Story: Amore Ragazze (all chapters)

AMORE RAGAZZE
By SomeguyJim

CHAPTER 2

Victor Berkhalter’s office was on the 24th floor of a skyscraper on Wall Street. He was a middle aged thin man with a full head of hair. His jacket was on the coat-rack and his sleeves were rolled up. Outside his window, the early Spring sun rose over Brooklyn and the East River. His back was to the window, his voice lost in a phone conversation:

“All right, well let’s just let it go bankrupt. I mean who cares? We made our money, the company’s no good anymore.”

Silence; someone was speaking on the other end.

“Well they’ll find other jobs. C’mon this is New York City, there’s jobs everywhere, recession or not.”

Silence.

“Look, to be quite honest with you, I don’t really care.”

“Mr. Berkhalter,” his secretary came on the intercom. He took notice of it, “There’s someone here to see you.”

“Well,” Berkhalter said, “Whoever it is, tell him to wait.” He returned to his phone conversation, “It’s Social Darwinism Charles, survival of the fittest. I’m fit, and the employees are not.” He began to laugh.

The door was slammed open hitting the wall causing some of Berkhalter’s company trophies to fall of his shelf and shatter on the floor. A big scary looking man with grayish hair stood in the doorway.

“What the hell?” Berkhalter dropped the phone and jumped up.

The big scary man stepped into the office leaving room for Angelo to walk in. Angelo was wearing a black leather jacket and black fedora. He himself looked quite intimidating, but nothing compared to the big scary man spotting a brown suit and tie. Amy walked in next wearing a blue pantsuit, glasses, and holding a briefcase. She stood by the doorway in a non-threatening manner.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Berkhalter screamed, “Grace!” He ran for the door, but the big man pushed him back.

“Grace won’t help you Vick,” Angelo said calmly.

Berkhalter ran back behind his desk and picked up the phone, “I’m calling security!”

Just as Berkhalter began dialing the numbers, the scary man picked up the Office phone. His strong arms yanked the phone chord from out of the wall. He then threw the phone right through the window, shattering the glass. Berkhalter cowered slightly in fear.

“Vick,” Angelo said, “You need to take it easy. The sooner you calm down, the sooner we can get down to business.”

Berkhalter now saw that the scary man had stepped back and that Angelo was standing before him. He would much rather deal with the younger less intimidating man than the one who was destroying his office.

“Who are you?”

“My name is Michelangelo Giovanni,” The son said with a very professional tone of voice. He pointed to his cousin, “This is my sister Amy,” Amy nodded her head. Angelo now pointed to the big scary man next to him, “And this is our associate Vinnie Montana.”

“Giovanni?” Berkhalter attempted to hide his fear, but his knowledge of the Giovanni family, and the infamous Vinnie Montana, shook him to the core, “As in Giovanni the mob boss? He died a couple weeks ago.” Obviously, he followed the media.

“Yes, but his business moves forward,” Angelo quoted Don Gotti’s wise words.

“Well let me tell you something right here right now,” Berkhalter snorted pointing at the young man, “If you think you can come in and muscle me, I have to tell you, I’ve got the best lawyers money can buy!”

“Mr. Berkhalter,” Amy was much more respectful as she opened her briefcase pulling out some documents, “I’m sure you’re aware that these layoffs were conducted in an illegal manner. The workers were not given advance notice of their termination, nor were they given unemployment benefits as is required by law. Furthermore, we have enough evidence to prove that you have been pocketing company profits yourself. Should you choose to take legal action, I’m afraid we would have no choice but to bring your illegal practices to the attention of the court.” Amy removed her glasses and stared at the company president.

Berkhalter was certainly surprised by Amy’s professionalism, but he wouldn’t relent, “Listen, I know what you want. You just want me to hire all those Greasers back, well you can forget it!”

“Mr. Berkhalter,” Amy said more annoyed this time, “I find name calling to be extremely unprofessional-“

“Hey Amy,” Angelo now looked to his adopted sister, “Wait outside for a minute will you?” He then looked to the company-man, “Vinnie and I are gonna have a talk with Mr. Berkhalter.”

Amy did as her brother asked. She put her glasses back on, closed her briefcase, and walked out of the office.

“Vinnie?” Angelo looked to his big associate, “You want to take it from here?”

Outside the door of the office, Amy pulled out a book, picking up where she had last left off. Not one sound that came from that door phased her. At first, Berhalter’s anger could be heard:

“You touch me and I’ll blow your-“

His voice was replaced by screams and moans, his own sounds of pain, as sounds of thumps, bumps and broken glass echoed outside into the hall. Berhalter’s receptionist was frightened by the commotion, but kept her mouth shut for her own safety. Amy was completely lost in her reading. As she turned another page, she heard her brother’s voice:

“You’re no businessman Vick, you’re a fucking parasite!”

Berkhalter’s sounds of pain became more and more intense. Everyone in the hallway got up from their desks and slowly walked towards their boss’s door. They knew the big guy had something to do with this. They imagined him bashing Berkhalter’s head into the table, breaking his legs with a bat, and smashing his face into the window. No one made a sound. Amy’s eyes briefly left the book and gathered everyone within her site. Her eyes were not threatening, but intimidating no less. The workers began to walk back to their desks fearing this young girl may do damage herself. The noise briefly stopped.

“Vick?” Angelo said, hearing a painful inaudible response, “You’re gonna cut the bullshit. Hire back the employees you screwed over. You’re not going to fire anyone else without our permission,” Some slight commotion was heard, “Or out the fucking window you’re gonna go!”

“NO!” Berkhalter’s voice was heard loud and clear.

Amy kept her eyes peeled on the book as if she couldn’t care less about what was going on. She was a fast reader, turning the page every twenty seconds.

“I’ll do whatever you want,” Berkhatler said, “Let me go!”

“Let you go?” Angelo laughed, “I’m not sure that’s the right thing to say when you’re dangling out a 24 story window? Okay if you insist.”

“God Damn it Giovanni!” Berkhatler screamed, “I already said I’d do whatever you want, now let me back in!”

Finally, things began to calm down in the office. There were murmurs heard, but no one could understand what was happening. Finally, after ten minutes, one last thump echoed from the office. The door opened to reveal Vinnie Montana, his suit a bit messy, and Angelo, who’s outfit was as clean as when he came in. Amy turned around to see her colleagues. Angelo handed her a piece of paper, which she carefully placed in her briefcase along with the book she was reading. Vinnie’s presence was made known to all the employees there. None would dare look into this scary man’s eyes.

“All right,” Angelo said, “Let’s get going.”

“Was there a problem?” Amy asked as the three of them walked down the hall like they owned the place.

“Not at all,” Angelo said calmly, “Berkhatler is actually a very reasonable guy.”

They disappeared into the next room, cuing everyone to slowly open the door to Berkhalter’s office. He was lying on the floor, his body covered by his suit-jacket, until his receptionist lifted the jacket. It was a gasp heard all around the building. Victor Berkhalter was now unconscious, his clothes in rags, his legs broken, his face covered in blood, with an enormous scar across his cheek. His hair almost looked like some of it had been pulled out. His office was also a mess with his desk having been turned over, his various trophies and memorabilia shattered all over the place, and his window now broken. He was alive, but he would never be the same. Some of the employees, including his secretary, ran into help him. However, most of the employees preferred to just walk away and pretend they didn’t see anything.

Back downstairs, the Giovannis’ driver opened the doors for them. Vinnie rode shotgun, while Angelo and Amy got into the back.

“I think we’ve got a bright future ahead of us Aims,” Angelo said as he got into the car.

“We’ll see,” was all Amy could bring herself to say.

AMORE RAGAZZE
By SomeguyJim

CHAPTER 3

Rachel stood outside the Williamsburg theater watching the cars go by, or more accurately sit motionless in traffic; it was Friday night after all. The tall dark-haired girl had bundled up in black for the cold spring night, winter weather still hadn't left New York. She wore a long black leather coat, black scarf, black gloves, black jeans, black stiletto boots, and a black cabbie hat with her black hair flowing freely in the breeze. She leaned against the brick wall of the theater. A couple of girls walked by, even more bundled up than Rachel, complaining about the weather: “God, it’s freezing outside.” What a wimp, Rachel thought to herself as the girls disappeared down the street. Rachel had experienced every New York winter since she was born. By now, she was completely numb to the cold. Her lightly tanned face and naked ears braved the storm without flinching.

Something else was bothering her. With a heavy sigh, Rachel picked up her phone. The time was 9:00 PM. An angry groan mumbled under her breath. Rachel tried to call a number, but her touch screen couldn’t recognize her leather gloves. The dark-haired girl looked angrily towards the clear night sky. Using her teeth, she pulled off her right glove. Rachel’s naked fingers now directed the phone to redial. The green phone icon came up. The mob boss’s daughter put the phone up to her ear; her naked hand now feeling the sting of the cold air.

The phone rang once, then was silent… It rang again, silence… It rang again, “Hello?”

Rachel hesitated before recognizing the soft angelic voice on the other end of the call: “Hey,” her low-cadence voice answered, “Where you at?”

“Look across the street,” the other voice answered, “To your left.”

Rachel looked to the left and managed to catch a girl in bright blue waved one white gloved hand, the other holding a cell-phone to her hat covered ear. It was Julia! Rachel waved her other hand and put her phone away. She stayed perfectly still watching the daughter of her rival walk towards her. Her bright-blue trench-coat was augmented by a white scarf, white gloves, and long white boots. It didn’t appear that she was wearing pants. Rachel could not help but smile at the sight of this beautiful girl. Her blonde hair was tucked away under her striped white hat, but just enough strands were visible. Her complexion was as white as the lingering snow on the ground. Rachel still couldn’t hold her tongue.

“Well,” Rachel said, “We missed the movie.”

“I’m so sorry,” Julia wrapped her arms around the taller Rachel apologizing most sincerely. Rachel put one arm around her date, but also looked up at the marquee in annoyance, “My father wouldn’t let me go.”

This didn’t really surprise Rachel, having seen the controlling Columbo in action at the funeral, “How did you get away?”

“Don’t ask,” Julia said as she let go of her date in black, “I’m sorry we missed the movie.”

“Well,” Rachel looked back at the marquee, “We can catch the 10:00 show.”

“Didn’t you already get the tickets?” Julia asked in a concerned manner.

“It’s no problem,” Rachel held Julia’s hand and walked towards the ticket-booth cutting in front of a line. Julia felt a shiver run down her spine as Rachel took her hand.

“Hey,” the man in front of the line complained, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He was much bigger than her, probably weighed twice as much as she did.

Rachel completely ignored the man and began talking to the guy in the ticket booth. Julia did not say a word. “Yeah,” Rachel picked up her tickets, “I’m not gonna be using-“

“Miss,” The ticket-guy pointed towards the back, “There’s a line here.”

“Thank you,” the man in front of the line complained trying to grab hold of her.

As she felt the man’s hand take hold of her, Rachel quickly grabbed the man’s arm, twisted it around to his back into an arm-lock. The man screamed once in pain causing everyone around her to step back. Julia watched the black-haired woman in awe. Eventually, Rachel dropped the man to the ground and turned back towards the ticket booth as if nothing had happened: “Anyway, I want two tickets for Action Pope, 10:00.”

At first the man behind the ticket-booth was speechless having seen this woman take down a man twice her size. Eventually he shook his head and gained his senses, “Look, you need to get back in line.” He pointed towards the end of the line again.

“Rachel,” Julia pleaded, “It’s okay, we can wait-“

“Do me a favor,” Rachel ignored her friend, now smiling mischievously at the ticket-guy, “Call your manager, and tell him,” she said the next words slowly and clearly, “Rachel Giovanni wants tickets.”

The name Giovanni certainly got a few people around her talking. This included the man on the floor who now looked up the girl with fear in his eyes. It didn’t affect the ticket-man who annoyingly called up his manager and briefly told his superior the story. Within milliseconds of mentioning the name “Rachel Giovanni” there was a terrible silence in the ticket booth. The young man behind the glass looked at Rachel, who was still smiling mischievously at him, with wide-eyes. He soon began to shake and hung up the phone.

“Oh my God,” he stuttered, “I-I am so sorry Ms. Giovanni.” He printed out two tickets, “That’s two for Action Pope, free of charge!” He quickly handed the girl the tickets.

Rachel said nothing as her black leather glove reached for the tickets. Her other hand reached for Julia’s who stood there jaw-dropped. “C’mon,” Rachel said, “We got an hour to kill, why don’t we go get some pizza?”

Julia looked behind her as they walked away. All eyes were on the two of them.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rachel took a bite of her thin-crust cheese pizza somewhat dissatisfied, “It’s not that great,” Rachel said, “But it sure beats the crap they serve in the theater.”

Julia chuckled slightly, “Cheaper too.”

They sat at a four-legged table, covered by a cheap plaid tablecloth, in a typical dive-pizza joint. They were the only ones there, aside from the workers. Rachel had taken off her hat and gloves, but Julia left hers on, using a napkin to pick up her pizza.

“It’s bad enough,” Rachel talked with her mouth full, “We gotta spend like thirteen dollars a ticket, but do we have to spend another fifteen fucking dollars on stale lukewarm popcorn?”

Julia did not answer but laughed slightly. After a slow pause, and a bite of the thin piece of cheese, tomato sauce and bread, Julia brought up the elephant in the room, “I got the assumption last time that you were not proud of your family’s business.”

“Hey,” Rachel raised her arms while taking a sip of her soda, “If it gets me free tickets or free pizza, I don’t hesitate to use my name.” Rachel watched her date nod her head, “What? You’ve never mentioned your name to get what you want?”

“No,” Julia nodded sadly, “I don’t really go out at all. My father and his men do everything for me.”

Rachel was starting to understand Julia’s lifestory. She was obviously born with a silver-spoon in her mouth. Her father had given her almost everything, a great house, a good education, respectful manners, but he had never given her freedom. The only time Julia was allowed out the house was probably through an escort. If her father found out she was sitting in a pizza-shop in Williamsburg by herself, he’d blow a fuse. Still, one question was on Rachel’s mind:

“You mind if I ask you something?”

There was a hesitation from Julia. She knew Rachel had something meaningful on her mind, “Go ahead,” she finally answered.

“Have you ever had a boyfriend?” She asked so simply, “Or girlfriend?”

The hesitation was even stronger now. Clearly Julia didn’t want to answer that question. “Have you?” She answered with another question.

“Of course,” Rachel said taking another bite. Rachel’s eyes didn’t focus on the blonde this time, “I had a couple boyfriends in school, of course it didn’t last long once they found out who my father was.”

“Your father didn’t approve?”

“I didn’t say that,” Rachel corrected, “My father was pretty cool about letting me date people. Anyway once I got to college, there was this girl I fell in love with. My first girlfriend,” She smiled a little, “But you know, same old, same old. Intimidated by my father, she left me, never to be seen again. Ever since then, I’ve always liked girls.”

Julia was fascinated by all this, “Does anybody know?”

Rachel finally looked her date in the eyes, “Know what?”

“That you’re,” Julia hesitated and looked around, “A lesbian?” She said very quietly.

Rachel’s eyes vacillated. She finished off her slice of pizza and began to wipe her hands clean, “I’ve never liked that term,” Rachel said, “Lesbian. People always associate it with something immoral. Even the sound of the word… Lesbian. It just sounds so negative, when it should be something beautiful and romantic.”

The lesbian made a very good point to the blondie. She began to ponder the idea in her mind, “Well, howabout… Amore Ragazze?” Julia’s voice sounded so melodic and beautiful uttering the Italian phrase.

“What is that?” Rachel laughed looking at her date, “Love of girls?” Rachel could barely remember her Italian lessons, but she knew enough to understand the blonde’s phrase.

A grin escaped Julia’s mouth. Rachel couldn’t believe how much more alive she felt being around this girl. Something about Julia chased the dark vampire out of the black-haired girl and just allowed Rachel to be herself.

“Well,” Rachel chuckled, “The only person who knows I’m… Amore Ragazze,” Rachel felt a tingling sensation in her lips saying the phrase, “Is Amy.”

Julia was somewhat surprised to hear this, “Your sister.”

“Cousin,” Rachel corrected her, “We ended up living in the same dorm for a couple months. Dad thought it would be good for me. One day, my girlfriend and I come back to the dorm drunk off our asses.” There a slight pause as Rachel smiled, “Boy was she surprised.”

“Is she also…” Julia began to ask.

“Amore Ragazze?” Rachel responded, “Amy? Little Miss Perfect would never do that. But she kept my secret between us, I don’t really want anyone to know. I don’t think she does either. She actually thought the secret would bring us closer together.” She rolled her eyes and quickly changed the subject, “Anyway, what about you? When did you realize you were Amore Ragazze?”

Julia’s smile faded away. She looked uncomfortable. Her white gloved hands rubbed her cold cheeks. Rachel’s smile faded too as she picked up on the girl’s discomfort. “I think we should get going.” Julia immediately stood up. Her hands gathered her paper plate and napkin and carefully made their way to the trash. Rachel watched her somewhat confused, but realizing that she must have brought up something uncomfortable for her blonde friend to talk about. Not everyone was totally comfortable being ‘Amore Ragazze.’ Rachel stood up and grabbed the girl’s white gloved hands. Her leather gloves felt cold, yet soft in Rachel’s naked hands. Julia stopped in her tracks and stared into Rachel’s eyes.

There was silence.

“Julia,” Rachel whispered, “I’m one person in your life you don’t have to be afraid of.”

Hard to believe after the tall raven-head showed her strength outside the theater, but Julia knew that underneath her shell, Rachel was a soul to be savored. Rachel stared into Julia’s pale innocent face. Those lips called out for attention. She knew how shy the girl was, but never in a million years would she ever ask to kiss someone; only losers do that. So Rachel leaned her face in, ever so slowly. Julia’s face didn’t move, much to the taller girl’s approval. Her lips almost reached Julia’s.

…And then

Julia turned her face away to the side.

Rachel sighed silently not wanting her date to think ill of her. She almost thought about calling the whole thing off, but the night was young. She still had a chance.

“Can we go,” Julia said almost shaking, “See the movie now?”

Rachel nodded and let go of the girls’ hands. Rachel grabbed her own gloves and hat, leaving her pizza on the table. She did however, grab her bottled soda, hiding it in her coat. Julia was very confused by this:

“What are you doing?”

Rachel smiled as she zipped up her jacket now with an obvious bumb on the side of it, “Well there’s no way in hell I’m giving up my last week’s paycheck for another soda!”

Julia laughed in a way Rachel had not yet seen. Perhaps Julia’s shell was cracking. Julia honestly felt the same about Rachel. The taller one stuffed her gloves in her pocket and slipped her hat back on. As the two prepared to walk outside, Rachel decided to play this next move conservatively:

“Hey,” she said, “Is it all right if I hold your hand?”

There was a pause and a stare between the two. It was interrupted as a white gloved hands interlaced fingers with another naked feminine hand. Rachel looked down at the hand she was holding delighted. It was a glove-covered hand, but she didn’t care.

“Shall we?” Julia smiled.

“Yeah,” Rachel said as they walked out, “Lets go see Pope Schwarzenegger kick some ass!”

CHAPTER 4

“We shouldn’t have any more problems with Berkhalter.”

Seated in a couch across from an armchair, Amy elaborately explained to her mother what had transpired at the meeting with Berkhalter, at least everything she saw. Don Jackie Giovanni listened to every word her adopted daughter said. Angelo sat next to his cousin on the couch. He didn’t want to be there; his jacket was hung on the coat-rack while his sleeves were rolled up. Amy on the other hand was still dressed professionally with her glasses on; always having paperwork ready. Seated in two chairs off to the side were Charlie and Sal. Vinnie Montana stood by the door. Jackie’s office was quite big; a super-bowl party could be held there.

“However,” she shuffled around her papers, “It looks like we have some bigger fish to fry.”

Jackie prepared herself for her Consigliere’s next topic, but the two capos to her left began to speak up.

