Stumbling on some flowers on the street, I grab a handful and inhale the amazing scent. An older woman walks towards me. "Buon pomeriggio signorina, come stai?"
I smile, "Sì. Quanto costano questi?" I mentally pat myself on the back for my excellent Italian, despite knowing I still hold an accent.
Her eyes waver behind me, and I pray she does think what I believe she thinks. Her body began trembling as before she licked her thin lip. "Sulla casa."
I grab my purse. "Per favore, posso pagare."
Quickly, she shakes her head and grabs my hands preventing me from reaching the money. "Oh no no, please. Take it," she said quickly. I can see her children peeking out of the room. Once our eyes met they hid their heads.
"Grazie," I decide not to make it any more difficult for her.
She smiles before walking back inside the store. I sigh and hold the bouquet as I continue walking.
"Please, do not feel too bad Mrs.Maranzano," one of the guards said.
I hold the flowers closer to me as my eyes wander around the street. Their hands tremble and their eyes water when I pass them. Something or someone is staring at me from behind, and it's anything but good. I look at a man who's sitting with a few others; sweat starts trickling down their necks. One of the guards snaps his head towards the men's direction, and quickly they avoid their eyes. I grip the flowers tightly and twist the stem.
One of them held my hands. "Please, Mrs.Maranzano do not harm yourself," he pleads. I release the pressure and hand him the bouquet. With every move I make, they get more and more terrified. With each store I enter, everyone seems to treat me with kindness but fear clouds the atmosphere.
I wonder if this is how Anthony felt...
How he lives...
Always under the eyes of fear and hate...
Suddenly everything feels quiet, but not the tranquility like earlier. Time passes slowly. I stay hidden within the darkness, my dark mentality, feeling every beat of my heart pounding. "I'm ready to go home," I whisper lowly, and one of them nods before calling the driver.
Not too soon after, a car pulls up, and he opens the door. I step inside, wanting to laugh by my delusional state of hearing the citizens releasing a deep breath of relief. Inside the tinted car is quiet as it is dark, not allowing the light to shed through.
Does Anthony live in this darkness his entire life?
With only one sound to be heard; the music of my pulse throbbing in my ears that soon settle itself down as we drive farther away from the locals.
I close my eyes and rest my head. The serenity of silence continues to make its way.
I'm scared.
I hold my breath, not daring to make a sound as the driver scrolls up the glass that separates us, allowing me a moment of solidarity. Each second seemed to last an eternity as I lay still listening to the happy voices outside of the car.
I wrap my arms around my legs. "Anthony...when are you coming home?"
I'm scared to admit that I'm indeed...in love now.
Tilting my head out the window, I saw a familiar face. A few unfamiliar guys surround him, and I watch as his lip motions into unknown words. Soon, he enters the building with them.
What is Francesco doing?
I shake my head, praying he is not messing with more married women. Anthony doesn't need to take care of his spoiled ass, particularly since he already has so much on his plate. I shake my head again. Am I concerned about Anthony?
