Forbidden love for a Barkley
Part Thirty Seven:
"Jarrod's Plan, pt. 5: Believer"
Right after Jarrod and Victoria left, Audra and Stefania started to have their "woman-to-woman" talk in the garden. Once Stefania started off by saying she was frightened, Audra started to say she know how she felt only for the former to shake her head "no" as if to say: "Don't say that, because you have no idea how I feel. None of you do." to which the latter conceded before saying that she knew what it was like to have a guy "get fresh in a scary way" and telling her the story of her encounter with one Evan Miles at her birthday party years ago. Audra would admit that she still felt guilty/she was to blame for Evan's death and that if the two never crossed paths at her birthday party, he would still be alive to which Stefania told her that while she understood the feeling of guilt, it sounded as though Evan was beyond redemption and help. In other words, he didn't have a prayer and his only escape from his troubles was...death, so that way he would never harm a soul nor cause trouble/terror ever again which in itself was tragic, because his troubles could've been prevented had his father cared enough to teach him right from wrong & deal with him in a better way than just simply send him off for years to come or buy his (Evan's) way out of trouble every time Evan got himself in hot water. However, as the old saying goes: "What's done is done", because Evan Miles is dead & gone and shoulda-woulda-coulda will not bring him or anybody back. Stefania would then ask if Evan "only attacked" Audra to which she would say he did and would've done worse had Heath not intervened the first time to which the former would tell the latter that she should be relieved that she wouldn't have to live with the worst hanging over her head. Audra would ask what she meant and Stefania would tell her that she got lucky enough to escape the horror of having her clothes torn off of her & the pain of being r*ped. That she doesn't have that and the possibility of carrying the r*pist's child hanging over her head the fear of one's significant other/spouse no longer loving one, because of that and the fact that when a woman starts to show signs of being expectant, she loses her figure among other things which makes a man think she is "ugly" and "unlovable". Plus too, maybe Leonard was right about her "not being good enough" for Nick & that Nick deserves a prettier rich girl. Meanwhile, Paulie arrived back to the Mangano household and was immediately confronted by Carmine, who demanded to know where his younger brother was this whole time. This was when Paulie started to tell him of Jarrod's plan that was in the beginning stages and there was a chance for justice. Acting by nature, Carmine started scoffing at the idea almost immediately and started to head out of the room, clearly wanting to hear no more of this. Now, his wife Andrea had entered the room and upon hearing Paulie speak of Jarrod's plan & Carmine say that "their kind (Jarrod and his family) stick together", insinuating that the eldest Barkley son was selling a bill of goods, turned to her husband and suggested that he may be wrong. The questions that remain are as follows: Will Paulie manage to convince Carmine otherwise?, Will Jarrod's plan in regards to the case of Emilio's murder come to fruition?, Will Audra manage to convince Stefania that Nick will be devoted to her and care about her unlike other men?, and Who is Jarrod's secretary Violet Pascucci & what happened to Esther? Stay tuned and find out!
Author's Note: I do NOT own The Big Valley or its characters. I ONLY own this fic and the characters of: Stefania Mangano, Carmine Mangano Sr, Carmine's friends, Paulie Mangano, Italia Mangano, Emilio Mangano, Serafina Mangano, Chet and the men Heath rounded up, Jess and Mavis Chaney, the Animal Team, Leonard Barkley, Seth & his gang, and the Mangano family. Also too, as you can very well see, this is the fifth of however many parts to another multi part chapter saga. Full disclosure, I'm not a legal expert or lawyer by any means, so please, bear with me during the parts involving Jarrod putting on his lawyer hat. Oh and before I forget (which I tend to do Lol), as you can see, this chapter's title was modeled after the Imagine Dragons song "Believer". It is one of my personal favorites and I felt it is very fitting :D
(Flashback to part 36)
"I know. I'm not saying it wasn't. I'm just saying that while you had that terrifying experience, you at least escaped having your clothes torn off and being r*ped plus the possibility of carrying the child of the man who r*ped you. You got lucky and escaped. I didn't. Also too, you weren't in a relationship with somebody when it happened to you. I am and-and-" Stefania stopped and shook her head.
