Crown of confessions, p.12
Crown of Confessions, page 12
“Violetta!” Pop cried and put his arms out for me.
I ran to him. “Papa. Oh, how I’ve missed you.” Warmth filled me. I kissed him on the cheek while he hugged me tightly.
“Welcome home. I missa you too,” he stammered with tears in his eyes.
“Hey, Vi. How you doin’?” Vinny asked. “Pop’s been moping around without you helping out in the clinic.”
“I’m sure you did a good job in my absence.” I wrapped my arms around my baby brother. He towered over me. “How’ve you been, Vin?”
“Good. I’m going to college to be an accountant.”
“I’m real proud of you, kid. Look at you—all grown up. You must’ve grown a foot since the last time I saw you. So, you gonna be a college boy now, huh? I’m happy you found a good life for yourself.” I leaned into his ear. “I bet Pop’s happy. No more of this life for you, kid. You made the right decision. It’s not worth it. Believe me.”
I looked up when two men approached.
“Violetta, you remember Salvatore?” Pop asked.
“Yes, I think I remember meeting you at my sister’s wedding.”
“Yes,” he said, and we shook hands. “Dis isa my son, Angelo,” the burly man said.
“Hi, I’m Violetta.” I reached out to shake the young man’s hand.
“Hello.” He gripped my hand firmly, followed by a slow smile.
“I hear you make the best sausage in town,” I said.
Angelo eyed me. “Yeah, we like to think so, anyways.” He grinned. He was tall, with a slight black mustache beginning on his upper lip.
“I can’t wait to try it.” I smiled back.
“For you, it’s on the house,” he said confidently, almost flirting.
“We gonna get going,” Sal said, gripping his son’s shoulder to exit. “See you in a few weeks, paesano,” Sal said to my father, then shook his hand. “We gonna load da truck now.”
“Vincenzo, you go and helpa dem,” Pop ordered.
“Sure, Pop,” Vinny said and followed them out.
While the three men walked away, a strange feeling came over me. Something deep inside me knew that I’d know Angelo forever.
“We gonna hava pati for you. Da whole family comin’ ova,” Pop said proudly.
“Pop, I’m tired. I don’t want a lot of people here—only people we can trust. Something’s happened, and I need to speak to you. It’s important.”
Tony and Pop exchanged glances. “Okay, we’ll talk later, but right now, we get ready.”
“This can’t wait. I need your help. I think Frank’s after me.”
I told Pop everything—except for wanting to divorce Frank to marry Gaetano. I needed to rest up for that conversation. Pop listened and said he would talk to Don Molanano privately when he saw him at the track this weekend. Tensions would be high, but I had to know who was after me.
When I returned to the house after spilling my guts, I wanted to talk to Carm about the letters, but she’d already left, so I checked on Paulie. I opened his bedroom door and peeked in.
The room reeked of liquor and tobacco. He was snoring like a chain saw, face down on his bed.
“Stunad,” I whispered under my breath and pulled the sheets over him.
A gun peeked out from under his pillow.
I gasped, causing him to stir.
I backed away quickly and shut the door. He was my brother, and I loved him, but Carm was right. Paulie was in deep.
Pop ignored my warnings and invited the family over. To him, I was a war hero. I didn’t want to deprive him of his moment, but I also didn’t want to draw too much attention. I didn’t know who the players in the game were yet. I trusted the family, but the people who worked for the family were a different story. Their loyalty was based on the size of their pockets.
While my uncles drank whiskey and smoked cigars, I told stories about my time in the war. The men listened to every word with genuine curiosity and asked lots of questions, but the minute I started talking about the horrible things I’d seen, my aunts retreated inside.
One by one, the family kissed me on the cheek, shook my father’s hand, then left while rubbing their stuffed bellies. When everyone was gone, I sat on the porch to watch the sunset. I held my pendant in my hand. “I miss you already, Gaetano.”
“Gaetano. Did I hear you right?” Carmela spoke over my shoulder.
“You did. Gaetano bought me this necklace in Rome.”
