Her New (Old) Life

HER NEW (OLD) LIFE

Hey Cal!  Just thought that I would drop you a quick text.  I’m back home!  I’m settling in, and things look like they’re going to be okay.  The house is pretty nice, considering … My job starts next week, and I’m excited!  A new (old) start, am I right?  Text me when you can! ~ xo Rosalee

*****

Hey Ro!  I’m glad to hear you’re settling in.  And getting ready to start your new job!  So many new things!  I envy you—you’re living your dream.  New (old) city, new (old) home, new (old) job.  Pretty soon, new friends, right? Can’t say I’m not jealous!  Can your old friends still be a part of the your new start?  Even if they’re half a continent away?  🥺  ~Cal 

*****

Cal!  Don’t be silly!  I’ve always said that I wanted us to be friends—that’s what we do best!  Geez, buddy, I thought we were past this!

*****

I’m sorry Ro.  I didn’t mean to piss you off.  It’s just that I miss you.  And, yes, I know that we agreed to be friends.  But when your friend is two thousand kilometres away, it’s not the same.  I miss you.  I miss seeing you in person.  FaceTime is great—I can’t imagine not doing that, at least!  But I still miss flesh and bones Rosalee.💔

*****

I know, I know I know.  It’s hard on me too.  Like who am I supposed to have lunch with?  Or watch a movie with?  Or, you know, hang with?  I do miss you, Cal.  😋 But I’m moving forward with my new (old) life. ☯️

*****

Okay, okay, enough feeling sorry for myself.  How’s the house?

*****

Not bad.  The crime scene cleaning company came in and did a pretty good job.  It doesn’t smell at all.  I’m hoping I’m not going to have to call them back when I have to turn the heat on (eww), but so far, so good. 🤞🏼

I did have to replace the flooring in the room where they were found.  There wasn’t anything the cleaners could do with the wood—it was completely destroyed.  Blood and guts do that.  But I’m glad I made the renos.  I changed everything about the room—new paint, removed the furniture (sorry, but the landfill was the only option—so gross!)  I even put in a set of bookshelves—that I put together myself!  It doesn’t even look like the same room!  Thank God.

*****

So, seriously, you’re not freaked out living there?

*****

Nah.  Once everything was clean and replaced, it was fine.  It’s just a building.

*****

Yeah—a building where your parents were murdered!

*****

Thanks for bringing that up, Cal.  I almost forgot.  ☠️

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Sorry, sorry, sorry.  I didn’t mean to upset you.  It’s just that I’d be a little freaked out, that’s all. 😱

*****

Look, I lived in this house all my life before leaving for university, and I love it—it’s my home. Besides, my Gran died in the house, too, don’t forget. So …

*****

Ro, she was 98 and died in her sleep.  It’s not the same.

*****

I know.  But I also know that what happened doesn’t have any bearing on the building.  It was a moment in time.  My parents’ spirits are no more here than my Gran’s spirit is.  Again, it’s just a house.

*****

Aren’t you sad living there?

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No.  Why should I be?

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BECAUSE YOUR PARENTS WERE MURDERED THERE!!!!

*****

Settle down, Cal.  I know what happened in this house. If it bothered me, or if the memories made me sad, I’d sell the place.  But I’m fine.  I have way more happy memories in this house than I have sad ones.

It’s my home.  Again.

*****

They never found out who killed them, did they?

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No.  I was actually talking to the detective in charge—I had to make sure that I could move in, that it wasn’t still an active crime scene—and she told me that they don’t have any leads.  She asked me if I had any ideas.  I said no.

*****

Nothing?

*****

Nope.

*****

Rosalee, your parents were, um, connected, right?  Could it have been something to do with that?

*****

What the hell, Cal?  Because I have an Italian last name, you ASSUME my parents’ murders were mafia-related????  Asshole!!!

*****

Ro, you told me yourself …

*****

Yeah.  When I watched too many episodes of The Sopranos.  Jesus, Cal!

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But, you know, there were rumours before they moved out west, like thirty years ago.  That they had to move.  That it was a turf war, and your family lost.

*****

What the actual fuck, Cal!?!?  Have you been checking into my family history?  What gives you the right?!?!

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I’m a cop Ro.  And my Mom was a cop.  And she heard stories.  That’s all.

*****

So, you took it upon yourself to check me out?????  

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Not me.  Once we started dating, Mom was worried.  She remembered the family name from before, when she was working vice.  

*****

So, I must have been okay, right???? Rhonda wouldn’t have let her golden boy date a mobster’s kid.

*****

I guess.

*****

Jesus, Cal.  That is super invasive!  And, just for the record, my parents owned a restaurant.  They weren’t killed because someone didn’t like the calamari!!!

*****

You sure it was just a restaurant?  Not a front?

*****

Cal!!!! What the fuck is the matter with you?  It was only a restaurant.  Plain and simple.  A family trattoria!

And, if my parents were “connected,” why weren’t they rich?  I thought mobsters were all rolling in cash from their crimes.  My parents still had a mortgage, for God’s sake!

*****

Okay.  Sorry.  But that still doesn’t solve the crime.  Aren’t you worried that who ever did this, might come back?

*****

Are you insane?  Why would they come back?  I’m not my parents.  My parents are dead.  And if, like you insinuate, this was some sort of mob hit, why would I be worried?  I’m not them.  I’m a lawyer.  But, if it was, let’s say, a home invasion LIKE THE COPS THINK IT WAS, then again, why would they come back?  They got everything the last time.

*****

You never told me the cops thought is was a home invasion.  What did they take?

*****

Why?  What difference does it make?

*****

If stuff was taken, it probably was a home invasion.  If nothing was taken, then it probably was a hit and your parents were targeted.

*****

Whatever.  

I think we need to stop this, right now.  First you’re all sad that I’m gone.  Boo hoo hoo—your broken heart.  Then you’re reminding me that my parents were murdered—like I’d forget that—and talking about my house being haunted.  And now you’re all about conspiracy theories and mob connections.  It’s like you want me to move back.  I’m not coming back Cal.  This is my home, so drop it.

*****

Would coming back home be the worst thing in the world?

*****

Enough.  I’m done.  Maybe you should lose this number for a while.  I’ll contact you when I’m not completely pissed off at you.

*****

I’m sorry Ro.  I just worry, that’s all.

*****

Ro?

*****

Rosalee?  I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have brought it up.  Please don’t ghost me!

*****

Ro, please!

*****

Okay, I get it.  I’m an asshole.  I’m sorry.  Please text me.

*****

Ro!  It’s been a week, and no one’s heard from you.  I’m calling the police to do a wellness check.  If I don’t need to, call me back, right now.  Please Ro, call me!

*****

Okay, the cops are on their way.

*****

Police have identified the body of 29-year-old Rosalee Rossi, found in the burnt-out remains of her home.  In a shocking twist, the bodies of her parents Gina and Joe Rossi were found dead in the same house two months prior.  Ms. Rossi had just recently moved back into her family home after the deaths of her parents.  Police suspect foul play in both cases.