Chapter 41
Zachariah
So far, I thought everything was going pretty well. Dinner with my grandparents was always an interesting experience. Grandma was always counted on to say what her thoughts were on everything. Unlike most women from her time, she never knew when she took something too far. Grandpa never really cared one way or another, as long as it wasn’t in front of his men that he took charge of.
They were both originally from Sicily, Italy. Grandpa Kent was shipped over here to America when he was merely sixteen years old to do the family business. He had brought his newly wedded wife along, too.
It had started out as simple drug smuggling. Cocaine was one of the deadliest wanted drugs on the streets then and still is now. Slowly with time, Grandpa became his own Don of the family here in the states by trading weapons, drugs, and women as though everything was a piece of property. He knew the ins and outs of not only this town, but the neighboring towns also.
When my father came into the picture, Naomi had demanded to drop some of the women that were being traded for sex and arm candy. She didn’t believe it was the right thing to do. Plus, she didn’t want her only son growing up in a way that women came and went as though they were nothing to the world.
Her view on women was strong, and of course, Kent went right along with it. A happy wife, a happy life, or so he said.
Yes, there are still women today that are used for sex, trades and more. That is just part of my life. But the way I run things, and with the okay of the Don of the family, it is getting better. It won’t be perfect, but it’s better.
So, when Grandpa asked Avidya what she thought of my lifestyle, I was surprised that she was fairly okay with what I do. She didn’t know half of what I do, what I’m capable of. I had no plans to show her just how unforgiving I am. She didn’t need to know that. I’d do anything to make sure she didn’t find out if I could put my life on it.
After years of learning how my grandfather did things, I knew not to talk back or to speak my mind to him. He wouldn’t blink an eye while shooting me in the arm or leg without a second thought. He’d done it before.
Yeah, not one my finest moments. Luckily, there was no lasting scar. I may have deserved the punishment when I was eighteen for thinking I could just walk away and leave everything behind me. My actions caused others to double think on crossing not only my father, and grandpa, but also myself.
“So,” grandpa began before quickly wiping the mouth off with the edge of the napkin. “When do you plan to have children?” his dark eyes bounced between Avidya and me.
“Not anytime soon,” I answered quickly. “You know my view on that.”
“Yes, but don’t you think dear Avidya would want a child? It is after all how Cody brought her up to think,” he said. “Do you?”
I not only felt but saw Avidya stiffen up. Was it because of the talk of children, or from the wannabe father she had?
“Zachariah has clearly stated he has no desire to have any,” she said, her voice slightly quieter as she answered. “Right now, we are just trying to figure out life.”
“No plans for the future, then?” Grandma asked out, her eyes watching. I always thought she could see right through me, much more than grandpa ever could.
“One day at a time,” I answered. “We have preventable measures up to make sure no expected children are created right now.” Or never.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Avidya frown once more. Surely if she wanted children, she’d have told me so. Of course, I would try to persuade her otherwise.
“I want a grandchild,” my mother spoke up, her eyes pleading with not only me but my brother also. I knew Melio and Violet had been trying for a child for over a year now without any success. He’d be the better father out of the two of us anyways. He wasn’t as deep into this family as I was. I knew what would likely happen to not only Avidya but to the unborn child without having to look into the future.
Of course, that was after years of not even wanting any children.
“We are thinking of adoption,” Violet stated, taking the heat off of my and Avidya for now. I sent her a silent thank you. I really didn’t feel like getting into it again.
“Oh? That’s wonderful,” mom gushed.
“It’s likely we’ll get a child that will be a bit older, but we are really looking into it all,” Violet stated.
“I don’t think that’s a great idea,” grandpa stated. “Who knows what kind of blood they have.”
“We will look into any potential child,” Melio responded, keeping his voice even as much as possible. “We know the risks.”
“I can get you one,” grandpa said, his voice taking on a promised edge.
“You will do no such thing, Kent!” grandma nearly shouted outraged. “You promised me.”
“Woman!” grandpa huffed out in outrage. “Would you just shut your trap for a few?”
“Never!” she said, giving him an evil smile. “And you won’t ever make me.”
“Do you think we’ll be like that when we are old and gray?” I whispered in Avidya’s ear as the two older people fought back a forth. Naomi had a small pleased smile on her face, happy that she could rile up the old fart.
“You wish,” she replied with a small smile, entertained by them all the same. “I don’t think I’d talk to you that way, though. It’s not me.”
“No, it isn’t,” I agreed, happy that her sad look from a few minutes ago was gone.
“But yes, otherwise I can see us just like that,” she whispered back before pressing a small tingling kiss to my cheek.