Chapter 6
Theo refused to attend the museum’s rescheduled children’s Christmas morning.
Luciano did not force him.
“It’s my train place,” Theo said.
Luciano understood what he meant.
Until the gala, Theo loved the museum.
Now it was where an adult had slapped him and declared his belongings belonged to somebody else.
Felix reacted differently.
He asked to see Theo.
Bernadette initially refused.
Then Marcus told her allowing the boys together might improve appearances.
Luciano hated that reasoning.
He allowed the visit anyway because Theo asked.
Felix arrived carrying a shopping bag.
Inside were six of Theo’s belongings.
A small fire truck.
Two picture books.
A wooden puzzle.
A stuffed dog.
A child-sized conductor’s cap.
Theo stared at them.
Luciano looked at Felix.
“Where did you get these?”
Felix’s face reddened.
“Mom gave me some.”
“And the others?”
“I took them.”
Bernadette closed her eyes.
Felix continued quickly.
“I thought Theo didn’t care. Mom said he has everything.”
Luciano crouched.
“You’re not in trouble.”
Felix nodded but started crying anyway.
“I don’t want his stuff.”
Theo quietly picked up the conductor’s cap.
Then offered it to Felix.
“You can use it here.”
Everyone stopped.
Felix looked toward Bernadette.
She turned away.
That small act from Theo hurt her more than Luciano’s anger had.
After the children went upstairs, Bernadette sat at the kitchen table.
“I didn’t tell Felix to steal.”
“I believe you.”
She looked surprised.
“But you gave him things you knew belonged to Theo.”
Her jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Bernadette stared at the table.
“Because I was tired of watching your child grow up surrounded by everything while mine got whatever Marcus and I could scrape together.”
Luciano almost told her about the $450,000.
He stopped.
First he asked:
“What did Marcus tell you when Felix got sick?”
Bernadette’s expression changed.
“He said he asked you.”
“And?”
“You said family money wasn't for personal problems.”
Luciano looked at her.
“Those exact words?”
“Yes.”
Marcus had not merely hidden the transfer.
He had invented a refusal designed to wound.
Bernadette stood.
“Why are you asking me this?”
May you like
Luciano answered quietly.
“Because I’m beginning to think the person you’ve been angry at for seven years isn't the person who betrayed you.”
