Free The Witch of Little Italy by Suzanne Palmieri Page B

Trust me.”
    Elly rested her head against him, his solidity.
    “And what, the fuck, may I ask is going on in here?”
    Elly turned around to see Cooper leaning into the room by the doorframe. He looked amused and confounded at the same time. She hated that her stomach clenched in fear at the sight of him. Blond, with a long, lean swimmer’s body and a jaw that spoke of untold wealth and haughty ways. Cooper embodied a world Elly was leaving. A place she’d never felt she belonged.
    Elly and Anthony stood up exchanging glances. Anthony’s said: What should I do? Elly’s responded nervously: I have no idea.
    Cooper’s presence made her blood run thin and cold. She felt immediately fragile. Unpretty. She watched as Anthony held out his hand and took a strong step forward.
    “I’m Anthony, nice to know you.”
    Cooper squinted a bit, as if trying to get a handle on the situation, and then shook his hand. “Cooper Bakersmith.”
    “What are you doing here over break, Cooper?” asked Elly, keeping her voice strong and calm.
    “Taking an intersession class. What are you doing?”
    Anthony stepped in between them. “Well, Coop … we’re gonna gather up Elly’s things and then get the heck out of here. Okay?”
    “Elly? Who is Elly ? Eleanor, what’s he talking about? You never said you were leaving school. Are you leaving school?” Cooper’s eyes were twitching with black anger. He took a purposeful stride in Elly’s direction.
    Anthony put his hand on Cooper’s shoulder. “Whoa fella.”
    Cooper turned around and belted Anthony across his face with his forearm. Anthony fell back into a bookshelf. He shook the surprise off and charged at Cooper.
    “ Stop !” Elly yelled.
    Both young men froze a moment apart. “Anthony, can you give us a second?”
    “I don’t think so,” said Anthony, his nose flaring, his body ready for a serious fight.
    “Please? You can wait right outside the door. I’ll yell for you if I need you.” Elly pleaded with her eyes. He had no idea how dangerous Cooper was. Elly had to protect him.
    Anthony smoothed back his black hair and pushed his shoulders back. “You won’t even have to call. I’ll just know. You hear me, Anglo?” He left, walking backward out the door and glaring at Cooper the whole time.
    Elly smiled a little, warmed by his concern. But then turned her attention to Cooper. “You didn’t have to do that,” she said.
    “I know, I’m sorry. Just … it took me by surprise. And who is that? Are you sleeping with him?” The question came out like a whine.
    Elly looked at the ground. Hot tears of rage and embarrassment stinging her eyes. “You were the first. You know that,” she whispered.
    “Well, where are you going then? Why are you leaving school?”
    “I’m not leaving school. I’m just moving in with my grandmother. She needs some help. She’s recovering from hip surgery.” The lie came out surprisingly easy. I have a bit of Carmen in me after all, she thought.
    “Well, okay. But I have to get to class. Oh, and if you’re going to be with someone else, try not fucking that wop. It’ll bring down my status.”
    Hair on the back of Elly’s neck rose, but she controlled her temper. And her fear. “Okay, see ya.”
    He flicked her forehead with his fingers, and then he was gone.
    A shock of memory went through her.
    *   *   *
    “In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.”
    All Babygirl saw was the painted ceiling of the church. The aunts and Mimi held her body as if they were pallbearers and she was a coffin. Babygirl had been to plenty of funerals, all Mommy’s friends who died of the sex disease. Babygirl wondered if she was dying. And it was so hot! But then water dribbled over her forehead and she was being kissed and hugged by soft skin and cotton dresses.
    *   *   *
    “You okay, Elly? You look weird. Did rich boy say something mean to you?” Anthony came back into the room and started hastily throwing books into