We took a cab to the church where the service was being held. “You never mentioned your family was religious,” I commented as we stepped out and I leaned my head back to take in the overwhelming Catholic Church.
“We both know I never mentioned a lot of things,” he returned somewhat gruffly.
Hmm, clearly this wasn’t the time for idle chat.
Sal’s hand held mine in a vise grip as I followed him dutifully into the dimly lit church.
“Sal, you came!” a hushed yet exuberant voice sounded from our right. A beautiful girl came hurdling in our direction and locked Sal in a tight hug.
“Hi, Soph,” he greeted, hugging her back somewhat stiffly. He gave me a small smile over her head before pulling back slightly. He nodded his head toward me. “Sophie, this is my girlfriend, Kat. Kat, my sister, Sophie.”
“Hi,” I smiled warmly, extending my hand.
Sal’s tone had always been laced with regret when he talked about his half-sister. He didn’t see much of her and she clearly missed him.
“Hi!” she said as she beamed, shocking me by wrapping me up in a hug. She was petite with beautiful long brown hair and gorgeous brown eyes framed by thick lashes. Her skin was like porcelain. Sal had never mentioned how beautiful his sister was, but I supposed that wasn’t the kind of thing he thought much about.
“I can’t wait to talk more with you,” she prattled on as Sal again took my hand and led me deeper into the church. “How long are you guys staying?” she asked as she shot a hopeful look in Sal’s direction.
“We fly out tomorrow,” he responded curtly.
I saw her face fall slightly and took her hand in a quick squeeze. “We’ll have some time after the service to catch up,” I assured her, shooting a pointed look at Sal. He needed to soften up a bit with her.
“Well, how nice of you to make it,” a crisp voice sounded from behind us. I felt Sal tense beside me before turning to face the woman behind us. I followed suit, schooling my face in a tense smile, ready as I’d ever be to face Sal’s mother.
She was beautiful, which didn’t surprise me. What did surprise me was the elegance and wealth she exuded. She wore her hair in a sleek blonde bob, and a designer ensemble draped her thin frame.
She eyed me with cool indifference before turning her penetrating gaze to Sal. “At least you had the decency to dress properly and cover up those hideous tattoos,” she snapped.
“Not here to see you. Don’t need your bullshit,” Sal bit out, his voice low and angry. “I’m here to pay my respects to the old man and then we’re outta here.”
She sneered, turning her beautiful face into an ugly grimace.
“Mom, please,” Sophie pleaded quietly. “He’s my brother, your son. We haven’t seen him in a long time. Can’t you at least be cordial?” she demanded, her brown eyes pleading.
“You, young lady, are up front with me and your father. Let’s go,” her mother replied, ignoring her daughter’s pleading. She walked away swiftly, her heels clacking on the marble floor.
“Sorry,” Sophie mouthed to both of us, following at a distance behind her mother.
“Wow, Sal. Your mom is a real bitch,” I muttered.
“Told you,” he grumbled.
“At least she didn’t reach out and smite us both down. I was kind of worried about that for a second.” I shrugged, trying to lighten the mood. Though I wasn’t entirely kidding. The woman was a bit terrifying.
He barked out a laugh. “Smite, huh?”
I shrugged again. “I haven’t spent much time in churches. Isn’t that what happens?” I asked with curious eyes.
“You’re a nut, you know that?” He grinned down at me and I felt my heart lighten. I’d made him smile amid all this tension. It felt awesome. Even though I still wanted to learn about that smiting stuff.
The service was long and formal. Sal muttered to me at one point that the old man, as he called him, would have hated every second of it. We sat a few pews back from his mother, Sophie and stepfather, who hadn’t even acknowledged us. A few people had turned to give Sal small waves or smiles of encouragement. I wondered if Sal had distanced himself from his entire family, when really it was just his mother and stepfather who seemed like total assholes.
“Sal, please come back to the house for a little while. Bring your young lady here,” an older woman was asking quietly as we stood outside of the church after the service. Sal had seemed ready to make a break for it, but I’d restrained him.
“I don’t know, Aunt Jenna, you know with Mom and Richard.” He trailed off shoving a hand through his hair.
“Oh, fuck ‘em,” she replied with a wave of a hand, and I couldn’t stifle the giggle that escaped. It was so unexpected coming from this elegant looking older woman. She grinned at me before continuing, “We all want to see you, especially your sister. Just for a little while?”