Page 2 of Sweet Madness
On the other hand, Raiza sent me a voice memo of Auntie Kadra offering to castrate Remi for me and telling me not to worry because Uncle Vitali is very good at making evidence disappear.
I love my family—messy, slightly psychotic, and all. I wouldn’t trade any of them for all the chocolate cupcakes in the world.
I make a mental note to answer my cousins later and send them some pictures that will surely make them smile: F1 videos for Low and pictures of young Leonardo DiCaprio for Rai. I love my cousins just as much as I love my siblings. I couldn’t do this without them.
Life.
The chaotic life I was born into.
“Ahhh,” I groan as the small gondola I’m on jerks, slowly moving toward the bridge, obscuring the sky from my view for just a moment before I can see the stars again.
One star.
Two stars.
“You still count stars, little lady?” A rough voice comes from behind me. While I’m so busy throwing my own pity party, I somehow forget that one of my favorite people in the entire world is accompanying me tonight.
A small smile appears on my face when I hear his voice. I can always count on him to make me laugh when all I feel is sadness and a crippling emptiness inside my chest. When I want nothing more than to hide from the world.
My Uncle Benji.
“Your mom is home and has never left your side since. Why are you counting stars?” Uncle Benji asks, sounding hurt.
It’s not Mom.
Suddenly, a thought crosses my mind. Maybe if I catch them all, he’ll come home… I don’t say that, though. I could never. But I know it’s the truth. My heart knows it’s missing something.
It’s missing someone.
No matter how many friendships I’ve built or places I’ve visited over the years, nothing ever filled that hole.
The one he left.
Looking away from the stars above, I turn to look over my shoulder at my uncle. An uncle not by blood but by everything that counts—heart and soul. That’s what Uncle Benji means to me. What he is to me. Part of my family.
He’s also Mom’s best friend, much to my father’s dismay.
He’s not only part of our family but also the head of our security team.
How did I forget my guardian Viking was sitting quietly behind me? Uncle Benjamin should be back in D.C., keeping my parents and younger siblings safe, but instead, Dad sent him abroad with me.
I’ve been to countless places long before I was even able to talk. I’ve traveled from one corner of the world to the other, always accompanied by either my parents or one of my cousins, with security, of course—but never alone.
So, when the urge to run from everything rose, I did just that. I left the States, and Uncle Benjamin followed me. Dad was reluctant to let me go at first, but he’s not very good at telling me no, especially when someone hurts me. But after the night I’ve had, I start to question if running away from the people who love me most was the right choice.
It sure doesn’t feel like it.
What a fool I’ve been.
Giving my uncle a small smile, I look upwards again. The night sky is full of stars tonight. They shine so brightly that I can see their reflections in the water below us.
“Do you know what that constellation right there is called, Uncle Benji?” He doesn’t know. The only person who always seemed to know the right answer was the man who is now just a fond memory.
“Sneakers or some shit?” I laugh and then roll my eyes. That’s Uncle Benji for you—always willing to make me laugh when he senses I need it most. “I think you mean the Milky Way, and no.” I lift my hand higher, and his eyes follow. “That is Ursa Major.”
He frowns, but an adoring smile tugs at his lips. “Huh. Looks like a bear to me.”
A bear.