"And what? Stefania, you're with Nick. There's nothing to be-" Audra paused and started to put two and two together, "Is that why you're frightened?"
"As ashamed as I am to say it, but...yes. That is why I am frightened." Stefania looked down at the ground.
"Stefania, you need not to be frightened. Nick cares about you a lot and-" Audra was cut off, again.
"I know he cares about me...for right now at least." Stefania shrugged, "I do not know if he will still feel the same way once I start showing signs of being expectant."
"Oh, Stefania. Don't be silly. Nick cares about you a lot and-" Audra was cut off, for the umpteenth time.
"How can you be so sure, Audra? I mean Nick is saying the right things and seems to care for me, but that's only, because I still look pretty. Once my belly starts to grow, I'll be fat and ugly. Fat...ugly...and unlovable! I won't be the pretty girl Nick likes! I won't be pretty like the girls he was with prior to me." Stefania shook her head and stood up.
"Stefania, what do you mean by that?" Audra also stood up.
"I won't be as beautiful as Hester Converse or Layle Johnson or Melanie Deland or Belle Bleeck or Michelle De Lacaise to name a few of the women of Nick's past." Stefania paced back and forth, "Maybe your uncle Leonard was right."
"What?" Audra asked.
"Maybe I don't belong here. Maybe I'm not right for Nick let alone worthy of him. Maybe a rich beautiful girl is right for him." Stefania's voice sounded like it was starting to crack, "It's a shame, because I have love in my heart. I may not be rich or pretty, but I have love!"
"Oh, Stefania. You don't mean any of that and you know none of that is true." Audra tried to sound reassuring.
"Do I, Audra? Do I?" Stefania faced away from Audra.
"Stefania, first off, when we all said you are more than welcome in our home, we meant it. Secondly, Leonard was very wrong and has no say here. Lastly, I know my brother Nick very well and I can vouch for him. I know he cares about you more than you realize and when you start showing signs of being expectant, he'll still care about you. He's not like other men who are shallow and care about outer appearances or society status. No. Nick cares about and loves a woman for who she is and what she has to offer from within." Audra pointed at her heart, "Nothing else really matters. The only thing he looks for in return is for the woman to echo his feelings and sentiments. Not looks or society status."
*Meanwhile, at the Mangano household*
Paulie had arrived home and just walked through the front door when footsteps and voices could be heard. Knowing who the voices belonged to, he let out a sigh and prepared himself.
"Paulie! Paulie! Stefania!" Carmine angrily limped into the room.
"Papà, per favore stai calmo. Dovresti riposare! (Dad, please be calm. You should be resting!)" another voice said.
"Sì, sì, sì. Allegra, toglimi le mani di dosso! (Yeah, yeah, yeah. Allegra, take your hands off me!)" Carmine barked.
"Ehi, Carm, sii gentile con lei. Non c'è bisogno di grugnire con chiunque entri in contatto con te. (Hey, Carm, go easy on her. No need to grunt at everybody who comes into contact with you.)" Paulie held up his hand in a "calm down" gesture.
"Lasciami andare il braccio, Allegra. (Let go of my arm, Allegra.)" Carmine ignored Paulie.
"Non finché non accetti almeno di sederti! (Not until you agree to at least sit down!)" Allegra slightly raised her voice.
"Se alzi ancora una volta la voce, ti strappo la cinghia. (You raise your voice at me once more, I'll take my strap to you.)" Carmine threatened.
Allegra, knowing her father meant every word he just said and clearly not wanting to be on the receiving end of the strap, immediately let his arm go and backed off.
"Meglio così. Se solo tua sorella Stefania fosse così obbediente. (That's better. If only your sister Stefania was that obedient.)" Carmine said before turning his attention (and anger) to Paulie, "Perché ci hai messo così tanto?! Dove eri?! (What took you so long?! Where were you?!)"
"Fratello mio, ho buone notizie. (My brother, I have good news.)" Paulie started.
