Normally, riding in silence is a welcome treat, but all the way to Guido’s home, I feel a heaviness, like an impending doom hanging over me. Raffaele’s morose expression does nothing to ease the knot in my stomach. Raffaele’s never spoken of a promise he made to Guido, and this worries me. Raffaele is a man who keeps his word, and if this is the reaction to what must be done, this isn’t good.
We drive up to Guido’s home and go to the front door, where their housekeeper leads us to the study. Guido is sitting by the window in his wheelchair, with a blanket thrown over his legs, staring blankly out into the garden. He looks thinner and more fragile. He was once a tall, proud man with a laugh that would rumble throughout the room. Seeing him like this now is painful.
“Hello, my friend,” Raffaele says, alerting Guido to our arrival. He turns his head to us and manages a weak half grin.
“Hello, Raffaele,” he replies, then looks at me. “Ivo, you look well.” Even his voice has changed. It’s fainter and slower.
“Hey,” I respond. Guido tosses out his hand, indicating that we should take a seat on the couch nearby. He waits for us to sit and opens his mouth to speak when the door opens and Elsia comes through, stopping in her tracks when she sees Raffaele and me with her husband.
Time hasn’t changed her at all. She’s still as beautiful as always, maybe a little more mature in the way she walks and holds herself, but her sweet personality hasn’t changed.
“Oh my goodness, our capo is here,” she says, rushing to her husband’s side. She kisses Guido on the cheek and stands next to him. “And Ivo, this is a nice surprise,” she says with bubbly warmth. Her voice is soft, like a summer breeze.
“Darling, perhaps some coffee for our guests,” Guido says. I have a sense that he’s trying to get her out of the room for what he would like to discuss. He squeezes her hand, and she looks down at him.
“Coming right up,” Elisa replies. “And I’ll bring your favorite biscotti too,” she tells her husband.
We watch her leave, and as soon as the door clicks shut, Guido looks directly at Raffaele and says, “It’s time.”
Raffaele doesn’t break the stare. “It would kill her. Think about what you’re saying.”
“This can’t go on. Elisa has sacrificed far too much time looking after a useless man who can’t even take a walk with her. What good am I to her? To you? To Ultimo Morte?” he begins, but Raffaele interrupts him.
“Ultimo Morte and I will always be grateful for your sacrifices. You have more strength and more heart than any man I’ve ever known, next to Ivo,” Raffaele tells him. He lowers his voice. “She loves you. This will destroy her.”
I’m in the dark, although, putting the pieces together, I’m thinking he wants to divorce his wife. This just isn’t done. I look from Raffaele to Guido, trying to make sense of what’s being said.
“And I love her,” Guido says with a heavy sigh. “This is why it needs to be done. I’ve spoken with the doctor.” He speaks with great sadness. “A husband in a wheelchair is enough of a burden, but what’s to come will be like a prison sentence for both of us. My body is slowly dying, and soon, I won’t be able to eat on my own. She won’t be my wife. She’ll be my nurse. Elisa cares too deeply. She won’t leave my side unless I make her.”
Raffaele narrows his eyes. “The doctor said this?”
“Top desk drawer. Look for yourself,” Guido says. Raffaele’s footsteps are heavy on the wood floor before he yanks open the drawer and pulls out a yellow manila file. He scans what’s inside, and I see his jaw tighten before he shuts his eyes and exhales a heavy breath. Guido breaks the silence. “I’m doing this for her. And, selfishly, for me. That’s not how I want to live. I want to die with honor.”
This back-and-forth grates on my nerves until I finally ask, “What the hell are you two talking about?”
Raffaele looks at Guido and Guido at me. “Raffaele made me a promise,” he says, “and I’m calling it in. He needs to arrange my death. I don’t care if he puts the bullet through my heart himself, but this must end. The only condition to his agreeing was that I was terminal. That day has come, and I’m not going to spend the rest of my days confined to a bed with my wife wiping my ass. Elisa has done enough.”
I blink in shock, but I’m able to maintain my composure. “What will happen to Elisa? Have you thought about that?” I ask, hoping to appeal to his love for his wife.
“That’s why you’re here, Ivo. I asked Raffaele to bring you along tonight so that a dying man could request a favor from a friend.”
My mouth goes dry, and my heart begins to race. His expression is disturbing, and I’m not sure I want to hear what he wants of me, but I ask, “What favor?”
Guido’s hands tighten on the arms of his wheelchair. “I need a man to look after Elisa. After an appropriate mourning period, I want her to be with someone who can give her security and keep her safe. Her father is a loyal underboss, but a shit father, and Elisa would be put in a position where any man would do, because she’s a widow. Elisa needs someone who will appreciate her. She loves children, and since we have none of our own, she would make a wonderful mother for Adriana.”
“Christ! Do you know what you’re asking?” I say through clenched teeth.
“What if you died and Maria was left to her father’s choices for her next husband? What if you could choose the man who would, at the very least, treat her with respect and know that she’s a good woman with a pure heart? Would you not want that for someone you love?” Guido replies, and I can see that he truly does want the best for Elisa.
“I’m not a good man,” I tell him.
“You and Raffaele are the only ones I trust with her life, and Raffaele already has a wife.”
“How will that look? You’re gone, and I poach your wife?”
“I will be gone. Raffaele will speak with her father and tell him he’ll look for a suitable husband for Elisa. He won’t bat an eye because it’s our capo. Give it six months, come and visit her, get to know her. Then you can get married, and it will all seem like two widowers have come together to form a family.”
“It’s not that easy. I have to consider Adriana.”
“There’s not a person on earth who wouldn’t love that woman.” Guido points to the door. “She’ll win Adriana over on their very first meeting.”
I’m sure that would be true. Adriana is loveable, and Elisa is as sweet as they come.
“Would you really deny a dying man?” Guido asks.
Thankfully, the door opens, and Elisa comes through with a tray, trailed by the wonderful aroma of espresso. “Your coffee, gentlemen,” she says. I take another look at her. Even in jeans and a sweater, she’s as lovely as they come. “How is that sweet little girl of yours?” Elisa asks with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Adriana’s great. A handful at times, though.”
“It’s good to be curious. Kids need to explore and learn by doing. Soon, she’ll be into the nails and makeup.” She laughs, and I see what Guido means about her having a pure heart. “Can I get you anything else?” She turns to her husband.
“That’s all for now, cara,” Guido quietly replies. Elisa slips out of the room to leave us once again. My focus stays glued to the door. “I’m begging you, Ivo. Elisa needs a man like you,” Guido pleads, and I can see the wetness in his eyes.
I turn to Raffaele and wait for him to speak. “I made the promise.” He pauses. “You did not, and I will not force this upon you.” He turns to Guido. “I’ll keep my word, but we’ll do this my way.”
Guido reaches over and grabs my wrist. His bony hand tells me that he won’t be with us much longer. “Please!” he begs, “I can’t leave her without knowing she’ll be safe.”
“This is insane!” I grunt.
“Please!” he repeats, squeezing my wrist harder.
I blow out a heavy breath. “Yes. Fine, yes. I’ll take care of her.”
“You’ll marry her,” Guido insists. “Say it.”
“I’ll marry Elisa, but only after six months and after giving her a chance to grieve.”
The relief clearly shows on his face as he sits back in his chair. “Thank you.”
Raffaele comes back to sit down. “Insanity prevails,” he murmurs under his breath, but loud enough for me to hear.