Finding Her

C H A P T E R - T W O

Her bright blue eyes glisten at the sight of the trees and cars passing. The glint in her eyes make me wonder if she even knows what trees look like. It's sickening, really.

"We're here, Don." My driver says to me as he stops the car.

I hold Eleonora tighter and she lets me.

When we walk into the restaurant, Eleonora's head tucks into the crease of my neck. There is a woman at the front desk, she looks up my way when I step in front.

"A table outside, for two."

The woman blinked at me. "Uh-uhm we're not taking people outside today becau—"

"A table. Outside." My eyes harden. She grabs two menus and walks outside with me following behind.

I know the kid can't read nor does she speak much but she can look at photos. So I have her pick through the photos of some food and eventually her finger points to the pancake that had a smile on it with fruit and whipped cream.

I sip my coffee while Eleonora nibbles on pieces of her pancake that I cut.

I pick the fork up and place a syrup covered blueberry in front of her mouth and she hesitates before wrapping her mouth around it, tasting it.

I watch as her head whips around to look me in the eyes, a slight twinkle lighting up her face. A genuine smile starts to light through her features and a smile finds my own lips too. Something flutters through my chest.

This is the first time she's smiled at me.

• • •

I made the rash decision to get on a plane and leave America.

It took me by surprise to how upset Eleonora was to get on a plane. She trembled and cried until she fell asleep in my arms.

I tell myself that once Eleonora gets better, I'll find a good home for her in Italy. It's better than the options in America. I know she's attached to me but I just can't give the kid the life she deserves. My work isn't something for the faint of heart, I'd be insane to let a child into this mess.

It's just simply not possible.

John sits across from me on the phone with his wife. I'm not sure how long I'll stay in Italy, the memories there don't serve me well. I know, for now, while Eleonora is in my care, John will watch her. Make sure she doesn't die or whatever.

An abrupt ring throws me out of my dazed state. I notice that my computer has just been sitting open and I actually haven't gotten anything productive done. Oops.

My eyes linger to the name on my phone screen, with irritation I pick up the call.

"Marcello."

"Val— Hey! Off Fabio! That's mine!"

The rumbling in the background causes me to roll my eyes. My brothers. Always idiots.

"I'm going to hang up now. One—"

"Ow! Hey— no!"