What goes around, comes around… right?
Wasn’t that the saying, as she listened to his proposed living situation, as guilt begun to settle into her frame, frown apparent onto her expression. “I know we did, but things have changed, I just would like if my brothers and sister were being careful, regardless of who they were around.” She was beginning to sound more and more like her family than she liked. Shifted views from personality to right and wrong, and sides taken—it made her shudder slightly at the thought. “I can talk to Papa if you want…” She had a better relationship with the head of their family than Pietro ever had.
Valentina leaned back in her seat, as she listened. “Doctor?” She repeated, brows up slightly. “You’re—you’re seeing a doctor, that’s good.” She commented, a small nod of her head. Come with him—them, together. Dropping her head, she broke eye contact. “Can I have the name of the doctor?” She almost whispered, wondering if giving in too soon would help—or hurt her more. “I’ll want to see who he is… make sure he’s good.” But even with his assurances of love, it only chilled her body more, felt like someone cranked the AC outdoors—she’d seen the price to his unyielding love before.
Did she want to get into it so soon?
A sigh broke, almost scolding in her usual way as she tilted her head to one side. Arms crossed, relaxed—finally—in his presence, as she crossed one leg over the other. “You got it when you were twenty-one—we all get it at twenty-one.” Only a small chunk of the massive inheritance had been used for the Cafe and her home, the rest of it just sat there. “Did you spend it all already?” Lavishness wasn’t something she adhered to, perhaps at a party when the option to dress up was available, but it wasn’t like Valentina needed the necessities. Probably should’ve bought a car with it, she thought it over.
“I can’t believe you spent it all,” Why was it at times she felt like the oldest? Eyes shut, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Will they not hire you full time?” She asked, and shook her head. “You know, you can ask Mama—or Zia. I’m sure they’ve more money than god and nothing to lose if they give you something—it’ll keep you out of anything troubling.” She considered giving her own—but it was too soon to display that sense of trust. Something she wasn’t sure she had fully repaired with her brother yet.
“Don’t—“ She whispered, finally meeting his eyes. “I don’t care what happens between me and my siblings—but don’t tell me not to worry, I—I’m not made like that. I’ll worry, because you’re my brother and clearly you need a little help managing your money because –
, what the hell did you buy?” She’d slunk momentarily into those mothering, familiar ways she’d treated him before, but habits were hard to kick. Hand coiled a loose strand of blonde behind her ear. “I’ll worry about you because you’re still my big brother. Even with everything going on.” Something about family forever came to mind, a penchant of speech for Ravenna that stuck in Valentina’s mind. “Have you been looking around at second jobs?”
“Please don’t,” he insisted, the tick of his inner eyebrow going up as his usually vacant stare dipped into puppy-eye territory. “He wouldn’t understand and that’s a whole other argument down the road. He doesn’t need to know about this.” Pietro wasn’t afraid of Victor. No, not at the very least--- but he was intent on keeping the peace for as long as possible. Not that the masquerade helped. He practically announced he was in treatment as he yelled after him. He didn’t even turn around. It was less to do with fear and more to do with anger. Ravenna and Mama gave him the attention he needed. The motherly touch he deserved. He had to raise himself when it came to Victor’s intended upbringing. They didn’t care for each other. Pietro grew apart from him and had been a pain in his side since he could decide for himself.
Name of the doctor, he repeated to himself. Name of the--- shit. He wasn’t seeing a doctor. He was almost certain Valentina would turn him down or come up with some excuse as to why she couldn’t go. He was counting on it.
“Blackshaw,” he blurted. A shot in the dark, but he was aware of the doctor making his rounds a handful of months ago. If he could get his contact information--- perhaps they could come to some sort of agreement. All he had to do was reach out to Roman. They were brothers after all and what was family for if they didn’t assist you in amoral situations like this? He thought back to Valentina for a moment. What was family for if they refused? “He’s a neurologist,” he elaborated. “He’s been helpful.” Even if he couldn’t convince him to come down, a handsomely-paid Skype call would suffice.
“I didn’t spend it all,” he countered shamefully, crossing his arms across his chest as he sunk into his chair. “No idea what I’d even do with all that money let alone blow it.” True, if he were younger. False now that he found something he actually liked. Being numb was the only way he could function. Being without was like breathing in water. Nothing ever felt the same as he was when he was high. Always chasing that white rabbit--- he wondered what it was like before then. It’d help with his cause. “I just don’t wanna be a scab, y’know?” He grimaced, gazing out down the street. “I must’ve spent it on travelling or something.” Vegas was a popular stop for the eldest Rinaldi. “I’ll apply when I get the time. Still settling in an’ all.”
