“We’ve never gone to school together. You’ll be fine. It’ll go by like that.” I snap my fingers. “Then it will be the next year, and I’ll be there.” I push his shoulder to get him to look at me. “Come on, you’ll be fine,” I reassure him. I can’t wait to get out of Palmetto.
I hear a thump come from the other side of the room. Thump. Giggle.
I gingerly open my closet door to find Erin and Connor sitting on the floor, looking very guilty.
“What are you doing?” I ask, exasperated.
“Nothing,” Connor says. My sister sits there red-faced.
“Well, I’m glad to know it’s nothing, considering my sister’s face matches her hair!” I toss my hands up and turn to Troy. “Do you believe this?”
Troy stares at the two of them on the floor from his position on the bed. “Yeah. I’m just mad I never thought of it before.”
“Why you!” I lunge at the bed and grab my pillow out from under him. I start hitting him with it. He grabs my waist and throws me down on the bed, tickling me. “Stop!” I yell. “Stop!... I can’t breathe!”
“Sucks to be you.” He tickles me harder. I kick and thrash on the bed trying to free myself, only I’m laughing too hard.
“Megan!” my mother yells. We both hold still to listen. “What’s going on up there!?”
Troy, still poised over me, looking down on me with a wicked gleam in his eye, answers softly and sarcastically only to me. “Well, Connor is ravishing one daughter in the closet. As for me, I’m straddling the other on her bed.” Laughter bubbles up in me again.
“Unfortunately, this is all true,” I admit as Troy lets me up. I’m out of breath. I walk back to the closet because the door has been shut again. This time I fling it open. All I can see is the back of Connor’s head. “Get out now!” I yell. Troy and I watch as Erin and Connor scramble away.
Chapter 4
Chooch (choo-ch): Jackass!
Antonio
I’m glad the meeting didn’t run late because now I have time to meet the others at the dock. Vito, Louie, and Ronnie are all still there. The tires of my car thrum and bump across the wooden boards until I stop in front of the guys. I kill the engine and get out. Vito tosses me a beer. I catch it and smoothly pop the top. I take a long pull off it.
“So, how did it go?” Vito asks me.
“Good.” I sit on the hood of my car. “They’re watching Sommersville though. Pop says Sommersville is getting fuckin’ greedy.” Louie lets out a loud burp while Ronnie cranks up the stereo on his car.
“Shit, Louie!” I curse at him. “I can smell your Ma’s cooking ova here!”
“Sorry, dude. Got some serious agita…” He belches, banging his fist on his chest. I light a cigarette.
“Hey, Tonio? Why’d you get a red Camaro? I thought black was more your thing, man,” Louie asks between belches.
“Ooo, speaking of Red. The Irish Princess looked fuckin’ hot today. Didn’t she?” Ronnie yells over the music.
“Shit, yeah!” Louie quips. “I’d like a piece of her!”
I feel my back stiffen at the mention of Megan. My friends and I talk shit about girls all the time, but this is different.
My father told us years ago we all had to stay away from her. Pop meant don’t fuck her or fuck with her. He never said why, but I generally keep my distance like everyone else.
Megan is beautiful, sweet, and smart. It’s no wonder everyone is into her. Just listening to them talk about her makes me want to punch something. I don’t get a chance to remind them to stay away from her because a black sedan suddenly drives toward us. I take another puff of my cig and watch Donny’s Lincoln pull up. A dark window rolls down, and I stroll over to Donny the Knife.
“Hey, Tonio,” Donny says. “Give this to your pop.” He hands me a bulky manila envelope. “Tell him Johnny is all set, but there’s no juice.”
I hang my cig out of my mouth to take the package and shake hands with Donny through the window.
“No problem, Donny.”
“Ah, you’re a good boy.” He taps me on the cheek with his hand. “Stay out of trouble, eh?”
I know better than to open the envelope. “No juice” means Donny collected some money, but there was no interest on top of what was owed.
Donny’s the Enforcer. He works for my pop. He collects on debts or he fucks you up. It’s that simple. There’s a Cleaner, too. No one knows who it is. The Cleaner ices people who don’t pay or who rat out to the cops. The secret identity of the Cleaner keeps everyone loyal.
