Chapter Six- Catching Up

Weeks had already passed since that fateful day. Mia had thought it was all a distance dream when she had woken up. The only indication that a man had slept in her bed was the sight of ruffled covers.  Usually the other side of the bed would be neat and tucked in especially since Mia never moved a lot during the night. That morning, all of the bed had been disheveled and she took solace in the fact that this night was one of a kind. It wasn’t anything sexual or morbid. It was just two sleep deprived people desperately trying to get some well needed sleep.  Mia never heard anything from Lorenzo Morino. Not since then. It was as if that man never existed.  The only remnants of that day was a worry stricken Mieky. He had practically broken her motel door down when he woke up in the morning to her text. The thought of anyone hurting the poor girl worried him incredibly. Mia cherished the feeling of someone looking out for her but she merely grinned and let Mikey know she was all fine. Just a couple of scratches ‘tis all. Mikey knew better than to believe Mia. His fatherly instincts had kicked up and he made sure that two people now worked the night shift together. One would be stationed at the pump and the other at the till. If anything would go wrong, either person would be quick to know. That night was also the last night in her motel room. Mikey was quick to get things done. He was very efficient and made sure those around him were too. Mikey made sure that the previous tenants wouldn’t be coming back and causing any difficulties. Or their stuff had been moved out anyways and so Mia had moved in that very day. Her belongings were very sparse and she only had a few clothes to her name. Luckily, the apartment had basic furniture in it like a bed and a couch along with a microwave and fridge.  Mia cried that same night. She knew that Mikey was telling the truth that she’d get an apartment but she thought something would get in the way. It always does. The immense gratitude she felt towards the man came out in a flow of tears. She was safe and secure in four walls with an apartment to her name. She had a fully stocked fridge courtesy of the salary Mikey gave her. She was finally complete and was going somewhere.  That meant the world to her. Mia did often think about Lorenzo. She wondered where he had disappeared to after so long.  Each shift at night had her head popping out the window, eagerly taking the sites in. There was no matte black car and there was no sign of Lorenzo Morine. Maybe he had been a figment of her imagination. Waking up bright and early was not the norm for Mia but after having been in bed for the past hour with no sleep coming for her, she knew there was no going back. Getting up with a sigh, the woman made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. She felt lighter today as if everything had already been planned out. It was cold outside, very much so, but Mia felt like dressing up. Prior to her being in prison, she would always be dressed fashionably. Mia was known for dressing up to the nines and pulling off every look that she put together. She felt a piece of her heart calling out to her. She will dress up today. Digging through her closet, Mia found the outfit perfect for today. A soft full sleeved blouse with a cream coloured skirt that was fuzzy against her body. She wore full length boots with a slight heat. A scarf wound its way around her throat because she knew that her chest caught the cold easily. She applied some sunscreen and a light gloss before making her way out of the apartment. The other tenants were very kind and she found herself exchanging quite a few hello’s with the people around her. Usually she didn’t meet many people due to her odd schedules. People would be settling in their houses for the day but that was usually the time Mia got ready to go to work. Everyone was surprised to see the recluse up and about but they were friendly nonetheless. They all knew each other in some way. Mikey made sure of that. Mia knew where she would be going. After a light breakfast, Mia’s feet automatically took her to the place she had in mind although she hadn’t ever been there before. The walk took around thirty minutes or so but she enjoyed every minute of it. A giant church loomed in the distance and she knew she was heading in the right direction. It took another five minutes to get to the churchyard. She walked past the open doors of the church and instead headed towards the graveyard. It took her a while to find the right grave. ‘In loving memory of Steve Stefano.  Loving Father and Uncle. May his soul rest in peace.’ The sight of the grave made Mia falter in her steps. She had seen him three years ago and he was at the top of his health. Now here he was, six feet underground.  Mia ran her fingers over the engravings. She had cousins but they had cut off from Mia and her uncle. She wondered who had bothered to write all of that on the tombstone. Maybe his children had given him one final farewell? “I miss you, you know? I never thought that the last time I would be seeing you would be across a glass wall in a prison. You looked so upset. You were defeated. No one could help me and I know that hurt you.” Mia lowered herself to the ground, putting fresh flowers in the little flower pot that was lying there. She topped it off with water, nurturing the plants. “I inquired about your death. There were no suspicious circumstances. You were just very ill but gave up. You didn’t take any of your medication nor did you go to the doctors. You had simply given up. I don’t blame you. It’s been tough.” “I hope that you’re at peace now. I miss you terribly but I know you’re in a better and happier place. I’m finally getting my life turned around. You always believed that I never killed Mary Simmons. How could I? You knew her as well. You knew me. We were as thick as thieves. It doesn’t make sense.” These were thoughts that had plagued Mia every day since she had heard of Mary Simmons dying. The entire accident made no sense. Mia’s uncle believed her as well but there was nothing he could do. When he found out that Mia was done for, he fell into a deep depression. He stopped taking his medication, stopped his dire medical visits. Everything stopped for him and he let mother nature wreak its havoc. Steve Stefano knew his niece would never be the same. She had been convicted of such a brutal thing. How could such a sweet thing like Mia kill anyone. It wasn’t possible. “Mary Simmons was my best friend.  She was my best friend. I loved her with everything I had. How could I have killed her?”