Read Online Accidental Mobster by M. M. Cox - Free Book Online Page A

“It’s been so long. I had forgotten how wonderful everything was.”
    â€œYeah—it’s pretty amazing. How do you know these people?”
    She ignores my question, and I wonder whether I will ever find out how a woman like my mom knows people like the Vigliottis. Instead, she looks me over, her eyes skimming my new clothes. “Are you okay, Danny? Do you like it here?” she asks. I shrug; I don’t know how much to tell her, thinking I will hurt her feelings if she knew how much I like it at the Vigliotti’s. “It’s fine. It’s easy to get used to the nice stuff, I guess. What happened to Dad?” I ask, changing the subject.
    â€œI’m not sure. I’ve been staying with Sue. I guess he’s back at the house. No one’s pressing charges, so the city’s not going to waste their time with it,” she says, her face expressionless.
    So, Mr. Doonesby didn’t press charges, I realize. Maybe my principal feels guilty about the whole mess.
    He should .
    Mom continues to study me, staring at my head for a long moment, and I shift from one leg to another, feeling uncomfortable under her scrutiny. “But are you okay? After everything—you know—how are you handling it?” she asks breathlessly, as though she almost can’t ask the question, just as the look on her face says she doesn’t really want an answer.
    I stare at her. I can think of many things to say—many things I want to shout at her. The pain and loneliness take hold of me, threatening to become angry words. So I say nothing. Isn’t that what she wants anyway? What good would anger be for either of us now? Neither of us can handle it, neither of us wants it. She should leave, just as she did a few weeks ago. Leave and let me live this new life that is the only item of worth she has ever given me. I can feel myself trying to tell her these things with my expression, and fortunately, whether Mom understands the exact message or just my emotions, my meaning seems to push its way through.
    â€œI’ve gotta go, Danny. I still have so much that needs to be done before we can be a family again.” Her eyes look at me hopefully.
    I feel heartless as I gaze back at her without giving any sign that there is still hope for our relationship. I can’t forgive her, at least, not at this moment—and not for some time to come. Even though I am feeling selfish now, she is the one who was selfish. That selfishness took me from her, and perhaps, that is exactly what self-centered people deserve. She puts a hand on my shoulder, and I stand motionless. I can’t hug her—not yet. A few more tears stream from her eyes, and she turns and leaves the house. I have given her no indication that I miss her, and now she is leaving again. And I am ashamed that I am glad.

    * * * *

    Later that night, I lay my clothes out and gather my school supplies into my expensive new backpack. I am so excited and nervous about the next day that I wonder if I will get any sleep. I want to make a good impression and blend into the background all at the same time. And I find myself wondering if I will see Portia, and if so, will she be friendly like she was before? And will Vince pretend that he barely knows me, ignoring the last week of fun we’ve had together in order to not appear to be “friends” with a freshman? I decide that’s probably a good possibility based on Vince’s past behavior.
    I choose a pair of jeans and a green polo shirt and wipe a scuff mark from my shoe. I try to think of what else I might need. My sunglasses! I skim the room and rack my brain for where I might have left them. Then I remember the argument Vince and I had on the way to pick up milk for Ronnie. Vince, who had once again been driving the Lexus, had grabbed my expensive shades from my face and had thrown them in the backseat after an argument over the score on a recent video game. I had