Friday, August 13, 2010

In Their Own Words -- Robby


My name's Rob. Genovase. I'm Genna's cousin. I'm not sure what you want me to say here. Genna's a good girl. Always has been. It was my job to make sure she stayed that way.

When Aunt Linda and Uncle Joey died, my Pop told me I had to watch out for her. Make sure she didn't do anything stupid. The shrink we all went to said so too. We had to watch her like a hawk, make sure she didn't O.D. or get into booze or even try to, God forbid, take her own life. I knew she wouldn't, Genna wasn't stupid, she was just sad. Unbelievably sad. Her whole life changed in the blink of an eye.

I remember that night we came home from the hospital, it was a long night, and my mother asked Genna if she wanted to sleep downstairs, or have her sleep upstairs with her, and Genna said no. She'd be all right. But my father insisted someone be with her so I went up. I slept on the couch. Genna went into her parents room. I left her alone, I figured she'd just needed to be with them, you know. But then I heard her crying. I didn't want to bother her, truth be told, I didn't know what the hell to do, but she sounded so broken, so damned heartbroken. So I went in.

I got on the bed with her and held her while she cried. I've never seen anybody cry so much. It was to be expected I guess. I thought she was asleep but she wasn't. She said to me, and I'll never forget this as long as I live, "Tony saved me tonight." I didn't know what the fuck she was talking about. And she said, "Tony and me were making out in his father's truck. I was supposed to go home with Mommy and Pappi. If I had, I might be dead. Tony saved me."

Yeah. That's when it started. She loved him right from the get-go. Hero worship if you ask me but what could I do. Nothing was ever going to change her mind about him. So for all the time they were going out, I never said a word. I never told Genna he cheated on her, I never told her what a real asshole he was. I never told her he played the ponies and how much money he lost. Did he really think I wouldn't find out? Christ he was placing bets with Uncle Nino. But I never said a word.

Until he broke Genna's heart by marrying Debbie. Don't tell her I told you this, but after Genna left town, I tracked him down and beat the fucking shit out of him. I put him in the hospital too. Broken ribs, punctured lung, his pretty face wasn't so pretty when I got done with it, that's for sure. Ask Benny and Pauly, they were there. I was going to kill him. I'll tell you what, Testa was lucky they were there because I just might have.

Anyway, Genna's got a life now. Ten years without the bastard did her good. She's got a good job, a nice place down in Delaware, right on the water too. And old Nana Rocco dropped a nice chunk of change in her lap so she's got a good security blanket.

I swear to God though, if Testa decides he's going to try and get back with her, I'll fucking kill him this time for sure. Mark my word, I will. Although I think Pete'll have a better time with him. He's got a sweet Glock. He could use Testa for target practice.

29 comments:

Susan Fields said...

Is Robby about Genna's age? I love how he held her when she cried over her parents and how he protects her when Tony hurts her. I really like this guy!

Anonymous said...

I also killed of my protagonist's parents early. Leaves the door open for conflict. And another book down the road.

Stephen Tremp

Anne Gallagher said...

Susan -- Robby's two years older than Genna. I really like him too. He doesn't say much but he carries a big stick.

Stephen -- I don't know if I can do another book with these characters. They've pretty much spent all their angst. Interesting idea though.

Al said...

I haven't commented much on your characters series, but I have read them all and love the idea.
I have thought about copying you and how to do something similar with my characters. I guess imitation is the best form of flattery :-)

Nicole Murray said...

This character series is a really good idea, especially when you have given them such strong voices. I am loving Robby. A real tough and quiet guy with a good heart. And I really do enjoy your writing style.

And maybe someday, when I have more of my WIP, I'd consider some flattering imitation too.

Anne Gallagher said...

Al -- Well, thanks for stopping by. E.
Elle at The Writer's Funhouse started it all. It was her idea and her series that made me so jealous I wanted to do it too. Because I didn't think I could. But now I know I can. So write on!

