Animosity
Page 20
“Dad, what happened with this Patty Hearst?”
“I want you to read it and when I get home, you tell me what you comprehended and what I’m saying about being brainwashed.”
“I will.”
“Good.” He shoved Sal away. “Brush your teeth hijo.”
“That’s where I was going until you wanted bonding time.”
“I left you a present on my dresser. It’s the keys to the Mustang.”
“For real? But I don’t have my license.”
“You will soon. Besides, I hear you’ve been driving around the property. You also left evidence. You might’ve stepped in Gee’s poop the last time you took the dog for a spin.”
Alfonzo smiled. “We start proper driving lessons, next Saturday.”
Sal beamed, jumping up with fists to the ceiling. “Yeah, my own car, a Mustang!”
Alfonzo smirked. Sal was a good kid.
When Alfonzo stepped into the dining room, he couldn’t believe how orderly the children were. They weren’t screaming or making faces –nothing.
Allie and her mother were in the kitchen laughing and his heart expanded when he heard the sound. He appreciated his family, especially, when he saw his babe in those shorts and tank top.
He lingered in the doorway as they chatted, oblivious to his presence.
“I like Aunt Ari, she’s fun.”
“She is, isn’t she?” Selange replied.
“Aunt Ari wants to pay me to help her out with the kids for the rest of the summer. But, I have to ask dad because she says he doesn’t like her.”
“Your dad loves Ari. Don’t let that mean persona fool you.”
“Why was dad mad when you were gone? Did you guys have a fight?”
“Technically we don’t fight, and no he was not mad at any of us. Your dad worries a lot about us, but he doesn’t know I worry a lot about him.” Selange said with soberness. “I guess he wants us happy, but he doesn’t realize, we are and he’s a big part of it.”
The clang of utensils and children filtered through the air and bird squawks from the open patio door as he observed his wife and daughter bonding in the way only women understand.
“Maybe, you two need to go on more trips together. He looks happy right now.”
“No shit,” Selange blurted out and Allie laughed.
“Mom, you’re starting to sound like dad.”
“See, it’s true, we’re the company we keep. I’m getting a potty mouth.”
“Nobody is worse than dad.” Allie commented before changing the subject to gossip. “Aunt Ari can cook mom, but she says she’s been cooking for years and if she doesn’t feel in the mood, she won’t. But she said since Uncle Nico loves pretending he’s a chef, she lets him do it, plus she likes looking at his butt.”
Selange laughed shaking her head. “Oh, that woman is a mess, but I know exactly how she feels. I’m always peeping at your dad’s behind. His is unh –pretty darn nice!”
“Yeah, I have a nice butt,” Alfonzo chuckled and walked in the kitchen to peer at the omelet, which actually looked edible.
“Hi dad, you look nice!” Allie squealed.
“You’re saying nice stuff to me with a smile in the morning hija? Oh gosh I must have hit my head.”
“Yes, I only have one dad that I love,” Allie, replied.
Alfonzo kissed her on the cheek. “And I only have one Allie that I love.” He waited for her to ask about babysitting, but she didn’t. She was likely going to butter him up for a while first.
He then put his arm around Selange’s waist, and nuzzled her ear with his nose. She put the spatula down to turn fully into his arms to engage in an adult lip locking session.
Allie snickered, and exited with her plate without a smart remark. Maybe, she understood that a loving home was the best place to live.
He tongued Selange deep, wanting to take her sweetness wherever he went.
“You’re eating before you leave, right?” she asked after he reluctantly detached.
“No doubt babe.”
“I’ll be at Sophie’s for about two hours today. Sal is going out with his friends, Allie’s been invited to another party. She’s getting popular.” Selange mentioned as he helped himself to a sausage while she piled food on his plate. “The small kids will be with me.”
“Take it easy, though babe. Don’t try to jump back into a busy routine. Okay?”
She picked up her plate. It held a wheat bagel, some leafy vegetables and healthy slices of fruit. There wasn’t a sausage or egg among the colors. His plate had them.
Alfonzo sat with his family, enjoyed the meal and then went straight to the office with renewed determination to get the guys on the same page.
Later, when he leaned elbows on his desk to read mail, he found he smiled more than he ever had since Selange’s diagnosis. He could feel that she was going to be all right and that she beat cancer…yes she had.
He fingered an envelope addressed to Selange, examined it for a return address and then decided to open it. Inside contained a letter from Selange’s, Aunt Elaine.
She lived in Trinidad.
Man, he thought, and now she decides to come forth with her bullshit lamentations. Why does the dying believe a letter can right the wrongs of horrible shit they’ve done to others? He almost crumpled the damn paper in his fist when he read she had stage 4 cancer, and she wanted Selange to know her grandmother died from cancer at fifty-three years old. Get prescreened, she wrote, and monitor your children’s health.