I open my car and shove the package under the seat. The guys are still hanging out and drinking. No one even flinches at the sight of Donny the Knife.
After about five beers, I lay back down on the hood of my car. The conversation about Megan is long over. I try not to dwell on it. I’m buzzed. The music is rocking, and I’m feeling very relaxed. Vito comes over to sit on the hood with me.
“School starts Monday. It fuckin’ sucks. Why can’t summer be six months instead of three?” Vito crushes his beer can and throws it into the river.
“At least we’re seniors,” I remind him. “It’ll all be over by May. I jus’ wanna get it over with.”
Louie taps my car to get our attention. He points toward the end of the road that leads to the dock. “Company.” We fix our gazes on where Louie is indicating.
I reach into my car window to the glove compartment and grab my Glock. I shove it into the back of my pants. Ronnie grabs a blade.
The music is still playing, and we are all focused on the car stopped at the end of the alleyway. I hear a rush of movement and an oaf from Ronnie.
From the water side of the dock, six ski-masked guys jump us. We’re outnumbered, but we hold our own. I get pushed to the ground, and my assailant gets in a good punch to my face. I thrust up with my legs and push him off. He flies backwards and lands, smashing his head on the boards. Only seconds have gone by, but it feels like an hour fighting these guys. I scan my surroundings and see Ronnie, Vito, and Louie all fending off our attackers.
I reach behind me into my waistband and grab my gun. I fire a shot into the air. It startles everyone. All eyes stare at me. I lower my piece and point it directly at the fucker who jumped me.
My eye is trained, looking down the barrel of my gun at the asshole in front of me. “You have less than three seconds to get the fuck out of here. One….” My voice is menacingly deep. They all jump up and start running. The four of us watch as the chooches run their asses off.
I learned how to intimidate people at a young age. I also learned from the best—my pop.
“What the fuck?” Vito yells, brushing himself off. “Do they think this is a Jackie Chan movie? Those dickheads were all dressed in black, like fuckin’ ninjas!”
Some of the tension slowly leaves my body. I lightly touch my eye that got socked. “Wow, Tonio, your eye is gonna be really black and blue for church tomorrow,” Ronnie comments.
“Yeah, thanks,” I deadpan.
Chapter 5
Stunad (Stew nad): You’re just stupid!
Antonio
In the morning, while I’m putting on my suit, Pop walks in. “I got the package you left. Thanks, Tonio.” He looks at me. “Eh, what happened to you?” He grabs my face to examine my eye. I yank away from him.
I continue getting dressed, staring into the mirror tying my tie. “Got jumped.”
“What? Who? Tonio!”
“I don’t know… some fuckers dressed in black. I pulled my Glock on them and they ran.” I grab my keys and wallet and shove them in my pocket, shrugging my shoulders.
“You think it’s Sommersville?” he asks me.
I shake my head. “I don’t know, Pop.”
“I’ll send Donny to look into this. Stay away from them docks for a while.” I don’t look at him. “Eh!” He smacks me. “You got me?”
“Yes, Pop.”
*****
Megan:
My family goes to
St. Mary’s Church, not St. Patrick’s anymore. We could leave and go back to an Irish Catholic church like St. Patrick’s—that’s where the O’Connells go—but St. Mary’s is close to our home. So, as my father says, it’s convenient.
I have on a summer silk cherry-red sundress, and I put my hair up in a messy bun. The temperature on this last day of August is supposed to reach ninety degrees, and there’s no air conditioning in the church. I’m thankful that we’re going to an early morning mass. Going to a later one just means it will be hotter in the church.
My father drops off my mom, Erin, and me at the entrance. St. Mary’s is a huge Cathedral-like structure; all stone and stained glass. A twenty-foot cross with Jesus on it hangs behind the altar. It’s a lovely church. On special occasions the priest preaches Mass in Latin.
I don’t run into kids from school too often here. There are five different times Mass is run on weekends and usually we go to the less crowded one late on Sunday. Today, I’m not so lucky, I see kids from school milling about.
