Pipe Burst Guest novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: The Grave

My father's grave was on a hill outside the city, under an oak, with a low stone that said only FONTANELLI.

I got there at five in the morning with a coat over my nightgown.

Nico had wanted to come all the way.

I told him he could drive me and wait at the gate, because I would not meet her with a man at my shoulder.

He agreed, with his arms folded and a look that said he would be watching anyway.

Ines was already there.

She knelt on the wet grass in her cream coat, with a bunch of white carnations laid on the stone.

She always arrived first.

I had never asked her how.

"Marisa," she said, and stood up with her face wet. "You came."

"You said it was important."

"It is."

She wiped her face with the back of her hand and could not seem to stop.

"I have to tell you something, and you'll hate me, and you'll be right."

I stood very still.

"I've been seeing Cesare," she said.

The wind moved in the oak.

I let it be quiet for a moment, because I wanted to see how she would fill it.

"For how long?" I asked.

"Three years."

"Three years."

"It started when you were in the hospital the first time. He was so scared, and I was scared, and we were both sitting by your bed." She pressed her fingers to her lips. "It was one night, and then I couldn't stop it."

"You couldn't stop it for three years."

"I tried. I swear I tried. I wanted to tell you every day."

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