Chapter 4: Friday

Gina arrived for breakfast carrying oranges and a smile.

She always brought gifts when she wanted something back.

Ada sat at the head of the table with the morning paper.

Matteo had not come downstairs.

I took an orange from the bag and set it aside.

"You should have called," Ada told Gina.

"I wanted to see my sister."

Gina kissed my cheek.

Her perfume was the same as on my last birthday.

For a second I smelled smoke instead of oranges.

"I heard there was trouble," she whispered.

"Carlo didn't call you?"

Her hand tightened around mine.

Ada turned a page without looking up.

"Who says I've spoken to Carlo?" Gina asked.

"You did. Three days ago. In this room."

Gina gave Ada a wounded smile.

"Elena is confused after last night."

I had been confused for most of our childhood.

She said our mother favored me when she wanted my clothes.

She said Matteo had bought me when she wanted my sympathy.

She said Carlo loved me when she wanted his door open.

"Tell Ada why you came," I said.

Gina set down her cup.

"To take you home for a few days."

"You mean to Carlo."

Ada folded the newspaper.

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