by S. W. Frank
ATAVUS
Alfonzo
Volume XV
Copyright © 2014 S.W. Frank
All Rights Reserved
Paperback Edition
First Printing
Printed by Createspace, USA
S.W. Frank Publishing, U.S.A
ISBN-13: 978-1500999063
ISBN-10: 1500999067
No parts of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form without prior written permission of the author. Piracy of the book is a crime. Alfonzo detests thieves and liars, he also believes in Karma. Sometimes it is not laws which govern a person, it is what a person does when nobody watches which reveals their character and is the act of self-governance.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and events portrayed in this story are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Graphic images are for illustrative purposes only.
THE ALFONZO SERIES
♠
ALFONZO: Volume I
ASCENSION: Alfonzo Volume II
ANARCHY: Alfonzo Volume III
ATONEMENT: Alfonzo Volume IV
AWAKENING: Alfonzo Volume V
ANNIHILATION: Alfonzo Volume VI
AFTERMATH: Alfonzo Volume VII
AFFIRMATION: Alfonzo Volume VIII
ASSOCIATES: Alfonzo Volume IX
ANIMUS: Alfonzo Volume X
ADVERSARY: Alfonzo Volume XI
AVARICE: Alfonzo Volume XII
AFFLICTION: Alfonzo Volume XIII
ARMORED: Alfonzo Volume XIV
“What passes for identity in America is a series of myths about one’s heroic ancestors. It’s astounding to me, for example, that so many people really seem to believe that the country was founded by a band of heroes who wanted to be free. That happens not to be true. What happened was that some people left Europe because they couldn’t stay there any longer and had to go someplace else to make it. They were hungry, they were poor, they were convicts.”
- James Baldwin
“If you think that nobility consists of having sixteen ancestors rather than merit, great Prince, then you may—and you may also praise or condemn me.”
-Franz Grillparzer
“...I write to keep in contact with our ancestors and to spread truth to people.”
-Sonia Sanchez
“The reverence for the deeds of our ancestors is a treacherous sentiment. Their merit was not to reverence the old, but to honor the present moment; and we falsely make them excuses of the very habit which they hated and defied.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dedication
To my ancestors, my family and the dearly departed as I have written this volume, my heart will always remember your beautiful essence. A hug is extended to the readers who have discovered the tale and those who have read Volume I of Alfonzo and stayed ever since. I herald all of you, including the artists and talented musicians. Thanks for sharing your talents with the world…bravo!
Fist to heart!
~S.W. Frank
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Preview of Alfonzo XVI
Glossary
About the Author
ATAVUS
Alfonzo Volume XV
ATAVUS (n)at·a·vus pronounced ˈatəvəs
Mirriam-Webster Definition: an ancestor or ancestral type from which a character is assumed to be inherited, a great great grandfather, etc.
Prologue
“Man is physically as well as metaphysically a thing of shreds and patches, borrowed unequally from good and bad ancestors, and a misfit from the start.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
The heat was at his back, Vitamin D from the sun soaking into the golden skin cut, marred and tatted. The entire Giacanti clan had converged on African soil, some with smiles and others with downcast lips. Dons and their Donnas sought to make sense of the long feuds that shortened their bloodline. They were here in celebration of Nicolo Giacanti’s 98th birthday.
For an elderly man, his blue eyes were clear. His forehead wrinkled in contrast to the taut skin around the neck and cheeks. An ice cap mountain of white was his hair, and the fiery spirit of a Giacanti breathed in the air.
He watched a family of regal descendants, great grandsons and great-great grandchildren of his brother. Teeth which chewed bani and hasema were lined in a wide smile. The years of secret exile were past. An old man was free. This seb’ay had overcome the worst of trials. He was proud. A strong aged hand balled into a fist to grind to his libi –heart.
The youngest leader, with the semayawi colored eyes more brilliant than his brother’s was fierce but loving.
Alfonzo walked to where the eldest living Giacanti reclined in a weathered bamboo seat. What an old man observed was something in the blue eyes that craved knowledge, perhaps he was tired, the great warrior who in ancient days may have been a gladiator, conquistador or tribal leader. Wise beyond his age and a king in all respects in the world where chivalry and love were dying.
“Selam.” Alfonzo greeted with the Tigrinya word for hello he recently learned.
“Selam, metsia ambear?”
Alfonzo’s forehead wrinkled. Hello is all he knew and megbi, which meant food and oh yeah, happy birthday. “Zibug lidet!”
The senior with sun burned skin laughed heartily. “Grazie, gracias, thank you wedi.”
“You speak English well.”
“Yes, and many other
languages equally. To live in a world of many tongues, it is a handicap to speak only one.”