“You know,” Charlie interrupted, “I like fish,” he spoke in a slow thoughtful manner, “But I don’t like it fried, especially when it’s… too big!” Sal held his hands up.

“Nah see,” Sal responded almost immediately, “I love fried food, but I don’t like the fish. They’re too scaley, too wet, and they spend their days in the ocean all the time.”

“Of course they do,” Charlie said assertively, “Where else are they gonna go, the mountains?”

“Well,” Sal had a disgusted look on his face, “I don’t wanna eat anything that came out of the ocean.”

Angelo, annoyed by his colleagues, rested his forehead into his palm. Amy was not particularly fond of these two men’s inability to keep their mouths shut, but she joined in the conversation: “Is it because of the Mercury poisoning?”

Sal looked at her confused, “No, it’s because fish urinate in there! I’m eating fish piss! I brush my teeth for hours after eating that shit.”

“Where do you think toothpaste comes from you dumbass?” Charlie snapped.

“You’re a dumbass!” Sal responded.

“Hey!” Jackie called to her caporegimes. Suddenly everyone stopped dead in their tracks and turned their attention to the woman. She smiled sarcastically, “Are you done?” Her taciturn aggressive attitude was impossible to ignore.

The two of them hesitated before Charlie answered for them, “Yeah.”

“Good,” Jackie smiled. She rolled her eyes and turned back towards her niece, “Go ahead Amy.”

“There’s a power struggle going on,” Amy immediately continued her briefing as if she hadn’t stopped, “Over Wall Street. Times being what they are, everybody seems to want a piece of Wall Street.”

Jackie nodded her head in agreement, “Gotti’s never really had a tight hold over the financial district.”

“And of course,” Amy replied, “Columbo wants to control the area.” She pointed to a map of the area, “So far, Columbo’s operating out of two office buildings and several small businesses around the area. Now we’ve got our Card Shop right here on Pearl Street, and the office building right next to it. We’re also operating out of the café here. We’re getting a lot of protection money from the unions and individual workers, but Columbo’s looking to squeeze us out of Wall Street.”

Sal laughed in a silly manner. He slapped Charlie on the leg, “She said squeeze out.” He continued to laugh uncontrollably.

An annoyed Jackie looked towards Vinnie Montana and nodded her head. Vinnie got up and picked up Sal’s chair, with Sal in it. For Vinnie, it was like carrying an empty seat. Sal stopped laughed as the giant muscle-man put the chair down in the hallway and closed the door leaving Sal outside. Vinnie looked back towards Jackie.

“Thank you!” Jackie said relieved.

“Well look,” Angelo spoke up, “If Columbo wants a war, why don’t we start killing their business out there? A few broken windows, an arm or leg in three places-“

“No,” Jackie pointed stopping her son in his tracks, “The last thing we need is another war. Gotti will shut down our operations there within seconds.” Amy and Angelo nodded. “But Amy, you are right. The politicians are pretty angry with the capitalist machine of Wall Street, so taking their money is almost a Robin Hood solution to them. This is where the money is in this recession.” She now looked to Charlie who gave his full attention, “Charlie I want you to tighten up security around the area and get a mole inside Columbo’s business.”

“Will do Don Giovanni,” He got up.

Jackie got up from her chair and hugged Amy, “I’m proud of you both. You really came through for me this week.” She looked at her son. He was now an adult, ready to take on the responsibilities of the family. Jackie smiled and fixed his jacket, “You’re starting to look more and more like your father, you know that?” Angelo smiled. “You’re gonna be in charge soon, but you listen to your sister, she’s a woman after all!”

Amy shared a laugh with her mother. Angelo shook his head and smiled in good humor. Just then, Sal opened the door and came back into the room.

“What do you want me to do Jackie?”

Jackie looked at him for a second before responding: “I want you to go to Boston.”

“You got it!” Sal closed the door and ran off.

Charlie now looked towards his Godmother, “What is he going to Boston for?”

“Nothing,” Jackie responded, “I just want him to get as far away from me as possible.”

St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Rome, Italy, the grounds were covered by people. The crowd scattered as the Pope lead the procession through the square. He was tall, dressed in full garb with his signature mitre hat. Behind him was a line of bishops, cardinals, priests and several men of the Catholic church (not a woman in sight). Things seemed to be going pretty peaceful until gunshots caused everyone in the square to panic and scatter. A group of muslim extremists, possibly the Taliban, had invaded the square with AK-47s gunning down the policemen and making their way towards The Pope. While the other members of the church ran in fear, The Pope did not.

His face finally became visible, looking exactly like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He did not move as bullets flew through the air. His eyes were intense. He pulled off his tall hat and pointed the top towards the terrorist making their way closer and closer towards him. Suddenly bullets began flying from the hat hitting all the Muslim terrorists. Not one AK-47 shell hit Arnold, even as he just stood there firing blindly; but almost all of the terrorists were on the ground within seconds.

The Pope then smiled at the dead or wounded extremists, held the hat up with one arm, and spoke in his famous Austrian accent:

“Let he who is without sin, fire the first bullet!” Arnold then stuck a cigar in his mouth and lit it.

Suddenly the title: ACTION POPE appeared on the screen.

“Yeah” Rachel applauded from the audience, “Arnold’s still got it!”

The dark theatre was packed with people, but Rachel and Julia managed to get perfect center seats only seven rows back. Rachel now had her coat on her lap, her hat, scarf and gloves all off. She took a sip of her soda smiling at the movie. Julia had also placed her coat on her lap, but she kept her hat, scarf and gloves on. In deference to Rachel’s enthusiasm, Julia watched the movie more critically.

“Why didn’t Arnold get hit by a bullet?” She asked.

Rachel shhhed her and returned her attention to the screen.

Arnold was now gathered before a crowd dressed in full garb discussing the importance of prayer:

“Praying to God is very important. It feels fantastic to pray; it’s as satisfying to me as having sex with a woman and cumming.” Pope Arnold was now smiling enthusiastically, “So can you imagine how much I am in heaven already? I’m cumming when I’m praying to God, I’m cumming when I’m receiving communion, I’m cumming at home with my fellow Bishops… you know, I’m cumming day and night! It feels fantastic!” He laughed amusingly.

The crowd was not as amused staring at him uncomfortably. Suddenly, someone whispered something into the Pope’s ear causing him to stand up:

“Stay here,” He said with a more serious tone, “I’ll be back.” He then proceeded to leave the room.

Rachel was laughing slightly until she turned her head to see Julia watching the screen somewhat uncomfortably. She looked so timid and shy, not the kind of girl who would enjoy an action packed Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. She was beginning to wonder why Julia agreed to see this movie in the first place. On the phone, the two of them had discussed their movie night. Rachel had asked Julia what movie she wanted to see, but the blonde girl acquiesced to the black-haired girl’s wish. She had detected some resistance when suggesting ACTION POPE to Julia, but the shy girl simply agreed without saying anything. Rachel had been looking forward to this movie for quite some time and wasn’t about to argue. Now, here in the theater, Rachel was beginning to regret bringing her. She simply put down her drink and placed her arm around Julia’s shoulders. The blonde looked back at the other girl. Rachel simply turned her attention back to the screen while Julia leaned her head on her date’s shoulder.

“You blew my cover!” Arnold yelled, his hat off. He was standing on the roof of the Vatican holding a Cardinal by the legs. “You used to be someone I could trust. How could give the enemy our position?”

“I have only,” The Cardinal shouted, “Only ever done the work of God.” He looked down the long drop to the ground in fear.

“God says you do sloppy work. He’s going to start… DOWNsizing!” Arnold let go of one of the Cardinal’s legs, now only holding one leg with one arm.

“Wait Pope,” The Cardinal shouted, “The President of the United States. I can tell you where he’s being held.”

“But you won’t!” Arnold snarled and held up a brochure for Pakistan, “Because I already know.”

By now the Cardinal was afraid for his life. He was beginning to moan and scream.

“Hey Cardinal,” Arnold said, “Remember when I promised you would go to Heaven?”

“That’s right Pope,” He shouted looking up at him, “You did!”

A close up shot of the Austrian Pope revealed his serious response, “I lied!” His hand let go of The Cardinal who fell to the ground screaming.

“What’s the matter?” Rachel interrupted Julia. The blonde looked to her date trying to cover up her insecurity.

“What do you mean?” She whispered.

Rachel wanted to roll her eyes, but she was patient, “Do you not like the movie?”

“Oh no,” Julia was defensive, “No it’s good.” She wasn’t a very good liar, at least not in front of Rachel.

The taller girl was unsure what to do as the movie moved forward. Rachel wanted Julia so badly. She would have her right there in the movie theater… Wait, that’s it. She thought she would just touch Julia right there in the seat next to her. Nobody around was paying attention to them, it was dark, why not? Rachel looked to Julia’s lap where her coat laid. She began to move her fingers closer to her; but no, wait… Julia might freak out and run out of the theater screaming. While Rachel was not an academic genius, she was street smart. She knew most people better than they knew themselves. Julia was a repressed, shy girl… Maybe not shy enough… After all, Julia was the one who came up to Rachel at the reception. She was the one who wanted to take her father's rival's daughter out to the movies. The pale blonde might not be as innocent as she let on. She began to move her fingers toward the girl’s coat again. She put her hand underneath the coat.

One concerned eye looking towards Rachel was all the raven-haired girl needed to make her face turn white. Julia looked at Rachel somewhat shocked:

“What’s are you doing?” Julia whispered.

Rachel could imagine placing her finger underneath the girl’s coat and pleasuring her in the middle of this dark theater. She imagined Julia accepting it, after some resistance, sighing silently as the taller girl massaged her most private area. She could almost feel Julia’s intense orgasm as the blonde squeezed her hand and let out the softest moan. Unfortunately for her, this didn’t happen.

Rachel could also imagine certain people disapproving of this scene…

Rachel simply rubbed the girl’s thy innocently. Julia looked down to her leg curiously. She didn’t disapprove, but Rachel took her hand away and placed it back on the arm-rest. She still had her arm over the blonde’s shoulder, “Watch the movie.”

Rachel returned her attention to the screen:

Pope Arnold was no longer in his Pope outfit. Instead he was dressed in his familiar military Commando gear, fighting over a knife. The tall muscular terrorist still wasn’t enough of a match for the muscular Austrian, but Arnold struggled all the same. Just as it looked like he was about to be stabbed. A knife sliced through the terrorist’s chest causing him to drop his own knife. A figure rose from behind the body to reveal another muscle commando wearing a headband along with a cross around his neck.

“God may have mercy,” the man said in a low snarl, “But I won’t!”

The terrorist fell to the floor. The headbanded man, who looked a lot like Sylvester Stallone, helped the Pope up.

“Bishop Sly!” Arnold smiled before pulling out another cigar, “What are you doing here?”

“Thought you could use a little help,” Sly answered picking up an M60, “Where’s the president?”

“He’s being held in the mountains,” He picked up the terrorist’s AK-47 and reloaded it, “The Russians have him prisoner.”

“Hassem,” A Russian voice came through the dead man’s radio, which Bishop pulled up, “Haseem this is Vladimir, do you read me?”

Stallone hesitated before answering the radio, “Vladimir,” He began to squeeze the radio tightly, “I’m coming to get YOU!”

With that, Bishop Sly threw the radio into the air and fired his M60 at it screaming his lungs out.

Normally Rachel would be shaking in excitement over this adrenaline-soaked scene of violence, but her mind was fixated on Julia. She would do anything to have this girl, but she was just too shy. However, Rachel’s attention towards the movie completely disappeared as she felt a hand reach under her coat and begin to rub her thy innocently. She turned her head to see the blonde now smiling at her. Julia had one of the most beautiful smiles she had ever seen.

Rachel decided to take advantage of the situation. She moved her arm away from the blonde’s shoulder. Julia could barely see Rachel’s face, but she knew it was there. Rachel’s lips moved closer and closer towards Julia’s. Even in a dark theater, Julia knew Rachel wanted to kiss her. As much as she wanted to turn her head away, Julia allowed the taller-girl to gently press against her lips. It was a soft feeling that made both girls shake a little. The kiss broke after only a second and the two looked at each other again. Suddenly Rachel changed her tone becoming more aggressive as she began a make-out session with the blonde. After only a few seconds, Julia broke the kiss and looked at the ground. Rachel didn’t say a word. If this wasn’t what the shy-girl wanted, she wouldn’t push her. Suprisingly, Julia came back to kiss Rachel. Both of the girls’ held onto each other as their mouths embraced each other and their tongues began to rub against one another. Score, is all Rachel could think. She was now kissing an extremely shy girl in the middle of a crowded theater. Maybe she wasn’t so innocent after all. After a minute, the kiss broke and the two of them looked each other in the eye. They didn’t say a word. Then a minute later, they were back in their make-out session. Neither of them could really pay attention to the rest of the movie.

The end of the movie was typical action explosions and ridiculous one-liners:

Pope Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bishop Sylvester Stallone stood in front of a huge gathering at the Vatican. Arnold stood there, without his Pope hat, cigar in his hand addressing the people:

“And that is why,” he said solemnly, “I must step down as your Pope.” There was a sizable reaction to the man’s speech, “But don’t worry,” he suddenly put a pair of sunglasses on, “I’ll be back!”

Enormous amount of applause echoed through the square. The president of The United States (played by Morgan Freeman) shook Arnold’s hand with his left hand; his right arm was in a cast. As Arnold and the president stepped aside, Stallone, now in full Pope gear, came to the microphone:

“I just wanna say,” His voice was barely audible as he screamed, “I think everybody can change. All religions, Christian, Muslim, Jew, everyone,” He hesitated to catch his breath, “Can change and live in peace with each other. And then they’re be no more wars, no more conflicts, and together we can make this world a better place. Everybody can change-“

“C’mon Sly,” Arnold interrupted him, “Nobody cares about that! Just tell everyone to read The Bible and shut up!”

“Hey!” Sly shouted at Arnold, “I’m trying to do something good here.”

“You’re boring us to sleep is what you’re doing!” Arnold shouted.

The two of them then began to scream at each other inaudibly as the final music came up and the credits rolled.

Rachel and Julia walked out of the theater holding hands.

“That movie,” Rachel said, “Was awesome! Arnold’s still got it. That scene where he rips the guy’s arm right out of its socket was epic!”

“I guess it was okay,” Julia said.

Rachel looked at her like she was crazy. “Just okay? Are you crazy?! It was the best!”

“Well,” Julia said now smiling at her date, “I wasn’t really paying attention at the end. Someone was distracting me.”

Rachel laughed. She was really enjoying this girl’s company. Maybe there was a future for the two of them. The kiss they shared was just as beautiful and intoxicating as she had hoped it would be. Rachel now leaned into kiss her date again. Unfortunately, Julia turned her head away.

“What time is it?” Julia pulled out her phone. She gasped and let go of Rachel’s hand, “Oh my God, I gotta go.” Her face turned paler and she began to run backwards.

“Wait Julia,” Rachel shouted.

“I’m sorry Rachel,” she said, “I gotta go, I’ll call you later.” The girl quickly disappeared behind the corner leaving the raven-hair all by herself.

What was it that had scared her into running away? Rachel couldn’t figure it out. Had she done something wrong? She stood there outside the theater for a minute as she turned her phone back on. Julia was an enigma. Rachel and her might have a future together, both emotionally and physically, but until she got to the root of her shy-nature, it couldn’t work. Rachel noticed a missed call from her cousin. She didn’t feel like talking to anybody. Her gloves slipped back onto her hands and her hat was placed back on her head. Her legs began to move her away from the movie theater. Rachel’s head looked down towards the pavement as she placed her hands in her pockets and stepped out into the cold dark street.

AMORE RAGAZZE

By SomeguyJim

CHAPTER 6

“Seriously the subways in this city suck!” Sal ran his mouth off, “You know it took me an hour and a half to get home last night? I had to make four subway transfers to get there. And they expect me to pay an extra fifteen fuckin’ dollars for a metro card? Fuck that!”

“How could it have taken you an hour and a half?” Charlie raised his hands in confusion, one with a cigarette in it, “You only live ten blocks away!”

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about! That L train goes down, you’re fucked!” He began to count with his fingers in aggravation, “You gotta take the G train, to the M train, to the F train, to the A train, back to the G train, to the-“

“Why didn’t you just take a cab?” Charlie interrupted him.

“Then what’s the point of paying over a hundred fuckin’ dollars for a metro-card?”

“Sal, you make five times that much money a day, tax free!”

Angelo sat in the chair of his office of the greeting card store on Wall Street watching TV. His feet were on the desk, his eyes looked out to the lobby where his two underlings were arguing again about God knows what. He was hopping through the channels hoping to hear something about his family. Obviously, the media always portrayed the Giovanni family in a negative light, much to Angelo’s satisfaction. He admired his father’s work more so than his two sisters. Marlon would constantly remind Angelo that someday he would be the one to take over the family business. He turned his attention away from the outside lobby just as an unexpected visitor came in.

There were a few people in the store, it wasn’t a big place, with only one sales clerk at the counter. It was bright, because today the sun was shining on this surprisingly warm early-spring morning. A girl walked in wearing a thin leather jacket with jeans and sneakers. She was familiar to both the Capos.

“Hey Rachel,” Sal immediately grabbed her attention, “You can back me up here. Don’t you think the subways are shit?”

Rachel didn’t enjoy Sal’s moronic conversation, but she humored her father’s oldest friend, “Yeah they’re shit.” She tried to walk by the two loudmouths, but now Charlie had to get his comment in:

“So,” the grey-haired man asked, “Do you take cabs then?”

“I walk,” Rachel said as she made her way towards a row of relationship cards.

“From Brooklyn?” Charlie asked surprisingly.

“No wonder she’s so thin,” Sal thought aloud.

“Yeah,” Charlie looked at his friend, “Maybe you should start walking you fatass!”

“Are you kidding me?” Sal started patting the man’s belly, “Have you taken a look in the mirror lately? By the way, my kid appreciates the toys you brought down the chimney last Christmas!”

Rachel completely tuned out the two mafiosos as she browsed through a wall of relationship cards. She was not accustomed to giving people cards. Anytime she received one, they usually ended up in the trash, unless it contained a check. The last time Rachel received a card was from her father last Christmas. She seemed more interested in the check than she did the actual card. However, today was one situation she felt compelled to write a card. It was for Julia. It had been over a week since she heard from her date. Julia didn’t answer her phonecalls, didn’t respond to her texts, Rachel couldn’t find Julia Columbo on any social network; it was almost as if she had disappeared. There were several theories, but Rachel now had one last resort for contacting her: mailing an old fashioned card. But which to choose? Would something too romantic make the situation worse? Should it be casual and friendly? That might be a better idea just in case Frank Columbo or one of his men inspected every letter Julia received. For that matter, could Rachel Giovanni even use her real name on the return address? Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.

“Looking for a love card, Vampira?” A familiar voice echoed in Rachel’s ears.

“Leave me alone Angelo,” Rachel didn’t even look at him. She continued to look at different cards.

“Hey this is my store,” Angelo teased her, “I can do whatever I want.”

Rachel finally looked behind to see her brother smiling at her abrasively. The sister’s irritated eyes trailed off. She wasn’t in the mood to argue, so Rachel was candid with her brother:

“I want to give a card to someone,” she hesitated, “Someone special.”

“Awww,” Angelo mocked. He pinched her cheeks much to the raven-hair’s annoyance, “My little sister has a boyfriend.”

‘How wrong you are,’ Rachel thought to herself. She remained silent, not about to tell her brother she was ‘Amore Ragazze’. Angelo was picking up his sister’s irritation and let go of her face. Although he didn’t get along with her, Angelo still treated Rachel as another customer.

“All right, all right,” He was more helpful taking a look at the wall with her, “So what’s this guy like?”

Rachel equivocated hearing the word ‘guy’. “Shy,” she answered, “Painfully shy.”

He looked at his sister curiously. All the times Angelo tried to set his sister up on a date had failed. The dominant Rachel was not attracted to strength or confidence. She was always attracted to the more submissive type, but what guy would possibly so ‘painfully shy’? Unfortunately, this brief display of brotherly affection was interrupted.