“You saw Gaetano in Rome?” Her voice was light with excitement.
“Yes, and we plan to marry.”
Carmela’s eyes widened like she’d seen a ghost. “Wait a minute. I thought he was seeing someone.”
“That’s over,” I said, beaming at the new St. Anthony medal in my hand.
“How? You’re still married. Have you talked to Pop about this?” Carmela cautioned.
“Not yet. I thought it best to wait till we were alone.”
“Maronn. I don’t know, Vi. I can’t stand Frank for what he did to you, but divorce? I don’t know how Pop’s gonna react to that. And the church . . .” Carm shook her head. “The Molanano family will think you’re a rat. Have you thought about what this will do?”
“I don’t care what anyone thinks anymore. I can’t keep living my life for others. I’ve done that for too long, and it almost killed me.” Feelings of anger assailed me.
Carm sat down and put her arm around me.
“I love him, Carm. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved. He said he’d pay for my lawyer and everything.”
“Whachoo needa lawyer for?” Pop interrupted, with my three brothers in tow.
“Has everybody gone home now?” I looked at Tony.
“I think so. Maybe just Sal and Angelo but he’s loyal to us. He won’t say nothin’,” Tony explained.
I looked at the familiar faces around me. “I wanted to tell you all, but I didn’t want to do it until we were alone. I figured if you were going to hear about this, it’s better you hear it from me.” I stared at my father, square in the eyes. “While I was in Italy, I ran into someone from my past.”
“Oh yeah, who?” Paulie asked while he brushed dirt off his new leather shoes.
“Gaetano Sanna.”
“Never heard of him,” Paulie said.
“Gaetano Sanna? You mean the guy who stayed with the Antonelli’s a while back?” Vinny asked. “The one you took to the park?”
“Yes, him.” I looked directly at my father. “We plan to be married.”
“Ay minchia,” Pop shouted. “Oh no, not again, Violetta. Aspetta! You stilla marry. How you gonna getta marry?”
“I’ll be filing paperwork with the court for a divorce from Frank.”
“Che cazzo,” Pop shouted.
“He’s the only man I’ve ever loved, and after what happened with Frank, I think I’ve paid enough dues to la famiglia Molanano.”
“Maronn,” Tony said under his breath. “All hell’s gonna break loose now.” He shook his head at me.
Paulie laughed. “You can never leave the family, and you know it, Vi.”
I rose from my chair to look my brother right in the eyes. “I can do whatever the hell I want,” I fired back.
“Pop, you can’t let her do this. It’ll screw up my plans. I’m finally running things ova here. I got my own rent collectors now and everything,” Paulie said.
“Rent collectors? Is that what you call it now? I didn’t know you’d bought property, little brother. You think you’re some big boss then, huh? Rumor has it that without Pop, you’d still be in jail. Stronzo,” I barked.
“I’m a boss whether you like it or not. They’re gonna send me to Vegas soon. Then I’ll really be runnin’ things.”
My father’s brows shot up with Paulie’s admission.
“The casino business, huh?” I said through clenched teeth. “The fact that you’re tooting your own horn is why you’ll be a weak boss, like Frank—that lousy piece of shit.”
Paulie took a step toward me when Tony pushed him away from me.
“Take it easy,” Tony barked.
“Look, I don’t want to fight with you. I don’t want to fight with anyone here, but I will do what I must,” I said.
“Oh yeah?” Paulie said. His eyes pressed into thin lines. “Well then, so will I. I can’t be the brother to a traitor, and that’s what they’ll think, and you know it. You know what this means. They won’t trust me anymore, and if they don’t, how am I supposed to get close?” Paulie planted his feet and pushed his shoulders back.
“Do what you have to do, but I won’t be their puppet any longer.”
Paulie spit on the floor next to me. “You’re dead to me now, Vi. Viva la famiglia Molanano,” he shouted and walked away furiously.
Carm ran after him. “Paulie, wait. You don’t mean that.”
“Do you realize what position you’ll put Pop in if you do this?” Tony warned. “Paulie’s right. They won’t trust us anymore. Pop could get whacked, for Christ’s sake.”
