CHAPTER 1
Flying about her apartment in a cloud of euphoria, Andrea checked her mental list one last time. "Appliances shut off, plants watered, mail and paper stopped..." She'd have to call and start them a week earlier. She could have kissed Mr. Wang for his announcement this morning. What was a lost week of vacation over the promotion she always wanted? Besides, a week with her mother would be more than enough time for a visit.
"Guilt." Sighing, Andrea knew it was the only reason she finally agreed to her mother's persistent calls and letters over the visit. "At least he isn't there anymore."
A chill passed through her with the thoughts of her stepfather. "Even dead, he still scares the hell out of me!"
Was that why her thoughts kept returning to Tina? All those terrible memories existed back there, at her mother's. Tina, what would she have done without her?
Against her will time moved backwards before her eyes...
"What did he do to you?"
"Let it alone, Tina."
"Damn you, Andrea Michaels, if you don't tell me what happened I'll tell Vincent Manelli you are madly in love with him!"
Andrea's thirteen-year-old face crinkled up in horror. To her, Vincent the Bully, was just a smaller version of the monster she'd just run from.
"Alright!"
"Come on, tell me."
Tina's dark complexion looked red under the anger hardening her friend's dark eyes. Sometimes, Andrea feared the depth of her friend's emotions.
"He tried to touch ... it was horrible!"
Tina's hand reached out and gripped Andrea's. The painful hold became the most reassuring feeling she could ever remember from another person. "Did he hurt you?"
Shaking her head, Tina's sneer grew so vicious Andrea wished she never told her.
"Please Tina, you can't tell mother."
"No offense, Andie, but your mother is a blind old bat that can't see her own nose! No, I've got a better way to stop that bastard."
"Tina!"
"Shut up, Andie. You want I should do nothing and let the creep rape you?"
Groaning because she feared Tina's shocking words would become reality, she shook her head. "No, I'm really scared. Why did she marry him?"
"My grandmother always said a woman is a complete fool when it comes to hell's love."
Andrea wasn't sure either of them understood the woman's meaning, but Tina's grandmother was the wisest and oldest woman they knew.
"You're coming home with me. Tony..."
"No! No, Tina, you can't tell your brother."
Tina patted Andie's hand. "Of course I can, you just pretend he doesn't know a thing and Tony will never act like he does."
But Andrea's heart and Tina's assuring words weren't in agreement. Of all the boys in their neighborhood, Tony Marcella was the heartthrob of the female population. He was also the leader of the most ruthless gang in little Italy.
Tagging behind the girl, Andrea knew Tina was tough. In fact, all the Marcella's carried themselves as if they owned the streets. Andrea wasn't blind. Tony's protective influence encircled his sister like an impenetrable force field. Andrea's own well being automatically, fell within his care by her association with his sister. How Tina and she became friends never ceased to amaze everyone.
Tina was Italian, Andrea Irish. Tina was street wise; Andrea feared crossing any street. If confidence came by association Andrea received a good dose the day she'd met Tina Marcella.
True to her announcement, Tina did tell her brother. Andrea sat in Tina's bedroom crying and listening to the furious shouting coming from Tony.
She stayed at Tina's for three days and would have stayed forever, only Tina announced it was safe to go home.
Tina went with her. Andrea didn't quite know what to expect, but the black and blue bandaged face of the hated man, told her exactly what Tony had done. That her stepfather hated her for the Marcella's protection didn't matter, because she also saw how much he feared her friends.
Every night until Andrea was old enough to leave the hell her home became, she said a prayer to God to watch over all the Marcellas. Her stepfather never tried to assault her again.
Tina and her were inseparable, at least until Angelo Benetto entered Tina's life. At sixteen Tina found the love her grandmother kept calling 'hell's love.'
Andrea hated Angelo from the start. Tina said it she must be jealous, but Andrea felt something more about Angelo, something that scratched her instincts raw. Because of her dislike and growing wariness of the man, Andrea saw less and less of Tina.
It wasn't long until her own home life became unbearable and she left home. Leaving Tina hurt worse than anything that they ever faced before. When Tina burst out crying, Andrea wrapped her arms around her friend until they both calmed down..
"Swear to me, Andrea, that if you need me for any reason you will come back to me. No matter what it is."
They stared into each other's eyes a long time before Andrea spoke. "Only, if you swear the same Tina. You have done more for me than anyone in my life. I owe you that and more."
Tina actually blushed over Andrea's heart felt declaration. "Alright, Andie, we'll both swear ... pinky swears are forever."
They locked their pinky fingers together, than ran from each other before the misery of parting overtook them once again.
