Secrets & Lies

Chapter Eight

Gia and her parents left the house at five am. The two suitcases stuffed full and gently placed in the trunk. Gia's Daddy was extremely quiet as they headed away from the house. Her mother on the other hand was full of last minute advice. "Never let your guard down and always be aware of your surroundings." The same things she had been saying for as long as Gia could remember. Plus, the added benefit of staying away from strange men because they would only want to rape and kill her. Because everyone knows men only want one thing! Gia was starting to wish Nonna had come with them for the ride at least she would be able to sympathize with her. Plus, she would have been able to make her mother stop her tirade saying she was keeping Gia from meeting a nice young man. Instead Gia was stuck just nodding and agreeing with what her mother had to say and promising to stay away from all guys even the cute ones because they would drug her drink before raping her. And of course European men were ten times more likely to inflict these horrors than an American man, because they were desensitized to sex because nudity and sexual content was everywhere, even on the television and of course she wasn't talking cable television but regular television. The lecture went on to how she wasn't taking her seriously but of course she needed to listen because it was very true. No wonder Gia was still a virgin with all her mother's complaining about staying away from men and how they were so evil. Gia wasn't even sure how her mother had managed to marry her father at all if she really felt that way.

"Mom if you don't stop telling me how evil men are I'm going to become a lesbian, and then what will you do?" Gia exclaimed exacerbated finally getting her mother to stop lecturing her.

"You know I'm not telling you this to make you into a lesbian, I'm telling you this because you need to be aware of what is happening in the world." She said.

"If I promise to be aware of strange men will you stop trying to keep me away from all men?" Gia begged.

"I don't know principessa I think staying away from all men might be a great idea." Her Daddy said turning to give her a little wink.

"I know you don't really mean that so I am going to take it in the spirit it was intended Daddy." Gia said laughing.

"You two can make jokes if you want but it isn't going to change anything, you don't understand the things the women who come into my office tell me, the horrors that they have suffered. I am just trying to protect you from it." Her mother explained in a softer tone.

"Mom I've always been aware and have never done anything crazy. I don't date around. You know this. But it would be nice to fall in love and have someone nice like daddy but that will never happen if you make me stay away from all guys."  Gia said exasperated.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you. And I want you to meet someone nice that you fall in love with, but I want you to wait until you have completed your studies. "

They finally made it to the airport and Gia's family insisted on staying until she made it through security. Gia checked in and they headed to security. The plane would start boarding in about an hour and thirty minutes. The butterflies in Gia's tummy couldn't seem to find a place to settle and she was starting to feel a little sick.

"You're sure you have everything?" Her mother asked again.

"Well if not it's a little late to run to Target and get it." Her Dad replied.

"Yes mom I think I have everything I need for now." Gia answered.

"You have your money in a safe place." She whispered.

"Yes mom it's all safe."

"Remember to have fun." Gia's dad said.

"Ti amo mom. Ti amo Daddy." Gia said.