- Elena

''Mothers, by Adrena Calero

A mother can be many adjectives. She can be protective, condescending, supportive, selfish and many other things. I've met strong mothers, brave mothers and loving mothers. And some, who are all three.

We've put so much weight on their shoulders, in a way that we would never do with a man. We expect them to throw away whatever weight they carry themselves, to carry ours.

And yet, we forget how much pain a mother can take.

Our mothers carried us, before we even knew we existed.

Our mothers spit us out, without a flinch.

And here we are, insulting our mothers, and the women in our lives.

We insult their behavior, their appearance and their actions.

Which is unbelievably idiotic,

When so many of us aren't even strong enough, to be one.''

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**Adrena's point of view**

In front of me, stood Lorenzo's mother. She was beautiful, in a way that only Italian women manage to be. Her brown, thick and wavy hair, stopped at her feminine shoulders. She had brown eyes, visible cheekbones and naturally raised eyebrows, that made her appear elegant and yet a bit intimidating.

I stood by the bathroom door, wearing only a bathrobe and my hair in a towel. I had to restrain myself from moping, as Lorenzo opened the door to let her in.

Ten minutes ago, I'm pretty sure I was about to lose my virginity to someone, who, despite the odds, makes me feel in love. And now, I'm about to meet his mother?

''How did you find me, mama?'' Lorenzo asked, as he took a second glance out the window, through the tacky brown curtains. His mother had already seated herself on the bed, and sat with a nervous, yet relieved look on her face.

''That's not what's important right now, mi amore. I've been so worried-'' she quickly looked down unto the ground, and pulled out a handkerchief from her purse. I could tell that it broke his heart, to see her cry.

''I've been so worried, and here you are, with a girl-'' she pointed at me. I stood awkwardly by the door leading to the bathroom, with my arms crossed. I gave her a smile, and tried to speak, but she quickly interrupted me.

She continued to speak, but in Italian. (so the following conversation is meant to be in Italian, so just pretend, haha.)

''She's beautiful. I understand why you risked your life for her. You've always adored beautiful women.''

''Me and my father has that in common, mama.'' Lorenzo replied with a smile, as I seated myself next to her.

''Nonsense. I'm old and worn out. But that girl there-'' she pointed at me again. ''She's beautiful.''

I had no idea what they were talking about, but she didn't seem as aggressive, as Lorenzo's father.

Lorenzo led out a little laugh, and kissed his mother gently, on her cheek. ''It's good to see you, mama. I'm sorry about everything. I just couldn't forgive myself, If I just left her there.''

''I know, mi amore. You did the right thing, the timing was just awful. And deep down, your father knows that too. Now – let me say hello to the gorgeous girl, who enchanted my son so deeply.''

Suddenly, Lorenzo's mother got up, and walked towards me.

''My name is Elena Mancini. I'm Lorenzo's mother. What's your name, love?'' she asked, as she reached out her hand, to shake mine

''I'm Adrena.. Adrena Calero. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Mancini.'' I politely replied. I almost caught myself bowing, because I felt so intimidated by her appearance.

His mother instantly led out a chuckle and quickly responded: ''Call me Elena. I'm no queen.''

''Yes you are, mama. Now please, tell me, how did you find us?'' Lorenzo asked.

''What's the rush, Lorenzo? Haven't you missed your mama? I didn't travel all this way, just to be interrogated by my own son.''

''Because I'm worried, mama.'' Lorenzo replied, with a concerned look on his face. I tried to hide it, but I couldn't help but smile. I love that he calls her mama.

''Is that so? Well then.'' She said, with a smile. ''I tracked you here. The weak mother's heart, that's pumping inside of me, is to blame for that.''

''What? How? How could you track me? I've made sure that-''

She interrupted him, fiercely.

''I am your mother, Lorenzo. I had to learn some skills, living with two such wild men as you and your father. A month ago, when you bought your car, I inserted a small GPS underneath it. I did it, so I wouldn't spend so many sleepless nights, worrying about where you and the guys were, when you were on duty. I've gotten too many wrinkles already, all because of you.'' She said, as she lit a cigarette.

She took out a slim cigarette, and her long and elegant fingers held a tight grip to it, so it rested between them. She blew out the smoke, and continued.

''I quickly realized, that you never even used the damn car. Ricky always picks you up, so the tracker hasn't been for any use. That was, until this weekend. I overheard Pedro – my husband-'' she said, as she looked at me – ''talking on the phone with Lorenzo. He was upset, and tried to walk inside another room, because he knew I was listening. But I heard enough. I know that he cut you off, so I had to make sure, that you were O.K.''

To think that someone like Lorenzo, who've killed and robbed someone, without getting a single scratch on his face, had such a kind and worried mother, startled me. I could tell by the look on his face, that he was slightly embarrassed.

