Chapter 40: Forty

Melina didn’t see Henry the entire morning. Once Eve was awake, she went over her morning routine with the little girl, and after breakfast, they left for the clinic. But not without Josh following them at a close distance. She hated not being able to roam free like before. There was always one of his men following her around, and it was unnerving, and to make matters worse, Henry had her cellphone.

For the last two days, Eve was fussy and always asking about Socks and Lina. As a mother, Melina’s heart constricted in her chest, seeing her daughter so out of sorts. Anxiety was coming out of Evangeline’s pores like perspiration. The little girl couldn’t wait to be with her feline friends since they were with her half of her life. Eve squeaked and rushed to the inpatient room as soon as they entered the clinic.

“Good Morning, Miss Calimeris. This place is not the same without you here.”

“Morning.” Melina went around the desk, hugging Nia tight to her. “Thank you, honey. I miss all of you, and I can’t wait to be back. Is Gabs around?”

“She’ll be back soon. It seems her brother is coming for a visit, and she needed to do some shopping so she could play the perfect host for him.”

“How nice for her. Since we moved here, he never dared to visit. If I know her, she must be crawling up the walls.” Melina shook her head and shot an impish look at Nia. They both laughed, knowing how methodical, organized and neurotic Gabs was with her life.

***

“Girl, I will never complain about that nasty tuna treat your mom gives to us.” Socks drawled, peeking at Eve with barely opened eyes.

“I told you, you should only eat what mom gives you. See what happens when we don’t listen, we get in trouble.” The girl scolded them.

“Remember the last time you had that tummy ache?” Lina asked, and Eve nodded. “Yep girl, it was that bad!” The gray tabby made a dramatic yowl, throwing her head back.

“Did you soil yourself?” Eve took her hand to her mouth, remembering when she got the nasty tummy virus. She had made a mess of herself.

“Girl. Please, don’t even talk about it. I got a tushie rash!” Socks whined, outraged. “I’m to be worshiped, not to poop myself. Besides, I want to go home! That little guy over there is annoying!”

“Listen to mom next time, your highness. I do, and I don’t get in trouble.” Eve mused and turned to the noises coming from the other cage. “Who are you?”

“I’m Chops! They don’t like me.” The poor scrawny fella looked at her with soulful eyes, and Eve’s little heart squeezed in her chest.

“No, it’s not. I told you, we’re calling you Snot. Little Snot…” Lina laughed.

“Stop it, I’m not!” He whined.

Melina leaned at the door frame, observing them. It was fascinating. Evangeline connected with the cats to a level beyond imagination. She would talk and they meowed back as if they were engaged in deep conversation. Maybe it was her childish innocence that allowed her to have these delightful moments. Most of the things Eve spoke, she was repeating what she heard from the surrounding adults, but it was endearing to watch how creative she’d get. It saddened her to interrupt such a beautiful moment, but it was time to go back home. Melina cleared her throat, signaling she was there.

“Mom, Lina is picking on him!” She whined. “And they want to go home.”

“Sorry baby, they need to stay a bit more, but they will be home soon.” Melina walked to the girl and knelt in front of her. “But I have a surprise for you. Remember the kitty mommy helped? We can take him home.” She kissed Eve’s cheek, and the girl opened a bright smile. Melina reached for the cage and got the little guy out, putting on Eve’s arms.

“It’s Chops!” She squeaked, happiness resounding in her voice, and the kitty made himself comfortable with the little girl purring a storm in her lap. “You’re gonna love my home!

“Come, Giagiá is waiting for us for lunch.” Melina checked on the cats once more and left with Eve by the hand.

***

Evangeline was playing with the new kitten on the terrace, and Melina sat by the table, studying some research articles. Once in a while she would peek at the girl. After the scare, she didn’t dare leave the little girl alone anymore. She was onto her like a hawk, but it was the fourth time she was reading the same page, and it had nothing to do with her worries about Eve. Melina couldn’t concentrate, as her mind always wandered to Henry. He disappeared the entire day. The sun was setting on the horizon, and she had no news from him.

By the beginning of their conversation and the emotions she saw gnawing inside him when he was delirious, his life had been a succession of violence and unhappy moments, and now she added to them. The only thought in her mind when she found him so distraught and alone, sitting by the wall the night before, was to wipe all that suffering from him. He carried too much pain inside, and it wasn’t only about Eve and her.

She had hoped to wake up in his arms after everything they shared. Warmth crept to her cheeks, and she blushed just to think how lush and greedy they were towards each other. She loved every minute of it. He awakened in her a side she never imagined having. She was still tender from the wild night with Henry, but she didn’t even have the pleasure to appreciate the delicious soreness her body held. The pain of being left alone, the lingering feeling of being used by him, and the silence bestowed upon her the entire day drove her insane. She didn’t know where he was or what he was doing. She tried to ask his men, but the only given answer was that he had business to attend.

Melina was about to stand up and get inside with Eve when he strode on the terrace as a sin personified, and a warm feeling hugged her heart. Henry wore black from his button-up shirt to his shiny shoes. The two first buttons of the shirt opened, and the sleeves rolled to his elbows. He looked like those mafia Dons. Melina couldn’t take her eyes from him as he marched to her. His shaggy hair falling above his eyes, framing a handsome face, but hard as granite. He got angry with her, and the stormy way he stared at her sent fire coiling in the pit of her stomach. She should have feared him, but it aroused her.

“Daddy!” Eve screamed in happiness, running to him and stopping him in his tracks. “Look, I have a new kitty, his name is Chops. It’s a funny name, but he likes it.”

“Hey muffin. I see you had a fun day, huh? Let me see the little guy.” He hugged the girl, and his heart filled with an emotion he never dared to dream about. She was a gorgeous, lovable angel, and he didn’t see his life without her anymore.

“He sneezes a lot, and Lina called him Snot. That’s mean.” She made a scowl and hugged the kitten.

“Don’t worry, Lina is just jealous. She will get used to her new friend. How about we get inside? Daddy needs to have a talk with mommy.” He got her in his lap with the kitten, going to Melina.

“Is there something wrong?” She tipped her head, staring at him. Fury emanated from his body. But she didn’t expect the anger to be directed to her.

“Let’s get inside.”

It was his only command, before he pivoted and marched to the house with Eve, leaving her behind wondering what the heck was going on. Melina gathered her papers and followed them, foreseeing the doom to come. She wanted to take her grandma’s advice and make their life easier. He needed to live for a change. Maybe she could take the heavy burden from his heart. She didn’t know what to do, but she had a short time to come up with a plan.

Once inside, they went over Eve’s routine, and together they put the little girl to bed. Henry turned into a different man caring for his child. A teddy bear, doing all her wishes, but always with that commanding tone when Eve got fussy about her tantrums. Even his tone of voice changed, loving and patient towards her, bringing tears to Melina’s eyes. A sudden pang of guilt squeezed at her chest for separating them. But how could she know he’d be a softy and such a wonderful dad?

What she didn’t understand was the anger towards her. It was incredible how his demeanor changed when he peeked at her. All the love he was giving their baby girl would vanish and get replaced with a dark fire burning in the depths of those pools of honey, and it raised all the hairs in her back. Their evening together would have been the perfect family portrait if it wasn’t for his cold ways reminding her she was the only problem there, so she left not to intrude at that father and daughter moment.

“Melina!” His voice boomed behind her once she reached the living room, making her turn to him without a thought. “You have a lot to explain for yourself!”