Resist Me(55)
“But you and Pop love each other.”
“Fiercely,” she said, staring out the window as she watched my dad tend the garden. “Even after all these years, he makes me batshit crazy.”
“Pop isn’t bossy like James.”
“Isabella, you look at your father through rose-colored glasses. Salvatore was the bossiest man I’ve ever met.”
“Not Daddy,” I said, following her eyes to watch him as he handpicked some tomatoes.
She laughed, patting my hand. “Child, that man made your brothers look soft. I’ve worn him down throughout the years. Don’t tell him that, though.”
I giggled, thinking of my mother laying into my dad. “I remember what you told us before Suzy and Joe were married.”
“Men like to think they have all the power, but we really know who rules the roost.”
“Ma, if you start talking about sex, I’ll puke right here.”
“James will make you happy.”
“He makes me miserable. What if I become one of those women who changes for her man?”
She shook her head, turning her attention back to me. “Izzy, baby. I raised you to be strong and independent. That’ll never happen. A man like James needs someone who is his equal. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you.”
“What do you see?” I asked, wondering how I missed all the signs.
“He looks at you like your father looked at me when we dated. Hell, he still looks at me that way now.”
“Like a piece of meat?”
“Like a challenge worth the fight, baby girl.”
“I don’t know, Ma.”
“Have I ever given you bad advice?”
I thought about it for a moment before I answered her. Shaking my head, I said, “No.”
The door opened as Dad walked in. “Baby girl, what are you doing here?”
“That happy to see me, Daddy?” I asked, jumping to my feet to kiss him.
“I’m always happy to see my favorite child.”
I slapped him on the shoulder and smiled. “You say that to all of us.”
“You’re my favorite daughter,” he said, setting the tomatoes on the counter.
“Your only daughter.”
“You mince words. Give me a hug,” he demanded, holding out his arms.
I buried my face in his chest, wrapping my arms around my dad. Even at his age, he was still toned and muscular. It was in the male genes in the Gallo family. They didn’t breed them small.
He stroked my hair and spoke softly. “What’s troubling you, Isabella?”
“You and Ma are scary,” I said, moving from his arms to look up at his face.
“Why?” he asked with knitted brows, creasing the lining his forehead.
“She asked the same exact question.”
“What was your answer?”
“James.”
“Ah. I like that man.”
I rolled my eyes, releasing my grip from my dad’s shirt. “Who doesn’t?”
“I know you’re sweet on him too, baby girl.”
“Dad—”
He put his finger against my lips. “I always have your best interests at heart. No one will ever be good enough for my baby girl, but James is a man’s man. I know he’ll protect you when shit gets bad. I won’t ever have to worry about your safety.”
“I’m kind of old for you to worry, Daddy,” I grumbled, smiling and rubbing his face.
“You’ll always be a little girl in pigtails to me, Isabella. The little tiny thing playing with her Barbies in her room or trying to tackle her brothers in the backyard when they played football. You may be a woman, but I don’t see you that way. I just can’t.” He sighed, brushing a hair away from my face.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“Love you too, baby girl.” He leaned forward, kissing me on the cheek. “What did you say, my love?”
My mother sniffled, rubbing her eyes as I turned to look at her. “I said the same, sweetheart.”
“There is just too much loving going on in this room. I need to go.”
“Where are you headed off to today?” my pop asked as I grabbed my keys.
“I have to work and then I’m headed out with the girls tonight.”
“Mia and Suzy?” Ma asked.
“Yep. It’s a girls’ night out. The boys are all going to play poker at Joe’s place while we have drinks.”
“Just be careful,” he said as I kissed him quickly.
“I will, Daddy.”
“Call me tomorrow, dear,” my ma said as she walked me to the door.
“I will, Ma. Love ya.”
“Love you too, my sweet child.”
After we kissed goodbye, I headed to my car feeling entirely different than what I’d felt when I’d arrived.