"Oh no! Ti sposi...di nuovo! (Oh no! You're getting married...again!)" Carmine shook his head, "Questa volta a una donna bianca, scommetto! (This time to a white woman, I bet!)"
"Sposato? Cosa ti ha dato questa idea? No, no, no. Ero al Barkley Ranch. (Married? What gave you that idea? No, no, no. I was at Barkley Ranch.)" Paulie continued.
"Madre di misericordia, hai una relazione con Victoria Barkley, non è vero?! Ecco perché eri lì, non è vero?! Madre di misericordia! (Mother of mercy, you're in a relationship with Victoria Barkley, aren't you?! That's why you were there, isn't it?! Mother of mercy!)" Carmine did a facepalm.
"Carmine, non ho parlato con la signora Barkley. Ho parlato con Jarrod. (Carmine, I didn't speak with Mrs. Barkley. I spoke with Jarrod.)" Paulie folded his arms.
"Ah, davvero, eh? (Oh, you did, huh?)" Carmine asked.
"Sì, l'ho fatto. Gli ho raccontato cosa è successo a papà e lui ha detto che c'è la possibilità che un giudice che conosce possa riaprire e processare il caso. (Yes, I did. I told him about what happened to dad and he said that there's a chance that a judge he knows may reopen and try the case.)" Paulie nodded, "C'è una possibilità di ottenere giustizia. (There's a chance for justice.)"
"Possibilità di giustizia? (Chance for Justice?)" Allegra asked.
"Sì. C'è la possibilità che Clevenger, Sturgis, Reardon e McIntosh vengano ritenuti responsabili dell'omicidio di papà. (Yes. There's a chance that Clevenger, Sturgis, Reardon, and McIntosh will be held accountable for the murder of dad.)" Paulie added.
"Per quanto tutto ciò possa sembrare bello, non hai dimenticato qualcosa?! (As good as all of that sounds, aren't you forgetting something?!)" Carmine folded his arms.
"Carmine, non ti ho ancora parlato di Santo. Tuttavia, il piano di Jarrod riguardo a papà sembra molto molto promettente. (Carmine, I didn't tell about Santo, yet. However, Jarrod's plan in regards to dad sounds very very promising.)" Paulie continued.
"Davvero? (It does?)" Andrea walked into the room.
"Certo che sì, Andrea. Jarrod ha detto che lui e il suo amico, lo sceriffo-(It sure does, Andrea. Jarrod said that he and his friend, the sheriff-)" Paulie was cut off.
"Oh, no, non lo fai! Se pensi che Halloran farà qualcosa, ripensaci e Jarrod ha un piano? Dimenticalo! Chiunque sia amico di Halloran non avrà il tempo del giorno dal sottoscritto! (Oh, no you don't! If you think Halloran is going to do something, think again and Jarrod has a plan? Forget about it! Anybody who is friends with Halloran will not get the time of day from yours truly!)" Carmine shook his head and started to walk out of the room.
"Carmine, come fai a sapere che Jarrod Barkley è amico di Halloran? (Carmine, how do you know Jarrod Barkley is friends with Halloran?)" Andrea walked over to her husband.
"Andrea, la mia cara moglie...(Andrea, my darling wife...)" Carmine stopped, turned to his wife, and gently placed his hand on her cheek, "I loro simili restano uniti come uccelli dello stesso piumaggio. (Their kind stick together just like birds of a feather.)"
"Carmine, tesoro, forse ti sbagli? (Carmine, honey, maybe you're wrong?)" Andrea lightly suggested.
(Now)
"Me? Sbagliato? Andrea, non mi sbaglio mai in queste cose. (Me? Wrong? Andrea, I am never ever wrong on these things.)" Carmine shook his head.