Nicole -- Oh I love Robby too. My hero, and Genna's. Yeah, I think it's best to do this when you get at least half way through your book. You know your characters a lot better by then. Thanks for stopping by.

Amie Borst said...

oh man - i totally love your writing!

Anonymous said...

I <3 Robby. Not in an unhealthy way or anything... *Cough* I think if every woman had a man like this in her corner, the world would be a much better place (mostly because all the creepos would be pounded into the dirt).

And, again, you've topped your last entry. Super impressed, lovey. :)

Anne Gallagher said...

Amie -- Glad you like it, thanks for stopping by.

E. -- My darling, how many times have I wished Robby and Pete were real eh? Yeah, now you can see why I spend so much time on the computer writing instead of out in the real world with real people.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You did a good job selecting images for your characters, too.

Anne Gallagher said...

Thanks Alex. Can't you just see him beating the shit out of somebody?

Summer Ross said...

I love how you have done this, I'm still wrapping my brain around all this, but man your character have some great supporting characters and they are so full of life. I love the way you've expressed his soft and hard side. brilliant!

notesfromnadir said...

Rob is hot! But clearly he's hot-headed & no1 wants to mess w/ him! I love how protective he is towards Genna. The guy understands family loyalty!

Anne Gallagher said...

Summer Ross -- Thanks. The best movies have the best supporting characters and that's how I more or less wrote this -- movie style -- in my head anyway.

Lisa -- Rob is hot! He's not necessarily hot headed, just very protective of Genna, and Angie as well. He's Italian, he has to be loyal to the family.

dolorah said...

Oh, I'm in love with this guy!

Package him up and send him my way :)

......dhole

February Grace said...

Wow. This one really blows me away. The way he says 'I don't know what you want me to say here' cracked me up because it's so perfectly dead on for what I'd expect a guy like this to say.

Pitch perfect.

~bru

February Grace said...

Wait! What, that's the last one for now? Nooo! I was all set to read Genna for some reason I thought she was up here already. Drat LOL.

Hanging on waiting for that one!

bru

Anne Gallagher said...

Donna -- I'd like to keep him for my very own but of course he's not real. Well, except in my head.

Bru -- sending you an email.

Unknown said...

I really like your blog and I think this character series is a great idea. I will have to go back and read them all to learn more, but what I've seen so far, I know this is a really good practice for writers and readers alike. Thanks!

Anne Gallagher said...

Riverside -- Well, thanks for stopping by, glad you liked it. Next week wraps up the last two so come on back.

Shelley Sly said...

Robby is so sweet!! I just love how protective he is of Genna. And as always, I can hear the voice loud and clear in these posts (but always a different voice.) Love it!

Oh, and did I miss the whole Tony-saved-her-life thing the first time around, or did you reveal that for the first time? Wow...

Roland D. Yeomans said...

What do they say? No good deed goes unpunished. I just know there are rough waters ahead for Robby, Roland

Anne Gallagher said...

Shelley -- This was a reveal for the first time. It's not in the book at all. You didn't miss anything.

Roland -- Walk silently and carry a big stick has always been my motto.

The Words Crafter said...

So, Genna thinks Tony saved her...no wonder she can't let him go. I remember this guy from the show where the paper would come a day early and he would have to stop something from happening. He's still cute and I love that you made him a tough guy!!!!! We all need a Robby and I'm looking forward to reading about him in you book. Hopefully soon!

WritingNut said...

I really like Robby, the strong, silent type :) I love how he's been looking out for her all this time and is so protective.

Talli Roland said...

I could really picturing him saying this, Anne - he came alive for me!

Wendy S Marcus said...

Wow. The picture matched the personality. Great word choice. I really enjoyed it!

VR Barkowski said...

Great voice and I love the series. Unfortunately, I'm very behind and trying to get caught up on my blog reading. Are you intending to leave these up for a bit? At least a week?

Wishing you luck and a big finish for REMEMBERING YOU!

Ed Pilolla said...

the cadence in this is so damn good. i love this voice.