“Ugh, it’s hot already,” my mother complains as we climb the massive stone steps into the church. Behind me are a couple of senior boys from my class. One of them was in a bunch of classes with me last year—Louie Ferretti.
We walk down the aisle and my mother selects the emptiest pew she can find. The three of us kneel and make the sign of the cross as we slide down the hard wooden bench. Louie’s family and his friends slide in the pew behind us.
I pick up the missal in the bench pocket in front of me. I need something to do. I can hear whispering behind me. I know I sound paranoid, but I always worry. I can’t hear what they’re saying. I hope it isn’t about me. A cell phone drops down directly next to me on the bench, onto the skirt of my dress that is draped around me. It startles me for a second. No one notices but me. My mother is on the kneeler praying, and Erin is texting someone (probably Connor) while waiting for Mass to start.
I turn my head to look behind me. Not two inches from my face is that black-Cadillac guy, Vito. He whispers seductively in my ear.
“Why don’t you put your number in that phone so I can call you sometime?” I can feel his breath on my neck, blowing on some loose curls that fell out of my bun earlier. My breath hitches from his closeness. What I really want to do is drop his cell phone in the holy water fountain at the front of the church. I quickly decide otherwise—it’s best not to mess with these guys. Why doesn’t he just leave me alone?
I notice movement out of the corner of my eye, behind Vito. Standing and waiting for his family is Antonio Delisi. Vito’s face becomes distorted and out of focus in my vision as I stare at Antonio in his striking black suit. What a breathtaking sight! He always carries himself in a suave and regal manner, like the mob-royalty he is around here. He and his mother wait patiently while his father speaks to one of the priests.
Antonio spots me watching him while Vito is still leaning in next to me. He speaks to his mother, takes her hand, and leads her toward us. I quickly turn around.
I hear Vito stand and hug Mrs. Delisi and pat Antonio. Others behind me say their hellos as well. I strain to hear what is going on. I steal a glance at Erin—she’s still texting away. I suck in a strong breath, cross my legs, and rest my folded hands in my lap like a young lady who has got herself together.
Then something happens. Something I never would have expected. Antonio Delisi comes around the side of the pew and sits down next to me. I quickly look his way, unbelieving. His eyes are smoldering, and he has a knowing look on his face. “Good morning,” he says to me.
“Good morning,” I return, and then I repeat it to his mother, who sits on the other side of him.
The cell phone still lies next to me, resting on the silk of my dress that spills around me. Antonio reaches down, grabs it, and holds it behind his head without turning around.
In a deep guttural voice, he says, “Vito.”
Vito’s hand comes around and snatches the phone from Antonio. He knew. Antonio knew what Vito was doing. I blush. A couple of seconds later the organ begins to play and Mr. Delisi slips into our pew next to his wife.
At some point my father sat down next to my mother at the other end because I could see his burly hands resting on his thighs. I only notice for a second, though, because I’m hyperaware of Antonio next to me. I find myself noticing every twitch or movement of his body.
When it’s time to stand and sing, Antonio opens the hymnal to the correct page and holds it for me to share with him. I notice his hands, which are a dark tan color, and his fingers that are long and slender. It must be awkward for him to share with me because of our height difference. It’s sweet. I’m singing with the mob boss’s son in church. It’s terrifying and seems right all at the same time. I don’t feel afraid like I know I should and sometimes do.
Later, over the loudspeaker, the priest announces, “It is now time to pass the peace of Christ.” Everyone stands. I don’t know what to do first. I turn to Erin. I lean over and give her a sisterly half hug. I kiss my mom and dad. Murmurs of Peace be with you are heard throughout the church. I shake hands with Louie and his family. I’m glad Vito is absorbed in Mr. and Mrs. Delisi.
I turn all the way around, and Antonio is there facing me…inches from me. I look him straight in the eye, and he is smiling devilishly at me. I quickly notice that his eye is black and blue. I have this uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch it, to examine the damage. I want to hold a cold pack to it and whisper to him that the pain will go away soon. My thoughts of touching him run away from me. I’m in a surreal bubble.
