Page 37 of The Forever One
We sit and she pushes a waiting blue cocktail in front of me, getting comfortable in the soft plush red bench seat. The music switches to one of Lina’s favorites and I half expect her to be next out on the stage, but she hasn’t performed since… Italy, not that I blame her.
Instead, it’s a group dance, and I love these. The synchronicity, the joy on their faces as they dance together, the beauty in their fluid movements. It’s a sight to behold.
“River, darling?” Polly’s concerned voice pulls my eyes from the stage.
“Sorry, I know that was rude of me. They’re just mesmerizing.”
“That they are. But that’s not all, is it? I can see there’s something going on with you. Come on. Talk to me.” She takes a sip from her glass and focuses all her attention on me.
“Polly, we haven’t seen each other for far too long. I’m not going to bother you with all my problems.”
Her deep stare and raised brow says a thousand things…
I won’t accept that for an answer.
You better talk to me or I’m going to force it out of you.
Stop hiding things.
My people-reading skills were honed from experience, but they began with the woman in front of me. I sigh, knowing I won’t get away with pretending everything is all sunshine and roses.
“Okay.” I pick up my own glass and have more than just a sip, preparing myself for what is likely going to be a difficult conversation.
Polly has been a part of my life pretty much since the moment my parents died. She gave me a chance, an opportunity, has helped keep me safe, and given me more advice than I know what to do with, so trusting her is easy. We may not be as close as I am with my family, for obvious reasons, but that’s what she is. She’s basically family. The kind that you see a few times a year, acting as though you’ve never been apart, then not seeing or speaking to each other again for a couple of months.
So, I tell her everything. From the Ambrosios, to Nathaniel, and even the whole, I’m actually really a Volpe mafia princess thing. She nods at all the right moments, not interrupting and allowing me to get the words out. I skip over what exactly happened in Naples, but she gets the idea: It wasn’t pretty.
When I’m done, both our glasses empty, fresh ones waiting, I slump back in the seat, exhausted.
Polly takes a few moments, slowly sipping at her martini before resting her eyes on me.
“Well, that’s quite a lot. No wonder you’re away with the fairies. There has never been any reasoning with those Ambrosios.”
“You knew them?”
“Of course I did. You don’t get to be around New York City for as long as I have without knowing people, my girl.” She’s hiding something from me. It’s not obvious, but I caught the small tick in her eye just now.
“Polly, what is it you’re not telling me?” It’s best to just be honest. I’m not about beating around the bush to get answers.
Her eyes widen at the question before her whole body deflates in a way I’ve never seen her do before. She’s always so regal in her posture and this is new, which means that whatever she’s hiding must be quite big.
Fuck.
What is it with all these big reveals?
Secrets are the devil.
“I knew your grandparents. Your grandmother was actually a very good friend of mine.” Even though she’s deflated, she still holds that air of grace about her, but there’s also a little sadness behind her eyes.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that.” I get a sinking feeling in my gut that almost tastes like betrayal, even though my brain is telling me otherwise. All of these years and she knew? “Why didn’t you ever tell me?” I barely recognize my own voice, like a disappointed child finding out Santa was just a great big sham.
“Your grandmother made me promise to look out for you if anything ever happened to her. She knew the Ambrosios weren’t trustworthy and thought making a betrothal for you with the Mancini family would deter them, but it only seemed to anger them, and well, you know what happened next.” Polly reaches out, placing her hand on mine and squeezing her fingers in a show of support. “I almost told you a hundred times, River. But then something would remind me of what happened to your grandmother and your parents and I just…” Her eyes dart to the stage but she’s not looking at the dancers making dreams come true, she’s somewhere else, in another time completely. “I couldn’t put you in that kind of danger. So, I watched you and made sure you were safe. Frank was supposed to be one of your safe keepers, but I guess I failed on that note.”
I can’t stay mad at this woman for trying to protect me. If I did, I’d have to put a giant cross to Marco as well and that’s not happening. Ever.
“I get it, Polly. I really do. I just wish I’d been armed with the knowledge, you know? Like, having that information may have prepared me for all of this shit happening to me. I mean, these Ambrosios really have it out for me.” Squeezing her hand in return to let her know it’s all good, I shake my head at the thought of Ugo and Elizabeth wanting to kill me for something they’ll essentially never have… Marco.
And don’t get me started on Nathaniel. What’s going on with that?