by Sienna Mynx
“They’re playing games down in the basement. Jilly keeps trying to come up here and join you.” Doris said. “She’s too fixated on you and this pregnancy.”
Shae sat in the chair by the window. Her friend sat on the bed.
“What is it Shae? You won’t talk about it. You know I get it, girl. You’re in a tough spot.”
“I have to find him Dee.”
“Find him? Is he lost?”
“Not funny, girl. I’m serious. I can’t find him. Every time I try to I hit a road block. I have to talk to him.”
“You can’t. You need to take care of yourself. You know what the doctor said. The stress can elevate your pressure and it’s a delicate time for you.”
“This baby, if I had known, if he had known. It would have changed everything. I swear the more I think I know what I’m doing God shows up and proves me to be a fool. How did this happen? With Carlo? For years I did what I wanted and never even came close to being pregnant. But Carlo... how could this happen? I have to tell him.” Shae began to cry. “I should have never sent him away. I love him so much. I hurt him so bad. Now he hates me.”
“Hey!” Doris hugged her. “That’s bullshit. You did what you thought was best. And look at the return? These girls? The way you help them? They depend on you.”
“I know. But Carlo.”
“No buts, girl. Since I’ve known you, you’ve wanted kids. Are you really going to risk everything just to find a crazy man?”
Shae wiped her tears and smiled. Doris meant no harm in calling Carlo crazy. In fact they both talked about how much they missed their crazy exes. But her friend was right and giving her the real news. The hard news she didn’t want to hear.
“This morning, the Doctor’s office called and told me that I’m having a girl. A little girl.”
“Now that is karma.”
Shae nodded. “I get what you’re saying. I have issues, and so does he. But this baby is our miracle. It’s a sign from God that we belong together. I realized this morning that all the good things that have happened to me, have come since me and Carlo found each other. But I let him down, pushed him away. And who is out there for him now?”
“You tell him you’re pregnant and then what? You want to give up your life and leave? Move to Italy? Be some gangster’s girlfriend? Take your daughter into a life that you are trying to pull these girls out of? Think about it, Shae. Think about your baby.”
Shae broke into tears. Doris got up and went to her. She hugged her. She held her close to her heart and let her release her pain. Shae didn’t know what to do. But she had to do something. She was five months pregnant.
Sorrento, Italy - Two days later
“WELL THAT’S EVERYTHING,” Minnie said and zipped her bag. She heaved a deep breath and her bosom rose and then fell as she let go a long sigh. Belinda sat in the chair across from her mother pretending to read a book. Minnie swallowed her matriarchal pride and smiled for Mirabella. She then turned her gaze back to her daughter.
“Are you sure?” Minnie asked the young woman.
“Yes, mama, I’m sure,” Belinda said and flipped to the next page as if bored by the question.
“Mirabella? Are you sure?” Minnie asked.
“Yes Minnie. I’m sure. I’ve already spoken to my attorneys about her visa. Belinda can stay and apprentice under my company.”
“I don’t know... it’s just hard for me to leave her behind.”
“I think this apprenticeship is going to be great for Belinda. It’ll give her the opportunity to grow in our family business. Like you said, family is all we have,” Mirabella mocked Minnie’s cheery tone. It must have stung Minnie to hear the disdain in Mirabella’s voice. She looked wounded. She turned her gaze to her daughter and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Put that book down and come here, girl,” Minnie insisted.
Belinda stood. She hugged her mother as the men came in and collected Minnie’s things. “Go on, wait for me downstairs. Let me talk to Mira alone.”
Belinda left.
“What is it? You think it was my idea? I assure you Minnie, this is her choice.”
“Oh, I know it is. I know my child. But I also know you made this easy for Belinda to punish me.”
“Why would I punish you?”
“For betraying you.”
“I don’t punish people.”
“Right, that’s your husband.”
“Are we done?” Mirabella asked with an exasperated sigh.
“No. I’m telling you that Belinda is a troubled girl.”