Alfonzo’s chest deflated. He looked down at his desk, folded the paper and stuffed it in his pocket.
Selange didn’t need to read that, not when she was being optimistic. Disease is negative but negative things that feed good souls are cancerous as well. He believed there would be a break-through in cancer treatments for victims like Elaine. He met the people at the Cancer Treatment Center and they were experts in the field.
Nah, he rolled his neck, kicked that negative shit out his mind and promised to look out for his family and his health by going in for screenings, too. He wouldn’t tell the kids, as promised, but he’d inform their doctors.
“Hey meeting time or what?” Sergio called out from the doorway.
Alfonzo scoffed. “What’s up Serge?”
Sergio entered. “How’s Selange?”
“She’s good. Please don’t mention anything about that to the children.”
“I won’t.”
Alfonzo looked him in the eye. He believed the guy. “How are Lucia and my baby cousin?”
“We’re better. Thanks for the vacay cuz. But, to be honest, I couldn’t wait to come back to work.”
“That’s real talk,” Alfonzo said and slapped him on the shoulder. “By the way, I’m bumping you up a notch to V.P. of Sales and Marketing. That’s another couple of bricks.”
“For real? Word?”
Alfonzo had stepped into the hall and the dude was still in shock.
“Okay Serge, cállate, time to get to work.”
Alfonzo soon entered the conference room. His hair, tapered, face shaved to baby smooth, suit fitted and sharp straight down to his polished Olivano shoes.
His blue eyes were bright; the frost had melted when he looked at Giuseppe. This was the meeting for blood members only, away from wives, lovers and outsiders. Nico didn’t need to be present, because as always Nico knew him too well. Besides, Nico preferred being in the field. He estimated, he understood Nico, too.
Alfonzo had a lot to address with his family, and that included Lorenzo.
He slammed the door, let Sergio take his seat and then stood with his hands in his pockets, covering the ring. He didn’t need to pull rank. They were in the shit together, but he was the motherfucker that would prevent them from sinking deeper.
“Ivan and Boris are making plays in our business circles. The joker wants to fight as if we’re in the streets for a buck and a quarter. I’m not responding to his ass with any comment other than if
he wants to do business with me, make an appointment like everybody else. He doesn’t call the shots, I do. I sent my Capo as an emissary, because I’m not dirtying my shoes. That piece of shit is being warned that I don’t mess with men that use women as bulletproof vests or punching bags. That punk ass Russian fighting me won’t prove he’s a man.” He looked at Giuseppe. “He had to use a woman to block fighting you.” Alfonzo scoffed. “He was scared bro. Anyway, if you want out of that sham marriage, make it happen and if we war over some shotgun union, then so be it. You’re my brother and you always have my back. Don’t ever doubt that I won’t have yours.”
Giuseppe smirked at Alfonzo’s bruised lip, although, his contusions were worse. “Ah, I have never doubted that fratellino.”
Then Alfonzo eyed Lorenzo. “You fucked the family with that hit. Sloppy shit isn’t how we handle high-profile matters. Nico told me all about what’s going on. You’re thinking with your lower head. We don’t have this book. You can’t take what your woman said as the truth. If we had that book, then maybe we could use the info to dismantle Viyachov’s holdings and watch the cucarachas sever business ties when the War Crimes Bureau investigated Viyachov’s estate. Anyway, Nico’s not here because he’s cleaning up your mess. Until he comes back, accept my hospitality and keep your ass clean during your stay in Sicily.”
Then Sergio raised his hand.
“Can I ask a question?”
Alfonzo grinned. Leave it to Sergio to bring the humor. “Yeah primo.”
“Ugh, what have I missed? You’re talking about a shot gun wedding…some Russians…a hit…can somebody please fill me the fuck in!”
Chapter Thirty-Five
The women were gathered.
Selange waited until the children were in the playroom and for Amelda to stop talking about her new fashion line for a minute.
Ari was absent, but Selange had filled her in on what she planned to address. The great thing about Ari was she didn’t hold grudges forever, neither did she. They were past the old shit and had become real friends.
The men were going to do their thing. It was up to the women to protect their sisterhood and keep it tight for the sake of the children.
When everyone settled down, Selange tapped a glass with a spoon.
“Hi, good morning, let’s call this meeting to order. Before I introduce the young woman I’ve brought along, I just wanted to thank each of you for coming. Ari could not be here. She is holding my place beside a dear friend in a time of distress until I can join in the mournful solidarity. Another absent member, my mother-in-law, seeks to remain a member in absentia. Therefore, I will relay to her what transpired if she chooses to know.” Selange took a deep breath. She gazed at the loveliest assembly of women she had ever seen in one room. Alfonzo’s and Nico’s sisters, Sophie and Amelda all stared as they waited for her to continue.
