Chapter 6 - THE FATHER WHO NEVER LISTENED
Dominic Russo summoned Norah to his office on a rainy Thursday.
She considered refusing.
Then decided she wanted to hear what he had to say.
The office occupied the top floor of a private building overlooking the Chicago River.
Dominic sat behind a massive desk.
He didn't offer her a seat.
Norah took one anyway.
His eyebrow lifted.
She folded her hands.
“Mr. Russo.”
“Miss Bennett.”
He studied her.
“You've been spending time with my son.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I like him.”
Dominic's expression didn't change.
“Elliot is complicated.”
“So are most people.”
“He doesn't understand certain things.”
Norah looked at him.
“Which things?”
Dominic hesitated.
“People. Intentions. The way the world works.”
Norah thought about the theater plans.
The financial documents.
The careful questions Elliot asked before making decisions.
Then she looked back at Dominic.
“Your son understands more than you think.”
Dominic's eyes hardened.
“You don't know my son.”
Norah took a breath.
“Maybe not as well as I hope to. But I know he deserves to be heard.”
Dominic leaned back.
“You think I don't care about him?”
“I think caring and listening are different things.”
Silence.
Dominic looked toward the window.
For a moment, his face seemed older.
“His mother understood him,” he said quietly.
Norah waited.
“After she died, I didn't know what to do.”
His voice was rough.
“I thought if I pushed him hard enough, he'd become stronger.”
Norah looked at him.
“Did it work?”
Dominic said nothing.
She leaned forward.
“Elliot doesn't need to become someone else to deserve your respect.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then he asked:
“What does he want from me?”
May you like
Norah answered softly.
“You should ask him.”
