The Lombardi and Giuliani Family
Francesco had spent an hour at Castello di Vino, talking with his dear friend, Federico. He had already finished a bottle and was on his second. "Slow down my friend," Federico said smiling. "It's ok. I need to take some things out of my head." "Did your father rip you?"
"Worse."
"Worse?"
"He was right about everything."
"Like what?"
"This business. It has changed me."
"I can't argue with that."
"You see it, too?"
"For a long time."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"You'll die in the business with honor which would be the only way I've known you."
"Oh, fuck you, Federico."
"Now, you have come to your senses--"
"That, indeed, has happened."
"You're stubborn to take the advice of the old?"
"I was."
Federico opened another bottle and filled two glasses.
"That one is on the house."
"Isn't everything in the house for me?"
"I have a tab on you. You owe me molti soldi. This is Luca's money."
Francesco laughed raising his glass. "To a new man. To my old friend," Federico raised his an took a single sip.
Jessica was almost ready to go to Castello di Vino. She was nervous about telling him about her pregnancy but being there with Federico would make things less tense. She put on her light blue summer dress and rushed downstairs. Taking a final look in the mirror, she heard her brother Giovanni shouting from Michael's office. "I want that fucker dead!" His rant was far enough for her not hear exactly what was going on. Jessica didn't want to get involved and opened the front door. Her cab was waiting outside and Jessica's bodyguards opened the door for her to get in.
The cab driver was professional; he didn't try making small talk. Jessica stared out the window, seeing the busy New York nightlife. The weather forecast predicted heavy rains. For Jessica, she didn't care about the weather. She paid more attention to the people having dinner, rushing back home from work. The Chinese were out in front arranging the merchandise of their shops. Jessica lowered the cab's window and the sweet smell of rain filled her nostrils. Everything appeared perfect.
The rain got heavier when Jessica arrived at Castello's. She took a deep breath and tried hiding her smile but her facial muscles were locked. She entered inside, seeing Francesco and Federico talking and laughing. It was a scene that warmed her heart starring the man she was in love with.
She ran behind Francesco, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek like a little girl. "Hey, you!" "Hi, Federico!" "Signorina! Welcome back!" Federico said excitedly to see her. Francesco turned, grabbing Jessica, giving her a deep kiss. Federico's eyebrows raised. "I see you're already drinking without me."
"We had had a few glasses together."
"A few bottles he means."
"And weren't you the one nagging me about gin?"
"I didn't say I wouldn't drink it."
"Ok."
"You seem very… excited."
"I missed you!"
"I did, too." Francesco kissed her again. Jessica then took a seat next to Francesco. She sat as close as possible, practically lying on his shoulder. Her body faced him, almost disregarding Federico. Francesco held her hands in his and stared into her eyes. Federico served Jessica a glass of gin and stood there, savoring the moment of the two in love. Jessica took a sip but forgot about what she was experiencing. "Francesco--," she started, trying to find the right words. "Jessica?" "I have something to tell you."
"Is it good or bad?"
"Very good."
"I can use some of that now."
"I mean excellent news, actually."
"I knew there was something behind that smile."
"There is."
"What is it, my love?"
"Promise me you won't get mad, or leave me."
"Why would I leave you?"
"Together we are?"
"Together, we are."
"Ok. I was talking to my grandmother not long ago--"
"Okay--"
"Remember the spasms I had yesterday?"
"Yes, I was the one massaging them."
"They weren't just spasms."
"Is everything ok?"
"Yes, my love. My grandmother understood what it was."
"What is Jessica, tell me."
"I'm pregnant." Francesco' stomach turned. A weird sensation clouded his mind momentarily until giving its place to joy. A father, his own family. What were the Lombardis and Giulianis going to do? Francesco's jaw dropped and his body was stiff as a rock. He tried speaking but words wouldn't come out. There was an awkward silence until Federico whooped out of joy and excitement. "I'm going to be a zio!" He cheered, taking down a bottle of fine whiskey from the top shelf, pouring three shots.
Francesco hugged Jessica tightly and tears came down like a small river. He couldn't believe it. "I don't know what to say," he said wiping his face. "Say, you love me. That's enough." "I love you. I love you!" he shouted, massaging her belly. The few customers in the pub congratulated them by raising their glasses. "Together," Jessica said with tears. "Together." Francesco hugged her again.