“Oh shit!” Charlie yelled.

The siblings turned to see Charlie and Sal running out the door. A man was lying on the ground bleeding from the stomach. Both of them ran to see what was happening, as did the sales clerk. The bleeding man was screaming obscenities.

“Jimmy,” Charlie yelped kneeling beside him, “What happened?”

This was not the first time Rachel had seen a wounded man. She was reminded again what kind of business her family was in. Even so, she wasn’t about to let this man bleed to death. She ran back into the store, into the bathroom, where a first aid kit hung on the wall. She grabbed it without stopping and ran back outside. She slid down kneeling before the man. A quick pull of the box revealed a few bandages, which she immediately pressed against the man’s blood stained stomach.

“Fuckin’ Snakes,” Jimmy struggled to catch his breath, “Ratted me out and knifed me.”

“Snakes?” Angelo stood over his wounded soldier. Jimmy was ordered by Charlie to spy on Columbo’s Wall Street hangout. Snakes, Columbo’s Consigliere, obviously knew about it. This was a message for the Giovanni family, ‘Stay out of our business.’ Angelo’s eyes widened, his mouth tense with fury. As angry as he was over this act of violence, this was his chance to prove his worth. He walked back into the store, into his office.

Meanwhile Rachel was using what little medical experience she had to help Jimmy, “Take it easy Jimmy, you’ll be okay.”

“I’m fucking dying!” Jimmy screamed.

Sal and Charlie were both on their phones.

“I’m gonna get Vinnie Montana over here,” Sal said texting, “He should be around-“

“Amy,” Charlie spoke on the phone, “We got a man down over here.”

The female sales clerk simply stood there like a deer in the headlights.

“Guys,” Rachel looked up to them, “We gotta get him to a hospital, Now!”

“I know,” Sal put his phone away. Charlie was still talking, “There’s a guy we know in NYDH, we gotta get him over there without-“

Sal stopped in mid-sentence as Angelo kicked open the door with a bat in his hand and vengeance in his eye. Angelo could stride, without running, faster than anyone else they knew.

“Angelo?” Rachel watched her older brother walk away. He didn’t look back. This was not going to end well. If only Amy was there, she could cool her brother down before he did something insane. By now he was almost a block away from them.

“Angelo,” Charlie ran after him.

“Shit,” Sal ran after Charlie.

“Sal!” Rachel screamed realizing she was now alone with Jimmy. He was still screaming, his chest bleeding badly. It was up to her now. Rachel did her best to pick the man up. He screamed in pain, “C’mon Jimmy, we gotta get you to a hospital!” She now looked to the sales clerk who was standing there shaking, “For God sakes Gillian, would you give me a hand?” Gillian very slowly, walked towards Rachel and held one arm as Rachel did the other. It was going to be a long walk to the hospital.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Snakes, his sleeves rolled up, was actually standing outside the office building Columbo worked out of. He was on the phone, smoking a cigarette:

“Don’t worry,” he said, “I took care of it.”

Columbo spoke on the other end of the line.

“No he’s still around, but we won’t be seeing him no more.” Snakes turned around to see Angelo walking towards him. The son of Giovanni had the bat hidden behind his back. Snakes wasn’t really expecting much, although he did flick his cigarette away, “I’ll call you back; Junior’s here.” He put his cell phone down and watched the young Giovanni advance on him. He had shark eyes, wide open, ready to strike. Two other men were behind him.

“Angelo,” Charlie said, “Take it easy.”

Snakes walked towards Angelo. His knife was in his jacket just in case. “What the fuck do you want?”

Within seconds of his statement, Angelo swung the bat at Snakes head. The Consigliere’s nose was instantly broken and bleeding. No time to grab his knife, Snakes instantly fell to the floor and yelled. People gathered around the area began to take notice or run away in fear.

“Angelo!” Charlie screamed. He and Sal stood back watching their Underboss beat Snakes repeatedly on the floor. Angelo screamed obscenities. His bat smashed his rival’s body hard, as if his own life depended on it.

Within ten seconds, several other members of the Columbo mob ran outside to aid their Consigliere. The sound of guns emerging from Charlie and Sal’s belts stopped the soldiers in their tracks. They watched the Giovanni crew’s firearms cautiously. Sal and Charlie didn’t want to have their guns out, but they had to protect their Underboss at all costs. Another man, a giant, conveniently stood next to Sal and Charlie with a shotgun in his hand. Not even Columbo’s most loyal followers would dare try to assult the infamous Vinnie Montana, especially armed. Rumor had it, Vinnie had been shot twenty times. He was indestructible. The Columbo soldiers could only stand from a safe distance and watch their superior be beaten mercilessly by this angry insane 25-year old. Angelo concentrated solely on hitting Snakes with his bat. Nothing else mattered to him.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

“Are you out of your fucking mind?”

Jackie slapped her son again across the face. It was forceful, leaving a red handmark. The two of them stood in the center of the Greeting Card store’s office, where Angelo had been sitting a few hours earlier. Sitting on a couch nearby were sisters Rachel and Amy. Charlie stood near the door of the office. Outside, Sal, Vinnie Montana and another soldier stood guard by the front of the building. The sales clerk was no where to be seen. None of the members of the Giovanni family could remember the last time Jackie was this angry. She had always been the calm diplomatic soul behind Marlon’s tough persona, but her eyes burned with rage. Amy took the position of calm diplomat, but she wasn’t about to question Don Giovanni’s actions. Rachel sat on the couch emotionless.

“C’mon Mom,” Angelo argued, “They wounded our guy first-“

“You beat up a made man!” She yelled, “You could have killed him! Jimmy’s not a made man, but Snakes is.”

“So what should I have done?” Angelo yelled back raising his arms, “Just sat in the office and jacked off?”

“That’s what you do all day anyway,” Rachel interrupted.

“Stay out of this Rach,” Angelo spat back at her.

“You should have talked to me first,” Jackie’s voice calmed down, but her index finger was pointing right at her son, “You should have let me handle it. I’m the boss of this family, not you.”

Angelo stayed silent. He looked at his mother like he wanted to punch her, but dared not. Jackie looked back at him in unspeakable anger. If Angelo was boss of the family, he wouldn’t be having this problem.

“Angelo,” Amy spoke up, removing her glasses. Her voice was as calm and eloquent as always, “What happened to Jimmy was deplorable, but we could have easily attained sympathy from Gotti and the rest of the other families over this incident. Not to sound like an opportunist, but we could have gained more from this act of violence by being composed and peaceful.”

“She’s absolutely right,” Don Giovanni pointed to her Consigliere.

The young man rolled his eyes. Amy would always second-guess her brother’s actions, but if he was boss, she would just have to shut up and obey him. To his way of thinking, Angelo had done right by his family. Why were they all now gaining up on him?

“A golden opportunity for good will, God bless Jimmy, I hope he’s okay, has just been destroyed by your ego.” Angelo didn’t know what his mother was getting at. He stayed silent. Jackie tried to be reasonable with him, “You know the rules Angelo, you don’t hit a made man. You need to have a sitdown with the rest of the family, with all the other families, before you move on him. You know how manipulative Columbo is. Gotti’s practically going to hand over the tip of Manhattan to him!”

“Dad never worried about stuff like that,” Angelo corrected his mother.

“Yes he did!” Jackie snapped at him, “Look, your father beat up a lot of people in his life, but he wasn’t impulsive about it. He thought it out first: Is this good for the family? Is this good for business?”

“Well that’s what I thought,” Angelo started.

“You,” Jackie interrupted pointing her finger at him again, tilting her head to the side, her eyes still fixated on her son, “Are not Marlon! I’m starting to consider letting Amy succeed me as Boss of this family.”

Amy looked a little uncomfortable. She had no desire to be the boss. Angelo’s eyes became more agitated as his mother went on talking.

“I mean Hell,” Jackie looked back to her daughters, “Maybe even Rachel would be better than you!”

“Okay,” Angelo interrupted, “You don’t need to insult me okay?”

“No I’m joking around Angelo,” Jackie shook her head, “Your sister carried that wounded man on her shoulder to the hospital. That’s something that your father would have done!”

Rachel pretended not to care about anything that was being said in that room. However, some small part of her couldn’t help but feeling flattered that her mother considered her to be the boss of the family. Jackie never complimented her like that. For a minute, Rachel began to fantasize what it would be like to be boss of the Giovanni family. Would she sit in the big chair like her father used to and conduct business with grace and intelligence? Wait, no! I don’t ever want to be a part of this organization of crime. Today’s horrific events were more than Rachel wanted to handle for the next few years.

“Don Giovanni,” Sal came into the room, “Frank Columbo is outside.”

Many times over the years, Sal had infuriated Marlon; Jackie was beginning to see why. Even if Sal was just doing his job, it was not something the Godmother wanted to hear right now. Her jaw dropped as she looked up to the ceiling.

“God damn it,” she whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. She pulled herself together and shook her head. She looked to Amy, who put her glasses back on. Rachel wasn’t quite sure what to do. “Okay send him in, Sal.”

“Yes Godmother,” Sal bowed his head and walked out of the office.

“Listen to me,” Jackie pointed her finger to Angelo, “You just sit in the corner and don’t say a god damned word unless I tell you to. You got it?” Angelo stared at his mother for a second, but eventually he shook his head in the affirmative. “Good.”

Angelo walked to the far corner of the office and sat in the small chair. Jackie took her place behind the desk, Charlie stood behind her. Rachel thought about leaving, but the door opened to reveal Sal, Frank Columbo, and Bobby, Columbo's henchman. Columbo and Giovanni stared at each other, like two generals meeting for a cease-fire. Columbo’s eyes looked angrily at Angelo, who very subtlety gave him the middle finger by scratching his face. The rival mob boss ignored this. He quickly glanced at Charlie, Amy and Rachel. Columbo didn’t really recognize Rachel; although he suspected she was the forgotten daughter of the family. Rachel was not afraid of this man, but she realized how intimidating he was. No wonder Julia was the way she was.

“Care to explain yourself?” Columbo asked Jackie. His voice was calm, yet assertive.

Jackie sat at her desk, not intimidated, “Surprised to see you here, wanting to talk Frank. I always figured you for a ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ kind of man.”

“You know Gotti would have a shit-fit if that happened here in Manhattan. Of course, we could settle this in Brooklyn if you want?”

Angelo just couldn’t help himself.

“You got some nerve you know that!” He spat at him, in full voice, “You whacked our guy first-“

“Angelo!” Jackie tried to calm her son down.

“Oh you were so innocent,” Columbo spat back to the boy in full voice, “Bringing a spy into our business?”

Jackie stood up and attempted to calm both of them down unsuccessfully.

“So what?” Angelo stood up and made his way towards Columbo, “You stab a guy for that?”

Columbo stood up and the two of them began to shout in each other’s faces.

“Welcome to the big leagues Junoir,” Columbo yelled, “Daddy’s not here to hold your hand anymore!”

“Fuck you!” Angelo grabbed the man’s jacket.

Bobby and Sal advanced on both of them hoping things wouldn’t get out of hand, but Jackie beat them to the punch, jumping clear over her desk to break them apart.

“Stop it! Stop it!” Jackie’s presence intercepted both of them. Everyone in the room calmed down. An angry stare at Angelo forced the son to sit back in his chair. She now looked to Columbo, “Frank, have a seat-“

“You outta keep that kid on a leash,” Columbo said irritated. Angelo bit his tongue.

“Sit down, Frank!” Giovanni was now forceful. She went back behind the chair as the boss of the Columbo family reluctantly obeyed his rival. How could he let this woman tell him what to do?

“So what are you gonna do about this Giovanni?” Columbo snarled, “Send my Consigliere flowers? In the hospital?”

Jackie knew this was going to be a long meeting. She looked around, just realizing that Rachel was still in the room. The raven-haired daughter look slightly intimidated.

“Rachel,” Jackie spoke up, “Would you wait outside please?”

Rachel didn’t say anything. She simply walked up and made her way out of the crowded office. Columbo stared at her slightly upon hearing her name called. The daughter didn’t think anything of it. By the time she was on the other side of the door, Columbo’s focus came back to Jackie. Sal closed the office door. Rachel had experienced some of these tense moments before, so she was not affected. She could still hear loud talking behind the closed door. Not actual yelling, but noticeable nonetheless. She stared at the door until a voice came behind her:

“Hi Rachel.”

It was a feminine voice for sure. Rachel turned around to see the blonde Julia standing before her. She was the only one in the store, Vinnie Montana and another one of Columbo’s men stood outside with their backs to the door. Julia’s beauty was more noticeable than it had been the night of the movie. Her long blonde hair was not covered by a hat, her jacket was much slimmer. However, her white gloves were still on, as were her white boots. Rachel was really caught off guard by her appearance.

“Hey,” was all she could bring herself to say.

Julia walked up to Rachel and clasped her hands, “I’m so sorry, I haven’t been able to get in touch with you. My father’s locked me in my room. In fact the only way I could get out of the house was to follow him to work today.”

Rachel said nothing. She began to doubt whether seeing this girl was worth it or not. Frank Columbo and Jackie Giovanni were not on amiable terms to say the least. If word got out that the two of them were ‘Amore Raggaze,’ it might lead to more bloodshed. Amy’s words of caution began to haunt Rachel’s mind. It would be best if Rachel told her they shouldn’t see each other anymore. Hell, they hadn’t seen each other for a week! Unfortunately, Julia’s angelic face didn’t make that easy.

“Are you mad at me?” Insecurity was in Julia’s voice. Rachel couldn’t bring herself to break up with this girl.

“No,” Rachel said, her hands still holding Julia’s. The blonde looked back to make sure no one was looking. Suddenly, her lips quickly kissed Rachel’s. Even if it was a split-second, Rachel knew she couldn’t resist it.

“I’m so happy to see you,” Julia smiled.

A smile began to crack in the raven-hair’s face, “I’m happy to see you,” there was a long hesitation. Both of the girls wanted to kiss each other, but this was not the place to do so. In fact, it was probably best if they stopped holding hands. It was suspicious all right. “Actually,” Rachel said, “I came out here to find a card for you.”

“Awww,” Julia said, “You’re so sweet.”



Rachel and Julia spent the next fifteen minutes looking at the cards, talking about how bad most of them were. Occasionally, they could hear voices being raised in the office, but nothing too violent.

“Why don’t you stand up to your father?” Rachel asked the blonde, “I mean you’re a grown woman, for God’s sake.”

“I can’t do that,” Julia looked to the floor.

“Julia,” Rachel held onto her shoulder, “You need to stand up for yourself. You’re never going to have a life if you let him lock you up in that room.” Julia now raised her eyes, gazing into Rachel’s, “Let’s go out tonight. Let’s go shopping, go to a bar… go back to my place?” This caused Julia’s eyes to nearly pop out.

Before she could say anything, Amy emerged from the office, she almost stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Rachel with her hand on Julia’s shoulder. Rachel and Julia both looked at Amy, the taller one dropping her arm.

“Hi Amy,” Julia smiled at her.

Amy forced a smile, “Nice to see you again Julia,” and shook her hand. Behind the smile, Amy was not happy to see the two of them in the same building with Frank Columbo. This could be problematic.

“Is everything okay?” Julia asked her.

“Sort of,” Amy said, “It looks like we came to an agreement. It’s all about being professional and diplomatic-“

“You’re still an asshole, you know that?” Angelo shouted to Columbo as he walked out of the office. The young man saw his sisters with Columbo’s daughter. She was looking very cute today; Angelo couldn’t help but smile and go up to her.

“Ah Julia,” Angelo put his hand on her shoulder, “What brings you around these parts?”

“My father,” Julia responded in a mousey way.

Angelo responded with laughter. “Amazing,” he looked to Amy, “That guy in there is the father to such a beautiful sweet thing.”

Rachel began to feel resentment watching her brother hit on her girlfriend. Julia didn’t seem comfortable. It was even worse when Frank Columbo finally emerged from the office seeing his enemy’s hand on his daughter’s shoulder. He pushed the kid away violently:

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“What the fuck is your problem Frank?” Angelo pushed back. Vinnie Montana and Frankie’s bodyguards gathered around them, not getting involved right away, “Is it against the law for me to be nice to your daughter?”

“Daddy,” Julia came next to him, “He wasn’t doing anything-“

“I wish Snakes had stabbed you right between the fucking eyes!” Columbo grabbed his shirt. It looked like a fight was going to break out before Vinnie Montana got in the way.

“Jesus Christ,” Jackie ran towards them, “Would you two cut it out?”

“I’m surprised at you Don Columbo,” A frail voice entered the room.

Everyone turned around to see old Don Gotti standing in the doorway with two bodyguards beside him. He was dressed in a white suit with a white fedora. His coat hung over his shoulders.

“Don Gotti,” Columbo showed his respect.

Jackie Giovanni did the same.

“I’d expect this kind of behavior from a 25-year old, but not from a experienced business-man like you.”

“I’d expect it from him,” Angelo said to the old man, “The guy’s an asshole! I mean look at his daughter for God’s sake, she’s terrified of him!”

Gotti notted how timid Julia looked, Rachel was the only one trying to console her. Columbo didn’t seem to take notice of this, only to Angelo.

“Listen to me Angelo,” Frank said to him calmly, “If you even touch my daughter-“

“I can’t shake her hand,” Angelo asked, “Be nice to her?”

“You know what I’m talking about,” he said.

“Don’t worry,” Angelo said as he began out of the shop, putting his sunglasses on, “Only an idiot would go out with her.”

 Rachel resented that statement. Angelo nodded his head to Don Gotti, “Good to see you again.” Gotti returned the nod and watched the boy walk out of the office.

“Don Gotti,” Jackie spoke up, “We’ve come to some agreements over everything that happened this morning.”

“I still want permission to kill her retarded son,” Columbo snarled. Jackie bit her tongue in Gotti’s presence.

“That I can’t give you,” Gotti shook his head to Frank, “You know I can’t stand violence in my city, but I’ll look over it, this one time. As I always say, business must move forward.”

Amy stepped forward to her mother, who nodded in agreement.

“Right,” Columbo reluctantly agreed.

“I’ll tell you what,” Gotti raised a finger, “I’m planning on going out to Patsy’s for dinner, perhaps you two can join me? Your associates as well.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Jackie smiled.

“Thank you,” Amy agreed.

Columbo nodded his head and motioned for one of his bodyguards to accompany him.

“You don’t mind,” Jackie looked behind, “If Vinnie Montana joins me, do you? I don’t really trust Columbo.” She looked angrily at her rival.

“Not at all,” Don Gotti looked to Vinnie who followed them, “Maybe I can convince him to join my crew.”

“You want us to come?” Sal asked with Charlie behind him.

Jackie looked at him and took a deep breath, “No Sal, I need to go out to out to Montauk tonight.”

“Yes Don Giovanni!” Sal enthusiastically ran out of the door as fast as he could. Charlie shook his head at Sal’s credulousness.

Gotti looked at Jackie slightly confused, “What’s he gonna do in Montauk?”

“Hopefully jump in the Atlantic Ocean,” Jackie sarcastically replied.

Gotti’s eyes vacillated.

“Bobby,” Columbo turned to his other bodyguard, “Take Julia home, then meet me at the restaurant.”

The bodyguard complied. The three mob bosses and their associates began to walk out. Julia sighed, but Rachel nudged her. As Julia looked in the raven-hair’s eyes, she could almost hear the silent girl saying ‘Stand up to your dad and come with me.’ For once, Julia decided to do so.

“Um dad,” she spoke up. Everyone turned around. Columbo was intimidating as ever. After some hesitation, Julia stuttered, “I-I wanted to g-go out tonight… in Manhattan…”

“Go shopping?” Rachel helped her.

“Go shopping!” Julia spoke up.

“You can go shopping at home,” Columbo calmly scolded his daughter, “No way!”

“Of for God’s sake Frank,” Jackie opened her mouth, “Let her go out if she wants, she’s a grown woman.”

