Til You Come Back to Me Again - A Love Story

Changes

Changes

On the day of the party, I wasn't feeling very well. I had been excited all week and had really looked forward to this party, but from the time I woke up that morning, I felt off somehow. Angelo noticed my somber mood and asked me if I was okay. Not wanting him to worry, I assured him that I was.

Sylvia came earlier in the day and helped us decorate the back patio. Angelo picked up the order of mini buns and pulled pork, and Sylvia helped us make the sandwiches. After we finished, I went to change while Angelo made the punch.

Soon the guests started arriving, each bringing a gift. I thanked each person for coming. Most of the kids there I had only come in contact with once or twice, so I was really looking forward to getting to know everyone. I briefly glanced down at my outfit, hoping I looked okay. I had chosen to wear a peach sundress with my curls pulled up away from my face, cascading down my back. I had tucked a yellow flower in my hair that matched the lei hanging around my neck.

I smiled at Angelo as he stood by, looking on like a proud papa as I entertained and mingled. We played some games, ate, and took turns whacking at the piñata. Jared, a boy that I invited, and who followed me around a lot, finally broke it. He seemed really nice, but his hovering kind of creeped me out a little.

We all scrambled around, picking up candy. Then I opened my gifts. I received clothing, jewelry, and gift cards. Sylvia gave me an art set, which I loved. I looked forward to using it and expanding my creativity.

I saved Angelo's gift for last. Because he knew me so well, I knew his gift would be something that came from his heart. Unwrapping the package and opening the box, I smiled and cried, "Oh, Angelo!" In the box was a book about Bruce Lee, a book of show tunes sheet music, a little pair of diamond earrings along with a gift certificate for ear piercing, and a framed photo of us that Sylvia had taken the month before during one of Angelo's meetings. I was sitting next to Angelo behind the desk, looking over some papers. We were laughing and joking about me taking over his job. It was a priceless picture, one that meant everything to me.

Throwing my arms around his neck, I kissed his cheek, whispering, "This was the best gift ever," and he hugged me tightly. The whole gift was awesome, but for me, the photo represented stability, another sign that he would never abandon me.

After playing another game, we moved the party to the pool, but I didn't feel like swimming. Plus, my stomach had started to hurt a little. I sat with another girl and just talked and watched the others. Twice, Jared winked at me before diving in, earning a raised brow and a grin from Angelo. When I gave him a saucy look in return, he chuckled and kiss my cheek, leaving me to go grab more sandwiches for my guests.

A little over an hour later, they were done swimming and Angelo helped everyone locate their clothes among the piles lying by the pool and handed out towels. Everyone thanked me for inviting them and I thanked them all once more for the gifts.

After the party was over and everyone had gone, I took the gifts to my room. I had planned on going back down and helping Angelo and Sylvia clean up, but my stomachache got worse and something suddenly did not feel right. I felt sick. Thinking I might throw up, I quickly went to the bathroom, startled by what I found. Leaning over the sink for a moment, I drank a little water before going back into my room. I lay down on my bed and curled up, holding my stomach. That was the way Angelo found me a while later. By then I hurt so bad, I was in tears. I had never felt anything like it before.

Angelo sat down next to me. "Katia, what is it, tesorina?"

"It hurts."

"What hurts, piccola?"