had come to a natural close, and it also seemed the right time to walk into the room... even if I'd been made aware of yet another thread I needed to unravel in this complicated tapestry of a family. I took a deep breath and walked into the lounge.