“I have no control over that. I won’t be their property anymore.”
“I neva like Franco. You know dis, but to divorce? What about da church? Dis willa disgrace da family. If you wit dis udder man, you looka lika puttana,” Pop said, his breath heavy with whiskey. Tension in my father’s body was palpable.
“No, I won’t,” I fumed. “And there’s nothing you can do about it this time. I’m a grown woman.”
“Even if you were to date this guy, they’d find out,” Tony said. “Once word got out, Frank would make sure the situation was dealt with. He’s a son of a bitch, Vi. You know he is.”
“I’m not afraid of Frank.”
“When they come, it won’t just be Frank, and you know it,” Tony warned.
“Pop, you told me you wanted me to be happy. Gaetano can give me a good life. Isn’t that what you want for me? Or do you want me to wander around the ranch miserable and alone for the rest of my life?”
“No. I no wan dat,” Pop said with empty eyes.
“Then I’m moving to the Sanna Winery as soon as Gaetano can make arrangements for me. His father suffered a stroke, so he’s busy tending to his family. Lie all you want about my whereabouts. Tell them I’m still in Italy. I’ll fake my death if I have to. Whatever you want. I don’t care. But I’ve made my decision.”
Pop shook his head at me and trudged back to the house in defeat.
“What are you looking at, squirt?” I smiled at Vinny.
“Nothing,” he said, then shot me a half-smile. “I’m scared for you, Vi. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to ya.”
“Nothing’s gonna happen.”
“You don’t know that,” Tony spat.
“Look, I’m sorry my decision will cause some waves, but . . .”
“Some waves?” Tony raised his voice.
“I love you guys with all my heart, but I’m in love with someone else. I have to do this, or I might as well . . .”
“Don’t even think it.” Tony licked his lips. “Look.” He placed both hands on my shoulders. “Me and Pop are headin’ down south for the races. When we get back, let’s talk about this. I’ll come up with a plan that won’t cause a war. Maybe we can even arrange a meetin’ with Frank’s dad and Pop to try and work things out.”
“If that plan doesn’t include me moving to the winery, then I don’t want to hear it.” I pressed my lips together tightly.
“Give me a week or two. If you get any heat from the Molanano family after that, we’ll deal with it.” Tony’s nostrils flared. “I’ll never forget how that son of a bitch Frank was when he held a knife to my throat, actin’ real tough that night. No respect,” he spewed with his hands in fists.
“It was the night before my wedding. How could I forget?”
“Keep things quiet for now, and when we get back, we’ll work something out. I promise. Pop and Don Molanano have been friends since the old country. Maybe he’ll be okay with the arrangement. Who knows? Maybe it’s time for another sit-down.” Tony pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “Somehow, it’ll be all right. Trust me. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I pulled him in for a hug, then turned to Vinny. “I love you too, you little pest.” I scuffed up his hair.
“I better go inside and talk to Paulie,” Tony said.
My hand shook holding the receiver while I waited to hear Gaetano’s voice.
“Sanna Winery.”
“May I speak to Gaetano Sanna, please?” I asked.
“One moment.”
“Hello?” he answered. His voice sounded exhausted.
“It’s me. I came home early.”
“Violetta? How long have you been home?” he asked, surprised.
“A few days. I stayed back in Italy for another week, but I missed you too much. How’s your father?”
“Not so good. He’s back home, and me and Mama have been trying to nurse him back to health, but this last stroke was brutal on him. He can’t speak or walk. I have to help him to the bathroom.”
“I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?”
“No. It’s been hard. Lots of work to tend to around here, and with the way my father is, I have to help my mother.”
“I miss you. Even though it’s only been a few weeks, it feels like forever.”
“I miss you too. Are you safe? Has anything happened? I can arrange to come down today.”
“Nothing’s happened. I’m safe here. Don’t worry. Be there for your father right now. Besides, I promised to stay around the ranch to help out while Pop and Tony are away. They’re headed to the track with one of our horses. They should be back by next Monday. Come then. I’ll be ready. I told them of our plans and my feelings for you. There isn’t much for me here anyway. You’re my home now.” My heart warmed in my chest.