Federico poured three shots of whiskey and pushed them towards Jessica and Francesco. "Drink now, because in a few months you will not be able to." "You're amazing, Federico." Jessica raised her glass. "Are you sure of me drinking?" "It's the tradition. Look at the men around." "Then, to the family!" Jessica raised her glass. "To the family!" Federico and Francesco cheered, drinking. Federico filled their glasses once more. "These are on the house as well, Francesco." Federico chuckled. "I thought everything was on the house." Jessica giggled. "Oh no, I'm keeping a tab on you as well, Signorina. I might even open a tab for the little one." Federico kept
pouring.
The three were drinking and laughing throughout the evening. Francesco kept staring into Jessica's eyes. The thought of family, living together, raising their child away from New York and the business was a sign from God. It was the sign Francesco needed to leave everything behind and repent for his sins. "You make me so happy."
"I was afraid at first."
"Why?"
"You might be against having a child."
"Oh, I would have killed Francesco myself, Jessica if he refused," Federico interrupted. Francesco laughed, rubbing his head.
"I would never be against it. You know that."
"It's just, our families."
"Screw them."
"We are still at war."
"They'll have to accept it."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For making me a mother."
"You made me the happiest dad alive."
"I love you."
"I love you, too." Francesco kissed Jessica and she snuggled up next to him. She felt safe and was finally eased watching her man cherish the moment.
The thunder shook the windows of the pub while inside became quieter as the customers had begun leaving. The rain
was sliding down the windows like tears of joy. The streets were nearly empty with everyone rushing homeward from the heavy rain. But there was a black Chevrolet with tinted black windows driving on the street of Castello. It resembled a wild animal, searching for its prey. When It stopped outside the pub, the driver lowered the windows. Castello's windows were shattered by bullets flying. "Giu!" Federico yelled, ducking behind the counter. The bullets hit everything; ripping apart the medieval decorations and shattering the wine bottles on the shelves. Francesco jumped up, tackling Jessica to the ground. The constant gunfire combined by the sound of the glasses falling down made the always-quiet pub resemble a war zone.
In a few seconds, which seemed like ages, the entire pub looked like a war zone. Booze and wine were trickling down forming small rivers and Francesco's white suit was covered all in dirt and wine. Finally, the gunfire had stopped, followed by the tires of the Chevrolet screeching away on the wet road. "Are you okay?" Francesco said to Jessica, still on top of her.
"We have to go, tonight," Jessica said shivering.
"Tonight," she said again, crying.
"Okay." Francesco stood up and went to look out the window, pulling out his gun.
"Federico, are you okay?" Francesco's ears were still ringing.
"I'm fine."
"Who were those guys?"
"I didn't see the car."
"Fuck!"
"Who were they after?"
"Me, probably." Francesco went back to pull Jessica up off the ground, patting the dust off from her dress.
"Francesco, I can’t do this anymore.
"I know, my love."
"We have to leave now. Do you fucking hear me?"
"Yes, my love."
"Non restero qui, con il padre del mio figlio essere cacciato come un animale selvaggio. Non retero qui avendo quelle famiglie del cazzo rovinare la mia vita e tutto cio che amo. Non tollerero rischiare mio bambino o mia felicita per una guerra familiare. Non Io faro…”
Francesco held Jessica into his arms who was in a state of shock. For a moment, Francesco questioned his sanity and wanted swift retaliation but came back to his senses. "We're leaving. Relax my love." Jessica couldn't bear another minute being at the pub. Francesco felt her tears while Jessica was screaming but her words made no sense. She lightly punched Francesco's chest again and again. "I want to go. I want to go."
Federico looked at Francesco. He was more concerned about Jessica than his friend. "I have a plan, Francesco."
"No."
"Why not?”
"I don't want this news to reach home.”
"It's over?"
"It's over."
"Are you sure, my friend?"
"This was more than enough."
"Where are you going?"
"I don't know. We're going to the Greyhound.”
"The bus? Why not Aeroporto?"
"With the FBI on us and these men, it will be hard to leave undetected."
"I agree."
"I'll stop by one of our safehouses near the port."
"Is it stocked?”
"Yes, we have some cash, passports, and guns stashed there."
"Francesco, I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I didn't shoot back."
"Federico, get it together."
"You could have been killed."
"So, could all of us. It's okay."
"I'm sorry, my friend. You are our Don’s son. I've failed you," Federico kept grumbling, leaning against the counter.
Francesco, Federico and Jessica was devastated as the pub around them. The Lombardi girl, who left a life in Italy not long ago, to join her father’s business was still shaking. When everything was falling in place so perfectly, this hit came and had hit her the hardest. It was harder than she expected.
Francesco grabbed her chin and lifted her head until their eyes met. Her eyes were red and her makeup was ruined.
"We're leaving now!"
"Hurry, please.”
