Episode 9

Alice: I get dressed first and then finish getting Theo ready. I come downstairs and laugh at Theo imitating while waiting for Lorenzo to come down.

Lorenzo: I get dressed and come downstairs. I find Alice smiling, watching Theo imitate a lion. Her smile captivates me for a few eternal seconds. I pass by her, trying to ignore the sensations I feel when I see her smile, and silently head towards the mansion's party hall.

Alice: I must look terrible. Lorenzo passes by me with a look that makes me very embarrassed. I walk in silence, holding hands with Theo. We enter the hall and everyone looks at Lorenzo in disbelief. The silence is broken by Cinthia, who comes angrily towards Lorenzo with Dom in her arms.

(Dominique, 2 and a half years old. Son of Cinthia and Miguel)

Lorenzo: Cinthia comes towards me and I'm sure she's going to hit me. She practically throws Dom into my arms and he starts crying.

Cinthia, he's crying.

Cinthia: Really? Don't tell me, Lorenzo! He's crying because when he was born, his godmother was very sick, and his godfather ignored his existence. His godmother passed away and he doesn't even remember her, and his godfather is in eternal mourning. So, I'm going to tell you why he's crying. It's because he doesn't know you! He doesn't know who you are, so make an effort to calm him down and tell him about his godmother, because that's how she will never be forgotten. I won't let anyone forget Suzi, she was an extraordinary woman and we've spared you enough.

Lorenzo: I remain silent, I stare at Dom crying and start walking with him through the hall, showing him everything around. He calms down and touches my face.

Dom, I'm sorry, I know you don't understand anything I'm telling you, but you'll understand with time. Your godmother loved you, she was beautiful, had a perfect smile, and loved you since she found out you were in your mother's belly. She met you, Dom, there are photos that will show you how much she loved you...

Daniela: I'm moved to see Lorenzo walking and talking with Dom. I look at Theo having fun with the cousins, and, as I suspected, Alice is changing things around here.

Alice dear, come sit here.

Alice: I have to keep an eye on Theo.

Daniela: We all keep an eye on the children, my dear, don't worry. How are you doing?

Alice: I'm fine.

Julia: He's changing, Alice, and I suspect you have something to do with it.

Alice: You're bringing him back, I'm just taking care of Theo.

Bernardo: You're wrong, Alice. Lorenzo is still lost, but I believe he will be essential for him to be himself again.

Bruno: I don't just think, I'm sure. My beautiful wife is right, you're an angel in our lives.

Alice: My God, this is too embarrassing. You're all wrong, and you'll see that I'm just a regular babysitter.

Cinthia: You have nothing regular about you, Alice.

Theo: Come, Alice, come meet my cousins.

Alice: I leave relieved, I was very embarrassed. Theo includes me in their playtime, and as I have dealt with classes of 30 students, this bunch of kids is a piece of cake. I play with them, and everyone gets excited. Cecilia is the most demanding, but with a little charm, I win her heart.

Julia: Look, love, she won Cecilia over.

Bernardo: Indeed, Cinthia, she's nothing ordinary.

Lorenzo: I spend hours with Dom, and then I hand him over to Cinthia, who seems calmer with me.

Cinthia: I'm sorry, Lorenzo, I was angry with you. You were wonderful with Dom today.

Lorenzo: It's alright, I've been neglecting him. It's hard to think of visiting them, that penthouse has too many memories, there... Well, I still can't. But on Sundays, I'll spend more time with Dom.

Cinthia: I understand you, thank you for that. Sit down and come see something surprising.

Lorenzo: What?

Cinthia: Look ahead and see for yourself, the child tamer. Look how happy they are with Alice. She won Cecilia over and she looks like a giant child among them.

Lorenzo: I silently watch Alice playing with the children, running, smiling, eliciting laughter from all of them. Lunch ends, and I can barely exchange a few words with my family; everyone seems to understand. Theo is exhausted, and we head back home in silence. I don't even know what to say, I've spent so much time avoiding conversations that now I don't know how to start one with my son.

Theo: Lorenzo, thank you for coming to lunch.

Lorenzo: Theo breaks the silence, and I lock eyes with him.

Theo: I don't hate you.

Lorenzo: I know, son.

Theo: I didn't want you or Mom to die.

Lorenzo: It's okay, son.

Theo: I'm sorry.

Lorenzo: I kneel down and embrace my son; he sobs uncontrollably in my arms, and I cry with him. Oh, how I missed this embrace. I pick him up in my arms and head back home.

I love you, son.

Alice: I follow the two of them, wiping away some tears from my face. We enter the mansion, and Lorenzo takes Theo upstairs, gives him a bath, and stays with him in his room. He sits silently, watching him play.

Theo: Come, Alice, play with us.

Alice: I enter and Theo asks me to sit next to his father. He tells me what we need to do, and I simply observe Lorenzo. He is uncomfortable but does what Theo asks.

Lorenzo: Alice, stay with us. We go downstairs for dinner. After we finish eating, I consider reading Theo's story. I stop at his bedroom door but can't bring myself to enter. I go into my room and take out Suzi's letter. I stare at the slightly yellowed, sealed envelope. I carefully open it as my hands tremble, and my heart races. I unfold the paper, tears streaming down my face as I see Suzi's handwriting.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***