Read Child of Mercy for Free Online

his offered hand.  I knew there was a reason why I liked that girl… an excellent judge of character.
    “His hands are dirty,” Oriana shook her head, making no move to leave Matty’s side.
    Matty’s brows drew together in confusion.  “No, they’re fine, look.”
    “They’re dirty on the inside,” she said into his chest, voice muffled as Oriana refused to look at him. 
    My father let his hand drop.  “It’s fine.  I ah, guess I must be a little ripe from the trip.” 
    “Or the bottle of Jack you drank on the way over…” I muttered. 
    “Merceline!” my mother hissed.  “Don’t speak that way to your father.”
    “Why the hell not?  I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.  He smells like a barroom floor.”  My mother backed down, but Matty looked embarrassed.  Well, what did he expect would happen if he invited the jerk?  My feelings towards him weren’t exactly a secret.
    Vic’s eyes narrowed at me, but his voice was calm as he replied.  “I didn’t have much time to haul my ass up here, I didn’t get to clean up as much as I wanted to.” 
    “Won’t wash clean no matter how much you scrub them,” Oriana declared solemnly.  “Perhaps in the next life.”
    Interesting.   I resolved to have a chat with my sister-in-law-to-be about him sometime.  “Don’t worry, he won’t bite you.  But, I wouldn’t lend him any money either.”
    “I have no money to lend, nor patience to give.  Beloved, can we not begin the rehearsal?  It grows cold.”
    “Oh, right… sure.”  Matty shook himself out of his daze.  “We can have a good, long visit later over dinner.”
     
    * * *
     
    My father had them charmed all through dinner, it’s what he did best.  Always the life of the party with a big, infectious laugh, Vic knew how to spin a tale that had even the waiters standing around listening until the end.  Even Oriana lost some of her trepidation, smiling openly at his jokes.  I wished Parker wasn’t working that night, I thought he of all people could have understood my lack of kindness towards a man I shared a genetic link to.  My mother was the only one besides me who didn’t seem to be having a wonderful time.  Uncharacteristically silent, she picked at her food, excusing herself before dessert was offered.
    Chasing after her, I caught up with her near the front door.  “Mom, are you alright?” I asked, worried to see her looking pale and drawn.
    “I’m fine, just a little tired.”
    “You don’t have to do that anymore,” I stopped her, recognizing my own words.  “You’re not married to him, you can call him a sonofabitch and he can’t do anything about it.”
    “It’s better not to antagonize him.  You never learned that lesson.”  She shook her head sadly.  “Just seeing him again… it’s brought back memories, you know?”
    “I know.”  Boy, did I know.    
    “He’ll be gone soon enough and we can get back to our lives.  For now I think I’ll go back to my hotel and have a lie down.  I’ll see you on Sunday, alright?”
    “Yeah, I’ll see you then.”  On impulse, I pulled her close for a long hug, not sure who needed it more, her or me.  “I love you, Momma.”
    “I love you too, Merceline.”  She hugged me back, looking a little brighter when she pulled away.  I felt better too as I walked back to the table.  She was right, Vic would be gone in a couple of days and then I could go another decade without seeing him again, no sweat.  I clung to that thought as I retook my seat at the table.
    “Matty, do you remember that time we drove down to Ensenada, and you tried lobster for the first time?  That sucker was two feet long at least, I shit you not.”  Vic held his hands up in the air.  “Damn, that was a good trip.”
    “Yeah, I remember,” Matty grinned.  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lobster so big since.”
    “Mercy was too picky though, said it looked like a goddamn cockroach, remember?” Vic