"It's been a long time, Tina." Would Tina still be in New York? Andrea hoped so; she failed to realize how much she missed her. She swore, not even Angelo would keep her away from her friend. Andrea didn't like the sudden desperation she started feeling for Tina. Shaking it off, Andrea told herself it must be the trip and her emotions that brought it on.
She lugged the suitcases to the door just as the cab pulled up and honked. The phone rang, she motioned the cabby towards the bags and rushed back inside to answer the phone. "Yes, hello."
The rapid spit of excited Spanish on the line made her look in question at the receiver. The blast of her earlier ill feelings made her grip tighten on the phone. "Senora? English, por favor?"
"Si, Andrea Michaels?"
"Yes."
"Tina, she tell me to call you, you come now, very urgent."
"Tina?"
"Si! Si! Come now..."
The woman rattled off an address, cursing under her breath, Andrea scribbled it on the flight ticket. "Alright, I will be there soon." The line fell silent before she could finish. "Oh God, Tina what have you gone and done?"
That her friend was here in Chicago didn't help alleviate Andrea's growing dread. The word premonition kept swirling in her head as she gave the cab driver the address.
Realizing Tina lived only twenty minutes from her and never contacted her, made her heart beats echo in her head.
"Please wait for me." Giving the man half a twenty hopefully insured he would. Looking around her, the neighborhood turned into a familiar reminder of what she left in her past. She didn't have to wait long for an answer to her knock.
"Hurry! Por favor senorita."
Disengaging the woman's hold on her arm, the woman propelled Andrea into the apartment. Andrea tried to listen to the excited woman. "Here, come, Tina left you this."
Andrea made her hand to rise and take the large envelope that the woman thrust at her. "Where is Tina? Donde es Tina?"
The paling look and blast of excited Spanish nearly made Andrea groan. When the woman left her standing at the table Andrea sank into the chair. Staring at her name printed on a smaller envelope, taped to the outside of the larger one, she reluctantly pried it loose. Her fingers were shaking, she recognized Tina's child like handwriting. Fighting back the tears, she forced her eyes to focus on the letter's words.
Ahh Andie, he is a precious baby, so loving and sweet. I never thought of myself as the motherly type, but having your own kid makes changes in your thinking. He comes before anything or anyone. Hey Andie,
I guess my fears have come to past and Maria needed to contact you. Sorry about not letting you know I was here in Chicago, but I thought it best.
You really should have argued more with me over Angelo. I probably wouldn't have listened. You and grandma were right. Hell's love, that's what I have been living. Oh God, Andie, he is the devil! But even after all the pain he inflicted, I probably never would have left him until he killed me. That was before I got pregnant with Bobby.
I couldn't let Angelo hurt the baby. He would have killed it inside of me if I stayed with him. He is vicious and if he ever finds me, I know he will kill me.
If you are here, I guess he has.
Taking a sharp breath, "No! Oh Tina, no..." Never knowing Tina to exaggerate, especially over anything like this, Andrea's body started to shake.
You see Andie, you are the only person I can count on, the only one I have ever trusted. Funny isn't it, me needing your help. You know I always needed you. You were somehow my rock and always kept me straight. You pulled me back when I went too far. I wish, I should have listened to you about him. But then I wouldn't have Bobby. I have never had a person so dependent on me or one that took all my love without question as my son does. You will love him too, Andie. You always possessed the loving, gentle heart so lacking in our lives.
It became nearly impossible for Andrea to move her gaze down to the next line, as if she knew what would be written, why she'd been called. Her head shook against the words.
Andie, I no longer need you, but my son does. I am giving you Bobby. Please don't deny him, he is the most precious gift I could ever give to the one person I have always held dear in my heart. We were special together, weren't we Andie?
"Oh yes, Tina ... very special."
I've taken care of everything so that Angelo will never find you or Bobby. Believe me when I tell you he will try to follow and he will kill my son. He hated him since the day he learned of his conception. Angelo is a sick, vindictive creature. You must never forget that ... never!
Take care of yourself and Bobby ... forever Andie,
Pinky Swear,
Tina
"Oh God, don't let this be true ... Tina?"
"You go now." Maria came rushing back in before Andie had time to fully realize the implications of Tina's letter. Before she could utter an answer, the woman pushed a small bundle into Andrea's arms.
All the emotions building inside her collided the instant she felt the warm, tiny body in her arms. In breathless wonder, the cooing pink lips and dark luminous eyes captured her heart.
"Bobby..." He looked like Tina. So small, he couldn't be more than a few months old. "Oh Tina."
"Si, you must go, too dangerous here. Please, take the chico, go."
The woman's fear felt like a splash of ice water. "But his mother ... Tina! Where is she?"