She held her lip, seeing in them a fire for life. She also wanted to give them a dose of reality. Every threat wasn’t from mob living. Wicked women could be a greater danger than a cancerous disease.
“We lost a woman because we let her sit alone, cry in despair and we did nothing. We talk about shoes, men and neglect each other. How many of us must we lose before we look in the eyes of a woman and see ourselves? We are different, but our struggles are the same. We suffer abuse,” she discreetly looked at Kenya. “We give strokes to men when they are undeserving, yet we cannot comfort other women. What kind of shit is that? We will not lose another family member due to neglect. If any of you are low –reach to me. If any of you are hurt or scared –reach to me. If there is a joy you wish to share and there is nobody you believe cares –dammit you reach to me because I do! I care about you ladies and I know you all care about me.” She turned to Sophie. “I care so much about you that I didn’t want to share that I suffered. I didn’t want any of you to believe after the recent tragedies, you'd need to pull out your black dresses. I wanted to give you unpleasant news, and hope in the same breath. I received a diagnosis of an early stage of breast cancer two weeks ago. I had surgery, the cancer was removed and I am in front of you cancer free.”
They gasped. Sophie began to cry and Amelda flew from the table.
Selange listened to their whimpers, feeling sad but strong inside at their heartfelt responses.
When Amelda finally returned, her face was somber with mascara streaks. “Mi dispiace, Selange. I needed a moment.” She whispered.
Selange nodded, patting wrists as the younger women took turns hugging her around the neck, and then she gave them no more time to grieve.
“Okay ladies, fix your faces. I’m not dead, so I ask everyone to respect my wishes and not show me favor due to what I have said. Most importantly, we must focus on the children and make sure they receive our deepest affections and protection every day. Please do not speak about my cancer to them or in their presence. Prometo!”
“Prometo.” The ladies replied.
Selange nodded. “This confidence cannot be broken.” Then she introduced her guest. “This is the latest addition to our family. Her name is Kenya Viyachov-Dichenzo. She is Giuseppe’s wife and we must welcome her as such.”
Sophie stood. Her face drained of color.
The stoic Matriarch that often embraced others seemed disgusted.
She said nothing and walked out leaving everyone’s mouth agape.
Sophie could not remain in the presence of a Nazi’s kin.
She refused to break bread with the relative of heinous people she vehemently despised.
For more information on Breast Cancer, Signs, Symptoms please visit the American Cancer Society website.
Self-examinations, mammograms and early detection are vital. Speak with your physician immediately if you have any concerns or notice unusual changes to your breast.
Glossary
Russian
Brat-Brother
Chert voz mi-Damn it!
Dobroye utro -Good morning.
Dobryj vyechyer-Good evening
Spasibo –Thank you
Zdravstvuj -Hello
Greek
Hello-yasa
Goodbye-andio
Good morning-kalimera
Good afternoon-herete
Good evening-kalispera
Good night-kalinihta
Please-parakalo
Thank you-efharisto
Yes-ne
No-ohi
Sorry-sighnomi
Pappoús -Grandfather
Bolshoe spasibo-thank you very much
Filenáda/ Fili-Girlfriend
Ise ómorfi-You are beautiful.
Thios - Uncle
Spanish
Estas loca-You’re crazy
Bruja-witch
Cállate - Shut-up!
Eres mas malo que marihuana-You’re worse than marijuana.
Hija – Daughter
Maldito-Damn
Más y más años-More and more years
Me quiero? Me amas? –Do you love me?
Me gusto-I like
Mija –My daughter
Muy fea-Very ugly
Para tú –For you
Pudrete en el infierno-Rot in hell!
Sobrino-Nephew
Sólo nosotros –Just us
Te amo-I love you
Te quiero-I want you
Vete al infierno-Go to hell!
Te voy a matar-I’m going to kill you!
Yo sé que estoy loca-I know I’m crazy
Italian
Un momento prego/attende prego -One moment please.
Sicilian
Bona sira-Good evening
Bona notti-Good night
Dai-Oh come on!
Diavulu-Devil
Di nenti-It’s nothing, you’re welcome
Diu-God
Go away-Vatinni!
I want you-Ti vogghiu
Stop-Statti!
Stu cazzo-you asshole
S.W. Frank Novels
• • • • • •
Bricks and Mortar
Missing Person
Dr. Nebojsa
Man-Made: A Novella
Luzo: Reign of a Mafia Don
The Serano Brothers
Evelyn’s Cross: Trilogy
Queenpins
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-S.W. Frank