Vincenzo

RINA

"Calm down, bambina."

I turned from the closet. "No, Mama. No. Don't tell me to calm down. Who gave her the right to spill that drink on you?"

My anger was lethal. I was in flames. How dare she? How dare she insult Mammà?

"It's fine, really. It's my fault. I shouldn't have—"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Rina…" Mama rubbed her forehead. "Keep your voice down, please."

Tears brewed in my eyes; I turned the other way, huffing. Mammà drew close and placed her hand on my shoulder. "It's okay. You should be used to these things."

"How?" I choked in my sob. "How can you say that? Why…why are some people ass—"

Mama covered my lips. "Hey." She frowned. "The walls have ears. Stop this."

That was what she would always say. Stop this. Ignore them. Endure.

I couldn't deal anymore. Couldn't put up with the hostility life had been throwing at us. The hurt overwhelmed me. I collapsed on her.

"I feel useless."

"No."

"I feel dumb, Mama."

"Rina."

"I couldn't stand up for you. I stood li