Hated

by Fournier, C

  “I propose a toast to everyone to live a long, wonderful and happy life together,” I announced holding up my wine glass. Everyone agreed and drank whatever drink they had on them. I looked to Antonio who was at the other end of the table and raised my glass to him in a silent oath. Here’s to the rest of our lives together. He raised his back and nodded, and then we both drank out of our wine glasses at the same time.

  Antonio Caine

  Brazil 8:47 pm Tuesday August 18th 2037

  I don’t think that I’ll ever get used to this, to having a family, a real family. I never thought that I would ever have something like this. All of the pain and sacrifice was actually worth it. I even have a beautiful wife and a wonderful son. I finally had figured out what had happened to my family, my real family. But there are some days that I wonder what has happened to David and the rest of the guys from the Mafia.

  Apparently though, Stephanie had given the book with all of the Mafia secrets to the police. I’m not sure when she did it but all I know is that things are going to be very bad for the Mafia. David more so than most other members I’d think. But I guess it would probably cover most of the high ranking Mafia members if not all of the members. From what I had been able to read in the book Stephanie’s parents had wanted to take down the entire Mafia.

  I shouldn’t be worried about them since they have done nothing for me. They just tried to shape me into a weapon that they could use at will. That’s not who I wanted to be, well at least now it isn’t. I actually have something to live for now. Stephanie had made me realize that I could be so much more then I was letting myself be.

  All the screw ups and the hardships, I can take them as long as I have her by my side. The best part I think about this whole thing was that her family actually accepted me. Maybe it was because of all that we had been through together or maybe it was because they were just that kind of people. Either way I actually felt like I belonged with them.

  “Antonio, are you coming or what?” Kevin called from the front yard.

  “Yeah, I’ll be out there in a second,” I called back and quickly finished what I was writing on the computer. Stephanie had caught me writing scribbles here and there on whatever I could find, so she had gotten me a computer to do my writing on. She had thought all of the things that I had written were very good, but I’m never really sure of my writing.

  But there was one story that I was very sure about, and that story has yet to reach its ending. If you’re reading this then I hope that you can find the same happiness that I did. And whatever you do don’t let the one thing that makes you whole world seem more liveable get away so easily.

  ‘Cause I can tell you this, there will never be another one like that no matter how hard you look.

  I saved what I had typed and then shut off the computer. I got up off my chair and stretched before going out the front door to meet up with everyone else. Kevin and Devin had set up a whole whack of fireworks outside and were waiting anxiously to set them off. Markus, Angie and their kid had even showed up for today’s firework display. I found Stephanie and Noah sitting on the grass off to the side.

  Noah was picking flowers and weeds to make a bouquet, and Stephanie was just watching him with a smile on her face. She was wearing a green summer dress that stopped just above her knees. She didn’t have any make-up on or shoes for that matter. But she was beautiful and I could feel my heart stutter in my chest. I didn’t mind not being in control anymore. I just let my feelings some now, it took a while but it worked.

  Stephanie must’ve heard me approach because she turned her head and smiled at me. I smiled back and went to sit down beside them. Kevin looked around to make sure everyone was there before he lit the first set of fireworks.

  Now that I think about it life is kind of like fireworks. There are some big things, some small ones and some ones that you want to cover your ears and wait until they’re done. But each one is beautiful in its own way.

  I wrapped my arms around Stephanie and Noah, and held them close. Stephanie snuggled into my side and Noah looked up at me, smiled and then returned his attention to the fireworks display. I smiled to myself and watched the bright colours flash across the sky. My life may not have started out great but I like where I ended up.