''Mama, I'm honored that you care so much about me, and I love you. But do you have any idea just how dangerous it is? What if the russies found it, huh? Then you'd be busy scraping my fucking brain of the floor right now.'' He said, in a raised voice.

She shook her head, and look irritated by his tone. ''Do you think I'm an amateur? I've been married to your father for a long time, Lorenzo. I've been in the mafia for more years than you have lived, so don't talk to me like that. I wouldn't be here, if it wasn't safe.''

Lorenzo took out a cigarette as well, and ran his fingers through his hair, as he blew out the smoke. ''You said, that you never wanted to see me again.''

''I would never say that. You idiot, I told you, that I was disgusted by you. And I was. Look at her-''

She pointed at me, as she continued. ''Did she deserve to be treated like scum? You left her there!''

I felt like the situation escalated pretty quickly. I've heard about Italians and their temper before, but I've only seen Lorenzo be aggressive.

''And I will regret that for the rest of my life, mama! But here I am, WITH her. I saved her, remember? You wouldn't be here, if I didn't. And I'm sorry, I know I'm not the son you wanted.''

I've never seen Lorenzo so fragile before. H didn't look either me or his mother in our eyes, once. He kept a stern look into the ground, while he aggressively blew out the smoke from his cigarette.

''You are, mi amore, you are! You were raised in a shit world, and you are not the only one to blame for this mess-'' she said, as she walked towards him with open arms. Seconds later, she was hugging him, while giving him kisses in his forehead. He had to bend, so she could reach.

''I'm also mad at your father. And that, my son, is the reason why I'm here.'' She added.

Lorenzo gently pushed her away, and grimaced, as she accidentally stroked his arm.

''What happened, mio?'' she asked, with a frightened look on her face.

''Nothing. It's nothing.'' He said, as he turned his back to her.

''Don't lie!'' she yelled, as she turned him back around. ''What happened?''

He didn't answer her. So she asked again, but this time, she looked directly at me instead.

''When we escaped Dimitri's house, someone tried to shoot him,'' I muttered, while I tried to sound as calm as possible.

''TRIED? THEY DIDN'T JUST TRY, CLEARLY HE'S INJURED!'' she shouted, as she began to fumble with her hands, trying to pull out another cigarette from the package. Her hands were shaking, as she led it.

''I'm fine! Adrena made sure of it. She cleaned it, and glued it together. See-'' he said, as he lifted up his shirt, to show her the wound that was tied in a bandage.

''You did this?'' she asked, as she looked at me. I wasn't able to read her, so I was unsure if she was angry, sad or relieved.

''Ye-y-yes, I did.'' I stuttered.

''Thank you, mi amore,'' she replied as she ran towards me, placed two hands on my cheeks, and kissed me. I gasped, by her sudden and rather personal approach.

''I'm sorry dear, I forgot you're not Italian. When all of this is over, then I'd love to drink some wine with you, so you can tell me all about you-''

''Mama, please. We don't have much time, please tell me, why you're here?'' Lorenzo said, as he adjusted his shirt. He gave me a little wink, before she spoke.

''Well alright-'' she seated on the bed, and put the cigarette in the ashtray. ''Your father knows, that I'm here-''

Lorenzo opened his mouth to speak, but she lifted a finger and signaled that he shouldn't interrupt her.

''No one else knows, where you are, besides me and your father. Obviously, he couldn't come, he's too involved. But no one from the mafia thinks of me, like a threat, or even someone who's brainy enough to track my own son. So I knew, that I was good to go. I have something to tell you, mio.''

Lorenzo cleared his throat, and seated next to her. She laid her hand on his thigh, and gave him a comforting smile, before she continued. I still stood by the doorway.

''The reason why your father cut you off, is because it's the safest thing to do. Not because he wants to-''

He interrupted her. ''I know that.''

''Good. You see, your father is very sick-'' her eyes teared up again. ''He has been, for a while now. Your stubborn father hasn't told me a single thing, so it wasn't until our doctor called me, and told me that he has brain cancer-''

Lorenzo aggressively got up, and punched his fist into the wall in front of him. I was unsure on how to act, but instead of doing nothing, I ran over to him, and hugged him from behind.

''I'm here-'' I whispered, as I could feel how his breathing was getting heavier.

''You have to listen a little longer, mi amore. It's important that you do.'' Elena said, as she got up, and walked towards us. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, and squeezed it. ''Can you do that?'' she asked.

''Yes,'' he mumbled back. He leaned against the wall, with his hands, while his head was facing the ground.

''He won't survive it. And when he dies, then he won't be able to protect you anymore. There is a war in New York. The Russians wants to see you dead, and your cousins aren't exactly fond of you either.'' Her voice cracked, and another tear rolled down her eye.

''So I'm here to warn you, and help you figure out a plan. It's his last wish. He loves you, mi amore.''