“She’s my daughter Giovanni,” Columbo snarled, “And I’m not taking advice from the mother of that whack-job you call a son!”

“Frank,” Gotti reprehended him. Columbo wouldn’t talk back to the man who controlled Manhattan.

“Daddy,” Julia spoke up, “I want to go out on my own, without chaperones. I’m not a little kid anymore, you need to let me go.”

Everyone, even Frank Columbo, was surprised to hear the shyest girl in the world stand up to her father. Rachel smiled watching her girlfriend assert herself. Amy noted Rachel’s enthusiasm. Julia stood tall, like a statue.

“Frank?” Gotti tapped his shoulder and gestured as if to say ‘C’mon let her go.’

Columbo didn’t want to give off the impression that he was a controlling father. He already had that reputation, “I just don’t like the idea of you walking around Manhattan alone,” he responded.

“Actually, Mr. Columbo,” Rachel stepped forward standing next to her, “I was planning on hanging out in Manhattan tonight, we can walk together.” Julia really began to feel uncomfortable seeing her girlfriend beside her in front of the heads of their respected families. Luckily no one would suspect they were ‘Amore Ragazze’.

The toupee-wearing Columbo shook his head, “I especially don’t like the idea of my daughter walking around Manhattan with someone from the Giovanni family.”

Jackie looked annoyed at the man. She almost spoke up, but Gotti did it for her.

“Frank,” he said, “Rachel’s a civilian. Marlon never included her in any family business, and I’m pretty sure Jackie doesn’t either.”

“Not at all,” Jackie spoke up.

Columbo looked to Jackie,

Then to Gotti,

Then to Rachel,

Then to his daughter.

With one long sigh, Columbo nodded his head, “Okay, just for tonight.” Julia couldn’t believe it, Rachel smiled and looked to the blonde, “But I expect you home tonight at a reasonable time!” He pointed his finger to her before he reluctantly walked out the door.

“See Frank,” Jackie followed him out, “There’s hope for you yet.” Vinnie, Charlie and Columbo’s bodyguards followed next.

Gotti took a minute to look at the two daughters of the rival bosses. They were standing together, like friends. He smiled and walked towards Rachel, “Here’s two-hundred bucks,” He handed her the money, “You two go out and have a good time.” He waved his hand and walked out of the building.

“Thank you Mr. Gotti,” Rachel said.

Julia was surprised at Rachel’s politeness and enthusiasm. She seemed different than the morose girl she had met over a week ago.

The last person standing in the shop was Amy. She seemed less enthusiastic seeing the two of them together. Rachel wachted her cousin slowly walk out of the shop. Rachel could tell something was bother her, but she didn’t care. Julia held onto Rachel’s hand and led her out the door.

“Wow,” she said enthusiastically. It was like new life had just exploded from her, “This is gonna be fun: you and me walking around Manhattan. I’ve never actually walked around Manhattan, this is gonna be great!”

Rachel and Julia walked outside, leaving the shop to be closed up by another worker.



Furthur down the street, Columbo turned around to watch his daughter and Giovanni’s daughter run down the street holding hands.

“Bobby,” he whispered to his bodyguard, “Keep an eye on her anyway.”

AMORE RAGAZZE

By SomeguyJim

CHAPTER 9

Morning broke, but only slivers of light made it into Rachel’s bedroom. The brown curtains kept the room dark. Rachel and Julia both slept on their sides, facing each other, the sheets covering them. Both completely naked, only one long white glove on Julia’s right hand. The black-hair held the blonde’s gloved hand all night. Rachel’s eyes began to open. They were reminded of the beauty lying next to her. She softly moved the delicate blonde hair behind Julia’s neck to see her face, eyes closed. Those soft lips; they may have been the best lips Rachel ever tasted. Her cheeks; not a scratch on them, no acne scars. Her nose; a perfect small nose, even arch of the bridge. Her neck; as thin as could be. But aside from her traits of beauty, Julia had some invisible glow that captured Rachel’s heart. Perhaps there was something to this “Soul-mate” business everyone babbled about. Rachel watched as Julia’s eyes slowly opened. Julia looked at Rachel: her hair as black as a raven. Julia could tell it was dyed. Her nose was not perfect, slight bump in the bridge, a little pointy, but still cute. Her cheeks had a couple of scars on them, nearly invisible, but they were there. But these little imperfections meant nothing to Julia. All she could see was a girl she loved.

“Did you sleep okay?” Rachel nearly whispered.

Julia rolled onto her back reminding herself of everything that had gone on the night before. Rachel had taken her virginity. It was one of the most intense nights of her life. After she had returned the favor to Rachel, with the raven-hair continuing to pleasure the blonde, Julia practically collapsed on the bed. Julia spoke up just above a whisper:

“I had a dream last night,” she hesitated. Rachel wrapped her arms around the blonde, gently touching one of her bare breasts. Julia nearly ignored it and continued, “I can’t remember too much of the dream, but you and I… we were in Venice… along the waterfront.” Julia now turned to hold onto Rachel and kiss her. She broke the kiss and continued, “It was like we were living there as…” Julia being unfamiliar with lesbian lingo was unable to conjure a synonym for husband and wife.

“Amore Ragazze?” Rachel suggested.

Julia smiled hearing her girlfriend echo back the phrase she had suggested a week ago. Maybe it would become a new catch-phrase. Unfortunately, Rachel and Julia weren’t in Venice together as lovers. Both of their families were at war with each other. If Julia told her father about this, it would be their last night together. Rachel would meet her end. She squeezed Rachel harder.

“What are we going to do Rachel? I can’t tell my father about us, I can’t tell anyone. WE can’t tell anyone.”

The raven-haired girl sighed silently, still holding onto her girlfriend, “No we can’t. We can’t tell anyone.”

Her first love, and Julia couldn’t share her happiness with anyone. She looked up to Rachel, “We could leave here,” She said sincerely, “There’s nothing for us here. We could escape to Venice. Wouldn’t that be romantic? Running off together and starting a new life?”

This was something Rachel always hated. One night with the girl, and she was already planning their wedding. Rachel did take a good look at Julia. She was still the soft innocent flower she was when they first met. But, she was glad to find out, Julia did have a fun side, perhaps a wild side she hadn’t discovered yet. Julia obviously saw Rachel as her ticket out of this hellhole she called her life. That’s why she loved her. Rachel let go of Julia and fell back onto the bed.

“You know,” she reminisced, “I could have left this city anytime I wanted to. I used to look at maps planning road trips across the country. Both my mother and father said they would have supported me if I moved away. In fact, my father was hoping I would.” Julia began to run her naked hand across Rachel’s naked stomach. It was sad that her love also didn’t have a good relationship with her father. At least Giovanni loved her enough to let her go. “But,” Rachel continued, “I couldn’t leave. I feel like there’s something here I’m meant to do. I know it sounds strange.”

Julia shook her head, “It doesn’t sound strange. I’ve felt the same way, there’s a reason I never ran away from home.”

Rachel looked to her girlfriend.

“I think this is what I was waiting for,” Julia said, “I was waiting for you. Now that I’ve found you, maybe we could plan a road trip. Let’s get a car and drive out to California.”

Rachel smiled thinking about finally taking her long awaited road trip.

---------------------------------------------------------

Outside of the house, it was a beautiful day. One of those rare moments in Winter when the sun came out to warm the streets of Brooklyn. Outside Rachel’s apartment was Bobby’s car. He had taken Columbo’s orders to heart, waiting all night outside the apartment. The car was far enough away from the building as to not gain attention, but close enough to see what was going on. By now, he was sound asleep. Julia had spent the night at this building, whoever it belonged to.

Passing by his car, Angelo walked down the streets in a leather jacket and aviator metal sunglasses. He didn’t even bother to notice Bobby sitting inside the car. Of course, Bobby, in dreamland, didn’t notice Angelo either. The mafia son looked like he was in a bad mood, not far off for how he always acted. He crossed the street and came to the door. Before Angelo could ring his sister’s buzzer, one of the tenants opened the door. The tenant was dressed in a suit, seeming to be in a hurry. He took no notice of Angelo, but Angelo held the door open. He walked in and walked up to Rachel’s apartment.

---------------------------------------------------------

“I guess,” Rachel said, “Now’s as good a time as any to get out of Brooklyn.” She turned her head to see Julia.

The blonde hugged her, fidgeting to get her to hug back. There was something on her mind that needed to be addressed:

“Hey Rachel,” she hesitated still holding her. Julia asked a question in the most innocuous girlish voice possible, “Do you love me?”

Oh no, Rachel thought to herself, not that word again. Remember the rule, Rachel tried to tell herself, you can’t tell another girl you love her. Rachel could not remain taciturn for long, she would have to respond this time. What would she say? Good fortune prevailed as Rachel heard a knock on her door. Thank God, Rachel didn’t allow this thought to pass her lips.

“Let me get that,” Rachel got up. She was completely naked. Her incredible body only became more alluring as the muscles of her back stretched out before Julia’s eyes. Rachel picked up a gray bathrobe off the back her bedroom door. She quickly slipped it on and tied it, “It’s my landlady.” Julia nodded her head and watched as Rachel left the room.

The black-haired girl came to the door. Without hesitation, she opened it, “Yes Maria-“

She stopped cold when she saw her brother standing outside the door. Angelo looked at his sister, who’s bathrobe barely covered her private area, in a befuddled gaze.

“Angelo?” Rachel looked like she was staring at a monster, “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Nice to see you too,” Angelo replied rolling his eyes behind his sunglasses, “Especially in that outfit.” He began to walk in the door.

Rachel quickly pushed him back with the door, leaving only her face visible through the crack, “What do you want?” Rachel barked at him.

Angelo was silent for a second, “Can I come in?” He asked in a condescending manner, “I need to use the bathroom!”

Rachel rolled her eyes. Was he sent by Amy to spy on them? Did he know about her and Julia? Then again, maybe he was there for some other reason. So many questions, but it was probably best not to make him anymore suspicious. She opened the door and allowed him to come in, “Hurry up!”

Angelo walked in still looking at his sister with miffed eyes. He walked towards the bathroom, which was luckily one the opposite side of the bedroom. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He turned his head before disappearing into the latrine, “Are you on your period?” The door closed.

“Why are you here Angelo?” Rachel shouted.

“Can’t I take a piss in peace?” Angelo barked back.

Rachel clenched her teeth and fists as she made her way towards the bedroom. Julia quietly peaked through the bedroom door seeing no one there but her black-haired lover.

“Is everything okay?” Julia asked.

Rachel got right up towards the bedroom door, “My brother is here.”

Julia’s face turned white, even whiter than her natural skin tone, “What’s he doing here?”

“I don’t know, just stay in there. I’m gonna get rid of him.”

“Rachel, does he know about us?” Julia began to shake slightly as her one bare hand reached for Rachel’s. She was still completely naked save one white glove.

“I don’t know,” Rachel whispered.

“You don’t know?!” Julia’s voice became louder and more panicky.

“Shhhh!” Rachel silenced her.

Suddenly she heard the bathroom door open. Rachel quickly pushed Julia into the bedroom and closed the door.

“Owww,” a faint cry of pain came through the door.

Rachel winced in pain but turned to see her brother walking toward her, his glasses now off. He looked at her in confusion:

“What the hell is going on?” Angelo’s eyes vacillated between Rachel and the door she was protecting.

“Nothing,” Rachel commanded, “Now what do you want?”

Angelo began to figure it out. As he looked back and forth between the door and his sister, he began to crack a smile until he was silently laughing:

“Oh,” Angelo moved toward his sister, “I see!”

Rachel closed her eyes in annoyance.

“Why didn’t you tell me you had a guy over?” Angelo put his hand on his sister’s shoulder.

A guy? Rachel thought. Thank God he was clueless. Rachel played along subtly. Rolling her eyes was the equivalent of telling her brother he was right.

“Awww,” Angelo teased, “My little sister has a boyfriend!” He began to pinch her cheeks.

“Angelo,” Rachel snarled with daggers in her eyes, “I swear to God, I’m going to kick you right in the fucking nuts!”

“Hey,” Angelo didn’t let up, “Did you use protection?” He seemed serious this time now placing his hand on his sister’s shoulder. Rachel did not reply. The tall man screamed at the door, “You better have used protection buddy or I’m kick your ass-“

“Okay Angelo,” Rachel raised her hands up, “You’ve embarrassed me enough. Now would you please leave?”

“Okay okay,” Angelo laughed, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had someone over tonight.” His now switched on his professional voice, “Look, mom wants you to come out to the house this weekend: have dinner, spend the night with the family, you know the usual thing.”

Rachel closed her eyes, eyebrows raised, and opened them, “You know, you could have just called me!”

Angelo now paced the room in annoyance, “You don’t answer your phone. I called you like five times; Amy did too.” He then saw Rachel’s phone sitting on the coffee table.

“Well I was busy,” Rachel replied.

Angelo made his way towards the coffee table. Julia’s hat and scarf was layed on the furnature, but luckily Angelo took no notice of it. He probably thought they belonged to his sister. Same went for the coat that lied on the ground. However, Angelo did pick up Rachel’s phone, “Does this thing even work? I think you should-“

Angelo stopped dead in his tracks when he looked down at the couch. Rachel wasn’t sure what her brother was looking at until he picked up Julia’s white glove. OH NO! Rachel thought. She stood there like a dear in the headlights as Angelo looked at her confused, “Since when do you wear long white gloves?” Rachel was tongue-tied as her brother examined the glove, “Wait a minute,” he said, “I know who’s this belongs to.” He threw the phone down on the couch but kept the glove in his hand. He passed by his sister and walked towards the bedroom.

Rachel finally broke out of her trance and raced towards the door, “Angelo, wait!”

It was too late. Angelo opened the door and saw Julia Columbo sitting on the bed, completely naked with only one white glove on. Julia quickly covered herself up. Her arms covered her breasts and her legs covered her pelvis. Rachel’s bed was a complete mess. Angelo just stood there, eyes wide opened seeing a sight he thought he would never see in his life. Rachel simply stood next to him hanging her head low. Now Angelo knew. As he and Julia stared each other down, he could only bring himself to say, “Hi,” completely emotionless.

“Hi,” Julia replied, her face as white as the sheets she was sitting on.

“All right,” Rachel finally grabbed a hold of her brother’s arm, “You’ve seen enough, get out.”

Angelo dropped her other glove on the floor. He stuttered as Rachel forced him out, “Uh… your… glove,” Pointing to it on the floor. He was finally out of the room, Rachel gestured for Julia to hold tight as she explained the situation. Julia was still motionless. The door closed and Angelo walked very slowly towards the kitchen.

“Angelo,” Rachel began.

The tall brother held up his index finger and raided the fridge. Rachel took this opportunity to gather her thoughts. What was she going to say to him? She could trust Amy with information like this. Amy was calm and level-headed. Angelo was impulsive. Who knew what he would now do knowing his sister was sleeping with the daughter of his enemy. Hell, Angelo didn’t even know until now that she was Amore-Ragazze. How would he respond to this bombshell? She heard a bottlecap open. Angelo closed the refrigerator door and emerged with an open bottle of Coors. He took a drink, chugging every drop. Rachel could hear the gulps of beer flowing down his throat. Within five seconds that bottle was empty and he slammed it on the counter with a loud sigh, “Ahh!” He moved silently towards his sister. Rachel closed her eyes, wishing not to have this conversation. Angelo seemed very calm. He rubbed his hands together and looked around the room. His brown hair stared at Rachel as he looked at the ground.

“Can I ask you a question?” Angelo raised his head. Rachel opened her eyes and waited, “Have you… COMPLETELY LOST YOUR MIND?” His voice changed toned dramatically halfway through the sentence.

Rachel still said nothing.

“You’re with Julia Columbo? Naked Julia Columbo?”

Again, no response. Rachel now looked at her brother like a rebellious teenager looking at her didactic mother.

Angelo had to gather his thoughts. His voice calmed down slightly but he grabbed a hold of the back of his head. He quietly made his way towards the couch and sat down. He almost stared off into space, “My God, my sister is a lesbian!”

Rachel did felt somewhat empathetic for her brother. She remember what a shock it was for Amy to find out that her cousin was Amore-Ragazze. She slowly walked to the couch and sat next to her brother. He was still taking all of this in.

“I mean,” Angelo looked to her in complete shock, “You are a lesbian right? You like women?”

Rachel didn’t even look at him. She stared at her blank TV screen, “I don’t like the word Lesbian. Julia and I use the term ‘Amore-Ragazze’.”

Angelo’s eyes became crossed, “What the hell does that mean.”

Rachel didn’t even answer him.

“This makes sense,” Angelo looked towards the blank TV screen now, “All those guys I introduced you to, that’s why you were always rejecting them.”

“Angelo,” Rachel finally looked at him with an agitated voice, “Even if I was strait, I wouldn’t have gone out with those losers you tried to hook me up with.”

The brother did not argue, his mind was now shifting towards a more important matter, “Look, Rachel, if you’re gay… or amore-whatever-the-fuck-you-call-it…” He couldn’t exactly approve this, “Whatever, but…” He now looked Rachel in the eyes, “ANYONE but Julia Columbo! I mean seriously, you could have an orgy with Joan Jett, Katy Perry, and Taylor Hanson for all I care, but Julia Columbo…” His mind began to wander again. Rachel remained silent and allowed her brother is figure this all out, “MY GOD! Columbo’s little glass object of a daughter is a fucking lesbian! I mean… Did she come on to you or you to her?”

“What difference does it make Angelo?” Rachel snorted back. “I already had this conversation with Amy. Julia and I-“

“Whoa whoa whoa!” Angelo stood up and held his hands out, “Amy knows about this?”

Rachel nodded her head.

“And she was okay with this?”

“I wouldn’t say she was okay with it,” Rachel explained, “But look, listen. She already told me how dangerous it is to be dating Julia. I know Columbo is a maniac that’s why we’re keeping it a secret… and why YOU need to not saying ANYTHING about this to ANYONE!”

“And what you need to do,” Angelo became more aggressive, “Is check yourself into an asylum, because only a mental defective would go out with Julia Columbo!” He shouted out towards the bedroom, “No offense Julia!”

“You know something Angelo,” Rachel stood up, “You’ve been pushing me around my entire life and I’m fucking sick of it! See this is why I never told you I liked girls, you would’ve been on my ass like-“

“No no no no no,” Angelo stopped her, “Fuck you, if you wanna go lick pussy, that’s up to you. Just not Julia Columbo’s! Rachel, if Frank Columbo finds out that you’re fucking his only daughter, he’s gonna nuke our houses!”

“I don’t wanna hear another word about Frank fucking Columbo!” She raised her voice. “I’ve been hearing that fucking name from you and dad since I was born!”

“Maybe if you actually gave a shit about this family,” Angelo raised his voice, “You’d know why sleeping with Columbo’s daughter is like committing suicide!”

The two siblings were arguing so loud, they’re voices became incomprehensible. The noise fell to complete silence as they both turned to see Julia walk outside the bedroom. Julia was now completely dressed: t-shirt, pants, socks, and gloves. Julia stopped looking the two Giovanni siblings in the eyes. Silence polluted the room. Angelo could not forget the image he saw earlier. Julia’s curves were slightly visible through her t-shirt and jeans. The brother’s turned his head to look at his sister.

“I should go,” Julia finally vocalized as she bent over to pick up her cashmere-shirt and jacket.

Angelo sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

“No wait Julia,” Rachel moved towards her, “I’m sorry I-“

“No no,” Angelo interrupted in a surrendering tone of voice. He began walking towards the door, “I’ll leave. Call me when you two are done.”

“No Angelo,” Julia looked to him as she pulled her cashmere shirt over her neck, “I really need to go?”

“Julia wait,” Rachel tried to stop her, “Let’s talk. I’m sorry my idiot brother barged in on you like that.”

“Really Rachel,” Julia grabbed her girlfriend’s hands, “It’s okay, I need to leave anyway. My father’s going to send a search party for me if I don’t get back.”