"We'll take the first bus."
"Where?
"Anywhere away from here."
"Together."
"Together."
"Give me a moment, sweetie. Go use the restroom and get freshened up. I need to talk to Federico.” Francesco turned to Federico as Jessica left.
"Addio, amico mio." Francesco extended his arm towards Federico and they shook hands after embracing.
"Addio Francesco. Seguine il tuo cuore. May God keep you safe. I will tell Luca. You just go!”
Francesco called Jessica and they left out the pub into the heavy rain.
Jessica and Francesco ran by a black Chevrolet parked one hundred meters away from the pub and didn’t notice it was the car that had done the hit. The driver hesitated to fire another shot when he saw Francesco wasn’t alone. The couple continued running for close to fifteen minutes nonstop without catching their breaths. The strong rain whipped their faces, making it hard for them to see. When they reached a warehouse at the docks, Francesco pulled out a large set of keys and tried opening the lock. The rain, running down his hands, only made things worse. It took almost five minutes to find the right key before they went inside. The rain outside was pounding on the metal roof, creating a displeasing noise as Francesco and Jessica walked deeper inside. "We'll take a few things and be on our way.” Francesco’s voice echoed the empty warehouse as he read the tags on a few boxes. Jessica was still shivering but was feeling a bit better. "Here we are." Francesco opened a box, unveiling a packet of bills next to a black Adidas sweatsuit. He took off his white suit and got changed.
Jessica wanted to laugh as it was nice to see Francesco in something more casual. Francesco grabbed another box and dropped it on the ground. "I think we have something for you." The box read - 'Sofia Giuliani'. "Open it, sweetheart.”
"Please, don't make me dress in an old woman's clothes."
"Don't worry. My mother has taste," chuckled Francesco.
Jessica opened the bag, finding makeup and cosmetics. She kept digging until she found a pair of black leggings and a white Fila sweatshirt. When she got changed, she almost matched Francesco.
"Hey, babe! This actually fits me."
"I see," Francesco checked out her toned body and had naughty thoughts. He remained focused, pulling out a few
more things. Jessica looked through the makeup bag and began feeling better.
"I should change my look," said Jessica staring at Francesco.
"We don't have time, sweetheart."
Jessica pulled out a pair of scissors and within seconds, cut her hair to shoulder-length. Francesco looked at her as she cut her long hair and was impressed by how good her new hairstyle looked. "It brings your face out,” he snickered, searching for something to hide his own hair.
"You think?" She grabbed a mirror from her handbag. "God, I'm hot."
Even with their lives in danger, Francesco and Jessica were having a moment of fun. "Yes, you are, my Donna." Francesco planted a short kiss on Jessica's lips. "Check out this Cincinnati Reds Hat." Francesco pulled it out of a box and put it on. The young Giuliani looked like an under-13 boys baseball coach.
"You love hats, don't you?"
"I always have since I was a little boy. But we need one last thing before we go." Francesco reached for a box that had 'I.D.' written on it and pulled out one from a stack. "My name now is John Papadakis."
"Oh, Mister Papadakis. Let me guess, I'm the newlywed, Christina Papadakis?" Jessica wrapped her arms around Francesco and kissed him.
"That sounds nice. Mrs. Papadakis."
"I could get used to this name, Mr. Papadakis."
"Really?”
"I think so but only if you grew a mustache."
"Wow! Not a bad idea."
"Honey, please don't."
"Honestly, I always wanted one."
"Let's just go."
"Ok.”
Francesco gave Jessica a duffle bag with clothes while he grabbed another with cash.
They walked to the nearest bus station not far from the port and got tickets heading to Rockport, Maine. The bus was nearly empty and Jessica rested on Francesco's chest. "We're are really leaving."
"Thank God!"
"It was a mistake trying to be in my family's business."
"Well, we're both out of it."
"Honey, do you think we can buy a house by the beach?"
"With all the money we have, we can buy a mansion."
"No more mansions please, sweetheart."
"Then, a small home for us and the child."
"That sounds better."
"It does?”
"I should call my grandmother. She's going to be worried."
"It's a little early. Wait until we are at least out of New York."
"Ok, baby."
"Don’t worry. You can call her from one of the rest-stops on the way.”
"By the way, she wants us to name the child, Serena if it's a girl."
"What a beautiful name! Serena Papadakis."
"And if it's a boy?"
"Federico."
"Hmm! Federico Papadakis. That sounds funny."
Minutes later, Jessica fell asleep on Francesco's chest. She slept like a baby who was safe and sound. Francesco watched her until he also fell asleep.
