Anger Management [Meloghia]

Chapter 39: Suicide Watch

Isabella knocked on the door to Risotto's room. There was shuffling from within before he opened the door. She couldn't stop the involuntary shiver that ran down her spine as his black, expressionless eyes fell on her. She felt like a tiny child every time she stood before the hulking leader of the assassins.

"How did it go?" Risotto asked.

She sighed and shook her head. "He needs to be on suicide watch. The sooner the better. He's still exhibiting extreme suicidal behavior. It's incredibly alarming."

Risotto looked at the ground, a grave expression briefly flickered across his stony countenance. "Alright, I'll tell him to pack a bag. We'll take him today."

She had been there for the moment Risotto told Gelato. It had been unpleasant, to say the least. There had been a lot of yelling and fighting which Risotto took calmly. He never indicated that anything bothered him. Isabella wanted so desperately to pick Risotto's brain. She had done her best to placate Gelato with Sorbet's help, and before long they had packed and loaded up into the cars. The whole squad seemed broken up by the news of Gelato's incarceration, in the ward so they all came together to see off their teammate. Ghiaccio, Melone, Formaggio, Illuso, and Pesci traveled in Ghiaccio's car. The rest of them rode in Prosciutto's car, which had led to the awkward drive she was currently experiencing.

Risotto drove since he was the tallest and required the legroom. Prosciutto insisted on driving, but Risotto argued that Isabella should sit in the front in case Gelato may feel retaliatory towards her. He didn't argue, but she could tell he was miffed with the decision to sit in the back. Sorbet and Gelato sat together with Gelato in the middle, so he wouldn't attempt anything as drastic as throwing himself from the moving vehicle. There was a thick tension in the car. She wasn't sure if it would have been better to have someone like Formaggio here to relieve the silence. Probably not. She bit her lip and saw in the mirror that Gelato was sulking hard while resting on Sorbet's shoulder. It was for the best if he was ever going to get better. She would see to that personally.

"I'm broken. I can never be fixed." The memory of her patient Lucia falling over the edge of the building came to her mind unprompted. Not this time. I won't fail him. Adrenaline surged through her as her thoughts raced. She would do everything she could. She would help him work through everything, show him life was worth living. For his sake, the team's, and of course, for Sorbet. She watched how Sorbet cradled Gelato in his arms. It reminded her of the days when her ex-husband, Antonio, had actually loved her. It made her sad to think of those days now. The hurt she'd felt when he had left her had led Isabella to starve herself for three whole days before her friend had intervened on her behalf. The utter grief and pain she'd felt at the loss of her sister. All within the span of a few months. The divorce and the investigation and arrest of her stepfather. She took a deep breath to clear her mind in an attempt to hold the memories at bay. It was her job to ensure that Sorbet never experienced those feelings.

Breaking from her contemplation, she noticed Risotto eyeing her carefully. She averted her eyes from his gaze and leaned to look out the window. The silence was uncomfortable. Prosciutto sighed loudly. She imagined his nerves must be getting the better of him too. He rolled down the window and lit a cigarette. No one said a word for the whole hour-long drive.

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Gelato stood with his arms crossed in the barren room. There were two beds, but clearly no one had lived here yet. He breathed in and sighed. It was devoid of smell. He didn't want to stay here. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept alone. He glanced up to see Sorbet and Isabella standing in front of him, the rest of the squad near the door.

"Hey, this doesn't look so bad!" Formaggio walked in and landed face first in one of the beds. "You get the place all to yourself!" Gelato knew he meant well, but he didn't say anything in response.