Chapter 43

SPOV

Saying goodbye to Uncle Art was emotional, with promises from all of us to stay in touch. I felt awkward sat in my father's taxi as he drove us back into Trenton. I wasn't sure what he would say to me after what had happened the day before or even how he felt about it. It was after we'd passed through a set of traffic lights and he pulled into the parking lot in front of a bar that my nerves took hold because I just knew now was the time to hear his opinion. I was dreading that he'd be annoyed or upset with me.

"Yesterday, well it came as a real shock. I honestly had never considered that your mother's ways were so introverted and focused on a life that was so outdated. I mean, I knew that she was always concerned about appearances but for her to shun that poor woman because of Burg expectations. It sure had an effect on her, though I'm sure that she would never admit it to anyone else"

I looked over to him wondering what he meant and how it had affected her. I mean, come on, this was my mother, a woman who was ensconced in gossip and perpetuating the Burg way of life.

"It certainly opened her eyes to what she'd been doing. We talked, like we hadn't done in years, a lot of home truths were said to each other, some not appreciated by the other. We decided that we both wanted to start again, reset our relationship that seemed to have got lost along the way. We're gonna move out of the Burg, somewhere quiet with fewer neighbors and look at things that we can do together"

I didn't know what to say. I hadn't intended to be so hard on my mother but sat at her kitchen table and listening to what she'd said as excuses had really annoyed me. I wanted her to know the impact that she'd had, but I never thought that she would actually see the light.

"She was ridden with guilt for what happened to that woman and her kids and is even questioning Angie's behavior and why she never did anything when her husband beat her and her kids up. She's admitted that that isn't how she wants to be. Hell, she even admitted that trying to manipulate you toward that Morelli boy was wrong"

Okay, had aliens taken her over, was this really my mother that he was talking about?

"I told her about you and Ranger, she aint stupid, she could see how protective of you he is. I'm not sure how she feels about him. Morelli fed a lot of gossip around the Burg about the men who work at Rangeman, so I admitted to her that I went there every day to exercise and that they were a good set of men to know"

I now understood what he'd meant by them talking which to be honest I saw as a good thing. If their marriage was going to survive then they had to be honest with each other.

"Where will you move to?"

Because it would feel strange if they were to move totally away from Trenton.

"I'm meeting her at a realtor this afternoon to look at our options"

That had me thinking about what Uncle Art had given to me when we met. A cheque for a lot of money which he insisted I took. Apparently, it was the reward money for solving the mystery of stolen jewelry, a reward that the victims had put together.

"I have that money, that would help expand on the type of house that would want"

"No. I've got savings and some bonds are due this month, so we have enough. It's your money to use however you want"

I had no idea what I'd do with the money probably because I had no idea how my life would move forward now. I honestly did not want to go back to bounty hunting even if Vinnie asked me to. That phase of my life was over but neither did I want to be reliant on Carlos. It was as I was waiting for Carlos, upstairs in the apartment on seven, that an idea began to form in my head.

Eight months later

As I cut the blue ribbon in front of me, I felt so proud of how quickly my idea had taken on a life of its own. The focus of my new line of work had evolved and Carlos was enthusiastic in helping me from business plans, property location and finances. Whilst I knew that the reward money would be enough to set up the business, I also knew that I would need a good income to support it. Deciding on a name was the tricky part yet finding employees was surprising easy.

I looked at the brass plaque in front of me as cheers echoed around me before everyone just seemed to move through the doors, taking me with them. As I walked through the main reception area and into a large room that served as a café, I was overcome with who was here with me. Okay, there were people who I'd only met with recently but was sure would become close friends. It was the other folk that blew my mind away. Uncle Art was stood chatting to my father, Connie was sat with Val and Lou while Lula had Jackie and my mother listening to her.

Yeah, my mother. We'd come a long way since that day when Molly had been found in the back yard of where she had once called her home. Moving out of the Burg had been hard for her but with my father's support and probably a woman from the local church, she'd changed. Hell, there were times that I didn't recognize her. She no longer tried to tell me what I should do instead we'd talk about something and listen to each other's point of view. Her new home was comfortable where it felt okay to drop your jacket on the couch and between the two of my parents, they'd found a common enthusiasm for growing flowers and vegetables in the garden.

Of course, my greatest worry had been how my mother would behave toward Carlos and okay she'd struggled to start with not to be critical. Carlos though, he just turned on the charm and before too long my mother told me that he was the best man that I would ever find. Morelli had left the area and as the saying went, out of sight out of mind. I had no interest in where he'd gone or what he was doing and it seemed that no one else had either.

You might be asking what it was that I'd spent so long in setting up.

Once that idea had taken route in my head and Carlos understood what I wanted to do he'd made me work hard to make it come to fruition. I'd bought a building, planned it out with an architect and then project managed the work needed myself. I actually enjoyed wearing a hard hat and overseeing the various teams of workmen as they completed their part. I now owned a three floored building that housed a café, a gym, a beauty salon, offices and furnished apartments.

My focus had been on providing somewhere that women could go where they could, I suppose, find themselves and be safe. I would never forget Caterina or what she had been through and the young nameless women who had lost their lives because of Dario. I suppose Edgar's mother, Molly had been the glue that had brought those ideas together and the inspiration for the name of this place, Molly's.

I felt arms come around me and relaxed back into the familiar feel of Carlos behind me both of us watching the people in front of us. I know that I tensed on seeing Angie Morelli walk into the room and as she looked around. I looked away from her as though it would make me invisible, but it wasn't long before she was stood in front of me.

"I wish that there had been somewhere like this to go to when I was younger. In those days women had no choice but to live with the abuse of a husband. It was seen as an expectation that the woman put up with it, without complaint and behind closed doors. If you're looking for volunteers to help out then I'd like to help, to keep someone else from suffering like I did"

I was too polite to raise my eyebrows at the surprise statement from Angie and looking at her I knew that she was being very sincere with what she was offering.

"That's an amazing offer Angie and all help is welcome. Connie is managing the staff and rotas so if you give her your details and the times that best suit you then she'll get in touch with you"

Areas like the café had been organized for just that in mind. The other parts of the center had dedicated staff who had some experience of working with vulnerable adults because I needed to be sure that any advice or actions were based on professional knowledge. The apartments upstairs were for use when a family was in a crisis situation and the offices were needed for mentoring and meetings. Yeah, I felt pleased with what we had here and even though it was in its infancy was sure that we could make a difference to people's lives.

"Proud of you Babe. This place will make a huge difference and with the fundraising events that you've got planned I'm sure that it will grow from strength to strength"

Of course, Carlos had a helping hand in Molly's. The security had been provided through Rangeman with panic buttons in every room, just in case an annoyed husband or partner turned up.

"Are you ready to go, Mrs. Manoso?"

Yeah, that was one little secret we were keeping to ourselves along with the doctors appointment that I was due at. After that wedding in Italy I just couldn't face the whole worry and anxiety of having a public celebration so Carlos had arranged a private ceremony out of town with just the two of us. If anyone asked when we were going to get married then all I needed to say was that we already were.