“Maybe her troubles would lessen if you believed in her more.”
“I love my daughter.”
“Of course, all mothers do, to the bitter end,” Mirabella said. “My mother sacrificed her life for her daughter. Now look at what that special daughter did to me.”
“Stop!” Minnie snapped. Mirabella didn’t blink or lower her glare. “You have your mother’s journal. If you read it, you would know the truth about sacrifice and love. It wasn’t a choice over you in favor of Marietta. It was a choice for the both of you.”
“I’ll read it. When you’re gone,” Mirabella said.
“You still think I conspired with Marietta against you. You have the nerve to blame me.”
“It is what it is Minnie.”
“Not it isn't. It's never what you think it is. There's only one truth and that is family. Marietta is your sister and whatever she did doesn't change that.”
“I can't have this conversation anymore. I can't,” Mirabella sighed.
“Fine. Let's change the subject. Let's talk about my daughter. If she’s going to stay with you then you need to know Belinda’s a liar, a thief, and dangerously self-absorbed. She’s been on the brink of destruction more than once. You have young, impressionable children. Think of Eve. Belinda doesn’t understand and respect boundaries.”
“How so?”
“What do you mean ‘how-so’ I just told you.”
“You’ve told me nothing. You never do. That’s the problem between us. You met Marietta and confessed it all to her in a matter of days. You’ve known me all my life and could never explain anything to me. Not even now. If Belinda is a troubled girl then spit it out! What did she do? Rob banks? Murder? What? ‘Cause trust me, I can handle the truth. It’s the lies I can’t stand.”
Minnie shook her head sadly and with a hand to her hip. “You have a way with words. Just like your mama. Okay. Truth. Ever since Belinda was little she wanted to be something or someone else. Always with these big dreams and ideas. I thought it was her imagination. She’s so talented, she can write, she can sing, she’s a whizz at math, she can draw a picture of anything and you would think the darn thing would leap from the page. Me and Clyde had no idea who she’d become or what she would do next, but she surprised us with new talent all the time.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I guess I’m protective of my baby and her mistakes. If I promise her forgiveness I want to be sure to give it to her, so she can be a better person. But sometimes that promise is hardest when you don’t know if your kids can be good people. I’m not sure about Belinda. She’s the only child I brought into this world that I can’t trust. I can’t help her no more.”
“I’m confused, Minnie. Do you want her with you or are you relieved to give her up to me?”
“Oh, stop with your sass. I’m doing the best I can to explain it to ya. Belinda was kicked out of college for an ethics violation. She spent a few days in jail. If our pastor hadn’t worked with his attorney friend to keep her out of prison, I don’t know what me and Clyde would have done.”
“Was it criminal?”
Minnie nodded and fought back her tears. “She and two of her sorority sisters started a business, stolen identification. I don’t know how they done it. She told me they only did this thing of making fake IDs for friends for fun. So, they could buy liquor and get into clubs and stuff. Belinda is good at computers too.
Soon after she decided to try something riskier. She got a work-study in the financial aid office. It was the access she needed to get into the computer systems and change the test scores for her friends. Even got her scores changed to get accepted into medical school. And then she started charging people to do this thing for them. But that wasn’t the only criminal thing. She stole loan checks for students. She had a friend at a bank deposit them into a dummy account. She had set up a network that was almost at two-hundred thousand dollars before she was caught.”
Minnie paused while scratching her head. She behaved as if she was confessing her own crimes. And Mirabella understood why. A mother felt her child’s sins deeply, there’s no denying it—Belinda had sinned.
“That wasn’t the worst of it, Mira. Once she was a criminal she was all in. She had no focus. The more she could steal the more she wanted to take. It’s like a game to her. She’ll do one thing and when the challenge is over she’ll go for the next thing. The bank found the phony account and the teller gave up Belinda as her partner. She got probation, and charges reduced because the University and the D.A. wanted to keep the scandal out of the papers. She has a criminal record and can’t attend any University again, she can’t even vote. Clyde and I took out a second mortgage to get her out of this mess. We’re still paying the government back.”
