Chapter 9 - The Place With the Yellow Chairs
Nora showed Ben the text immediately. She didn't try to handle this one alone.
Ben studied the photograph. “That's the door camera across the hall. It doesn't show inside.”
“Someone's watching us.”
“Someone wants us to think that.”
They informed the building manager and saved the message. Ben changed the apartment's door code, not because he believed a keypad could keep Victor away, but because doing something ordinary steadied his hands.
The next morning Nora arrived at the little childcare co-op where she volunteered twice a week. It occupied a storefront with twelve yellow plastic chairs, a shelf of books held together with tape, and a window painted with crooked clouds. Parents took turns supervising while others worked shifts. It wasn't glamorous. It had kept more than one household afloat.
Tanya, the co-op coordinator, met her in the doorway. “Can we talk?”
Nora knew from her face that the answer wouldn't be pleasant.
“Our landlord called,” Tanya said. “He heard there's a dispute involving the Bellinis. He wants us to be careful about events here until it settles.”
“We're not involved in any dispute.”
“Your family is. I'm sorry, Nora, but parents are nervous. They saw the picture of Sal at your building. Somebody posted it in the neighborhood group.”
“Sal's a man visiting his granddaughter.”
Tanya waited a beat. “That's one way to describe him.”
Nora felt the old anger return. She had left home to escape being defined by that last name. Here it was, reaching into a room full of finger paints.
At lunch, Rosie asked whether she'd still be allowed at the Saturday book circle. Nora said she didn't know yet. Rosie frowned and picked the crust off her sandwich.
“You said we'd read the bear book.”
“I know. I'm working on it.”
“Is the bad man coming there?”
“Which bad man, sweetheart?”
“The one who took Captain Sunday. Or Uncle Victor.”
Nora had no answer that wouldn't make her daughter more frightened.
She left the co-op and went straight to Sal's apartment. He answered himself, without a guard.
“Your son is watching our building,” she said. “And people are afraid to let me volunteer where Rosie plays.”
Sal stood back so she could enter, but Nora stayed in the hallway.
“You wanted to see her,” she continued. “Here's what your family's name does to her even when nobody lays a hand on her.”
He didn't argue. That hurt worse than if he had.
“I'm going to end Victor's control of the club,” Sal said.
Nora shook her head. “You can't order the world to change and call it parenting.”
“Then tell me what to do.”
May you like
She stepped closer. “Start by telling the truth about what you let him do.”
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