"She is no more, go!"
Shoving the envelopes and diaper bag at her, the woman pushed them out the door. Andrea jumped over the door slamming against her back.
Curious neighbors peeked through cracked doors at her. In a protective jester, her hand moved the soft blanket around the baby to shield him from their stares. Realizing what she just did, she inwardly groaned, knowing Tina's request was already taking hold.
Clutching the baby to her chest, she raced to the cab. Her eyes kept searching the sidewalk for any signs of Angelo or his thugs. She prayed over and over that he no one watched her escape. "Jesus, Tina, this can't be happening."
Yet even as she tried to deny her own fears, the memory of the man that possibly killed her best friend came at her like a blast from a hot furnace.
"Where to, miss?"
"The airport, please."
Am I really doing this? Tina's letter burned in her fist. She needed time to see what her friend put in the envelope and then think everything over. But the baby in her arms wouldn't let her turn away from what might happen if she didn't act quickly.
Staring down at the dark curls and angelic face, now silent in sleep, Andrea couldn't believe anyone could be capable of harming him. Anyone but his father!
Was Tina really dead? Her body shook violently at the possibility. Andrea realized there were no choices but to think the worse.
Juggling her purse, a diaper bag and the baby proved a new experience for Andrea. The truth that what she knew about babies could be shoved into a thimble sank in fast. With the help of the red cap, she managed to reach the ticket counter without any mishaps.
"Can I help you?"
"I hope so. I have a ticket for New York."
"That flight leaves from gate nine."
Andrea's eyes dropped to Tina's baby. "I want to change it."
"All right, where to?"
"Where?" Don't panic, Andrea. The warning nearly drowned in a wave of fear. Raising her eyes to the tote board in back of the clerk, she made her choice. "Salem."
Massachusetts wasn't New York, but close enough. She could contact someone and try to find out what was going on with Tina.
"Round trip?"
"No, one way please." Holding the baby at least kept her from biting her nails to the nub, an old habit she'd lost the urge to do, up till now. "I'll probably never wear nail polish again."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing, it's not important."
"Here is your new ticket and your change of $136.00. I hope you enjoy your flight. They say the weather in Oregon is perfect this time of year."
"Oregon?"
"Why yes, is there a problem?"
"No, thank you, Oregon is fine."
Andrea listened as she directed her to the proper gate. The flight didn't leave for over an hour. Finding a quiet spot towards the back of the waiting area, she gently settled the baby into the couch, hoping he stayed asleep.
Taking her first real look at the child, her fingers absently stroked his velvety cheek. "So much like your mother, beautiful." Were baby boys called beautiful?
Fighting back the choking tears, Andrea tried to rationalize all that just happened. "Maybe I am overreacting."
Pressing her lips together, "No Andie, Tina wouldn't have done this without a good cause." Shivering over her memory of the lady and the fear she witnessed on her face, Andrea prayed Oregon would be far enough to escape whatever Tina feared from Angelo.
Controlling the shaking in her fingers, Andie managed to tear the large envelope open. The first item to fall out was another letter size envelope. Opening it, Andie sucked in her breath over the stack of large bills inside. Her hand shook over what she felt it might mean to her friend. She tried to control her nerves, forcing herself to reach for the note stuck in the money band. Andrea took a deep breath to read what Tina wrote.
Andie,
The money is clean, it is my inheritance from my mother. Please use it to start a new life for you and my son.
Love, Tina
Almost afraid to see what else Tina gave to her, Andie forced herself to pull out the other articles. She held the papers, knowing that once she looked at them she couldn't turn back. Funny how she realized that, but knowing Tina, Andrea's instincts took on a keen sense.
Forcing herself, she focused hard on the birth certificate in her possession. All the normal information was there, but when her gaze passed over the mother's name it froze in horrifying clarity. "Andrea Dunbar?"
Trying not to panic, she reached for another and another document until she'd looked over every one; California driver's license with her picture on it, social security card, Andrea Dunbar's dog-eared birth certificate and college transcripts. There was even a marriage license and ... death certificate, "Robert Dunbar."
Shuffling through the papers she retrieved the baby's birth certificate. Scanning down the document she found what she suspected. "Father, Robert Dunbar ... deceased."
Taking a steadying breath, Andrea tried to deny everything Tina obviously accomplished. That her friend could and did obtain all this wasn't a surprise. Tina certainly knew the right people and means to get this done. Andie wouldn't be a bit surprised if they were real; at least no one would ever doubt their validity. Andie couldn't begin to imagine how much money Tina paid for all this.
Looking at the envelope with the money in it and remembering the large amount inside, "No, I don't want to know how she did it."
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