Letters of Leon

August 12th

I finally talked to Vince. He caught me at a vulnerable time I guess. The loneliness had gotten the best of me. I haven't had a decent conversation with anyone since I got here, that didn't involve the Post-Amarna period and the death mask of King Tutankhamen. Sure, art's my passion but sometimes I need to just talk about absolutely nothing at all.

*smile* Vince is good for that. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying he's less than there but he's good for a laugh when needed. I definitely needed one.

I never realized how much I missed him until then. He gave me an earful about taking care of myself. "Don't go out by yourself at night." "Are you making sure your doors and windows are locked before you go to bed?" "Do NOT get followed home from the French Quarter and by NO means set foot in one of those trashy tattoo joints. You want a tattoo you call me." I always hated the fact that I didn't have an older brother to watch out for me, but Vince has filled that spot quite well.

He's not just some stupid, big bully that gets his charge out of beating people up. A lot of people think he's Dom's little lap dog, doing anything he's told to do but he's not. He protects his friends… well… his family. He protects people he doesn't even know. He knows when people are weak and vulnerable and he knows how to help them when they need it. Mia's our nurturer. Vince is our protector.

That's how I met Leon. Vince brought me home after beating the hell out of my abusive step-father. I don't know how he found me but I'm glad he did. I'll always be indebted to him for that. He saved my life.

And he introduced me to Leon.

I'll never forget that day. Vince watched me like a hawk. He wouldn't leave me alone for a second and when Leon showed the slightest bit of interest in me Vince gave him the third degree. It took months to get him to leave Leon and I alone much less go out on a date. But we finally did and never looked back.

I think Vince feels responsible for me and for everything that's happened. He feels it's his fault so he calls every day for his own peace of mind.

Honestly I think I just answered the phone out of guilt. I feel bad for leaving like I did but it was something I had to do for my own sanity if nothing else.

I talked to Mia for a little while. Apparently Vince snuck out after dinner to use the phone and she followed. She knew he was up to something. As usual, she was right.
I made him promise not to tell her where I was. She wanted to know I was okay. She asked me a thousand questions that I answered without giving much information. The last thing I need is Mia packing everyone up and heading to New Orleans.

What I do need is Leon back in my life.

I wanted so badly to tell Vince that I didn't care if he slipped up and told Leon he knew where I was. I know Mia's inevitably going to say something to tip everyone off and then all hell's gonna break loose for him. But Vince can handle it.

He's a big guy. Strong enough for both of us. He's going to have to be because I'm getting weaker and weaker every day.

As if things can't get worse… tomorrow's my birthday. I'll be 25. I took the day off. Why? I don't know. I have nothing planned. I have no one to make plans with. Can I possibly shut myself out from the rest of the world anymore than I already am?

Yeah, I know… I'm all about some self pity. I'm only in this situation because I put myself in it so get off my ass, stop whining and get on with life. Stop living in the past.

I'd like to see you try that… it's not human nature.

Frankie

-next-

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