“Why didn’t you call me? Let me help you?” Mirabella asked.
“You never check on your people, Mira. When you moved here to Italy we were all but forgotten. Remember you let us think you were dead for almost two years. We had to learn that you were alive on the television. Plus, you do so much for us, for the town. We don’t like to beg. We can take of our own.”
“And that’s why Marietta was someone closer to you and not me?”
“I’m not closer to anyone, baby. You don’t let people in. Not since your Me-ma died have you ever. And this man you’re married to. Look at it from my eyes. He’s a killer Mira, he’s a criminal and he’s very powerful. He’s scary to me, to all of us. Because we can’t compete with that. He’s said barely two words to me since I’ve been here.”
“He was in a coma!”
“He ain’t now! I tried to understand your life. Marietta came here to look for answers and found a home. You had a home and you turned your back on it. You chose this life. You chose him. That’s different. Say it ain't? Say it and you will be a liar.”
“Yes, Giovanni does have some criminal ties... I’m not going to apologize or make excuses. I love my husband. I settled the matter on who and what he is a long time ago. I just want you to know who I am. I’m still Lisa’s daughter. I’m still family. I’m still a good person.”
“Oh, I know that.”
“I don’t think you believe it.”
“I do! I do! If I didn’t I would drag Belinda out of here by her braids and force her to come home and none of you could stop me. I trust you to see what a mother can’t. She wants to be a criminal. I know you can show her why she isn’t. I know you can see through her. Help her learn. I trust you, Mira. And despite what you think the truth is I love you.”
The women faced each other for a long pause before Mirabella made the first move. She hugged Minnie. She felt a release of forgiveness between them both. Minnie was the first to pull away.
“One more thing.”
“What is it?” Mirabella asked.
“Belinda’s been sneaking around with that man, the one with the scarred face. I see them smiling at each other. He—”
“I’m aware of it. She’s nineteen. Legally she can do as she pleases. But there are rules in this house, and I’ll make sure Belinda follows them. Give us a chance. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“Can you at least tell me what happened to Marietta?”
Mirabella paused. With all the soul confessions they had just shared she almost spoke the truth.
“I already told you, Minnie. She’s with Lorenzo now. They’ve absconded. I won’t hear from her and neither will you. Ever again.”
“Zia said—”
“Look at me.” Mirabella demanded.
Minnie did.
“It’s the truth. Do you understand me? Tell Clyde, tell everyone at home, tell anyone who asks you what ever happened to Mirabella’s twin sister Marietta. Do it, Minnie. And I promise you on everything I have that I will take care of Belinda.”
Minnie pretended to have faith and embraced Mirabella one last time. The women parted with nothing further resolved between them. Mirabella helped her gather the last of her things and together they went downstairs.
“You have your passport?” Mirabella asked.
“Yes, I do. Thank you.” Minnie answered.
At the door Minnie kissed Mirabella one last time and then kissed the kids. Belinda and Leo waited to take her to the airport. Before they left Minnie asked Mirabella to be sure to come back to America for the holidays—though they both knew Mirabella would not visit America or her past again. Mirabella watched the trio drive away. She looked up to the sky. The sun would rise in a few hours. Giovanni should return home soon.
“Mama?” Eve said.
“Yes sweetheart?”
“Is Minnie sad at you?”
“What?”
“She looked sad?” Eve said.
Mirabella stared down into her daughter’s violet-blue eyes. “She’s just sad to be leaving us.”
“Oh? Okay. Can we go swimming today?” Eve asked.
“Swim, swim, swim,” Mirabella laughed. “You will turn into a fish. It’s too late for a swim.”
Eve giggled.
“How about dinner first?”
“Mmmhmm,” Eve said. Mirabella took her hand and went back inside.
“Donna, you have a phone call.”
Mirabella nodded and let go of Eve’s hand. Her daughter dashed off to some new adventure she’d certainly discover in the house. Mirabella followed her servant to the parlor. There a phone waited for her near the fireplace.