"Carmine, è comprensibile che ti senti come ti senti, perché come te, siamo un po 'sospettosi nei confronti delle persone. Come te, conosco un bugiardo quando ne vedo uno, soprattutto dopo aver guardato negli occhi. Detto questo, ho guardato agli occhi di Jarrod Barkley e posso tranquillamente dire che non è un bugiardo. Se dice di avere un piano per quanto riguarda la giustizia per il tuo papà-(Carmine, it is understandable that you feel the way you feel, because like you, we're all a little suspicious of people. Like you, I know a liar when I see one, especially after looking into their eyes. That being said, I looked into the eyes of Jarrod Barkley and I can safely say that he is not a liar. If he says he has a plan in regards to getting justice for your papa-)" Andrea was cut off.
"Apetta un minuto. Aspetta ... A ... dannatamente minuto ! Quando eri alla casa di Barkley? (Wait a minute. Wait...a...damn minute! When were you at the Barkley household?)" Carmine held his hand up.
"Carmine, ora non è importante. Ciò che è importante è quello-(Carmine, that's not important now. What's important is that-)" Andrea was cut off, again.
"Non è importante? Andrea, ci sei andato alle mie spalle! (Not important? Andrea, you went there behind my back!)" Carmine gave her a look.
"Carmine, possiamo andare avanti e indietro su questo fino alla fine del mondo. Non è importante. Ciò che è importante è che Jarrod ha un piano e se c'è una possibilità di giustizia per Emilio, forse dovremmo ascoltare. (Carmine, we can go back and forth about this until kingdom come. It's not important. What's important is that Jarrod has a plan and if there's a possibility of justice for Emilio, maybe we should listen.)" Andrea sighed.
"Ascoltare? Cosa? Altre vuote promesse e sporche bugie? (Listen? To what? More empty promises and filthy lies?)" Carmine shook his head and waved his finger, gesturing "No", "Assolutamente no! (Absolutely the hell not!)"
"Carmine, fratello mio, nonostante tutto, vedi ancora la luce? (Carmine, my brother, in spite of everything, do you still see the light?)" Paulie put his hands on his brother's shoulders.
"Paulie, è una domanda davvero macabra da fare a qualcuno! (Paulie, that's a very morbid question to ask somebody!)" Carmine cringed.
"Carmine, non lo intendevo in modo morboso. Voglio solo sapere che nonostante tutto quello che è successo, vedi ancora la luce e che ha trasformato il tuo spirito in una colomba? (Carmine, I wasn't meaning it in a morbid way. I just want to know that in spite of all that has happened, do you still see the light and has it turned your spirit to a dove?)" Paulie looked into his brother's eyes.
"Cosa? (Huh?)" Carmine gave him a weird look.
"Penso che tu mi abbia sentito la prima volta. (I think you heard me the first time.)" Paulie smirked.
"Papà, credo che quello che lo zio Paulie sta cercando di dire è... sei credente? (Dad, I think what uncle Paulie is trying to say is...are you a believer?)" Allegra chimed in.
"Credente? (Believer?)" Carmine raised an eyebrow.
Allegra nodded in response.
"Carmine, sembra promettente e sai che papà vorrebbe che ascoltassimo Jarrod. (Carmine, it sounds promising and you know that dad would want us to listen to Jarrod.)" Paulie insisted.
"Papà? (Dad?)" a voice called out.
"Sì, Vincent? (Yes, Vincent?)" Carmine turned to his son.
"Ci ho pensato molto e forse Stefania aveva ragione fin dall'inizio. (I've been giving it a lot of thought and maybe Stefania has been right all along.)" Vincent walked into the room.
"Se stai parlando di Nick Barkley e della sua famiglia-(If you're talking about that Nick Barkley and his family-)" Carmine was cut off.
"Papà, ascoltami. Ho pensato a quanto Stefania elogia Nick, oltre a sentire quanto ottimista sembra zio Paulie e beh, forse Nick e la sua famiglia non sono poi così male. (Dad, hear me out. I have been thinking of how much Stefania praises Nick plus hearing how optimistic uncle Paulie sounds and well, maybe Nick and his family aren't all that bad.)" Vincent insisted.
"Vincent, anche tu? (Vincent, you too?)" Carmine asked.