Angelo had to turn around now to address this issue, “Oh my god! What are you going to tell him?” He was now standing right before the two girls.

Julia began to slip on her coat. She herself was not sure what she was going to tell him, “I guess I’ll just tell him I was at Rachel’s house.”

“What?” Angelo freaked out.

“He doesn’t know we’re a couple!” Rachel assured him , “He doesn’t even know his daughter is gay.”

“Amore-Ragazze?” Julia corrected her as she grabbed her hat and scarf.

“Well hold on a second Julia,” Rachel said, “Let me walk you to the station.”

“In that outfit?” Angelo pointed towards her robe, “You can’t walk around outside like that, you’re not Britney Spears!”

“He’s right Rach,” Julia slipped on her hat and began to tie her scarf, “I’ll be okay… We’ll be okay.”

“I’ll walk her out,” Angelo volunteered. He pointed to Rachel, “You get ready to go to mom’s.”

“Angelo,” Rachel nagged her brother. She quickly looked to Julia grabbing her boots, then back to the tall man standing before her, “Can I just talk to Julia a minute without you interrupting?”

Angelo rolled his eyes and turned his back. Julia now sat back on the couch putting her shoes on. She obviously looked uncomfortable. Her girlfriend’s brother had walked in on her naked, how could she not?

“Julia,” Rachel sat down next to her, “I’m sorry, I didn’t want our night to end this way. Can’t we have breakfast or something?”

The blonde looked to her girlfriend as she finished tying her boots, “Don’t worry Rachel.” She now sat up and looked the black-haired girl in the eyes, “Last night was amazing. I’ll never ever forget it. But I have to leave, I’m going to be in trouble no matter what. You might not see me for a while.”

Rachel kissed her girlfriend and held her hands. She missed her already, “Call me when you get a chance. Or text me, email me, send a message in a bottle. You know where I am.”

“I will,” Julia smiled and kissed her back. The two of them looked each other in the eyes. “I love you.” Julia repeated again with every inch of sincerity in her body.

Rachel was stuck. Where was Angelo when she needed him? Of all the times for him to remain taciturn… She couldn’t look away. There was Julia, her girlfriend, smiling, having just dropped the L word on her. She couldn’t resist that sweet innocent smile of hers. All Rachel could do was sigh and whisper back, “I love you too.”

Angelo did pick up on this and turned his head slightly. He caught the two of them engaging in another kiss. He had seen girls kiss before, but they were usually drunk, or performing in a sex scene. This was a romantic passionate kiss. It was love, not lost. The son may have found it strange that one of these girls was his baby sister, but this was indeed a couple dedicated to each other. No wonder Rachel risked death by Columbo to be with this girl. The kiss ended and Julia walked up slowly. Their hands were separated. Julia walked backwards towards the door.

“I’ll call you,” Julia said.

Rachel, still on the couch, nodded her head. Julia opened the door and walked out of the apartment. Angelo looked back towards his sister. His eyes confessed that he understood everything now. Rachel hung her head. Angelo closed the door and left his sister alone for the moment.

---------------------------------------------------------

Bobby was awake now. His mind was caught in the spaces of Tetris on his phone. He was waiting for that long line piece to clear four lines. Instead he got four squares in a row. Eventually there were no spaces left. Finally he gave up waiting for a line piece and used an L-block to clear two lines leaving a block over the open column. Naturally, once this happened, a line piece came crashing down on him.

“God damn it!” Bobby said. He paused the game to take a look out his windshield.

There was Julia! She had spent the entire night in that apartment. She looked different somehow. Someone was with her; a man in a leather jacket and sunglasses. As they walked away from the apartment, Bobby casually placed his phone up towards the windshield switching to his camera. He began to take a few pictures of his boss’ daughter and the man with her. He discovered it to be Angelo Giovanni. Bobby was shocked to see this but instead just kept taking pictures. They eventually passed him walking towards the subway entrance.

Angelo was in deep conversation with his rival’s daughter: “Again, sorry about walking in on you like that.”

“Can we just pretend that never happened,” Julia was speaking to Angelo in her usual shy manner. This included not actually looking at him.

As they made their way towards the subway stop, Angelo placed his hand on the girl’s shoulder, “Julia hold on a second.”

Julia looked up to her girlfriend’s brother.

“When you told Rachel you loved her,” he hesitated, “Did you really mean it?”

Julia simply nodded her head. There was no lie in her eyes.

Angelo sighed, “I just want to know. I mean I know we don’t get along that well, but she’s still my sister and I don’t want her to get hurt… or die. No offense, but your father’s pretty insane.”

“Angelo,” Julia spoke up in a way he hadn’t heard before, “I’m serious, I love Rachel. She makes me feel loved in a way I haven’t felt in years. She’s so kind to me, she’s supportive. I feel like a different person when I’m around her.”

The brother nodded his head.

“And don’t worry, my father will not find out about this. As far as he knows, Rachel and I are just friends.”

There was a long pause before Angelo spoke back up, “Well, I guess I really would be an asshole to get in the way of you two wouldn’t I?” He smiled, “We’ll find a way to make this work for you two.”

Julia hugged Angelo, he embraced her in return, “Thank you Angelo.” Her ear was pressed up against his chest, “You know I always wanted an older brother.”

Angelo chuckled slightly. He was trying to think of a clever line involving his sister’s hatred towards him, but he was speechless. Julia was a good girl, even if she had a crazy father. Rachel had good taste. He was beginning to wish he himself could date this girl. Julia let go and ran for the train. Angelo watched that brown hat of hers disappear into the subway. He could only stand there taking in this crazy morning before he walked back towards the apartment.

Bobby simply sat in the car astonished. He quickly raced his fingers across his phone.

---------------------------------------------------------

Rachel opened her apartment door, now semi-dressed, to see her brother standing before her. The two siblings stood at the door way looking at each other. Nothing was said. A lot had happened that morning. Angelo found out more about his sister in this past half-hour than he had in the entire 22 years he knew her. She was a lesbian. She was secretly seeing her rival’s daughter. However, she was Angelo’s sister, his father’s daughter. All he could do was embrace her. Rachel couldn’t remember the last time she and her brother hugged like this. Tears began to form in her eyes. She had to dry quickly, still too proud to let her brother see her cry.

The hug ended and Angelo commanded his sister:

“Come on, let’s go back home.”

AMORE RAGAZZE

By SomeguyJim

CHAPTER 11

“I worked there for twenty-nine years. I gave everything I had for them: my time, my energy, my youth; nights I could have spent at home with my family. My own son barely knows me. He’s had diabetes since middle school. I can’t tell you how close my wife and I came to separating over me slaving at work thirteen hours a day six days a week. She’s been the biggest support I could ever hope for, but everyone has their limits. That includes me. I did everything they asked me to do. I was a good employee. I never subscribed to this half-ass attitude that everyone else there seems to enjoy. And those are the people who were promoted.”

Richard Corsitto chuckled slightly as he told his story. He was not quite an old man, could still be considered middle-aged, but he was certainly getting up there in years. His hair was gray, his stomach was big, his youth was gone. He sat in a chair of the office of the middle-aged female boss of the Giovanni family. Consigliere Amy sat off on the side taking notes. Jackie listened to every word Richard said.

“My boss died a year ago; heart attack.” He looked at Don Giovanni with respect, “I’m sorry to hear you lost your husband as well.”

“Thank you,” Jackie said softly without batting an eye.

“This other guy, Jethro, he took over the company. His first order of business was to lay off as many people as possible. That I’ve never understood. I mean everywhere you go people are being laid off, and businesses are closing because of it. You go into a department store now, there’s no one around to help you. You go to a fast food restaurant, there’s one person running the cash registers. But Jethro didn’t see it that way. To him, downsizing meant saving money. After all, who needs all these old people when we get fewer young people, pay them less money, or no money at all? I wasn’t totally surprised when Jethro called me in. He looks right at me and says, ‘Richard, we’ve decided we want to take the company in a new direction,’ IE, they’re firing me because they don’t want me anymore. I had to be out in a month, no supplements, nothing. I was six years away from retirement. Jethro screwed everyone out of their retirement plans. Now I get nothing. My family’s healthcare came from my job. They dropped me immediately. If my son doesn’t have his insulin shots, he’ll die. I’m out of work, I’m almost 60 years old. What am I going to do?”

His face was white. Corsitto was doing his best to hold back tears. Jackie’s eyes revealed empathy, but her mouth and body were silent.

“I want that cocksucker dead!” He didn’t seem to have any filter explaining his demands. Jackie raised her eyebrows. “I’ll do any favor you ask of me Don Giovanni, you need to kill this man! You’re business has always stuck up for the middle class and this asshole is destroying people’s jobs, destroying their lives! Shoot him in the fucking face!” He was really angry now.

Jackie raised her hands out and tried to get him to calm down, “Richard,” she said calmly. “Is this man’s death going to help get your job back? Is it going to help your son’s illness?” Richard was taciturn. “Is it really going to make you feel better knowing that this man, however horrible he may be, is dead?”

Corsitto contemplated Jackie’s calm words of wisdom. He looked to Amy. The cute-girl, sitting there taking notes with her glasses on, made the man think of his own son. Jackie got the girl’s attention:

“Amy,” The brunette looked to her mother ready to answer any question she had, “Are there any jobs available at Charlie’s place?”

The young consigliere looked through her documents. Corsitto didn’t dare ask what they were talking about. After only a few seconds, Amy responded, “No, Charlie pretty much hired everyone.”

“Go get him for me, will you?” Amy got up and headed out the door. Corsitto looked to the godmother, a question on his face. “It’s an office job downtown,” Jackie answered, “Wall Street area. Charlie will get you somewhere. The pay won’t be very good, but you’ll get the best health-care coverage money can buy.” She began to write something down on a piece of paper. “You have a doctor right now?”

Corsitto stuttered slightly, “N-no, our family doctor left New York.”

Jackie didn’t look at him, but nodded her head. After she finished writing, she detached the paper giving it to him. A name and number were on there. Corsitto accepted it. Jackie stood up. The middle-aged man shadowed her movements. He was quite confused over what the mafia don was doing, but he was desperate and would do anything she asked.

“If there is something I respect,” Don Giovanni put her hand on the man’s shoulder, “It’s a man, or woman, devoted to his family… or her family,” she corrected herself.

“Thank you Godmother,” the man bowed his head.

Jackie laughed, “That’s not necessary. I’m not a Godmother, I’m a woman who cares about people, just as my husband did. You’ve worked hard all your life for your son, and you’re going to keep working hard. But it will be worth it. Many years from now, when you’re in the hospital bed, your son is going to be there for you holding your hand.”

Corsitto almost cried. However, Charlie came in with Amy.

“Yes Don Giovanni?” Charlie asked.

“Charlie,” Jackie let go of the man’s shoulder, “This is Richard Corsitto. He’s a good man, a hard worker, I want you to find him something down at your office.”

Charlie studied the man, and then turned to his boss, “All right Jackie,” he led the man out of the study, “All right, Richard what is your past experience.” The two of them disappeared. Jackie looked to Amy:

“Any word from Angelo or Rachel?”

“Yeah,” Amy removed her glasses, “Angelo’s on the train with her. They’ll be here in half an hour.”

“Good,” Jackie nodded her head. She sighed slightly, exhausted from a long week. Running a mafia had turned out to be a tougher job than she had previously anticipated. How did Marlon do this? “Do me a favor Amy, go to the dining room, make sure everything’s prepared.”

“Yes Don Giovanni,” Amy began to walk out.

“Amy,” Jackie stopped her, “You don’t have to call me Don Giovanni now, you can call me Aunt Jackie.”

Amy stopped and looked at her step-mother. She smiled and walked towards her. She planted a simple kiss on her cheek, “I’ll call you mom.”

Jackie smiled and hugged her adopted-daughter, “I know I say this all the time, but I’m very proud of you.”

“Thank you,” Amy walked out of the room.

Jackie locked the door and returned to her desk. At the bottom cupboard was something she cherished very much. She pulled it out and placed it on her desk. She stared at the object for a minute: a framed picture of her and Marlon. They were young, on the beach, Marlon with his arms around her. His dark black hair contrasted with brunette Jackie. His smile was so handsome. Jackie began to feel tears gathering in her eyes as she stared at the picture. She looked to her door and then back to the picture. She began to cry heavily thinking about her husband. “This will be our first family dinner without you.” Her eyes could not escape Marlon’s picture. Her head collapsed onto the desk as she wept. She struggled to catch her breath, “I miss you so much!” No sound could be heard in the room except for the very slight movements of Jackie’s chair, and her voice letting out emotions. She continued to cry alone in her office.

Suddenly the scene changed.

“What are you doing in my chair?” A deep friendly voice caused the woman to raise her head.

Standing next to her was a tall man with grey hair. His shiny slicked-back hair had touches of black still. With a slight underbite, his face was cleanshaven. A messy suit encased his semi-overweight gut.

A semi-younger Jackie, now smiling, looked to her husband: “What? I thought I’d take over as boss for a while.”

Marlon Giovanni smiled at his wife. Jackie stood up and wrapped her arms around Marlon, kissing him. The gray-haired man held his wife by the waste feeling the sweet touch of her lips. Something was on his mind. His eyes tired and baggy.

“What’s wrong?” Jackie looked at him concerned.

Marlon shook his head, “Oh, it’s Columbo!” Both spouses let go of each other. Jackie moved away from the desk to allow Marlon to sit down. He was quite tired. “I swear that man will be the death of me.”

Jackie nodded her head, “We all have to work with people we don’t like.”

“You know who I saw today?” Marlon looked up to his wife standing by his side.

“Sal?” Jackie smiled.

Marlon cringed, “Oh no,” he was joking around chuckling, “Not that bad.” Jackie joined him in laughing, “No, Frank brought his daughter with him, Julia. I haven’t seen her in years.”

“The blonde girl, right?”

“Exactly,” Marlon admired his wife’s memory, “Such a sweet kid. I mean, she’s not a kid anymore, but the way Columbo keeps her locked up, she’ll never grow up. She’s painfully shy.”

“That’s a shame,” Jackie shook her head.

Marlon backed his chair up grabbing his wife’s waste. He beckoned for her to sit on his lap, which she did. Her arms held onto him looking into the eyes of her beloved husband, “But she’s beautiful, obviously she got her mother’s genes; Frank is the ugliest son of a bitch I’ve ever met in my life. Seriously, if she wasn’t his daughter, I think she might be a nice girl for Angelo.”

The mother of the Giovanni family shook her head laughing, “I think Angelo would tear her apart.”

“But it would make a man out of him; calm him down. It’s like I always say: the president needs to be out chasing tail. Otherwise, he starts wars.”

Both of them laughed, “Out chasing tail, huh?” Jackie scolded him slightly.

“Well,” Marlon smiled, “Unless of course he’s got the most beautiful woman already by his side.”

The two of them engaged in a passionate kiss. Even at middle age, Marlon and Jackie acted like they were still teenagers. Marlon made a move for Jackie’s breast. Unfortunately, his wife moved his hand away. She broke the kiss:

“Maybe Julia would be a good friend for Rachel.”

Marlon sighed, “Rachel…”

Jackie dropped her arms and glared at her husband, “Marlon, she’s your daughter.”

The mafia boss wasn’t sure how to respond. Any words against his daughter would be met by hostility by his wife. Yet he couldn’t avoid the subject, “I know, but I wish she’d drop this apathetic goth-whatever attitude she’s had since high school and develop some kind of ambition. It’s no wonder she has no friends.” Jackie sighed as her husband ranted about Rachel, “I mean look at Amy, she’s so smart-“

“Marlon,” Jackie got up, “You know I love her, but all you ever talk about is Amy.” She began to imitate her husband, “Amy’s the best, she’s a genius, she’s the best Consigliere I could ever have-“

“But she is!” Marlon stood up, “C’mon Jackie, you know how smart Amy is. The way she remembers everything, her cool demeanor, her ability to find compromises that make everyone happy-“

Jackie began to grow impatient over her husband’s redundancy. She held her hands out and interrupted, “Marlon, Marlon,” the don listened to his wife, “Listen I’m glad you’ve been so involved in Amy’s life, but I really wish you’d care more about Rachel. Amy’s as much as daughter to me as she is to you, but Rachel needs love as well.”

Marlon took out a piece of gum. He had quit smoking a few years earlier and had replaced it with a gum-chewing habit. “I just don’t know what to do about her Jackie. The girl was practically born with a silver-spoon in her mouth. I gave her everything, I sent her to good schools,” He began to ponder over what he had done wrong in the girl’s life, “I mean I just don’t know.” Marlon stuffed the unwrapped piece of gum in his mouth, “Everytime I try,” his speech was still coherent as the gum was chewed, “To get involved in her life, she resents it.”

Jackie sat back down on her husband’s lap, “I think she needs to find her own way. You just need to be there for her when she needs you.”

Marlon hesitated looking at his wife. He kissed her again, “It’s your compassion that keeps me going all the time. You know you’d make a great boss to this family. If anything should happen to me-“

“Marlon,” Jackie whined, “Don’t talk about those things-“

The man muttered incoherently to interrupt her, “No-no-no-no-no, this is important Jackie. If God forbid something should happen to me. I want you to stand up for the family. Angelo’s not ready yet.”

“Marlon,” Jackie held onto her husband and spoke in a concerned manner, “I can’t be the boss of this family. Have you forgotten that I have a vagina? I mean shit, look at how much tension came up when you made Amy your Consigliere.”

He sighed, “Jackie, I have never allowed anyone to look down their nose at you, or Amy, or even Rachel for being a woman. Okay, it’s a male-dominated world. We all know that. But there comes a time when we all have to put our bigotry aside for business. Gotti always says ‘Business must move forward.’ Amy has been a godsend for our business, and so would you!”

Jackie was always moved by her husband’s words.

“A boss must be a man, or woman, of character, strength, and tact. Gender has nothing to do with character.”

The two shared an uncomfortable silence. Jackie, also having a way with words, simply stared at her husband. When she first met the man, a handsome man in his early 20s, she was slightly turned off by his typical mafia appearance and behavior; another Neanderthal. However, as she came to know the man, she discovered an intelligent gentleman with more profound ideas than his fellow peers. She had always been a scholar and could have a cerebral conversation with him. That was what turned her on more than anything else. Of course, at the time, he had a body like Sylvester Stallone. He didn’t look like that anymore, but he was still handsome for his age. Once again, Marlon’s intelligence was what seduced his wife.

Out of the blue, she began to kiss him passionately, in his own office. Marlon grabbed hold of her and returned the affection. Their tongues engaged in a heated, but affectionate, battle. Marlon still loved his wife, and she still looked great for her age. Unlike so many of his peers, Marlon set a standard for being faithful to his wife. Sure, he had done things he wasn’t proud of in the past, but he always remained a dedicated husband and father. He began to feel an arousal in his pants.

“Wait,” Jackie got up from the chair. Marlon silently pondered her actions until she went to the door and turned the lock. She smiled back at him, “I don’t want anyone to interrupt us… like Sal.” She returned to her husband’s side and threw off her jacket.

“Why do you have to keep mentioning him?” The boss laughed.

The two continued to make out in his own chair, Jackie now facing him, her pelvis inbetween Marlon’s right leg. They moved fast as the man’s hand moved up and down Jackie’s back. As he continued to squeeze her tongue with his lips, he began to unhook her bra. Jackie placed her hands on Marlon’s shirt-covered chest.

What followed was a haze of intense sexual pleasure in Marlon’s own chair. As the climatic hour came to a close, Jackie squeezed her husband as hard as she could, rubbing her cheek against Marlon’s clean-shaven face. Her eyes were closed.

They stayed closed.