“The caller?” Mirabella asked.
“American woman? Didn’t say her name.”
Mirabella picked up the phone and sat in her husband’s favorite chair. “This is Donna Mirabella. Who’s calling?”
“Omigod! Hi! I’m so glad to finally get someone on the phone. I couldn’t reach any of you. It’s Shae.”
Mirabella frowned. “Who?”
“Marietta’s friend. Remember?”
“Ah, Shae. Yes. I remember.”
“Hold on a minute,” Shae asked. She returned to the phone a few minutes later. “I’ve tried to reach Marietta? Is she there?”
“I’m afraid not. Is there something I can do for you?”
“Yes! I need to speak to Carlo. It’s important. I called the number he had, and it’s been disconnected. Is he around?”
“No. I'm sorry Shae. Carlo’s out of town. He will be for some time. I can get a message to him.”
There was no answer. Mirabella looked at her watch. She was really pressed to get dinner served and the children bathed.
“Is there a number for Marietta? Some way I can reach her?”
“I’m afraid not. If I speak to either of them, I’ll tell them you called. Okay?”
“Oh? Okay, can I leave my number?”
Mirabella sighed. She reached over to the lamp table and picked up the pad and pen. She scribbled down the number.
“Don’t give it to Carlo. Give it to Marietta. Please. I need to speak to her first. It’s really important.”
“I’ll see to it that she gets the number.”
“Thank you, Mirabella. I hope you and the family are well?”
“We are, thank you for asking.”
“Okay, bye.”
Mirabella hung up the call. She frowned at the number she wrote. She could give it to Umberto to see if it could be passed to Carlo in Africa. However, Shae insisted that she speak to Marietta. And she remembered things between Shae and Carlo didn’t end well. She opened the dresser drawer to the lamp
table and tossed the tablet with the number inside. Leaving it forgotten.
CHAPTER SIX
Il bosco è profondo all'imbrunire - The Woods are Dark and Deep
Southern Italy - Puglia Camorra
THE SUCCESS OF THE night was not guaranteed. The Don had calculated his winning odds based on timing, the men he’d now acquired, and the stress strangling the Campania since the Camorristi had been brought down to only one family. In the past few weeks the size of his own clan had quadrupled. There were many displaced boys looking to belong to something greater than their circumstances. Even defectors from the Tacchini clan begged to be accepted. He made a home for all that passed the scrutiny of Nico and Renaldo. He also dispatched interlopers and pretenders who tried to infiltrate and destroy his business. However, with power and no alliances to shield him he found himself crippled by vulnerability.
And that had to change.
Giovanni reached under the seat. He brought out his gun, released the clip and then reloaded with bullets left in a gun case at his foot. He squinted to see pass the darkness beyond the tinted windows of his limousine. The mountains breathed out a mist so thick across the valley that none of the land could be seen beneath it. They were nearing dawn. Darkness was needed if he was to maintain the element of surprise.
The car stopped. Giovanni tucked the gun to the back of his pants and exited with his cane. Renaldo was already out of the car and in the street. Nico joined him. His two best men faced a small army of guns. Giovanni walked stiffly but assuredly towards the car lights aimed at them with the aid of his walking stick. Tap. Tap. Tap. The ticking from the pointed tip of his cane on the paved road was the only noise to be heard in the night.
The Puglia clans held a contentious but tolerable relationship with the Campania clans for nearly a century. The conflict reached its peak eighty years ago when their grandfathers smuggled cigarettes through Italy into Europe to circumvent government taxes. That smuggling business had taught the founders of the Mafia how best to make a profit, which expanded to more lucrative contraband. Back then the smuggling business only worked if everyone in southern Italy from Carabinieri agents, coast guard, polizia, to those in government were involved. Today the drug business had polluted the sanctity of such a criminal alliance. And Giovanni had walked a tightrope for years trying to balance long-standing tradition against the new within his organization.