Chapter 1.13

The sound of thunder came from overhead right before a crash and the ruckus laughter of children.
“What are you guys doing up there?” Gino called
“We built a fort.” His twins Tony and Samantha shouted down. “We need to protect it from the evil Von Ludwick knights!”
“The Von Ludwick knights?”
“Alexandria and Michael.” Sam called down.
“CHARGE!” a battle cry roared out. The twins screamed in terror, the n there was another crash.
“Alright you guys clean up it’s time for dinner! Where’s Robin?”
“In his room,” Tony said
“He didn’t want to play.” Michael added.
“I think he’s writing a song.” Alexandria put in.
Gino climbed the stairs surveyed the hallway. “wow.” There were boxes and pool noodles strewn about. “Yeah, pick all this up, it’s time for dinner.” There was a chorus of groans. “Hey if you do it fast, your dad and I will help you build an amazing castles in the backyard this weekend.”
“Promise?” Sam asked.
“Promise.” Gino smiled at hi daughter.
The kids rushed to clean the hallway, the promise of a weekend with their fathers ringing in their ears, while Gino went to Robin’s room. The door was closed. He was about ot open the door when he remembered Robin was thirteen year old boy. He knocked.
“It’s open.” Came the muffled response.
“Hey buddy,” Gino said to the back of Robin’s head, “ you okay?”
“I miss Uncle Kevin. A lot.”
“I know, and that’s okay. You’re allowed to miss him. You know that you staying with us is only until your uncle can figure things out with your Aunt Peggy. But you know we love you right? Romeo and I see you just like one of our own kids.”
Robin nodded, “I’m writing him a song.”
“That’s great kiddo. I’m sure he’ll love it.” Gino’s cell went off. He looked at the screen, “It’s for you.” He handed the phone to Robin.
“Uncle Kevin!” he exclaimed answering the phone. “Hi, Uncle Gino and I were just talking about you.” There was a pause. “Um, let me ask. Uncle Gino is it okay if Uncle Kevin comes over?” his eyes hopeful.
“Gimmie that.” Gino said indicating to the phone. “Did you seriously just ask that? You know you are always welcome here to see your nephew (and the rest of us ya jerk) whenever you want.” A pause. “Okay,….okay great.” He handed the cell back to Robin. “Hello? Okay, I will….I love you too. See you later…..Bye.” he hung up grinning from ear to ear.
“Feel better?” Gino asked.
“Yeah.”
“Good. Now go clean up. Dinner’s in 5.”

Hensenville Chapter 1.5

“Look I know it sounds crazy, but how else do you explain the earring?” Gino asked Romeo as he drove them to work. It was nice out so they took the convertible. Plus Romeo figured Gino could use the fresh air.
“Okay, I’ll humor you for a minute.” Romeo said over the wind. “Let’s just say she is alive. How is she doing all this? Talking to you? The earring? Has she done anything else? Tell you a clue to where she is? If she’s safe? Anything at all?”
“She’s spent the majority of her time just trying to convince me that I’m not just dreaming again. And the earring isn’t a coincidence. It couldn’t have been there the whole time, I would have found it the last time I cleaned the shower, or it would have washed down the drain by now. Carlotta put it there. She had to.” Gino reasoned as he looked out the window. Romeo wasn’t so easily convinced. “So you believe this is real, right? So when does she start telling you where she is? When do you normally see her.?”
“It depends. Less and less now. She’s tired, Romeo. Showing herself takes a lot of energy and lately she’s been making herself more and more corporeal. She looks so thin. We need to find her before it’s too late.”
“Why didn’t I see her this morning?” Romeo asked pulling up to the gate at Arcane Chic. He handed the guard his keycard, “Morning” then drove in when the iron gate opened.
“Maybe because she knows you don’t believe this is real. Or maybe she was tired; she’d been with me a long time. I felt her this time, Romeo. I could put my arms around her. I kissed her. I wasn’t just remembering. It was real.”
“You haven’t said anything to the kids have you?” Romeo asked worried.
“No, I’m not that irresponsible. I’m not going to tell the twins their mother is alive until I know for sure I can bring her home.” Gino was determined and his best friend couldn’t do anything but be supportive. If they could just find her body, maybe then Gino could get some peace.

Hensenville Chpt 1.1

Gino stood under the hot water streaming out of the wall in the shower. His blue streaked hair dripped down his back. The morning sun shined in the window as he washed his hair. He reached behind him for his shower poof and it was handed to him by Carlotta as she hugged him, stepping into the shower.
"You know how much I miss you right?" she said smiling.
"Well don't leave again and you won't have to miss me." he replied putting his arms around his wife."
"You know I have too. Come find me Gino." Carlotta said running her fingers through his hair massaging out the shampoo.
"You're right here Love, just stay with me. I promise I won't let you get lost again. Just please stay with me." he begged.
Carlotta kissed Gino pulling herself closer to him not wanting to let go. Gino held her tightly feeling the water grow cool and not caring as long as Carlotta didn't leave again. The sun shone brightly on the two of them when the bathroom door burst open.
"Gino are you done yet? " Romeo shouted over the sound of the water.
Gino opened his eyes and Carlotta was gone, "No. No. Not again. Carlotta come back please came back." he cried to the space where his lover had been.
"Not again" Romeo whispered. "Gino, get out of the shower. We need to get to work."
"Romeo, she was here." Gino said stepping out of the shower. "I felt her. I kissed her. She begged me to find her. I know she's still out there."
"Gino. Listen to me. Carlotta is dead-"
"We never found her body!" Gino shouted. He looked to the spot where she had stood in his arms in the shower. the sunlight glinted on the floor of the tub. Towel around his waist he bent to see what was there.
"Romeo, if Carlotta is dead. Then how did her earring get here?" He asked his best friend placing the jewelry in Romeo's hand. "I bought her this pair, she was wearing them the night she disappeared."