Page 35 of Blood Money

My heart broke for her. I knew Nonna paid her well, but I wasn’t really sure if there was enough in the budget to give her a significant raise. At least not enough to make up for her husband’s lost wages.

“Maybe we can ask around and see if anyone needs help.”

“He’s been applying at other places, but we live paycheck to paycheck. It’s going to be rough if he doesn’t find something soon.”

“I’ll talk to Nonna.”

“Please don’t. She doesn’t need more crap on her plate. It wouldn’t be good for her right now.”

“Tillie….”

“No. Promise me.”

Reluctantly, I sighed and nodded.

Other than Tillie’s issues, everything in the bakery was business as usual, though I was guarded and jumpy all day. I didn’t tell Tillie and Paulie about what happened because I wanted to tell my family first.

After lunch, Mom texted me to let me know Nonna would be discharging, and I wouldn’t need to go down to the hospital to visit.

My parents brought Nonna back to the apartment late that afternoon, and I reluctantly broke the news of the robbery to them. They freaked the fuck out, and my dad wanted us to call the police. But having been raised part of his life in Northern Ireland, he knew how shady things could be at times, and he finally calmed down when Nonna told him to leave it be.

“If the De Lucas say it’ll be taken care of, we don’t involve the police,” she insisted.

I might not like it, but I was beginning to see that was how things worked around here. I couldn’t believe I’d never known the truth.

“Fine,” he huffed.

“Well, I don’t know about you three, but I’m going to bed,” Nonna said, getting up with some difficulty. When we all jumped up to help her, she grumbled and swatted us back. “I’m fine. Good grief.”

Mom and I made eye contact, and we both shook our heads. She mouthed, “Stubborn woman.”

I smirked and nodded.

“I’m not blind either. I see you two,” Nonna muttered as she started back to her room.

We laughed, and she flipped us off but kept walking.

My parents hugged me good night and got ready for bed. They were sleeping in Mom’s old room—the one I refused to step foot in now. I went to mine.

Mom and I ran the bakery while Dad stayed with Nonna and kept her from going downstairs. A couple of nights later, my parents went out on a date night.

Nonna and I were sitting in the living room after I had finished closing up. The pasta dish I’d prepared the night before was baking, and the smell of Italian spices filled the apartment. She was knitting, and I was reading.

Though I wanted to get back home, the longer I stayed, the less I wanted to leave. The routine of getting up every morning and creating treats that made people happy wasn’t a chore at all. It was my Zen place, and it made me as warm inside as a cake right out of the oven.

“I think it’s time I retired,” my grandmother announced as we ate, breaking the silence and startling me with what she’d said.

“What?” I asked with my mouth full. I finished chewing so I could swallow and carefully set my fork down. “Y-Y-You can’t be serious.”

She sighed as she pushed her food around on her plate. Then she looked up at me.

“Kendall, I’m not getting any younger. Your mom has her life in Ireland, but she never really had any desire to run the bakery. I had hoped you would, but Chicago isn’t where you want to be. I’ve had some offers that I’ve been turning down for some time. The bakery is prime location, and I own the building outright. It might be time to consider them,” she explained as I sat there with my mouth hanging open.

When I could get my tongue to work properly, I shook my head. “No, Nonna. You can’t sell the bakery. It’s been in your family since before you were born,” I argued.

A sad smile curved her lips. “Yes, but I can’t do it forever. I’ve been wanting to travel, and this might be the time. If I sold the bakery, I could go back to Italy to see my cousins there. It’s been years since I’ve been back, and half of them have already passed away. I’m over seventy, and with my heart… well, who knows how long it’ll keep ticking.”

“Nonna, don’t say that,” I interjected, my eyes burning with unshed tears.