The Family Never Forgives

The abortion procedure was over quickly. It was less than half an hour from start to finish.

The baby was only a month along and had not formed yet.

I had listed Dante's number as the emergency contact on the prenatal registration form. The hospital notification text already went through.

Several voice messages popped up in a row.

"What was that text message about? You made up some fake story to trick me?

"I get that you're upset about the wedding being called off, but you don't need to make up lies to get back at me."

The rest were all accusations. He said I was immature, unreasonable, and inconsiderate of the Valenti family's situation.

Over the years, I learned the rules. I learned to cook. I learned how to smile graciously at family gatherings.

Enzo liked espresso, so I ground the beans every morning at six.

Carmela could not remember to take her medications. I kept track for her. During holidays, I cooked for a dozen people by myself because she did not like the help's cooking.

No matter how much I did, it was expected. Even one mistake was an unforgivable sin.

After that, I dragged myself home. Dante sat on the couch with a glass of whiskey. The ice had melted halfway.

"What was that baptism reception about? You canceled my wedding just like that?"

He saw my swollen eyes and hesitated. Then his tone softened. "You found out? Just calm down, and let me explain. The hotel banquet couldn't be refunded. The drinks, the food, and the staff were all arranged. Instead of wasting everything, we turned it into a baptism reception."

He sighed.

"That child is mine, but Liliana and I have no feelings for each other. Last year she asked me to get her pregnant, then she went back to Gilan. She came back to New Yis last week. That was when I found out she brought the baby with her."

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. His palm covered my stomach.

"You're the woman I want. The only one who can stand beside me is you."

My stomach churned. I shoved him away and lurched toward the trash can to dry heave.

He pulled out a box of lime candy and handed it to me.

"Is it morning sickness? You said you wanted the ones from that place on Arturo Avenue. I went out of my way to buy them today. Open your mouth."

The sweet and sour candy sat in my mouth, but it could not cover the bitterness.

That night I lay with my eyes closed, unable to sleep. Dante thought I was asleep and walked to his parents' bedroom.

I stood barefoot outside their door and listened.

"Liliana was alone in Gilan when she was pregnant and gave birth. I want to bring her to live at home."

Carmela's voice was loud.

"Of course. Liliana's a hundred times more sensible than Serena. Before that girl even married into this family, she demanded a million and a half dollars. Her father spent his whole life growing lemons in Sicania, and he died a nobody who doesn't even count as an Associate."

Enzo cut in. "When the boy turns one, buy Liliana an apartment in Bay Cove. She worked hard to give our family an heir."

A memory from two years ago surfaced.

My parents followed the old Sicanian tradition and asked the Valenti family for a dowry of a million and a half dollars, not a cent more or less. It was a sign of respect for their daughter and proof of sincerity between two families forming an alliance.

Enzo made his position clear. "We'll give you 500 thousand, and not a dollar more. We're doing your daughter a favor by agreeing to marry her."

The wedding date got pushed back again and again after that.

Papa had a bad heart, and Mamma stayed with him in New Yis while he saw doctors. They could not adjust to the climate, so they could not sleep at night.

Their greatest wish was to see me in a wedding dress before they died.

They never got to.

The night Papa died, New Yis was drowning in a rainstorm.

I walked out of the hospital and could not get a cab. Dante did not come. He was busy with "family business."

Mamma passed away three months later. Her last words were, "Serena, go back to Sicania. That is your real home."