"Sì, papà. Inizialmente ero sospettoso dei Barkley, in particolare di Nick, ma sentendo lo zio Paulie suonare ottimista e sapendo quanto Nick sembra preoccuparsi di Stefania, beh, puoi dire che la mia mente sta iniziando a cambiare. (Yes, dad. I was initially suspicious of the Barkleys, especially Nick, but hearing uncle Paulie sounding optimistic and knowing how much Nick seems to care about Stefania, well, you can say that my mind is starting to be changed.)" Vincent told him, "Papà, forse la mamma ha ragione. Forse... Forse ti sbagli. Forse ti sei precipitato a dare un giudizio. (Dad, maybe mom is right. Maybe...Maybe you are wrong. Maybe you did rush to judgment.)"
*Back at Barkley Ranch, 15 minutes later*
A good fifteen minutes had passed and Audra was still trying to convince Stefania that Nick was not like all of the shallow men in the world, but to no avail. Stefania was sticking to her beliefs of men only wanting "beautiful skinny rich girls" and rejecting girls like herself once they begin to show any indication of being expectant. She pointed out the fact that she wanted to be pure when or if she ever got married to the right man, but McMahon and his gang, especially Dodie Gunderson and Zeb Williamson, ruined that by r*ping her leading to another belief that being r*ped made her filthy and that neither Nick nor any other man would want her, because of that and the fact that she could be carrying the r*pist's child, which would be considered an abomination in the eyes of men. Feeling bad for the girl, Audra started telling her that while there were men who were shallow and lacked compassion, there were those who gave unconditional love and were very doting plus devoted and faithful. As she was telling her these facts, inside the house, Nick, who somehow managed to make it down the stairs with no trouble whatsoever, heard the two ladies talking and upon getting a good earful of what their conversation was about, he looked troubled.
After walking into the room and seeing Nick looking troubled, Heath made his way over to his brother in order to see what was bothering him.
"What's the matter?" Heath asked.
No answer.
"Nick?" Heath said.
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, Heath. My mind is elsewhere for the time being." Nick snapped out of his thoughts and turned to face Heath.
"Yes, I can see that." Heath nodded, "Now, I know it's none of my business, but is everything okay between you and Stefania?"
"Of course things are fine. What in the devil makes you think otherwise?" Nick asked in a slightly snippy way.
"Nick, I know that look on your face. You had that look when you and Hester broke up, when you ended things with Melanie, when you found out Layle still loved her husband Wheeler, and when things didn't go as planned between you and Michelle De Lacaise. Now, what's the trouble?" Heath looked him right in the eye.
"I overheard Stefania and Audra talking and-" Nick was cut off.
"Nick, don't you know that's eavesdropping?" Heath slightly shook his head and smirked a little.
"Of course, I know it's eavesdropping, but that's not the point! Not even close to it!" Nick slightly raised his voice.
"Oh? Well, in that case, go on, Nick." Heath replied.
"Well, I heard something that I wish I didn't hear." Nick ran a hand through his hair.
"What was it?" Heath asked.
"It involves what happened to Stefania at the hands of McMahon and his bunch." Nick started.
"Nick, we all know what happened. I really don't see that there would be anything you wished you didn't hear." Heath pointed out.
"I know we all know what happened. However, besides what happened and the trauma that won't ever go away, there's the possibility that she could be carrying Gunderson's child since he was the first one to...you know." Nick added.
"And?" Heath asked.
"She has this fear or notion that once she starts to show signs of being expectant, I will abandon her and think of her as fat, ugly, and unlovable. That I will leave her for a "prettier girl"." Nick made air quotes with his fingers and shook his head, "I don't understand why she thinks I would do such a thing."
"I do." Audra overheard Nick and walked in by herself.
"You d-Where's Stefania?" Nick looked around.
"She saw the sun was setting and high tailed it home. She said she'll be back tomorrow." Audra replied.
"What's the idea of high tailing it home?" Heath raised an eyebrow.
"Carmine told her it was dangerous during the black of the night and made a rule that everyone in his family was to return home by sundown." Nick told him before turning to Audra, "You said you understand why she said those things. What do you mean?"