But when they opened, Marlon wasn’t there. Jackie was hugging her own chair. She didn’t need to look around the room to realize she had been fantasizing again, or reminiscing, over her husband. She felt tears enter her eyes again. She grabbed hold of the chair like she was trying to make him come back to her. After only a few seconds, she wiped her nose with her index finger and stood up. Her pants had been undone. She buttoned them back up and fixed her outfit. Jackie’s hand picked up the picture of her and Marlon. One last look… a long look… now it was time to go back in the cupboard. She was now walking to the wall where a small mirror was. Grabbing a tissue from the box on her desk, she wiped her eyes. They were still slightly red, but it would disappear soon. The tissue was destined for the wastebasket. Jackie slowly walked to the door and unlocked it. Her head looked down to view her outfit. A long deep breath allowed the female boss to regain her composure and confidence. She now felt just the same as she did when she was talking to Corsitto, or even Columbo.

She opened the door and made her way into the house.

----------------------------------------------------------

No missed calls, no missed texts.

Rachel put her phone back in her pocket, black leather gloves on her hands. She was not far behind Angelo who opened the gate to the Giovanni house. Both siblings were wearing leather jackets. Rachel closed the gate behind her and followed her brother along the pathway. The door immediately opened to reveal Vinnie Montana, ever a more frightening presence. He didn’t scare Rachel or Angelo.

“Hey Vinnie,” Angelo nodded his head, his sunglasses covering his eyes.

“Angelo,” Vinnie stepped aside and allowed his boss’ son to enter. “Rachel,” He nodded to Rachel. She didn’t say a word.

Once inside, Vinnie closed the door and stood at his post. Angelo immediately threw off his jacket, placing it on the coat rack. Rachel simply gazed at her old house. It was the same; it hadn’t changed. She almost expected her father to come down and pretend he was happy to see her, but she reminded herself of his absence.

“Now listen,” Sal said to Charlie on the couch of the living room, “I’m telling you, I saw the Montauk monster!”

“Sure you did,” Charlie replied sarcastically. His eyes were glued to the TV, but Sal would not allow it to deter his friend away from the story. Angelo and Rachel were making their way into the living room, but the Capos ignored the siblings.

“I wasn’t the only one, all right? Practically everybody noticed it as it ran across the beach.”

“You were there last night,” Charlie looked at Sal like he was an incredulous moron, “How many people were on the beach at ten o’clock in the evening?”

As Charlie and Sal continued their investigation, Rachel placed her leather gloved hand on Angelo’s shoulder: “Remember, don’t say anything about this to mom.”

Angelo simply nodded his head. Since they left Rachel’s house, the siblings had not said a word to each other. The older brother was still trying to absorb that his little sister was a lesbian, much less in a lesbian relationship with Julia Columbo. He was also perplexed that his adopted daughter had harbored the secret without confiding in him. Amy and Angelo were also business partners. A secret like this was something the two of them had to discuss as Underboss and Consigliere. Rachel had nothing to do with the family, and wanted nothing to do with the family. Perfect timing, because Amy came back from the kitchen to greet her siblings.

“Hey Rachel,” She smiled sweetly.

“Yo,” Angelo acknowledged her, wondering why she didn’t say hi to him. His eyes wavered. Rachel waved slightly, but didn’t say anything.

Amy’s eyes acknowledge her brother, but focused on her sister. “You wanna help me set up the table?”

Rachel was confused. She looked to Charlie and Sal arguing on the couch, “Why aren’t those two losers doing it?”

Amy knew the two of them were arguing about something, but had completely tuned them out. She ran towards her sister and took her by the hand. “C’mon,” she said in that stupid sisterly tone of voice whenever her cousin was around, “Get in here, let’s talk!” Rachel reluctantly walked with her cousin into the kitchen. “You can take your gloves off,” Amy commented on Rachel’s leather hands.

Angelo watched the two of them with resentment.

“Hey Angelo,” Sal beckoned the Underboss.

Angelo walked towards the couch with a sigh.

“Okay,” Sal turned back, still on the couch. Charlie was busy watching TV, “You’ve seen Ghostbusters?”

“Yeah,” Angelo managed to get in before Sal continued running at the mouth.

“That whacked out demon monster that chases Rick Moranis through Central Park? The dog monster that possesses him?” He began to imitate Moranis’ character, “Who brought the dog?”

“Yeah yeah,” Angelo interrupted with an annoyed tone of voice, “I’ve seen the fucking movie Sal.”

“Okay,” Sal smiled, “Well imagine that running across the beach in Montauk.” Angelo rolled his eyes; Sal was insistent, “Look, I know what I saw!”

“Sal,” Charlie finally spoke up, “If this monster really did run across the beach, why didn’t the news make a big deal about it?”

Sal pointed his finger to the grey haired capo; he had prepared his argument, “Because the government doesn’t want us to know about it. C’mon Charlie, you know they’ve been experimenting on animals out there for years. The press won’t let this story get out!”

“Right,” Charlie focused his eyes back on the TV, “You should tell that to Jesse Ventura, I’m sure he’ll do an entire show about it.”

“Maybe I will!” Sal spat back.

“I AM IN NO FUCKING MOOD FOR THIS!!!” Angelo’s loud statement came as a shock to both Charlie and Sal who turned to see Angelo walking away from him. Charlie immediately got up.

“Hey Ange,” Charlie ran to catch up to the son. Angelo did stop to listen to his father’s closest friend. There was a fire in the son’s eyes that could instill fear in the Montauk Monster’s heart. “C’mon, you know how Sal is?” He tried to joke around, “He’s an idiot!”

No response from Angelo.

“Yeah,” Sal got up, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Is everything all right?” Charlie asked. He put his hand on Angelo’s shoulder.

Well of course, Angelo couldn’t tell them that his sister was a lesbian. He looked to the ground.

“C’mon Ange,” Charlie tried to cheer him up, “It’s your Uncle Charlie! You can tell me anything.”

“And your Uncle Sal,” the other replied.

“You’re only making it worse,” Charlie pushed his friend away without looking away from Angelo.

Angelo was much calmer. Charlie’s friendly efforts had succeeded. Still, Angelo would not betray his sister’s secret. Instead he brushed off Charlie’s hand and walked into the hall. His footsteps could be heard going up the stairs. Charlie and Sal looked to each other, not sure what to think of this. Had something bad happened? Was Angelo shaken by what had transpired the day before?

“I think,” Sal put his finger up, “He’s nervous about the-“

“If you mention that fucking monster again,” Charlie pointed his finger towards the taller man. He did not finish his sentence, leaving a taciturn moment between the two.

“Beast?” Sal finally spoke up.

Charlie rolled his eyes and walked into the hallway.



Rachel’s bare hands helped set the plates on the large dining room table. Amy had previously laid a beautiful knitted cloth down. Rachel was reminded of everything.

“How often does mom get to make her famous Lasagna?” Amy said grabbing some glasses.

She did stop when she came to her father’s chair. She almost put a plate there and stared strait at it. Amy picked up on her sister’s hesitation. She put the glasses down and went to comfort her:

“Are you okay Rach?” It was harder to tell what was on Rachel’s mind. Obviously, her father’s absence was a key factor to her lack of movement, but Rachel’s moodiness probably had a lot more to do with Julia. “Anything you want to talk about?”

Rachel closed her eyes and sighed, “I don’t know.”

“Is it about Julia?” Amy held onto her sister.

“Let’s just talk about it later, okay?”

That was about as much information Amy was going to get out of her sister right now. Amy nodded her head and said, “Okay.” She walked away and picked up the other glasses. She didn’t think much of it because Jackie walked right into the dining room. She looked as if nothing had happened. Neither Rachel nor Amy could tell that their mother had been crying over her husband a few minutes earlier.

“Rachel,” Jackie smiled staring at her daughter.

“Yeah?” Rachel nearly ignored her mother placing the last dish on the table.

Mother Giovanni walked towards her daughter with her arms out in front of her. Rachel reluctantly allowed her mother to hug her. Rachel did hug her mother back, but there was not much enthusiasm behind the embrace.

“I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Angelo dragged me here,” Rachel pouted.

“Good,” Jackie joked as she let go. Rachel quickly stepped away catching a mischievous smile on her mother’s face. She walked around and inspected the table. “I was just telling this man, Corsitto, how important family is.” She now looked at her adopted daughter, scratching her head, “I’d be something of a hypocrite if I couldn’t spend time with my youngest daughter, now wouldn’t I?”

Rachel wasn’t quite sure what to say, so she didn’t say anything. Jackie, so familiar with her daughter’s existentialist behavior, didn’t push her. The table was set, the early dinner would be served shortly. The matriarch talked to Amy:

“Amy, you can relax now. I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“You don’t need anymore help?” Amy offered.

“No,” She began to walk into the kitchen, “Spend some time with your sister. Use violence if necessary.” Jackie disappeared from her sights.

Rachel rolled her eyes. She already spent time with her cousin a week ago. Still, she’d much rather spend time with Amy than anyone else in the house. Amy simply smiled at her sister.

Most of the early afternoon was spent playing video games, mostly on their Wii. Rachel wondered what happened to Angelo’s X-Box 360, which he claimed got Red Ring of Death. Even as a mafia Underboss, Angelo was powerless to get any kind of cooperation from Microsoft. However, the three siblings, along with Sal, enjoyed a few games of Smash Brothers. Sal may have been having too much fun. When it was finally time for dinner, he didn’t want to stop. Charlie had to drag him to the table as Sal hung onto his controller for dear life.

At the dinner table, a notable presence was missing. Marlon’s chair was empty. No one sat in it. Jackie sat at the chair nearest to her husband’s, her usual spot. In fact, everyone was sitting in their usual spot. Angelo sat across from her, with Amy sitting next to him. Rachel sat across from Amy, next to Jackie. Sal and Charlie sat in the last two chairs across each other. Big Vinnie did not sit. He stood by a tall table. Certainly, the man tried to keep the myth alive that he never sat down.

“This is delicious mom,” Angelo said stuffing his face with Lasagna.

Everyone agreed with the boss’s son with the exception of Rachel, who had barely said more than ten words since she got there.

“So anyway,” Sal opened his mouth again, “I’ve been thinking, this Montauk Monster has got to be worth a fortune!” Charlie rolled his eyes. The siblings simply ignored him. “I say this week, we go out there, wait until he comes-“

“Sal,” Jackie snapped at him again dropping her fork. She was very irritated by her capo, “I just listened to whine about how you almost won Mario Brothers for twenty minutes-“

“Smash Brothers,” Sal corrected her politely.

“I don’t CARE!” Jackie yelled, “And I don’t wanna hear anymore about the god damned Montauk Monster.” She picked up her fork again, “Let’s talk about something else!”

Sal hung his head in shame. Mother Giovanni now looked to her youngest daughter:

“So Rachel, are you seeing anybody right now? Boyfriend?”

Amy and Angelo’s eyes widened upon hearing this. They stopped chewing and held their forks motionless. Rachel on the other hand kept eating as if it was no big deal, “Might be somebody,” was all she said with a mouth full of pasta. Her siblings were still literally on the edge of their seat.

Jackie nodded her head and smiled, “That’s good. You need someone in your life. Isolation is no way to live.” Rachel did not respond, much to Jackie’s disappointment, “So are you going to tell me anymore about this guy?”

Rachel shrugged her shoulders not saying a word. Jackie’s eyes drifted towards the other siblings. Both of them were staring and their mother and sister, but immediately went back to their meals concealing their faces. A look of disappointment came across her face.

“Oh I see,” she said, “You tell your sister and brother, but not your own mother!” Jackie messed up Rachel’s hair slightly teasing her. The raven-hair didn’t respond.

Amy looked to Angelo, a question in her eye. The brother nodded his head slightly, answering his sister’s question. The Consigliere was surprised to say the least.

“It’s all right Jackie,” Charlie spoke up with a friendly tone of voice, “Lots of girls are afraid to talk to their parents about stuff like this.” He put his fork down and wiped his face. Jackie gave the more intelligent capo her attention. “You know, I remember one time,” he put his napkin down and spoke to the table like he was giving a speech, “I was about 22, 23… I hung out with this girl, Penelope, an aspiring singer. Drop dead gorgeous, statuesque figure… kinda had an attitude, but it wasn’t so bad at first. She had a great voice too. One time her parents were in town when she was playing a gig. I went out to see her. She seemed unusually flirty with me, not that I had a problem with it mind you. After the show, I meet her parents. Nice people. Penelope introduces me as her ‘Boyfriend!’” Charlie re-enacted the shock he felt hearing this by raising his hands, “I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t even know we were going out!

“So long story short, eventually I walk her home. I try to lean in for a kiss, and she pulls away, looks at me like I’m crazy. I said, ‘I don’t understand, you told your folks we’re a couple?’ she said, ‘No, I just told them that, I didn’t really mean it.’ Well I’ll tell you, I was certainly heartbroken.” He raised his index finger as he continued his story, “Now here’s where it gets interesting… about a month later, I’m at one of her shows, and there’s this hot Asian chick in the audience. The two of us are kinda hooking up, we’re dirty dancing like you wouldn’t believe! I mean her tight ass is right on me, I’m feeling the sides of her…”

“Charlie,” Jackie interrupted him, “Is this really appropriate dinner conversation?”

“Anyway,” Charlie continued shaking his hands, “This girl and I are getting close. After the show is over, I ask for her number. She starts to write it down, but then Penelope comes up behind me and says, ‘Hey Charlie, this is Jean, my SPECIAL friend.’ I look at her in shock; suddenly it all makes sense. Penelope was a lesbian!”

Rachel’s eyes widened hearing the word uttered. Amy’s eyes looked to Rachel’s. Everyone else was still focused on Charlie.

“So it turned out that I was just a beard for her parents.”

There was a bit of silence in the room until Jackie spoke up, “So what does this story have to do with Rachel?”

Rachel, Amy and Angelo were on the edge of their seats again seeing if Charlie was about to make the connection.

“Nothing,” Charlie said, “I just felt like telling the story.” He went back to his meal.

Don Giovanni stared off into space in anger. The siblings all silently sighed in relief.

“Whatever happened with that girl?” Sal asked his friend.

“She’s dead.”

Rachel’s full attention was given as she stared at Charlie.

“Really?” Sal responded, “How?”

Charlie shrugged his shoulders, “I dunno, who cares?” There was a short pause before he uttered, “Fucking dyke!”

Jackie slammed her silverware down on the table, “Okay really Charlie!” She scolded him, “That’s enough!”

Charlie apologized profusely.

This talk of death was too much for Rachel. She couldn’t take it anymore, she threw her napkin on the table and got up, “Excuse me.”

“Rachel?” Her mother called as she watched her walk out the door with no jacket on. Angelo and Amy both knew exactly what was bothering her. Their mother looked back at the capo as she got up from the table angrily, “Really Charlie, that’s something I’d expect to hear from Sal, not you!” She began to walk towards the door. Charlie had a look of guilt on his face.

“Yeah Charlie,” Sal said to him, “You’ve got a big mouth!”

Charlie very slowly turned his head to Sal almost wanting to call him out for being a hypocrite.

Outside, Rachel pulled her phone out hoping to see a missed call from Julia. There was nothing. It was also freezing outside. The raven-hair didn’t care about the cold, she just wanted to hear Julia’s voice again.

“Rachel,” Jackie said walking out into the porch with a jacket. Rachel concealed her phone quickly. Her mother quickly put in on her daughter, “Look I’m sorry about all that. If you don’t want to talk about your personal life, you don’t have to.” Rachel did nothing but stand there staring at the cloudy sky. Jackie gave her daughter a hug. “I just,” Jackie hesitated. She was nervous, “I feel like I don’t know my own daughter anymore. I want us to be close.”

“We never were that close to begin with mom,” Rachel kept her head down.

Jackie was at a loss for words. Rachel was so cold, so distant, “I know well enough your father and I didn’t give you the same attention we gave to Angelo and Amy.” She spoke very slowly. Rachel’s eyes finally moved towards her mother’s, “But we can’t go back. Like Gotti always says, Business must move forward.”

Rachel closed her eyes, “Mom, all dad ever talked about was Gotti or Columbo or any of his other criminal buddies-“

“Rachel,” Jackie talked to her daughter in a more aggressive manner, “Your father may have done things outside the law, but don’t ever call him a criminal! He did what he felt he had to do to support his family. He loved all of us-“

“WELL HE DIDN’T LOVE ME!” Rachel screamed.

Jackie was shocked. She hadn’t heard her daughter scream like that in years. The mafia boss looked at Rachel with fear.

“Dad treated Angelo like a prince,” Rachel continued. Her voice was very loud, “The successor to his throne. And Amy… Dad tried so hard to make Amy feel like she was part of the family that he forgot that I existed. Yeah he helped her with her homework, took her wherever she wanted. He cried when she got her diploma. But where was he when I needed help? When I was struggling to do well in school, or wanted some kind of affection from my own father?”

The eyes of her mother looked as though they were about to break out in tears.

“I just,” Rachel calmed down, almost gathering tears in her own eyes, “Mom I was a loner all my life. I can’t get emotionally involved with the family again. I want to go out and live my own life with the people I choose to spend it with.”

It pained her mother’s heart to hear Rachel say she wanted nothing to do with the family. What could she do? There was a long uncomfortable silence between the two. Finally Jackie hugged her daughter again. This time, Rachel returned the affection equally. She still loved her mother no matter what.

“Whatever you want to do baby,” Jackie whispered, “Whoever you want to spend it with, I’ll support you. I love you.”

“I know you do,” Rachel whispered back.

Jackie led her daughter back into the house.

--------------------------------------------------------

That night, Rachel couldn’t sleep. She was back in her old room, but it was much different now. The raven-hair had a lot on her mind, the conversation she had with her mother for one. But mostly, she thought about Julia. There was still no missed calls or texts from Julia. The girl had promised she would call her later. Had something gone wrong? Had her father gotten to her? She could picture Julia walking into her house, shortly after the blonde had left her own, being confronted by Frank Columbo. What did Julia say to him? What punishment did Columbo have in store for his daughter? Could she have squealed and told him everything? It was scary to think about. Snuggled in her sheets, Rachel was wearing her black leather gloves in bed. Something about them brought her comfort. She had spent almost fifteen minutes rubbing them all across her body, her face, other places… By now, she was less concerned with pleasure, and more with having someone to share the night with.

Rachel got up from her bed, covered in a tattered tank-top and pajama bottoms. She walked to the room next door of the second floor. It was pitch black, but she knew who was in there:

“Amy, you awake?”

A few seconds later, her cousin’s voice cut through, “I am now,” she knew who it was.

“Is it okay if I sleep with you?” Rachel’s tone of voice was very different from her usual cold demeanor.

Even in the dark, Rachel could hear Amy sitting up and turning to look at her. It was impossible to see each other, but the younger sister knew her cousin was a bit surprised by this request.

“Okay,” was all Amy said before Rachel walked into the room. She held her hands out in front to be sure where she was. Eventually her left hand felt the bed. She climbed in and lifted the covers. Amy turned back away from her. As Rachel pulled the blanket over her, she turned towards her cousin. Nothing was said between the two of them at first. It was a little strange. Amy felt her sister’s hands reach around her belly. The thick-skinned raven-haired girl had not appeared this affectionate in years. The brunette decided to enjoy it while she could. Amy reached to hold her sister’s hands… until she noticed leather covering them. “Are you wearing gloves?” Amy asked.

She could feel Rachel nodding her head in the affirmative.

Amy laughed and turned around to face her sister, “What are you picking up some habits from Julia?”

Rachel was taciturn for a moment before she opened up to her cousin, “She hasn’t called me back. I’m a little worried about her.”

This simple sentence was enough to worry Amy as well, but for different reasons. She reached for the light on the nightstand illuminating the room. Amy looked at Rachel, “What happened last night Rach?”

Rachel proceeded to explain all that happened the night before, forgoing some details. Once she explained her use of the words, “I love you,” Amy’s eyes shot wide open:

“You said ‘I love you?’”

Rachel nodded her head.

“Rachel,” Amy looked concerned, “You’ve never said ‘I Love You’ to anyone before. Did you really mean it?”

There was still a guarded shell surrounding the dark-haired cousin. There was no response, and Amy knew she wouldn’t be getting one out of her. If Rachel did love Julia, she was clearly ambivalent about it.

“You think Frank got to her?” Amy eagerly asked her sister, a look of fear in her eyes.

