Promises and Pomegranates by Sav R. Miller

CHAPTER 25
I’LL NEVER FORGET the look in the eyes of the first man I ever killed.
At sixteen, I’d already been under the Riccis’ guidance for three years. I
met Rafael during one of my mother’s trips to the Dana Farber Cancer
Institute for clinical trials of a drug that could stop the growth of her cancer
cells.
Rafael had been sitting in the lobby, awaiting news on whether or not his
grandmother was in remission. He sat tall, in his crisp navy suit, twirling
rosary beads around his fingers like a man who didn’t fully believe in their
power.
I remember passing him on my way to the cafeteria, and the gold metal of
his thumb ring shining in the fluorescent lighting.
In my short time on Earth, I’d never seen anything or anyone so
inherently lavish. The man oozed luxury and authority, and he knew it. Let it
collect in the air around him, daring someone to try and assert otherwise.