“I agree.”
Elder Nicolo tapped the tome sitting on his lap. It was as fat as a dictionary. “Today, we not only celebrate the day of my birth, we will also honor our ancestors.” He opened the book and in a commanding voice shouted, “Abahago, ahabaga, abo, ade, wedi, gual, amo, hatne, amitche and gorebet –come. It is the hour to learn of your ancestors.”
He looked at the brown woman holding the hands of her children, the one with hazel and walnut colors in her eyes. That one, was not aware of her heritage, she was lost.
There is wisdom gained in life. How does someone understand their purpose if they lack knowledge about their ancestors?
Today, she will hear of her people as well, an ancient tribe of Ethiopians who once ruled long before popular religions. Today as he opened the large book, he took satisfaction that the recordings carefully chronicled with his hand would bring her peace. “Rhus,” he smiled as the large assembly took seats upon the sand. Today they would hear on the wind, songs and the forceful drums of their ancestors. They will hear not rumors but the words of the living that experienced and observed. These were the chronicles of Nicolo Giacanti; he had lived to see this glorious day.
The royal bloodlines survived. They sat quietly, except that one –Aldonza, who asked many questions until her parents shushed her. An old man smiled, because her elder brother with an owl’s attention sat patiently. Salvatore, ‘Sal’, is the affectionate name of the youth with the temperament of a wise person.
The old man smiled and then resumed the story, aware of Giuseppe who had stretched out on a blanket with his son and fallen asleep under the rays. His snores were background music as tales of travel from Sicily to Africa entertained an attentive audience.
Soon, the children fell asleep when the yellow orb in the sky retired. However, he continued to speak to the adults, reminiscing as the men and women drank. His eyes were distant, time had preserved him for this day, but he tired, after telling the lost one her heritage and passed the thick book to her husband, Alfonzo. “I am too old…and tired. I give this to you for safekeeping to tell the generations.” He then pointed to Nico, the one named after him. “Assist me to my room, young Nicolo.”
Nico reluctantly obliged. He cut an eye at Giuseppe and the others nearby, including his sons reclining on hammocks. Hell, Alfonzo was right in front of him, holding that book the size of a dictionary. Nico surmised the old man needed a word in private. The ruse wasn’t very subtle, however Nico played along.
Without complaint, Nico rose from his comfortable spot with Ari and helped the patriarch to his feet. His fingers gripped the loose skin, too soft for a man and thin.
They walked slowly. A wave came and the moist sand clung to their toes as shadows danced with licking flames of a bonfire that had just begun.
“I haven’t felt old until now,” the elder Giacanti commented as they trudged through grit.
“The mind sometimes rebels against what we already know.”
There was a wry grin. “You are pragmatic, like my father.”
The pair crossed the beach, feeble steps and strong strides were movements of the living.
Nico held the elbow of his elder with a firm palm, patiently waiting as he climbed one slate and then the others to the rear entry of the sturdy villa. The old man didn’t peer at the armed security; their presence had become the shadows of his former life. They entered a Spartan kitchen with modern appliances found only in homes of Eritrea’s wealthiest residents.
The former broken government and infrastructure had experienced a burst of revitalization in part to foreign investments after the ousting of a corrupt Prime Minister.
“Ah, it has been a long day.” The senior commented when he halt to rest his bones on the kitchen counter.
Nico nodded his agreement and crossed his arms over his broad chest. The man would speak his mind hopefully –soon. He and Ari were in the midst of an important discussion about Darren going to the university as planned when the subject of Bianca arose. Bianca was due any day and Nico wanted to be present for the birth, however Ari was not okay with the decision, saying he’d already seen enough of Bianca’s pussy.
“There is something that you must know about our family.”
“Yeah, like what?” Nico scoffed. He had suspected a motive and he wanted the crafty old man to get to the point. Alberti had often worked his nerve with his riddles and manipulations.
The old man leaned forward and spoke in a conspiratorial tone.
Nico grumbled in distress at what he heard. The family had experienced enough drama and it seemed the saga was never-ending. Alberti had mentioned something similar, less explicit, before his death and Nico never repeated the rumors to anyone. There wasn’t any proof, just Alberti’s cryptic riddles about chess being the game of life, played by masters.
The family was destined to have strife, despite their desire for a peaceable life if all this nonsense was true. His brows furrowed in anger because he grew weary of half-truths and lies. “What –cosa? You speak this to me without any proof, besides generations forget. Not everyone aspires to be like those old time gangsters.”
