by Lili Porter
It was quiet and intense, all eyes on the ceremonial process. It was required that a new ‘blood baptism’ be performed with every promotion to a higher rank within the ‘Ndrina.
Father Armando, “The Vangelo,” greeted those assembled with the familiar, “Holy afternoon greetings to the devotees.” Casting his gaze upon his younger brother he said, “Giampaolo, do you swear by the family’s seventh generation to protect the honor of your wise brothers?”
Paolo looked at Father Armando, who had joined the priesthood to exalt his father in heaven, yet honored his father on earth by placing his hand on the Bible, and swearing his dedication to the ‘Ndrina.
“I do.”
“If anyone asks you where you are from, what must you say?” The Vangelo asked his brother.
“I will answer, my father is the sun, my mother is the moon.”
Finally, Raffaelo completed the ritual. He took Paolo’s trigger finger and pricked it. A small red drop formed on its tip and it was turned over and squeezed until a drop of blood splashed onto the card with the picture of Michael the Archangel. The card was set on fire and as the picture burned in his hand, Paolo said the words that would seal his fate. “As this card burns, so may my soul burn in Hell if I betray the oath of Omerta.”
As the ceremony ended and drinks and cigars were passed around, Kari’s face appeared on Paolo’s phone. Stepping out into the hallway he pressed the accept button and she smiled at him.
“Paolo? Can you hear me?” Kari yelled.
“Yeah baby, I hear you fine, you don’t have to yell,” he said into the phone.
She continued to smile at him lovingly through the small screen. “I miss you. I wish you were here.” She let out some soft laughter.
“I miss you, too, sweetheart. And yeah, you ought to laugh, because you sound like a postcard,” he chuckled.
“But I do wish you were here with me. You’d love South Africa. It’s hot as hell out here,” she frowned.
“Shit, baby, you make hot look…hawt. I bet you smell good too,” he said in his sexy baritone.
She laughed. “You have a one-track mind, Mr. Montovani.”
“When it comes to you, you know I can’t help myself,” They smiled into their screens awhile.
“Look Paolo,” she said, moving her camera around so that he could see the white tents with the name of her charity for world hunger, “Kari’s Kitchen”.
“That’s so cool, baby. I’m so proud of you, Kari,” he said smiling widely at her.
“Thanks, baby. Guess what?
“What?”
“I’ve been taking cooking lessons today.”
He chuckled. “That’s good, baby. Think you’ll be any good by the time we get married?”
“Well, seeing as that’s happening in a few weeks, the answer would be no.”
“I don’t care if you can’t cook, baby. There are other things you do extremely well that make up for that.”
“Are we back to sex?”
“Aren’t we always?” he licked his lips. “Hey… I love you, Kari.”
“I love you, too. Why are you so dressed up?” she asked, big grin on her face.
“I was in a meeting. Which reminds me, my love, I need to get back before Don Raffaelo comes looking for me. Be up tonight when I call, I want to have phone sex,” he wiggled his brows.
“I’ll be up and waiting, sweetie. See you later.” She blew a kiss.
“Okay, baby. Until tonight,” he air kissed her and pressed end.
Paolo smiled and straightened his tie and then returned to his father’s den.
To be continued…