Mila's Reckoning

Chapter 11

Mila

These last two weeks have been such a whirlwind. Gino had really stepped up to the plate and helped me get ready for my LSATs, and I finally took the plunge and took the test. I honestly felt overly prepared for the test because I was within three or four questions away from finishing each section when time was called - which is rare, because the questions were designed to take longer than the time allotted. I still won't get my scores back for another 2 weeks, so I guess it's just a waiting game until then.
After I took the LSAT, I couldn't help but think about how much I had left Papa by his lonesome. Sure, he had Claire and Margaret, but I had always been his buddy. When I talked to Gino about how I was feeling with Papa, he suggested that maybe we get him a pet; he'd read somewhere that pet companionship is good for people with Alzheimer's.
So, Gino and I packed ourselves up and headed to the local pet shelter. Although we had dogs when I was growing up, I wasn't sure that Papa could remember to let a dog out to go to the bathroom on a regular routine. So we had decided that a cat would be the best fit.
When we walked into the shelter, an overwhelming sound of barking echoed throughout the room. I was a little taken back from the noise, but Gino marched up to the desk and said, "We're here to adopt a cat." He's so cute when he's determined.
The lady handed us a stack of paperwork so that we could prove that we would be suitable pet owners. When she saw that I had never owned a cat before, she hesitated. But, she led us to the cat room anyway. At the front, of course, were the cutest little kittens trying to claw their way out of the cages. They were adorable, but no doubt too rambunctious for Papa.
We roamed around the cages, and saw several viable options, but I just hadn't felt a connection with any of them! I know the cat wasn't really for me, but I wanted to at least like the thing if I was going to live with it.
When I heard Gino whisper, "Babe, come here," I knew that he had found the cat we needed. I walked up to see a cat that looked like an old man that was lounging in the back of the cage. He had a white belly with black on his back and ears, and a Hitler mustache above his mouth. As I reached in to pet him, Gino began reading his description. "George is a 5 year old male cat who is declawed. George was surrendered by a family shortly after his owner passed away. George is a very cuddly, laid-back cat who will only do well in a very calm home," Gino said.
I asked the lady to open the cage, and the fat bulk of fur that is George came strolling to the front of it. When I picked him up and cuddled him under my chin, he began to purr. I looked at Gino, and he knew just as much as I did that George was going home with us. He left with the lady to fill out the paperwork, and I stayed to hang out with George.
Papa was shocked when we came home with a litter box, litter, food, cat dishes, toys, blankets, and bedding. But when he saw me bring in the box, he knew what I had done. I pulled George out and sat him on Papa's lap that day, and I swear he hasn't moved since.
Anyway, this weekend was the first weekend that I felt like I could breathe, and I was hoping that this would mean that Gino and I would get some alone time. Don't get me wrong, he's taken me out on several dates and has hung out with Papa and I at the house, but things seemed a little distant between the two of us because we haven't hung out as just him and I.
But, those hopes were squashed when Gino said he had to run home for the weekend. I offered to go with him since Aunt Margaret was planning on staying at the house anyway, but he brushed off the offer and said it wasn't a good idea.
I couldn't help but think that Gino didn't think I was good enough. There's no doubt that we come from two completely different backgrounds. His apartment, car, clothing, and taste in food was extravagant compared to mine. But I didn't really think that things like that mattered to him.
I've tried so many times to ask Gino about his family, but all I know is that he has sisters and a grandpa - and who doesn't have those? It's obvious that they own a business of some sort, because Gino's degree is specializing in entrepreneurial something or other.
I was an open book to him, I really can't think of much that he doesn't know about me. But, it's like he's got this wall up; he keeps saying that he wants to protect me, but that protection was starting to feel more like he was trying to push me away.