Catherine I have no idea where the time went but suddenly we are at the end of october. The warm air has evaporated and been replaced by cold and rain. Alessio has kept his promise of punishing me until I have atoned for my crimes. Every night he ties me up and whips me. Most nights it’s only him and me but sometimes Nino or Franco or both of them join. I’m not sure how I feel about it all, but at least I don’t think about hurting myself. I receive enough pain from them. Today the sky is overcast with dark gray clouds that promise rain and possibly thunder. Not that it matters that much. We are in the car on our way to Chicago. I find it relaxing and cozy to ride a car in the rain, as long as I’m not the one driving. We are going to a baptizing of some other mafia boss’ children. He and his wife

Catherine It all happened so fast. The honking of a car. The screeching of tires. The shattering of glass. The crinkling of metal. Then there was silence. No humming from the motor. No swishing of the air passing by. Only silence.  I blinked my eyes open to see the devastation in front of me. The car is still upright, but that's the end of normality. The front windshield was smashed in and a long metal pipe was run right through the driver’s chest. I followed the pipe with my eyes as it tore through the driver’s seat and into the side of Alessio’s abdomen. I gasp and feel a piercing sting on the left side of my chest. Looking down at myself I can’t see any visible injuries. My head hurt and so does my chest where the belt has dug in. I f

Mariah (Catherine) The sun is glaring down at me as I make my way towards the daycare center a few blocks from my home. As I step through the front gate my small bundle of joy comes running up to me and throws his arms around me. “Mommy!” “Hi my love! How has your day been?” I crouch down and take him into my arms to give him a tight hug.“Jason ruined my painting.” He pouts at me. His brilliant blue eyes are filled with mock sadness. His eyes are the only thing he got from me. The rest is a copy of his father. His dark hair, his tanned skin and his lean and tall build. Okay that his tall build can come from me as well, seeing that I am tall

Mariah (Catherine)“Mariah!” Mr. Gong’s whiney voice calls from the end of the aisle. I sigh and clench my jaw. Today has been a real Mariah day. Mr. Gong seems to never get enough of calling my name. I scold my face into a pleasant smile and turn towards him.“Yes, Mr. Gong?” He is looking at me with a frown on his wrinkly face.“I thought I told you to move the Mr. Clean to the corner shelf so more customers will see it. It is on sale!” As if I don’t already know this.“Yes you did. But before that you told me to arrange the toilet paper after a customer knocked the shelf down, then to mop up a broken jar in aisle three and then to clean up this shelf.” I keep my smile polite and sweet as I tell him of all the extra chores he has given me today. His frown deepens.“Then why haven’t you done all that?” I close my eyes and count backwards from ten.“I have arranged the toilet paper and cleaned up in aisle three. Right now I’m cleaning up on the shelf to make it look presentable, as I’

Mariah (Catherine) It’s been a few hectic days. Mr. Gong keeps bothering me at work. Michel tries to help me out but he always get sent away when Mr. Gong notices. I have no idea why he has it out for me. I can’t remember that I have ever done anything to offend him. Except that time I rejected him when he asked me out to dinner. But honestly, I reject all dinner dates. Except this one. Okay, it’s not really a dinner date. It is a playdate with Michel and his kids. Sally is six years old and Tom is ten. Nick has been very hyped up all morning because he’s going to play with a big boy like Tom. He’s practically bouncing on the walk to the park. To be honest I’m a little giddy myself. This is my first date since I ran away and before Alessio, I never had that many dates either.