“I’m sure he did,” Rachel said, “I don’t what she told him, but he must know something is going on.”

Amy sighed apprehensively. She collapsed back onto the bed. Both girls looked up at the ceiling wondering what was the next move in this war over love.

“I do love her Amy,” Rachel said. Amy now looked at her sister who opened up in a way she had never before, “I mean I don’t know, maybe it’s just infatuation that will wear off overtime, but I’m really head over heels for this girl. I mean Julia is drop-dead gorgeous, she’s the sweetest little flower you’ll ever pick from the field, but at the same time, she has an ambitious side to her. It’s like this wild beast wants to break free, and without getting into details, she really did break free last night.”

Amy simply watched her sister unwind.

“God,” Rachel closed her eyes, “She’s so great. For the first time in my life, I really feel like I have someone. I mean I was lying in that room, I couldn’t sleep having nothing to comfort me but a pair of gloves.” She looked at her black gloves again.

Amy pondered for a minute. She was actually very happy her sister was confiding in her after all this time. “So you need someone to sleep with tonight?”

Rachel felt guilty asking her sister to take the place of her girlfriend for the night. It felt selfish, but Rachel couldn’t be alone tonight. “Is it okay if I stay with you tonight? Maybe tomorrow as well?”

“Oh Rachel!” Amy climbed on top of her sister speaking in a goofy way, “I’ve waited so long for this night!”

Rachel snickered at her cousin’s silly attitude. She felt Amy’s light body press against her’s. Suddenly Amy began to kiss her sloppily, “Oh I love you,” Amy mimicked a French accent planting kisses on Rachel.”

“Hey hey hey,” Rachel’s head tossed and turned trying to avoid Amy. For a college-graduate Consigliere, her cousin could be very silly from time to time. “C’mon! Get off of me!”

“Oh no you don’t,” Amy continued, “Make love to me Rachel!”

“Jesus Christ Amy,” Rachel grabbed hold of her sister, rolled over and pinned her to the bed. There was a really goofy smile on Amy’s face. After a few seconds, Rachel closed her eyes and laughed. Amy reached her head up and planted a kiss on her sister’s lips. Rachel got off and wiped her lips in disgust. “What is wrong with you?”

“Oh come on Rachel,” Amy laughed, “We used to do this all the time. Remember?”

“Yeah,” Rachel responded smiling, “When we were like ten!”

“Excused me,” Amy responded grabbing a hold of her sister’s gloved hand, “I remember a certain college girl shacking up with me in my own dorm room.”

“That was one night Amy,” Rachel said remembering the night she and her cousin shared her bed. It was right after Rachel confided in her about her sexual orientation.

“Rachel, you know I’ve always thought of you like a sister; like my best friend. And-“ Amy got tired of holding a pair of gloves. “Take these off!” Amy began to pull one off of Rachel’s hand.

“No,” Rachel rescinded her hands, “I want to keep them on.”

The silly air dissipated and Amy stared at her sister curiously.

Rachel herself was curious as to why she wanted to wear these gloves so much. Maybe in some weird way, they made her feel like Julia was still there.

“Okay,” Amy didn’t press her.

Rachel turned to her side to hold Amy. Her cousin returned the affection. “You know, out of everyone in my family, you’re still the one I’ve always felt closet to.” She felt her sister hug her tighter.

“You know I’m always there for you sis,” Amy said.

Rachel smiled.

Amy turned off the light.

AMORE RAGAZZE

By SomeguyJim

CHAPTER 14

Amy Giovanni sat in a private waiting room holding her jade necklace in her hand. She always kept it hidden under her shirt, but felt like rubbing it between her fingers. Normally, the brains behind the Giovanni family would be analyzing everything that had just transpired, formulating her next move. But now, she was in shock. Getting her wounded step-mother rushed from Flushing to the hospital in Cypress Hills was intense. Jackie had been rushed into the emergency room immediately into surgery. The Consigliere personally made sure that her boss was getting A class treatment. Some time later, Rachel had been rolled in. She was bruised and beat up, but no serious injuries to attend to.

Angelo never made it to the hospital. Rachel didn’t know what happened to him, she only saw his face one more time before the coroner placed her brother in a body bag.

Dealing with her wounded boss and step-mother was frightening enough, but learning about her step-brother’s death led the calm collected Amy Giovanni to break down in her private waiting room. She wasn’t loud, but emotions were getting the best of her. Shortness of breath, clenched teeth, teary eyes, it felt so uncomfortable. The memories she had worked so hard to repress began to resurge. Amy was too young to fully comprehend her father’s death. Uncle Marlon had always been like a father to her. However, Amy remembered her mother, Jade. When her mother was in the hospital for months on end, Marlon, Jackie and Angelo were all there for her. Losing her mother could have destroyed Amy forever had it not been for her wonderful uncle’s family. Marlon had only left her a month ago, the most devastating loss since her mother. Now her brother… her step-mother in critical condition. Why were her loved ones being taken away from her? She couldn’t help but cry.

That is until Rachel came into the room: her closest cousin, her most distant sister.

Amy immediately hid her necklace back in her shirt and wiped her face away; trying her best to hide the tears from her eyes. She quickly grabbed her glasses lying on the table next to her and appeared somewhat composed. Rachel’s eyes were slightly closed. A bandage was on her cheek where Columbo had smacked her. She was holding her stomach, but otherwise she appeared fine.

Amy sniffed before she asked, “Are you okay?”

Rachel sighed and sat down, “What the fuck do you think Amy?”

The brunette didn’t know how to reply. In fact neither of them said anything for a long time. Finally, Rachel began to break down into tears. She held them back as best she could, but Amy noticed it. She picked up her chair and moved it closer to her sister. Rachel immediately clang to Amy,

“This is all my fault Amy!” She began to cry heavier, “It’s all my fucking fault! Angelo’s dead because of me! Mom’s in the hospital because of me! It’s all my fault!”

“Rachel,” Amy tried to get a word in still holding onto her sister. What was she going to say? It practically was Rachel’s fault.

“I’m a f…” Rachel was begin to grow hysterical barely breathing inbetween whining, “It’s my fucking fault!”  She said it over and over like a broken record.

Amy spoke up, “Rachel stop it!” Her voice was very commanding as she nudged Rachel’s face up, “Okay? What’s done is done.” She still couldn’t talk over Rachel’s hysteria.

“I don’t want to be here Amy! I can’t take it! I can’t TAKE IT!”

“LISTEN TO ME!” Amy jumped up from her chair grabbing Rachel by the shirt. The younger girl winced in pain from her stomach, but she was shocked at Amy’s intensity. She had never seen her cousin this angry and intense. The Consigliere’s voice was not loud, but certainly intimidating, “LISTEN TO ME RACHEL! We are going to get through this! Okay?” By now, Rachel’s hysteria was dying down. “Angelo was as much a brother to me as he was to you, but screaming about it isn’t going to bring him back.”

Amy began to loosen up her grip, tears began to form in her own eyes, “I need you, Rachel.”

Rachel began to take deep breaths.

“Breathe,” Amy sat back down and dried her eyes.

The other sister managed to calm down slightly, “What are we going to do Amy?”

Amy sighed and closed her eyes. She didn’t speak for a few seconds, “I don’t know yet.”

“Ms. Giovanni?” The voice of a doctor came in. She opened her eyes and saw the tall doctor standing in the doorway.

“Hold on,” Amy got up and led the doctor into the hallway.

Rachel couldn’t see or hear her sister and the doctor. She was trapped with her own thoughts and shame. The guilt made her sick to her stomach.

“Rachel,” she looked up to see Charlie holding a fast food bag. He put the bag down on the table and held his arms out for Rachel to stand up. She reluctantly did and allowed her mother’s colleague to hug her. “My God!” is all he could bring himself to say. Charlie’s embrace was soothing, but not even to keep her stomach from turning. He let her go.

Sal also walked towards her and gave her a hug. “Poor Angelo,” he embraced her as tight as he could, “The kid was in a bodybag the minute I got-“

“Ow!” Rachel pushed him away holding her sides.

“Oh sorry!” Sal said keeping his distance. “I’m sorry Rachel!”

“It’s fine Sal,” She sat back down still holding her sides.

“Don’t worry Rachel,” Sal reassured her, “That fucking cocksucker Columbo is gonna pay for what he did!”

Charlie pulled a couple of burgers out of the bag, handing one to Sal, “Let’s worry about Jackie first. Any word from the doctor?”

“Amy’s talking to him,” She answered. Charlie handed her a burger but she waved her hand.

“You should eat up kid,” the grey-haired capo suggested, “You’ve been through a lot, need your strength.”

“I’m not hungry Charlie!” She spat back at him.

“All right, all right,” He backed up. “Took us a fucking hour at this burger joint. I went straight to the line, they told me to go to the back.” He raised his arms in protest.

“That’s bullshit!” Sal agreed. Rachel tried to tune both of them out.

“Fucking Giovanni family goes into a restaurant, you give them whatever the fuck they want!”

“There’s no loyalty in this town anymore!” Sal said.

“Fucking burger joint,” Charlie pulled out another burger from the bag, “Think they’re fucking Wall Street, they can push anyone around?”

“Fucking pieces of shit!” The taller man spoke up.

Rachel finally got tired of Charlie’s whining, “So why do you keep going there if you hate it so much?”

There was a short pause. Charlie and Sal looked at each other, “Cause,” Sal said, “They make a good burger!” He then took a bite and moaned slightly, “Amazing!”

“Best burger in Brooklyn without a doubt!” Charlie took a bite as well.

“Oh yeah! In the world maybe!”

“Eh… I dunno,” Charlie waved his hand slightly, “You ever had an In-N-Out Burger? West Coast?”

Sal scratched his chin, “Those are good…”

As annoying as these two were, Charlie and Sal’s meaningless dialog was helping Rachel get her mind off of her mother and brother. Unfortunately, Amy came back in.

“Hey guys,” Amy looked drained. Charlie handed her the other burger which Amy took without questions. Without looking at the others she took one bite and picked up a soda as well. “So the doctor’s working on her. It’s not looking great.”

Sal opened up his mouth, “What’s wrong?”

Amy now sat down next to Rachel taking another bite of her burger. She offered a bite to her sister, but she turned it down again. Amy dunked her soda down, gulped, and spoke up. “Long story short, they can keep her alive, but she’s gonna be in a coma.”

“Fuck!” Charlie said. This was going to be a long night…

-------------------------------------------------------

The door was closed. A few men stood outside it. Amy and Rachel had been sitting in the same chairs, Sal and Charlie were now seated next to each other away from the girls.

“All our sources said Frank is held up in some hotel in Midtown Manhattan.”

“Safest place he can be,” Amy was now drinking water.

“Why is he hiding in Manhattan?” Rachel asked, “Shouldn’t he be on a plane to Lilyhammer by now?”

“Because he knows we can’t touch him in Manhattan,” Amy turned to her sister, “Otherwise Gotti will take us out for killing him on his territory.”

There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment. Charlie pulled out a cigarette before speaking up:

“Well Amy, your in charge with Jackie out of commission. What do we do?”

Charlie lit his cigarette, and another uncomfortable silence came over the room. Amy sighed feeling the weight of the world now on her shoulders. She never expected to be head of the family, but she was ready to do what was necessary:

“Not much we can do right now. Like I said, Gotti will kill us if we go after Columbo.”

“Fuck Gotti!” Sal’s temper began to rise, “Columbo killed Vinnie, he damn near killed Jackie.”

“I know Sal,” Amy tried to keep Sal from getting emotional, but he couldn’t be contained. His voice got louder and louder:

“The woman’s like a sister to me. I’m the one who put Marlon and her together!”

“No you’re not,” Charlie spoke up.

“And Angelo,” Sal now began to gather tears in his eyes, he tried his best to hide it. Holding his hand to his mouth he continued, “The kid was like a fucking son to me!” He began to break down in tears; a sight none of them had ever seen before. Charlie embraced his friend, holding his smoke out.

Amy was speechless. She felt like breaking down in tears herself, but she felt the need to stay strong.

Rachel did begin to weep, “This is all my fault guys!”

“Don’t say that Rachel!” Sal sat up and tried to gain composure, “It’s not your fault. What happened was between Angelo and Columbo.”

“He’s right Rach,” Charlie pulled out a hankercheif. Sal took it and blew his nose.

“Guys,” Rachel hesitated, “Angelo is dead because of me!”

“Rachel,” Amy looked to her. Once again, Rachel could read Amy’s mind. The younger sister wanted nothing more than to confess her horrible secret. Her Amore Ragazze relationship with Julia had caused Angelo’s death. The brother sacrificed himself because of her. She wanted to shout it out at the top of her lungs for the whole world to hear. Maybe somehow she would unburden herself. But Amy had bigger problems to deal with. She was now the de facto head of the family. So the injured sister brought her head down. By now, both Sal and Charlie were staring curiously at her.

Amy stood up holding her head up high, “Listen guys, this has without a doubt been a terrible day. But going after Columbo isn’t going to bring Angelo back or get Jackie out of this hospital. As cold as it may sound, I think we have to focus on business moving forward as Gotti always says.”

Some grumbles came out of Sal and Charlie.

Amy brought her head down and groaned, “Look, by being diplomatic and civil, we may win some points with Gotti and gain some ground. We’ve lost our muscle, we’re gonna need to do some serious rebuilding.”

“You may be right,” Charlie said.

“Only,” Amy sat back down, “We’re gonna need to find an acting boss.”

Charlie, Sal and even Rachel looked curiously at Amy. “Amy you should be the acting boss, you’re the brains of the family.”

“I’m better suited to be an advisor. I don’t have the balls to be a boss.”

“You don’t have any balls period!” Rachel interjected.

“Thank you Rachel,” Amy said sarcastically.

“I don’t know who else in the family,” Charlie pondered back in his chair, “Is suited for the job.”

“I can be the boss,” Sal raised his hand in enthusiasm.

Amy stared at him uncomfortably, “Thank you Sal, that…” She hesitated, “That might not work.”

Sal slow and apprehensively put his hand down.

For a moment Amy looked to Rachel. Rachel looked back at Amy. This time, neither of them could tell what the other was thinking. Within a few seconds, Amy shook her head and looked back to the others, “We’re gonna need to have a meeting soon with the other families. We need to take away some of Columbo’s power. That would be five times worse than killing him. And somebody’s going to have to step up for us.”

-------------------------------------------------------

A week had gone by. Angelo and Vinnie had been buried, Jackie remained comatose in the hospital. And standing in a lobby outside a large round-table room were the grieving members of the Giovanni family: Amy Giovanni, assumed to be the acting boss, in a black pantsuit, Charlie and Sal in matching black suits, and Rachel in a black trench coat with black leather gloves. Rachel was more there as a symbol than anything else. The family was surrounded by a number of bodyguards.

After some small talk with members of the five families, the doors opened and  the meeting began.

“Sit tight,” Amy whispered to her sister as she began to walk in.

Rachel stayed in the lobby watching everyone move inside: her family, Don Gotti, and Columbo’s crew. Frank Columbo walked right by her with Snakes, Bobby and more men next to him. Columbo looked bigger than ever, but turning his head to see the woman who had witnessed his murder made his eyes widen. Likewise seeing the man who killed her brother caused Rachel’s eyes to burn with rage. A second or two of staring seemed like an hour. Columbo attempted to ignore her and walk in without a care. The door closed behind them and Rachel was left alone.

“Well,” Gotti stood up and spoke. He looked to Amy who was seated not far from him, with Charlie and sal seated closeby. “This isn’t going to be easy. First Amy, I want to offer my condolences to Angelo and let you know my prayers are with Jackie.”

“Thank you Don Gotti,” Amy appeared a little more intimidating than she usually did, her face was not covered by glasses. Unfortunately, Amy’s kind nature couldn’t produce an menacing poker face.

Gotti looked to Columbo, seated on the other side of the table more unremorseful than ever. A large amount of disdain could be seen in Gotti’s eyes, but he had to be diplomatic. He looked back towards Amy, “I’m sure Frank would like to explain his actions…”

“We know all about his actions,” Sal spoke up. Amy tried to calm him down.

“Let me know next time someone rapes YOUR daughter,” Frank spoke, “Then you can talk about-“

“Raped your daughter?” Sal stood up, “Frank you lying cocksucker!”

Just before a big argument broke out, Gotti stopped it, “ENOUGH!” His presence was still as powerful as ever. Columbo and Sal sat down. “Frank,” Gotti was very direct with him “You are in no position to argue. Even if Angelo did what you say he did, you killed Vinnie Montana, a made man, and you almost killed Jackie, a boss. You know better than that.”

“She was on my turf!” Columbo whined.

“And you should have come to me about it. It would have been dealt with.” Gotti turned to address everyone, “You all have to understand something. This isn’t the 1940s anymore. Hell this isn’t even the 1970s! New York is Disneyland now. The Mets are playing in Queens, college kids walking around Brooklyn. The cops have their eyes on us 24/7. We have to watch what we do people! If we want business to move forward, we can’t allow these pre-war scuffles to take place, especially between The Giovanni and Columbo family. Media’s already having a field day with Jackie out of commission.” Gotti took a deep breath and sit down. “Now before we get moving here, I gotta ask you Amy, who’s acting boss for the Giovanni family?”

“I am for now,” Amy said, “My top priorities-“

“Oh Jesus Christ!” Columbo spoke up, “Another fucking woman as the boss?”

Gotti finally had it. He got out of his chair in anger and walked towards Columbo’s. He looked down on him, “If you don’t keep your mouth shut, I’m gonna cut your fucking nuts off!”

For once in his life, Frank looked like a scared child. In fact everyone looked frightened. Gotti was not known for being so direct with his fellow mobsters. Obviously, Columbo’s actions had caused Gotti a lot of problems. How he managed to keep the cops off these murders was beyond a mystery. Sal and Charlie looked to each other smiling, but Amy remained stoic.

The long silence was broken as Don Genovese stood up, “Don Gotti,” His groggily voice and white shiny hair commanded authority, “All due respect, I think Don Columbo might have a point. Amy seems to have been a fine Consigliere, but I’m not sure she’s boss material.”

“She’s fine Ralph,” Charlie spoke up.

“Look the boss has to command some authority, like a king. Marlon was a strong authority figure. And Jackie proved herself to be a convincing boss, but I don’t see that in this girl. No disrespect.”

Amy sighed.

“Usually the son,” another man spoke up, “Or in this case the daughter, automatically takes up the position no questions asked, but technically she’s not Marlon’s real daughter.”

“My mother was Marlon’s sister.” Amy reassured everyone.

“Columbo murdered Marlon’s son remember?” Sal spoke up again.

Gotti held his hand out and sat down, “Well everyone makes a good point. You’re a great addition to this organization Amy, but I do have my reservations about you being boss.”

Amy nodded her head slightly. Charlie nudged her as if to say ‘What are you doing?’

“We’ll find somebody,” Amy spoke.

“Amy?” Sal whispered.

“All right well let’s get some business taken care of,” Gotti said, “Maybe you can prove yourself worthy Amy.”

Outside, Rachel could hear everything. Amy was getting bullied by everyone, maybe she wasn’t the right person for the job. Business talk continued.

“Rachel?”

A feminine voice Rachel recognized instantly. She turned around and saw Julia dressed in all white. She looked more sad than ever. Seeing her girlfriend made Rachel’s stomach turn. Here was the girl responsible for the death of her brother. Because of this girl, her mother was in the hospital. Her sister was now struggling to keep the family afloat. She was nothing but trouble. Rachel wanted to turn back to the door and keep her ear on what was going on. But she couldn’t look away. That beautiful innocent angelic face. It wasn’t really Julia’s fault. She didn’t kill anyone. And for that matter, Rachel hadn’t really done anything wrong other. It was unfortunate a girl like this had a father so crazy. Two conflicted views. Rachel said nothing.

“I’m so sorry,” Julia sounded like she was about to start crying.

Rachel remained cold. She couldn’t handle Julia’s immaturity right now, “So am I.” She turned to face the door again.