"First off, I'm a woman and so is she." Audra started.
"Besides that." Nick facepalmed.
"Well, I know what it feels like to have a guy get fresh with me in a scary way. Remember Evan Miles?" Audra added.
Nick and Heath nodded.
"Not only do I know what that feels like, but as we talked, she told me about her first love, Pasquale and how he seemed to be the right one for her only for it to all backfire." Audra said.
"Audra, I know about Pasquale and I'm doing my best to prove that I am different from him. However, Evan didn't r*pe you, so how can you-" Nick was cut off.
"Nick, Evan didn't have to r*pe me in order for me to know what it is like having a guy get creepy with me or any other woman. I know Stefania's fears and feelings. Not to the extent of being r*ped, but to the extent of a guy getting creepy. Evan got creepy with me, McMahon and his buddies got creepy with Stefania. Unfortunately as we all know, her experience took a horrific turn, so naturally, her feelings and fears would be higher than usual, especially since she is facing the possibility of carrying Dodie Gunderson's child." Audra told him.
"Audra, you're not saying anything that we don't already know. With all due respect, get to the point!" Nick sternly told her.
"Besides all of what I just said, she also told me about how back in Italy, she had friends who went through a similar ordeal that she went through and upon finding out, their significant others skipped town and wanted nothing to do with them. In the eyes of their other halves, they were each classified as filthy and unlovable which, because of that and Pasquale breaking her heart, she fears there'll be a repeat with you, Nick." Audra explained.
Before Nick could say anything, the front door opened and in came Jarrod and Victoria.
"Nick, you're supposed to be staying off your leg. Why must you always do the opposite of what the doctor and I tell you?" Victoria put her hands on her hips.
"Not now, mother! I got more important things to attend to!" Nick limped up the stairs to his bedroom.
"What in the wor-" Victoria was cut off when not too long after he went upstairs, Nick came back down.
Nick was grumbling to himself as he put his gloves and boots on.
"Nick." Victoria said.
Nick continued grumbling to himself.
"Nick, where in the world do you think you're headed to at this hour?" Victoria asked.
"I gotta talk to Stefania and now!" Nick limped out the door and shut it.
"Nick, wait a minute. Nick." Victoria followed him.
"What's happened between Nick and Stefania?" Jarrod turned to Audra and Heath.
"Where were you and mother this whole time?" Heath asked.
*Outside with Nick and Victoria*
"Nick, wait a minute. Nick, what's happened?" Victoria followed her son to the barn.
"Mother, I just need to talk to Stefania. I really need to talk to her." Nick got mounted onto Coco.
"Nick, is my imagination running a little wild or have you and Stefania quarrelled and you're now wanting to go find her and apologize?" Victoria asked.
"Mother, I gotta go." Nick said before lightly tapping Coco with the reins, "Giddyup, Coco."
Victoria watched as her son rode off and disappeared into the night. Sighing and shaking her head plus knowing there was no way she could stop him, she made her way to the front door and went inside.
*Back inside*
"Mother, where did-" Jarrod was cut off.
"He went to talk to Stefania. Whatever happened between, I hope they get it resolved." Victoria shut the door.
"I know what's happened." Audra spoke up.
"Oh?" Victoria and Jarrod said at the same time.
"But I think it is best to let them resolve it. I wouldn't feel right saying anything without their permission." Audra added.
"Now, where were you two this whole time?" Heath asked the still unanswered question, again.
"Heath, you're starting to repeat your questions." Jarrod mildly teased.
"I'll keep repeating them until Audra and I get a straight answer. After all, let's not forget that McMahon and his gang are still on the loose and if they attacked Stefania, any one of us could be next. Especially, females." Heath told him, "I wouldn't be joking about it if I were you, Jarrod."
"I treated mother to a late mother's day dinner out in town plus quality time." Jarrod hugged Victoria.
"Awww! How sweet of you, Jarrod." Audra said with a smile.
*Out where Nick was, approximately 3 minutes later*
Nick had been riding around for three good minutes, looking for Stefania. He was just about to head home when he spotted her. Tapping Coco with the reins, he managed to catch up to Stefania.