“Yes, Nicolo, there is proof.” He grinned. “And many of those old gangsters’ legacies are their great grandchildren with aspirations of wealth. We have all benefitted from the illegal activities, some more than others and that will never cease.”
“You ran away because you didn’t want any part of it, remember?” Nico said sarcastically.
“Yes, but I was chased and reminded that I could not get away.”
“I guess we all have to come to terms with who we are, eventually. It took you 98 years, huh?”
“Yes, and I am spiritually cleansed knowing that I will not pass on anymore lies. Where I go in the afterlife is questionable. I wonder if I am to reunite with Madre Semira and papa.”
Nico rubbed his chin as he paced uncharacteristically, mumbling profanities in French in an effort to avoid offending the senior. The darn skeletons in closets were the reason for the Giacanti sorrows. “This proof, where is it? Have you written everything in your tell-all?”
“Yes. Proof is found by the astute. Until then enjoy the tales of my life. It is quite the adventure story.”
Nico shook his head furiously before he exclaimed, “Dammit, dammit, dammit, send me to hell and be done. This isn’t a game you old geezer!”
The old man chortled at Nico’s fatalistic expression. “Who is being theatrical now? Factual events are what I am passing to the future generation. I refrain from romanticizing about the self-interest of flawed people.”
“Nobody needs to know your version. What purpose will it serve?” Nico said with a long frown.
“Our talk has concluded Nicolo Serano Giacanti.” Lips accustomed to women’s kisses then covered the straight white teeth.
Nico glared when the senior turned his back and without further assistance, ambulated capably to his room.
The shuffling feet faded. Nico’s ears tuned to the joyous sounds outdoors as the celebration escalated. The family was in good spirits, kicking back relaxing for a change and now Alfonzo would have more burdens that he didn’t need. For crying out loud, did Alfonzo truly need to know?
The children were fast asleep, dreaming of charmed things. Nico scanned the shadowed walls, checking that the hired security remained diligent. Alfonzo’s guards were large in stature, brutish types paid to do their jobs. However, Nico sensed their fear in his presence. Maybe, they wondered if the horrid tales were embellishments. In the darkness of the mind is an icy cavern many people need winter gear to visit. Yet, Nico walked naked immune to the frost. Sane people didn’t need every detail, just as the family didn’t need more worries caused by an elderly defector’s confession. A butcher’s protégé and son of a lunatic cannot fake empathy for strangers. They are viewed as potential threats. His heart flame lit only for family.
>
Nico removed a beer bottle from the fridge, no longer interested in his own musings. He eyeballed the nervous bodyguard beyond the door and twisted hard on the metal cap. Nico flicked it in the trash and languidly drank. A bead of sweat appeared on the guard’s rough skin, sliding down his sideburn like the brew flushing down Nico’s esophagus.
He wondered about these fears that manifest within people. Anxious jitters, stutters and darting eyes were visible signs of discomfort. Control the fear is what The Butcher taught Nico and use the insidious emotion as fighting energy, the alternative was flight. He trained his reflexes to choose the latter option in lieu of running, which he considered a coward’s course.
“Relax!” Nico scowled at the person before exiting to join in the festivities.
Giuseppe operated the grill –typical his cugino would rise to eat. Then Nico passed the hammock where Alfonzo reclined with Selange between his legs reading aloud from the dictionary size journal. Alfonzo glanced in his direction in silent examination. The long male lashes were then curtained. The ocean hued irises appeared at rest. However, Nico felt the intensity of Alfonzo’s gaze as he passed and he guzzled the beer to avoid speech.
Nico considered seizing the book out of Selange’s hand to toss in the pit. Instead, he sank beside Ari who talked on her cell.
“It’s great you’ve settled in. Yes, Nico said hello but he has to work. I’m bringing the children and Darren’s girlfriend.” She smiled at her husband and lit a bonfire in his heart. He had purchased a home under an alias for her parents in Hartford, completely remodeled with security features that ensured they remained protected and he supposed they were ecstatic with all the gadgets. “Yes, I’ll tell him. He’s very very sad he’s going to miss the anniversary party as well.” She exaggerated.
Nico shrugged. Her parents wouldn’t miss him with all the kids running around their new home, if anything they’ll have their hands full with the hooligans and want to kick them out. However, he’d miss them. Yes, he had grown accustomed to breakfast with his daughter at dawn. Papa and Semira time, he called their bonding sessions. They had this ritual, you know. He fed her real Italian sausages, fruit and delicate bread. She’d giggle and then they’d play around in the art studio with paint. This was one of the highlights of being around his family. At home, he wasn’t preoccupied with the business of killing.
He figured he might manage for a short period in their absence. Without their presence, he was a dangerous species, a predatory man.