Checkmate

Time

"Hit it harder!" He screams and I obey.

I hit the bag over and over again hating every punch. I stop to catch my breathe and lean my hands against the punching bag to keep it from swinging.

"How is this productive Alessandro?" I ask. It's been three days since he was shot and he's gotten used to the wheelchair and crutches.

He likes to wheel around me bossing me around making the wheels in my head turn regimen to find a strategy to beat Rizzo.

His therapy seems to be working and sometimes he can stand without a problem other times he can hardly move his feet.

"The point here Madeline is to teach you to think" he says handing me a water bottle.

"I think very well thank you" I wipe sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand and take large gulps of water.

"You know he could be turning everyone against you..you need something to draw them back to you" he says sitting down in a chair off to the side of the gym.

I let out a frustrated sigh and drop to the floor sitting against the wall.

"I need to kill something" I say earning a laugh from Alessandro who doesn't know how serious I can be.

His laugh is contagious and I join in.

"Madeline lets get some ice cream" he says and limps to the door. He stretches his hand out to me waiting for me to join him.

"If you think I'm going to let you walk" He shushes me and limps forward out the door and towards a beautiful black mustang.

"You get to drive my car..just this once"
He says handing me the keys, moving to take a seat on the passengers side.

I get into the drivers seat and the car roads to life adjusting my way and propping up the steering wheel.

I turn my head and find a large black hoodie in the back seat. I grab it and pull my arms through the sleeves zipping it up all the way.

It smells like him. The smell engulfs me making me take a deep breathe before turning on the engine.

"Where are we going Alessandro?" I ask but he refuses to tell me only giving me directions until we stumble on a small ice cream shop on the edge of town.

"Come on" he says getting out of the car.

He walks..limps to the door and steps inside. I follow him staying close in case he needs my support. No matter how much the doctor insisted he stay in bed and rest he just wouldn't listen...

"Now this..this is the place my mother used to take me when I was younger" he says looking down at his shoes.

I raise an eyebrow thinking "my mother only ever shot me when I was younger..can't relate"

He laughs and orders a sample of each of the ice cream flavors.

We find a small and comfortable booth. The seats a red leather and the wall a beautiful mint green.

"You know I've had ice cream before..it's like the alternative to alcohol" he laughs again and I wonder if his pain medications are putting him in a good mood.

"Come on just pick one already" he says putting small spoons into each cup.

I pick up the chocolate ice cream and take a spoonful. The creamy flavor fills my mouth and I taste..brownie.