He takes my hand in his, gently, then leans down and kisses my cheek. A bolt of excited shock pierces through to my stomach. He whispers, “Peace be with you,” into my ear. He stays there a fraction of a second longer than necessary. My heart speeds up even more. I feel tingles from where his lips touch my cheek. They radiate all the way down to my toes.
I’m frozen. Everyone is starting to sit down, and I’m still standing there like an idiot. Erin reaches up and yanks me down. My butt connecting with the hard wood bench pulls me back into reality.
*****
Antonio
How much of a stunad can you be, Delisi? Stupid, stupid, stupid…
We all slowly file out of the church. I can sense Megan behind me. It takes every ounce of strength I have not to reach behind me and put my arm around her waist to guide her out of the church like she’s mine.
“Oh, Antonio,” Father Gio says. “A senior now! And school starts tomorrow.” Father Giovanni always tries to remember something about everyone in his church. He shakes my hand, then he turns his attention to Megan behind me. “My beautiful Megan! You’re a senior too… Oh, that reminds me. Do you think you would be willing to play your harp one Sunday? What a treat that would be.”
I hear the hesitation in her voice as I move forward with the crowd. “I would love to, Father.”
“Great, great. How about next Sunday, this same Mass?”
“Okay.”
“Bless you, child.”
I linger so I can be around her for a little longer. The harp? She plays the harp? My thoughts are interrupted when Vito comes up to me and lightly punches my arm.
“Slick, Delisi. That was very slick.” He smirks.
I shrug and walk through the Sunday crowd following my parents to the car. I hear her before I see her. No one can mistake the whiny twang that accompanies Maria Silvati’s voice.
“Tony! Wait up!” Maria yells repeatedly. “Wait up!” Her hand comes down on my arm, and I spin around to face her. “Didn’t you hear me calling you?” she asks.
I plaster on my best smile. “Sorry.”
“Hey, I was wondering—you busy this afternoon? Nonna Silvati is cooking today. You want to come for dinner?”
“I can’t,” I tell her, looking away. I catch myself scanning the crowd for Megan. After all these years, it’s become an obsession.
My mother hears Maria and my response. She hits
me on the arm. “Tonio! Don’t be so rude,” my mother scolds me. “You can go with Maria’s family. You were just with your Nonna the other night. Go with your friend.”
If my mother only knew! Maria is the senior class whore. When guys want a lay, they seek her out, and she delivers. Me? I never want anything to do with the skank. I don’t want someone else’s leftovers, or to know my goods have been the same place as my friends’. Ugh, fuckin’ gross!
“Tonio, I am talking to you.” My mother continues to berate me, and I hang my head in defeat.
“Yes, Maria. Thank you. What time should I be there?” I reply tonelessly.
Maria squeals. “Yay! Two p.m. See you then.” She gives me a ridiculous wave and walks away. I scrub my hand down my face in annoyance. Great, the last day of summer, and I’ve got to spend it with her. Fuckin’ great.
“Eh, what’s tha matta wit you?” My mother slaps the back of my head. Her words are clipped off, she’s pissed. “I raised you betta than that!”
I sigh and say nothing.
“What’s wrong wit you? You neva have a girlfriend. You don’t want to go anywhere except with your friends or with Alessandra. You got somethin’ goin’ on with her?”
I’m surprised by this outburst from my mother. We never talk about this shit.
“What, are you crazy? She’s like a sister to me,” I half yell back.
Speaking of Alessandra, my phone beeps with a text:
Alessandra: What’s goin on today? You hangin out?
Tonio: No I have to have fuckin dinner at Maria’s!
Alessandra: LOL See ya later
My mother and I stand there, waiting for my dad to finish talking with Donny. Most of the churchgoers have gone. Actually, new people are starting to arrive for the next Mass. I squint, the sun in my eyes. I see Johnny Nero slowly coming up the steps, giving my family a wide berth.
He’s limping slightly. He has his arm in a sling. I catch a glimpse of his face, and he has long red scratches down his cheeks and above his eyes. I know he knows I’m watching him. I know by the way his eyes stay focused on the stone of the steps and by the way he changes his gruff breathing.
Some seriously large must have been in the envelope last night, and Johnny Nero must be in some deep shit.