“I’ll pick you up Monday. I love you.”
“I love you too. Can’t wait to see you. Then it’s forever.”
“Forever.” I heard the smile in his voice. “I’ll ask Espi to watch my sisters so I can make arrangements.”
There was that name again. Who was she to him? I’d have to find out.
“Do you want me to speak to your father?” he asked.
“No. He’ll never understand. Just come Monday. I’ll sign whatever papers you want. Oh, and Gaetano?”
“Yes?”
“Might be a good time to hire some of those mercenaries you talked about.”
With Don Molanano’s new winning horse secure in the trailer, the truck engine roared. Carm and I waved goodbye as Pop blew us a kiss and Tony reached over to press the horn. Vinny sat in the back of the truck with his head down. He hated going to the racetrack with Pop. He knew Pop would embarrass him by introducing him to the Don, telling him all about his brilliant son and that he’d be good with the numbers, all to find him a place in the business.
“Hopefully, Pazzo will win again, then Pop will be happy,” Carm said.
Heartsick, I watched the trailer go off in the distance. The horse was another one of Don Molanano’s possessions, like I was for Frank. He just wanted to be free. “I’m sure Don Molanano will be happy, considering he’s been laundering through that track for years. Everyone will make loads of money. Pop will be in everyone’s good graces again, and all will be well, right? What a joke. I feel sad for that horse.”
“Sad for him?” Carm shook her head. “That horse is a winner. He’s gonna do great. You know, sometimes you act real high and mighty, Vi. Like you’re better than us or somethin’. Everything you’ve had growing up, every meal you’ve eaten at Pop’s table, and even the clothes on your back come from that money. Ever since you been back from Brooklyn, you act different.”
“I am different. I’ve seen and done things you can’t imagine.”
“Oh yeah, like what?”
Bags of drugs shoved in the seat cushions of cars, the smell of the Cuban’s breath on my face as he threatened to rape me, the look of my dirty fingers as I dug holes in the backyard to hide drugs and money, the thrill I got when I pulled the trigger in that dark field, the look on Officer Tewey’s face when I used his body to avoid incarceration, and the cold emptiness of my daughter’s nursery, a consequence of my drug habit, when I didn’t bring her home.
“Vi. You there?” Carm waved her hand around my face. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I did. The ghost of myself.” I drew in a cleansing breath. I’d never told Carm the whole truth about what happened in Brooklyn. I didn’t want her to think badly of me. “When I was with Frank, I did things I’m ashamed of.”
“Like what?”
“Lot of things.” I looked down at my feet. “People gave me the clothes off their backs, and the last bits of cash from their bill folds, and I took all of it.” I wanted to tell her about the drugs, but I couldn’t bear the look on her face. “I had everything. Money. Power. But it wasn’t enough. I wasn’t like the rest of the mob queens—like Rose.”
“Who’s Rose?”
“A mob wife who taught me a lot. She taught me about the streets, how to shoot a gun, and how to play the game, but then she betrayed me. Her betrayal became my freedom.”
“Listen to you, collectin’ and shootin’ guns. Next, you’ll tell me that you whacked a guy.” Carm laughed.
“Laugh all you want, but it’s true. I’ve changed.”
“Just don’t get too big for your britches, little sister. All hail the queen.” Carm bowed in front of me.
“Get up.” I pulled her upright. We both laughed, and Carm put her arm around me. No matter how much Carm and I fought, she loved me, and I loved her.
“I’m gonna start callin’ you la regina.”
“Cut it out.” I pinched her arm.
“Ouch,” Carm shrieked.
“I’m guessing Paulie was too busy with his new job to go with Pop?” I changed the subject to get her to stop teasing me.
“Paulie’s never been a rancher. You know that. According to him, he has more important work to tend to. I don’t care how important his work is. He’s gonna clean out the pig pens like the rest of us,” Carm said.
We both giggled and walked toward the back.
