Mafia Desire (Erotica)

“Mom is acting like she has a boyfriend. My sister acts the same way about Johnny Newland. Johnny this and Johnny that. It’s gross! The two of them constantly smiling dreamily, wearing their boyfriend’s clothes day after day because it’s from ‘him’, and last night I heard her singing. Miriam told me Mom hasn’t sung in the house since I was a baby.” the boy explained.

“Well maybe your mother met someone. I wouldn’t know what she’s been doing in the past couple of months. I’ve been stuck here. I’m glad she’s met someone though. Everyone deserves to be happy, right?” he asked

Daniel nodded thoughtfully.

“What could have led you to believe it was me?” Ben asked, amused.

“It’s your sweater Mom’s wearing and she’s visited every day you’ve been here.”

Ben’s expression froze again. “Oh.”

“So, I ask you again, what are your intentions towards my moth-”

“DANIEL WALLACE!” Gabriella screeched from the opening door. She looked mortified, having picked up the conversation at her daily visits. Her face was deep red.

Daniel sighed then pointed to his eyes and Ben’s to say he’d be watching. Ben just nodded, his face still showing his shock.

Gabriella pushed her ‘so grounded’ son out the door looking back with an embarrassed expression.

Ben leaned back in his bed and wondered when he could start his physio so he could leave this madhouse.

Physio wasn’t as painful this time and it only took him a seven weeks before they were willing to release him from the hospital.

While it took her some time to get over her initial faux pas Hannah eventually visited him again and they had a good talk. She was hurting from the betrayal and he had direct experience with that so he was a sympathetic ear. She returned a few nights a week after visiting hours to have Ben all to herself and her talks with him seemed to help her tremendously and Ben felt it begin to ease the pain he’d carried for too long as well.

Then it was release day. Hannah was first to arrive and looked sad.

“What’s wrong? Changing your mind about releasing me?” he asked.

“I’m going to miss our nightly talks. You’ve been such a good listener!” Hannah said quietly.

“Silly woman, we live five doors apart. There’s no need for you to suddenly become a stranger. We can continue our talks. You know I enjoy them too.” Ben smiled.

“Yes, but here I have you all to myself. My hospital, my rules. You’re a captive audience. When you’re home Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are going to be all over you.” she groused.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

“Hannah! What did I say about holding this grudge against Gabriella and Catherine? They aren’t to blame for the actions of their husbands and neither are you for yours. Please, this negativity is hurtful and it hurts you as well!”

She nodded and looked down with a guilty look on her face. “See? This is why I need you to stay here. My therapy isn’t over yet. I’m bound to get less time when access to you isn’t so restricted. Don’t forget there’s also Tina who thinks the sun rises with you.” Ben grimaced, uncomfortable with her hero worship. Hannah smiled. “She’s not wrong you know. You ARE a hero, at least in our eyes.”

“Please don’t-” he started with a frown and she held up her hands in surrender. She’d picked up in their talks how low of an opinion he had of himself. He found it hard to hear compliments like that. She had a hard time understanding how he’d gotten that way as they hadn’t spoken of their childhoods yet.

“Will you set aside time for us to talk?” she asked with a hopeful look.

“Of course.” Ben smiled.

His nurse arrived with his discharge papers and Hannah went through them with him.

Gabriella showed up at the door. She’d won the coin toss to be his lift home.

Ben looked meaningfully at Hannah who looked down again and nodded. She stood up and walked over to Gabriella.

“I’m sorry for lashing out at you and Catherine. I know you aren’t to blame for anything that happened. I’m trying to get over these feelings and I ask for your forgiveness and patience.” Hannah made it all the way through her apology without crying. She looked up into Gabriella’s eyes and saw the woman was on the verge of tears. That’s all it took. Hannah pulled her into a hug and the two shared tears until Hannah saw her staff looking in curiously at her. She got control over herself and put her administrator’s face on. She nodded to Gabriella and Ben before she left.

Gabriella was wiping her eyes and looked at Ben like he’d worked a miracle. He scowled at the praise in her eyes.

“Hannah is a good person dealing with a bad situation. Everyone deals with hurt in their own ways. She’s working it out and she’ll make it.” Ben said gruffly.

An orderly arrived with a wheelchair.

“I need a moment to get dressed. If I could get a little privacy?” Ben asked.

He put on the clothes Gabriella brought him. He was glad she had taken care of his place while he was in the hospital. She was such a good neighbor! He sat in the chair and let them know he was ready.

He was going home!

Chapter 8

Ashburn Court looked almost magical under the heavy blanket of white snow. The bright midday sun shone down from the cloudless blue sky causing the snow crystals to sparkle as they drove down the lane towards his house. As they came around the loop Ben saw his driveway was free of snow and looked over at Gabriella who glanced back.

“I added your drive to my contract while you were in the hospital.” she said.

“Thank you. I’ll reimburse you for the expense. You can take it off the contract now.” he said.

“Isn’t is too soon for you to be out lifting heavy snow? Don’t try to fool me because I can just ask Hannah.” she raised an eyebrow and gave him a knowing look.

He just scowled out the window as she smiled.

“I still want to reimburse the expense.” he mumbled.

“The extra was minimal and besides, Daniel may have disappointed me in many ways but he did at least take care of his family’s financial security.” she said casually as she pulled into his driveway.

Ben looked distinctly uncomfortable then grimaced in shame at his knee jerk reaction to her dismissive comment about her husband. He of all people had judged her. Idiot.

“What’s wrong?” she asked as she pulled up to the door and stopped the car. She sat back and looked at Ben.

“Nothing. I’m- I’m sorry. Thank you so much for taking care of my house and bringing me home. I really appreciate it.” he said without looking at her.

“Ben? What’s wrong? Did I say something to upset you?” she said with a worried look on her face.

He glanced over and saw her expression. “No. It’s just me. I’m still a little thrown off by the time loss I guess. I’ll get over it.”

“Time loss?” her eyes were welling up just a little as she tried to think of what she’d said to disturb him.