"Stefania, wait. Wait." Nick got in front of her.
"Nick, what are you doing out of b-" Stefania was cut off.
"Nevermind me." Nick got dismounted and limped toward her, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't I tell you what?" Stefania asked.
"I confess. I overheard you and Audra talking and I'm very distressed by it. She told me about how you saw your friends back in Italy get abandoned by their significant others after they went through a similar ordeal that you went through and you fear of a repeat between us. I want to know why you didn't tell me that." Nick quickly explained.
"Nick-" Stefania was cut off, again.
"Stefania, we promised to be honest with each other and tell each other everything. Fears and the likes are included in that." Nick put his hands on her shoulders.
"Nick, I couldn't tell you." Stefania shook her head.
"Why ever not?" Nick asked.
"I couldn't tell you in a way you'd understand. Plus, you probably wouldn't understand." Stefania replied.
"Stefania-" Nick was cut off.
"Nick, you're not a woman. You don't know what it is like to be a woman and endure what I endured or what your sister Audra endured from Evan. You're a man. You don't have the possibility of being disowned by your family, carrying the r*pist's child, and being looked at as filthy by men let alone facing the possibility of no man wanting you after you've been r*ped hanging over your head. I do. I have those possibilities looming over my head." Stefania told him, "I only told Audra, because she's a woman who understands in a way no man would."
Nick remained silent in order to let what Stefania said sink in. He had to admit that she was right, because no man knew what it felt like to face the aftermath of being r*ped. No man knew what it was like to face being scorned, disowned, and cast aside by one's own family, to face the possibility of carrying the r*pist's child, or to face being "damaged goods" in the eyes of the opposite sex. No man knew the full extent of those fears.
*Nick's POV*
'She's right. She's absolutely right. Neither I nor any other man know what it is like to have all of that hanging over our heads. We men don't. Well, I shouldn't say that, because men do get r*ped, but unless I am missing something, they don't suffer nearly to the degree that women do. Ah, that's something I'll delve into later. Maybe.'
I remember the part she said about "being looked at as filthy by other men" and get a weird look on my face.
'Why is she concerned about being looked at as filthy and considered damaged goods by other men?! Last I remember, we're in a slowly growing relationship and the only opinion that matters in this case is mine. The other men can go jump for all I care. What matters is that I care about her and will be by her side no matter what. At least, I think that matters.'
I nod.
'Yeah. That's all that should matter to her. What I think and say is what should matter to her. Not what other guys say or think.'
I take a deep breath.
'Okay, calm it down, Nick. Calm it down. Let's not get all mad or jealous or anything. It won't solve a thing and plus, her fears are at an all time high anyways, so let's try and calm them. Not exacerbate them.'
I think about her fears of me being like the other shallow guys and sigh.
'I hope I can prove to her that I am not like Pasquale or any of the shallow cold hearted guys who abandon their women for the first hussy that comes along. I'm not that way. I'm...not...that...way! When I'm in a relationship, I'm devoted, faithful, and committed. I don't have that wandering eye.'
I shake my head.
'I don't.'
*Outside of Nick's mind*
"Nick? Nick? Nick?" Stefania called his name three times.
"Huh? Oh, my apologies, Stefania. I must've slipped into my thoughts. However, that being said, you're right. I don't know what it's like to have all of that hanging over my head, but I do want to put your fears to bed once and for all." Nick looked her in the eyes.
"Oh?" Stefania replied.
"Yes, but before we get to that, I have one question for you." Nick told her.
"What is it?" Stefania asked.
"Why? Why do you care about what other men think?" Nick firmly asked.
To Be Continued...
Nick: Stefania, I need to know and I want to make you a believer.
Jarrod: You want to make her a believer, Nick?
Paulie: Carmine, do you believe there could be a chance for justice for papa and for Santo? Jarrod's plan sounds like a good one, so far.
Heath: What's this about a plan?
Audra: Read and Review, everybody.
Nick: It's R&R, Audra.