Chapter 24
“Yes. A specialist in children on the spectrum. I also insisted both Tito and Bastiano meet with her a couple of times to learn how collaboratively with Antero.”
“I don’t understand.”
to
work
“Today Tito and Bastiano both were there, trying to talk to Antero before I came upstairs from IT. They both voiced he was rigid and uncomfortable,” when she opened her mouth to protest he put a finger on her lips, “and with every right to be so, however, they are going to be the men who protect him, and he needs to be comfortable with them. Tito and Bastiano are going to do the meetings with the therapist and then share what they’ve learned with the security team. They are also going to be coming to dinner and breakfast several times a week until he feels comfortable with them.” When she blinked worriedly at him, he shook his head, “not tonight, Alcee. Tonight, it is only the three of us, making him feel more familiar in my presence.”
“Okay.”
“Now, what are the ingredients for his favorite dessert? Perhaps I can assist in making it with you.”
“Chocolate chip peanut butter cookies.”
“Really?” he grinned at her and then looked at Antero who was staring curiously up at a monitor hanging from the ceiling which recorded their actions. “I love chocolate chip peanut butter cookies.”
“You do?” Ant jumped up and down near his father’s arm, “no way.”
“I really do.” He pointed to the cart, “don’t you see I threw some in there.”
good as the ones my mom can make. The peanut butter ones
“You should take them out,” Antero said seriously. “Those cookies are not near as with the chocolate chips are my favorite but she makes ones with only chocolate chips, and she lets me bring them to my class and there are never any leftovers. Some of the teachers will come down and sneak one for their break.” Antero frowned, “my mom is really nice. She even makes some without flour because one of the boys in my class cannot eat gluten. Mom makes him special cookies for him only.”
She blushed as Torq shot her a wide smile and shrugged self–consciously. “It’s not fair for one kid to be left out of treat day.”
“Your son is right. You are very nice.”
“The school is good for him.”
He kissed her temple again and it made her give him a questioning look. “I like kissing you. The more Antero gets used to seeing us being affectionate, the better.”
“I’m not used to it.”
“I know. You will be. It will become so when I don’t kiss you, you’ll miss me.” He gave her a grin which made her heart stop and then thunder back to life. It was playful and carefree, as if the last twenty–four hours of him searching for her and threatening her didn’t happen. “We will spend a good life together Alcee Mariani. Are you attached to the name? I would very much like you to take my name when we’re married.”
She watched incredulously as he threw a large bag of potato chips into the cart with nonchalance as if this entire thing were normal.
*Mom likes the vinegar ones.” Antero spoke up as he looked at the BBQ flavored chips in the cart.
“Why even in the produce section?” she asked with irritation as she headed in the direction of the cheese section.
“To sabotage people on diets,” Torq said. “People come in here thinking they’re only going to grab some salad and fruit. The problem is they usually come here after work when they’re hungry. The store puts these potato chips near the potatoes because a hungry shopper who is feeling puckish will be inclined to throw them in. People on diets tend to stick to the outer edges of the shop, not go too deep into the aisles. Put the chips here and next thing you know you want dip and soda to go with. You can’t forget the chocolate. Then you’re going up and down aisles trying to focus simply on getting soda or dip you’re adding more to your cart. Suddenly you’re pushing a hundred or so dollars of product in your cart because the sales tags in each aisle scream at you to buy the product. Your being inundated with all the things you were avoiding all because of a silly bag of potato chips. You get home, unpack your groceries, and wonder what the hell happened to the package of lettuce and bag of apples you wanted because they aren’t in the bags, but the family sized Snickers will be there.”
1
Antero stared at Torq like he hung the stars and the moon. “You’re so smart.”
Thanks!” He accepted the high–five from Antero. “I took it in college.”
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Chapter 24
“My teacher said there are some kids in my class who will be in college before we are teenagers.”
“Really?”
“There is a boy who sits beside me, and he speaks six languages, I only know three.”
“You speak three languages?” Torq looked at Antero and then back to Alcee. “Three?”
“English, Italian and Spanish. Amal and Susana’s mother is Puerto Rican. She has helped me out multiple times with babysitting. Her English is worse than her Italian. She and Antero made it work.”
“You’re a very clever young man, aren’t you?”
“I am,” he nodded excitedly. “I hope I can go to college before I’m a teenager. I want to get it all done so I can get a job, so mom doesn’t need to work so hard. Sometimes she has to work overtime, and I only get to see her in the mornings.” Antero said sadly.
“How about,” Torq squatted down to look Antero in the eyes, “your mom and I are going to get married and when we get married, it’s a custom in my family to give the family of the bride a gift of money. I’m going to give your mom the money I should have given her family years ago when we first met. Instead of it going to Don Mariani and his wife though, I’m going to give it to you and your mom. What would you say, since you are
our mom’s family, I give half to you and half to your mom?”
jyour
“Really?”
“Yes and then you can concentrate on being a little boy and going to school and learning things and not about mom.”
“How much money?” Antero asked curiously.
“Well, the dowry was supposed to be ten million dollars. What if I put five million in both of your accounts.”
“Torq,” Alcee hissed. “You can’t tell him such things.”
“Why not?” He looked up. “His trust funds, and inheritances will be significantly more than this. If it eases his mind over how hard you work and you can turn down some of the overtime. I won’t stop you from working, Alcee. You’re a valuable asset to the company. You’re needed and I want you there. However, they can put someone else in on overtime. You can be home to tuck our son in.”
“Mom! Say yes!”
Pressure filled her head, and she shot another withering glance at Torq. Why was this so hard?
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Tanya Gordon
Because it’s hard to accept someone’s help when you are used to doing it by yourself.
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