Winter Hearts

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Siana had decided to just text her dad on the way, not wanting to go through yet another phone call over what had happened.

Remember I told you about pictures and video, dad?

He had texted back immediately. Should I avoid looking at my timeline in case any of my kafeneion buddies share your lewd shots?

She had laughed and shown Min.

"Your dad's a riot," Min had drawled, settling back into her seat to resume her nap.

There's new pics and clips. She texted back.

She got a rolling eye emoji from him.

Ho hum. He texted.

He's been accused of touching me inappropriately and provoking me to hit him. And also of hitting someone in the street.

There was a pause before he finally texted back, All lies I hope?

Not all lies. She replied. She was continuing when he replied almost instantly.

WHAT? I WILL KILL HIM. No, that's too kind. I WILL SKIN HIM ALIVE.

Siana smiled. Even in anger her dad was cute.

No, he never hurt me. But he did hit someone, in my defence and his.

I was right about him all along. He's a keeper.

Siana laughed out loud, making Min look at her for a moment from under a sleepy eyelid. So, what is the problem?

They're spreading lies.

Would you believe me if I told you you how little this matters, agapi mou? She smiled at him calling her his love.

It's just so awful. Imagine what his parents would think? She texted.

Siana suddenly thought of how they would feel, seeing something like that written about their son. She had an awful thought that they might think the worst of her if they believed any of it, and she felt her cheeks burn.

They would probably be like me, and ready to skin you alive too if you ever harmed their boy.

Great, Siana thought, wondering if they would give her the benefit of the doubt before deciding they didn't like her.

If they were difficult, then it would depend on how Leo handles that. Anyway, that's for the day you finally meet them.

Siana didn't know how to respond to that. She supposed if Leo didn't defend her to his parents, she would be disappointed to say the least. A spark of fire ignited in the pit of her belly. If he didn't defend me when I am not guilty of doing anything wrong, then he can take his mangey heart and go back to his mother, she thought irritatedly.

I've done nothing wrong, was her next thought.

I hate to sound trite, but I am about to. This matters very little, my sweetheart. It may seem overwhelming, or painful, but as long as you know you have done nothing wrong, let them say what they want. Macaroni, right? She smiled forlornly at her phone.

Macaroni, she texted back, feeling better. She felt buoyed by a sudden optimism that came from this figurative throwing of her troubles to the wind. Let what comes come, let them say what they want.

She had napped a little on the way down and woke to the gently waning sun ushering dusk over the land. The last vestiges of light were still visible over the waters and cast a warm silvery tone through the atmosphere. She got off the bus, the glint of the fading afternoon sun on the waters catching her eyes and making her squint. On the road opposite, by the water, Mikhalis was leaning against the car, looking through his phone. He looked up to wave, and stood upright to walk over.