Love Makes Blind

Gina linked her arm with Elia when they got out of the car, Paul took her bag. She was so happy she wanted to sing; but that was something she never did in public. They walked in silence up the driveway, and Gina could smell the delicious smell of Mirella’s cooking the second the front door was opened.

“We’re back!” Elia called.
Mirella appeared from the kitchen door. Gina was struck by her beauty, but was shocked to see how tired she looked.
“Gina! It’s good to see you.” Mirella hugged the daughter of her best friend. “How is your mother, is she still working at the hospital?”
“You to Mirella. My mother is good; she wanted to come too, but she had to work.” Gina smiled.
Gina’s mother, Donna, and Mirella had been friends for a long time and they both had worked on the same hospital in Tropea.
Something beeped in the kitchen, and Mirella hurried back there.
“Elia, can you come in here for a second?” Mirella called over her shoulder.
Elia followed.

“I’ll just put your bags upstairs.” Paul said and walked away. Right after someone else walked downstairs. Gina turned around and grinned when she saw Darin coming, and stared in awe at the beautiful dark haired, dark skinned girl that followed him.
Leah only glanced at the girl before kissing Darin’s cheek and walking out the open front door; she had patrols to do.

Darin stared after Leah for a second before he turned towards Gina and grinned back at her. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her and spun her around.
“I missed you shortie!” he said and kissed both her cheeks.
“I’m not that short!” she said and stared into his light gray eyes. “Who was that girl?” she asked dead serious.
“My girlfriend, Leah.” Darin said proudly.
“You’re girlfriend?” Gina asked shocked and stepped away from him. “But what about me Darin?”
Darin laughed and hugged her again. “Don’t worry Gi, I won’t ignore you.”
“Okay.” She said and smiled again. “I’m together with Mario.” She blurted out.

Darin narrowed his eyes at her before smiling. “Good, I never thought you would shut up about how beautiful he was and so on.”
Gina gasped and slapped his arm. “What is it with you and Elia? I have never had a crush on him.”
“No, and pigs like to fly.” He said and put an arm around her shoulder before walking into the kitchen.
“What do you know, you can’t read their minds.” She mumbled and sat down with the table.
Darin burst out laughing, Mirella looked at him weirdly.
“Darin is weird.” Gina told her.
Mirella shook her head and smiled.

Paul came in walked over to Elia.
“Are you staying?” she asked.
“I can’t. Sam called.” He bent down and kissed her softly.
“Come by later then.” Elia smiled and kissed him deeply.
“Here are kids in the room!” Gina complained with a smile.
“Yeah, you two have to think about Gina.” Darin laughed and ruffled her hair.
“Hey, I was talking about Elia!” she joked.
Elia pulled away from the kiss. “You’re so odd Gi.”
“Bye.” Paul waved and walked out.

“Ha, I thought you two were like attached at the hip.” Gina started eating and looked over at Elia.
“They are.” Darin repeated before Elia had the chance. “He sleeps over every night, or it’s Elia sleeping over at his place.”
Gina raised her eyebrows in wonder. “Really...?”
“You two don’t have anything with it.” Elia glared in their direction, knowing what Gina was thinking about.
“Yeah we do.” they answered at the same time and started laughing.
Elia shook her head and took a bite out of her pizza. “You two can be so annoying sometimes.”
“Sorry bambina.” Darin smiled.

Darin and Gina joked with Elia for the rest of the dinner, Mirella sat in silence until they had eaten up all the pizza and she stood up.
“Can I have a word with you two, Darin and Elia?” She asked.
“Sure, I’ll just follow Gi up to Elia’s room, you must be tired.” Darin stood up as well and headed for the stairs, Gina walked after him.
“Is something wrong mammina?” Elia wondered and handed her mother her plate.
“Let’s just wait for your brother.” She smiled a reassuringly smile that her daughter couldn’t see.

“So what’s up, mom?” Darin asked when he came into the kitchen again. He leaned against the counter.
“I quit my job today.” Mirella told them calmly.
Elia’s eyes widened, but she didn’t know what to say. Her mother loved her job.
“Why?” Darin asked and walked over and put his arms around her.
“I decided that I have to priority what I want to use my time on; and I want to be more around you two. So, I’m coming with you Darin on your next job, isn’t it this upcoming weekend?” she said and stepped away from him and over to the sink.
“Yeah, but, you love your job.” Darin was clearly confused.
“Darin, don’t fight me on this. It is the right thing for me. And if you’re next job goes well we will have enough to pay for Elia’s surgery.” She looked over at Elia, she hadn’t said a word.

“But what about the bills, and the house, are you planning on moving out on the street?” Darin asked, thinking about more than the surgery.
Right there and then, Mirella wanted to tell her children what was really going on, but she couldn’t make the words leave her mouth.
“I have been thinking about that. I’m not coming back after we leave to Italy.” Mirella said calmly.

Elia stood up and walked out of the kitchen. she curled herself together on the couch. Mirella sat down beside her and brushed her hand over Elia’s hair.
“I don’t want to leave Paul.” Elia said silently.
“I know that bambina, and I won’t force you to move to Italy. I’m sure you can live with Paul and his mom.”
“But then I’ll miss you.” She mumbled.
“It’s already decided Elia, there is nothing I can do to change it.” Mirella sighed and wiped away a tear on her cheek before Elia noticed.
“Why not ma? Why do you suddenly want to move back?” Elia sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees.
“I want to be closer to your father.” Mirella answered simply.
Elia couldn’t argue on that. “Okay. I think I’ll go to bed now. Can you tell Paul I’ll see him tomorrow?”
“Of course bambina.” Mirella smiled.

Elia walked silently up the stairs and into her room. Sat in a chair and read a book, but she looked up when she saw Elia sit on the edge of her bed not saying anything
“[What is it Elia?]” She asked and put the book away.
Elia shook her head slowly. “Something is wrong…”