“I plan on being the perfect patient.” Mikey says looking at me.
My father waits a beat before letting out a heavy sigh glancing over his shoulder at the cops that are by the door before turning back to us. “I don’t have much time, so I better cut to the chase.”
I peel my eyes from Mikey and look at my father confused. “Are you going back home?” I guess he had loose ends to tie up and all that, not to mention I had been so preoccupied with what was going on here that I didn’t even think to ask about my sister or Anthony.
“Yes.” He said looking down for a minute before lifting his gaze to Mikey’s. “I just came to check on you son. I can’t thank you enough for what you did.” He looked at me when he spoke. “Taking that bullet for my daughter.” He shook his head. “I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat Vic. I love her.” Mikey squeezed my hand.
My dad’s eyes moved from mine back to Mikey’s nodding slightly. “I think that would’ve made your father as happy as it makes me.” He paused. “Can I ask a favor?”
Mikey looked at my father, his eyes showing as much confusion as mine. I didn’t know where my father was going with this conversation, but I didn’t like the feeling that I had in the pit of my stomach.
“Go ahead.” Mikey urged.
“Will you take care of my little girl?” I watched as my father’s eyes welled with tears. “I didn’t do the right thing by her always and I just want…” He wiped away a tear. “I just want to make sure that someone finally does. I don’t deserve the peace of mind, but if you could just give it to me anyway I’d appreciate it.”
My father’s words stung because I knew the guilt he was feeling was because of the lashing I had given him before. I didn’t mean to make him feel so horrible about himself, especially about the kind of father he was. Regardless of everything, my father did provide a beautiful life for me and my sister we never longed for a thing and most of all we never felt neglected or unloved. I felt awful for making him think otherwise.
“Daddy, I didn’t mean for you…” I started only for him to cut me off.
“Shh, it’s okay.” He whispered. “It’s going to be okay, I promise. Mikey’s going to take care of you you’ll take care of each other.” He sighed heavily before glancing over his shoulder at the police officers that were watching us intently.
“Daddy, what’s going on?” I cried nervously.
“Nikki come here.” Mikey said as he held my father’s gaze knowingly. I diverted my eyes back and forth between my dad and Mikey wishing one of them would clue me in.
“I’ll take care of her.” Mikey vowed taking my hand in his and pulling me towards him with whatever little strength he had.
“Would someone please tell me what’s going on?”
My father turned around to face the police giving them a curt nod before turning back around and meeting my gaze his eyes asking for my forgiveness. The police stepped inside Mikey’s hospital room, stopping to stand right behind my dad.
“Victor Pastore you are under arrest for the murder of Rico Sanchez. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney if you can’t afford one, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been given to you?”
“I do.” My father said eyes fixed on me.
“What? No! Dad, what did you do?” I asked frantically.
“I love you.” He whispered as they cuffed him. I dropped Mikey’s hands and hurried to my father before the police could take him away.
“Daddy, please! Don’t do this!” I begged. I stared at him for a beat waiting for him to react, but he never did and when I looked in his eyes, I realized that I had really lost him. My father was ready to pay for his sins. There was nothing I could do or say to change his mind. Nobody would stand in the way of his penance.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried into his chest.
“I love you daddy.” I cried against him. “I’ll always love you.”
My father pulled back, giving me one final look before nodding towards the police. I sobbed as the police escorted my father out of the room.
“Come here Princess.” Mikey pleaded from the confines of his hospital bed. It took everything in me not to follow my father, but in the end, I went to Mikey. He made me push down the bar so that I could lie beside him and he carefully draped one arm around my shoulder. “I’ve got you.” He said softly against my hair as I cried on his shoulder.
My father was the first man I ever loved and tonight I lost him when he turned himself in to the authorities, but I found solace in the man I was meant to love for the rest of my life. The Valente’s and the Pastore’s never had it easy in this life we were given our father’s both fell victims to the mob, but in the end it was mine and Mikey’s love that prevailed.
The End
Epilogue