Chapter 7 - The Poison in the Cellar
By sunrise, the storm had passed over Lake Michigan.
The Chicago skyline was painted in soft shades of rose, gold, and lavender.
Salvatore brought me back to the fortified penthouse.
Danny was waiting in the great room, eating hot pancakes off fine china.
When he saw me walk through the double doors, he dropped his fork and sprinted
across the marble.
He crashed into my ribs, burying his face in my sweater.
“Maya! You’re alive!” he cried.
“I’m here, Danny. It’s over. It’s completely over,” I whispered, kissing his
messy hair.
Salvatore stood a few paces back, watching us with a soft, peaceful expression.
Danny looked over my shoulder at the mob boss.
He stepped forward, stood straight, and signed:
“Thank you for protecting my sister.”
Salvatore knelt down so he was eye-level with my brother.
He signed back with immense gentleness:
“She protected me too.”
“You have a very brave sister, Danny.”
“You will never have to hide in a dark pantry again.”
A top medical specialist arrived at the penthouse three hours later.
Salvatore had arranged for the best audiologist in the state to examine Danny.
By afternoon, Danny was fitted with top-tier, custom cochlear equipment.
When the doctor switched the device on, Danny’s eyes widened to the size of
saucers.
He heard the hum of the refrigerator.
He heard the gentle breeze against the high glass windows.
He heard my voice clearly, without static or muffling, for the first time in ten
years.
Tears spilled down my cheeks as Danny laughed, clapping his hands to hear the
crisp sound.
Salvatore watched from the threshold, his hands tucked quietly in his pockets.
May you like
He didn't interrupt our joy.
He simply enjoyed witnessing it.