A loud sigh came from behind her. Soon footsteps lead to a handhold, “Rachel he knew from the getgo. He saw the marks on my neck. He locked me in my room, took my phone away, I couldn’t get to you.”

“Julia,” As beautiful as that voice was, Rachel wouldn’t turn around, “What’s done is done.”

A long pause.

“Look at me Rachel!” Julia tried to spin her girlfriend around.

Rachel could now see her face, filled with guilt.

“I understand if you hate me, but just tell me if you do.”

Rachel sighed, looking down at Julia’s dress and then back to her face, “I don’t hate you Julia.”

“Rachel,” Julia was now very direct. She hugged her girlfriend, “Let’s get out of here. We’ll run away, far from this city. We’ll go to California. We’ll live in Venice!” She looked her in the eye and smiled, “You’ve always wanted to leave this city. Let’s just get the hell out here! We’ll be gone before they ever knew we left.”

It sounded like something she always wanted, but Rachel couldn’t leave her sister behind. She was all she had.

“Look,” Julia pulled out her camera. With her usual white gloves on, she scrolled over a few pictures until she found what she was looking for, “I saved this just like you asked.” Julia smiled.

Rachel took the camera with her black gloves and saw the picture of Julia and her kissing in the middle of times square.

For what must have been ten seconds, Rachel stared into the camera. Her mind was turning. A realization, some revelation was bringing light before her eyes. In that moment, Rachel realized what she wanted to do.

“Rachel?” Julia tried to bring back her attention.

“Has your father seen this picture?”

“No thank God,” Julia spoke up, “Why don’t we-“

Before Julia could finish her thought, Rachel put the camera in her pocket and stormed into the office. Her and Julia were now in plain sight as everyone’s heads turned. The bodyguards all immediately stood up in panic, but relaxed when seeing the girls. Gotti stood up as did Amy.

“Rachel?” Amy said.

Columbo didn’t stand up, but his eyes were fixated on her. Rachel stared directly into Frank’s eyes as she walked towards her family. Julia stayed in the doorway. The young black-haired girl addressed everyone in the room.

“I am Rachel Giovanni,” Her deep voice sounded off better than Amy’s. A strong somewhat frightening presence surrounded her, “Daughter of Marlon and Jackie Giovanni and sister to the late Angelo Giovanni.”

“Rachel,” Amy whispered discretely, “What are you doing?”

Rachel spoke to everyone in the room with guts:

“And I am the acting boss of this family!”

Commotion overtook the room. Pure panic overtook Columbo’s eyes. Rachel turned to see Julia in the doorway standing with a frown.

“Hold it, hold it!” Gotti tried to get everyone’s attention. Eventually the noise died down and he looked to the black haired girl, “Rachel would you explain yourself please?”

“I believe someone already explained,” Rachel had a certain coolness to her, “That the boss’s son, or in my case daughter, takes up the position no questions asked.”

Silence overtook the room. Rachel looked down to Amy and smiled. Amy couldn’t help but smile back.

Don Genovese stood up, “I thought you were a civilian? You know nothing about the family business!”

Rachel laughed and looked at him, “Are you really that naïve? I was born into this business. I’ve been listening to my father ramble on about the family before I learned to walk. My mother, brother and sister talked about it non-stop. I know almost everything about the family business. And what I don’t know, Amy knows. That’s why she’s the perfect Consigliere.”

Amy felt a sense of power and command coming back to the Giovanni family.

“Don Gotti,” Columbo spoke, “May I please say something?”

Gotti nodded his head. Rachel smiled and watched Columbo make a fool of himself.

“Look this has gone on long enough! All right, this is the mob, not some equal opportunities for women bullshit. I refuse to work with a girl so young, inexperienced and related to that asshole who raped my daughter.”

Julia sighed hearing her father’s lies.

“Raped your daughter,” Rachel shook her head, “Frank you are the most impulsive, reactionary man in this organization. I know for a fact Angelo didn’t rape Julia. He didn’t touch her, he didn’t even talk about touching her.”

“He fucking confessed it to me,” Columbo spat back at her, “He gloated about it.”

“I know that,” Rachel said, “I was there!”

A gasp came over the room. Gotti gave Rachel his full attention. Nobody knew that Rachel was in the room when Columbo killed her brother. That made things complicated.

“Julia,” Rachel looked to her standing in the doorway, “Did Angelo-“

“Leave her out of this,” Julia’s father shouted.

“She’s a grown woman Frank,” Rachel looked back to him, “Stop treating her like she’s six years old. Julia,” Rachel looked back to her. Julia looked nervous standing in the doorway with all eyes on her. “Did Angelo do anything to you?”

Julia looked more nervous than ever. Her father’s eyes were on her, the mafia boss’s Amy’s and Rachel’s eyes. But Rachel was the one person in the room Julia had to help. And so Julia mustered up enough courage to speak up:

“No.”

Another gasp from the room, talking amongst themselves.

“I was with Rachel that night,” Julia spoke up again.

“Don’t lie Julia,” Columbo was getting angry, “I found a mark on your neck!”

Rachel pulled out Julia’s camera. The blone became frightened watching her girlfriend walk towards her father. Fortunately nobody was looking at her frightened face. Rachel turned it on and placed it right in front of Columbo’s eyes. Only He, Snakes and Bobby could see the picture of Rachel and Julia kissing in the middle of Times Square. Frank Columbo began to hyperventilate. Gotti and some of the others tried to catch a glance of it. Rachel pulled the camera away mouthing to Don Gotti and her family, ‘I’ll show you later.’

“What what is it?” One of the mobsters spoke up.

“Not important,” Rachel put the camera away. Columbo was absolutely speechless. “What’s important is that we get down to some business. Now as I’m sure you’re all aware, my Consigliere and sister Amy knows Wall Street inside and out.” By now Amy was smiling towards Sal and Charlie. “With her brains and my command, we’ll have Wall Street working for us in no time. My friend Mr. Columbo seems to think killing people for the wrong reasons is more important than business. That’s why I propose that all Columbo operations in the financial district be turned over to the Giovanni family.”

Columbo still said nothing.

“Rachel,” Gotti spoke, “I admire your confidence, but forgive me if I feel your just out to avenge the death of your brother.”

“Don Gotti,” Rachel spoke eloquently, “I can’t say I’m not angry about my brother, or my mother for that matter. But I do know that what’s done is done and vengeance will not change anything. This is about Columbo’s ability to lead. As you always say, business must move forward. You all knew my father to be a man of loyalty, my mother as well, well I would just do the same thing they did. And with Amy beside me, we’re going to make a lot of money. I know you all like that. And please don’t think down on me because I’m a woman or young. I simply want to work with all of you fine gentlemen to make the most out of our profits.”

Somehow the other members of the family forgot that Rachel was a young woman and saw Marlon Giovanni’s offspring.

“I believe Rachel’s strong personality speaks for itself,” Amy added standing up beside her.

“I still have my reservations about this,” Don Gotti held his hands together, “But I’ll see where you two can take this family.” He looked to Columbo, still silent. “And I’m going to see Columbo’s operations in Wall Street administered by you.”

“John!” Frank yelled out.

“I’m sorry Frank,” Gotti looked to him, “But you have no one to blame but yourself.”

“She’s a-” Frank yelled again, but stopped.

Everyone wondered what he was going to say, but Columbo didn’t want to admit that his own daughter was in a lesbian relationship with Rachel Giovanni. And so he got up from the table and stormed out of the room.

“Frank sit down!” Gotti called to him.

Snakes also got up. Just as Columbo got to the doorway, he yanked his daughter by the hand and pulled her away with him. Snakes followed closely.

Julia and Rachel shared one last glance before she disappeared around the corner.

“I’m very sorry Don Gotti,” Bobby said as he stood up.

“You and I should talk soon,” Gotti said to him before the younger Columbo bodyguard walked outside closing the door behind him.

“All right,” Rachel said as she pushed Sal out of the way and sat down, “Let’s get to work.”

AMORE RAGAZZE

By SomeguyJim

CHAPTER 16

“It’s not working!” Julia whined.

Amy looked slightly annoyed watching the spoiled Columbo daughter trying desperately to erase the blood stain on her white glove. It looked better, but it didn’t seem like any formula of cleaners was going to save her beloved accessory. She was standing over the sink in the kitchen of the Giovanni house with their Consigliere holding a leather cleaner. Naturally, Julia had her gloves on as she scrubbed the leather. There was now a bandage on her face.

“Well,” Amy was patient with her, “This leather cleaner is supposed to do the trick.” Julia didn’t respond. “It would probably be easier if you took them off.”

Julia looked at Amy as if she was asking her to do murder, “I don’t want to.” She went back to washing her glove.

Amy knew about Julia’s obsession with her gloves and Rachel had filled her in on some of the recent details regarding the blonde’s past. The brunette could empathize with  her. “Truth be told, I’m surprised your gloves aren’t more dirty since you never take them off.”

“Well,” Julia said as she took the cleaner bottle from Amy, “Have your father lock you in a bedroom for years, you tend not to come into contact with dirt too much.”

“My real father died when I was a baby,” Amy looked out the doorway to the bedroom trying to catch a glimpse of Rachel, “Guess I never had that chance.”

Julia stopped to look at Rachel’s cousin, “Oh yeah, Rachel told me about that. I don’t remember how did he die?”

Amy closed her eyes still facing out the door, “Some things are better left unsaid.”

“Please don’t tell me my father had to do with it.”

Amy finally looked Julia in the eye like she was the enemy. Unfortunately, the daughter of Frank Columbo really didn’t look threatening. In fact, Amy couldn’t get the image of her naked body out of her mind. She did feel a certain connection to this girl. Her hand reached under her shirt to pull out her jade necklace. “This was my mother’s. It’s made of jade. And her name was Jade. Get it?” It was a beautiful necklace. It seemed like Amy always kept it out of sight. Julia examined it closer holding it in her gloved hand. “I haven’t taken it off since she died.” The brunette corrected herself, “Well, almost. Showers and stuff.”

“Yeah,” Julia understood, “The gloves belonged to my mom.”

Amy nodded her head and brought the necklace back into her shirt. “Brings you some comfort right?” Julia nodded her head ‘yes.’ Amy spoke up looking Julia in the eye, “Since my mom left me, Aunt Jackie’s been like a mom to me.” She sighed, “Watching her take a bullet-“ Amy felt she was at a loss for words. She picked up the leather cleaner instead.

Suddenly, Amy felt Julia hug her, “I’m sorry Amy.” Amy was surprised to feel her sister’s girlfriend holding her like this. “I’m sorry for causing so much trouble!”

‘So much trouble,’ was the understatement of the year. Julia was a Shakespearean plague on the Giovanni house. However, there was a innocence about Julia that was so appealing. She could understand why her sister loved this girl. Amy hugged her back, “Julia, my sister loves you.”

They continued to hug. Nothing else was said.

A much different, much less intimidating Rachel Giovanni was sitting in the living room talking to Charlie and Sal. Surrounded by a few bodyguards standing randomly around the room, the two Capos shared the couch while the boss sat in a hard chair facing them. She spoke slow and softly looking down at the floor:

“We went out together a few times.” Rachel took a long time between sentences, “Columbo got wind of it.” Charlie and Sal waited to hear her finish her thoughts, “Angelo took the fall for me.” She looked up to see Charlie staring at her the same way he would stare at Columbo. She looked back down to the ground, “I’m sorry guys,” Rachel almost whispered.

“You should be,” Charlie scolded her. The anger in his voice was barely contained. He  shook his head and sighed. “Look, I don’t know how to feel about this Julia situation, but you never told us?”

Charlie was talking to Rachel in a way that reminded her of her father. She didn’t talk back, just continued to stare at the floor. Sal stayed silent, looking like he was gathering his thoughts.

“Marlon did his share of stupid things in the past,” Charlie continued, “But he always kept us informed so we’d be prepared.” He really got emotional now, “Rachel, we could have prepared for this!”

“I know,” Rachel was almost in tears.

“I can’t,” Charlie stopped in mid sentence and got up from the couch. He walked to the window to see the bright summer day lingering on as long as it could. Sal still sat down without a word.

“Charlie,” Rachel finally looked up towards him, “You were my father’s closest friend. If you and Sal think I should step down as boss of the Giovanni family,” She hesitated, “I will.”

The gray-haired Capo turned to see his boss’ daughter. She didn’t look like a boss herself, but a scared little girl. Charlie had never seen Rachel this way, even when she was a kid, Rachel always exuded some intimidation. But Charlie could only imagine what the girl was going through. Her father dead, her mother was in the hospital, her brother murdered before her eyes, and having just survived a murder attempt? The girl needed support no doubt. She had proven herself a worthy successor to the Giovanni throne, he was not about to let her step down.

“No,” Charlie spoke up and moved back to the couch, “You’re the boss of this family Rachel.” He sat down, “We’ve stuck with you this far, we’ll get through this Julia thing.” He pointed at her in a somewhat intimidating fashion, “No more secrets.”

“No more secrets,” Rachel shook her head looking into Charlie’s eyes.

Sal was still silent.

The grey-haired man sighed again, “Forgive me Rachel, but I feel like I’ve always known you were... what did you call it again?”

“Amore Ragazze.” Rachel answered.

“Amore Ragazze,” Charlie repeated, “Che cazzo!”

Luckily Rachel didn’t understand what he said.

Sal finally put his finger up and opened his mouth. He didn’t speak yet, he looked like he was thinking carefully about what he was going to say. Charlie already turned his attention to his friend. “Let me ask you something,” Sal was still hesitating, “How do you girls…” He twirled his hands around trying to find the right word to match his thought, “Do it?”

Rachel raised her head and gave Sal the most baffled look her face could form.

Charlie’s jaw dropped as her turned his whole body to face his taller friend, “Are you fucking serious?”

“What?” Sal looked at Charlie and raised his hands. He looked back to Don Giovanni, “I mean no disrespect or nothing-“

“No disrespect?” Charlie spat back.

“I’m just curious is all,” Sal didn’t see what the trouble was, “I mean our boss is doing it with another gal, I need to know the details.”

Charlie raised his hands in disgust, “Those aren’t the kind of details-“

“I mean,” Sal continued, “Do you like,” once again his tongue was tied, “Scissor?”

“Okay,” Rachel got up from her chair and walked into the kitchen.

Charlie just sat next to his partner hiding his face in shame.

“Or toys?” Sal shouted hoping he would get an answer, “You use toys right?”

Don Giovanni ignored Sal’s comment and walked into see her cousin and her girlfriend hugging. Julia had her back to Rachel while Amy’s closed eyes were facing her. Rachel stopped in her tracks. It was a pleasant sight to see… unless Amy was moving in on her girl. Amy opened her eyes to see her sister moving towards her. Julia felt a pair of arms reach around her and flinched. Amy simply let go and allowed Rachel to take hold of her girlfriend. Julia turned around hugged the taller girl back.

“When are we leaving?” The boss asked.

Amy looked at the clock, “Pretty soon.”

------------------------------------------------------

The basement was hot. Really hot! Bobby Russo and another of Columbo’s men, Bobby’s brother Vincent, were sweating wearing t-shirts. The sat around a large black table with many empty chairs; the room dimly lit. Vince sucked down his cigarette talking with brother. They had two strong men standing near them.

Suddenly, the door opened. Two bodyguards, no relation to either family, entered first. Then one of Giovanni’s bodyguards entered the room followed closely by Rachel. She wore her trademark black leather jacket giving the room a once-over. Amy, dressed in her trademark suit came in next. Then Charlie and Sal also wearing light jackets. The other Giovanni bodyguard came in with someone else lost in the crowd.

“Oh Jesus,” Rachel complained unbuttoning her coat, “It’s a hundred degrees in here. Don’t you have a fan in here?”

“Sorry,” one of the neutral bodyguards said in a shallow manner.

“You’re the one who asked to meet on Gotti’s ground.” Bobby snapped back.

Rachel rolled her eyes and moved towards the table. “Let’s get this over with.” Rachel and Amy Giovanni sat opposite to the Russo brothers. Charlie and Sal took a couple chairs behind them. The last to sit was the blonde-haired trouble-maker herself, Julia. She sat next to Rachel, but on a chair at the end of the table, inbetween the Giovanni and Columbo family.

“So she was with you,” Bobby noted her presence. He  reached his hand out to touch her bandaged cheeck, “What happened to your face?”

“Don’t touch her!” Don Giovanni snapped. She stared at Bobby in an intimidating manner.

Amy closed her eyes and shook her head.

Bobby did take his hand away but appeared just as intimidating towards the Giovanni daughter. “I ain’t the one who kidnapped her.”

Rachel laughed, “Is that the bullshit Frank Columbo fed you?”

“All right,” Amy tried to gain control of this tense situation, “I’m sure we can all agree to be civil in this discussion.”

“God damn it!” Rachel yelled, “It’s fucking hot in here!” She got up and threw her black leather coat on the ground leaving her tight t-shirt to reveal her muscular figure. She kept her black gloves on. The Russo brothers noted Rachel’s impressive figure. “You perverts wanna stare at my boobs all day,” She continued, “I don’t give a shit.”

“Rachel,” Julia reached her white gloved hand out to her black covered hand, “Please calm down.”

The Russo brothers noted Julia’s actions. The infamous Rachel Giovanni looked into the blonde’s eyes and did in fact calm down. Julia smiled and let go of her hand.

Bobby sighed, “All right look,” he was not used to speaking for the Columbo family, but with Snakes presumably dead and unable to talk with the Don, Bobby was the de-facto leader. Rachel Giovanni may have been a woman, but she was as intimidating in the flesh as the stories told about her. He took a drink of water and gulped. He spoke as he set the beverage down. “Vince and myself, and a lot of the Columbo crew are unhappy with the way things are.”

Vince simply nodded silently, his cigarette dangling from his mouth.

Rachel didn’t say a word but looked to Amy. The more sensible, glasses-covered Consigliere spoke, “Well, as I mentioned on the phone, no one wants to start a war.” Amy uncomfortably rubbed her neck feeling sweat all over her.

“So what is it exactly you want?” Bobby asked.

“You know what we want,” Rachel folded her arms and sat back.

“Yeah I know,” Bobby sighed, “It’s not like I can just give you Columbo, I’ve known the man since I was a kid.”

Julia looked at the two of them in confusion, “Wait a minute,” she spoke up.

Every eye in the room looked toward her.

“Are you going to kill him?” She leaned into the table.

Bobby looked away from her and shook his head in frustration, “Why did you bring her here?”

“She wanted to come,” Rachel responded.

“Yeah,” Julia spoke up with an irritated tone, “Especially if you two are going to be discussing killing my father!”

The rest of the Giovanni family stayed silent as Rachel had asked them to do. Vince did the same. But Bobby threw his arms up in frustration, “I’m not comfortable here okay? She just disappears, Frank’s driving everyone crazy, probably sent Snakes to his death, and meanwhile the family’s getting weaker and weaker. You know ever since your brother took her-“

“MY BROTHER,” Rachel slammed her fist on the table, “HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!” Everyone jumped back a notch, even the bodyguards. She pointed her gloved finger towards Bobby, “You stood there Bobby and let those asshole bosses of yours kill him. You knew he didn’t do it. You were the one who sent Columbo a picture of the two of them and probably just let him jump to whatever conclusions he wanted to make!” She stopped for a minute and looked at her enemy. He wasn’t an enemy but a pawn in Columbo’s insanity. “I remember my father wishing he could convince you all to kill that son-of-a-bitch, for your own benefit.”

Bobby stared at this woman for an uncomfortably silent ten seconds. Rachel’s eyes did not waver. He spoke in a very soft tone, “What do want me to do Rachel?”

The sound of the door opening startled everyone. Walking in with two bodyguards behind him was Don Gotti, “Next time,” Gotti removed his jacket and handed it to one of his guards, “We meet in a place that’s air conditioned.”

“No argument from me,” Rachel answered.

Sal and Charlie got up to greet him. As did the

“No no no,” Gotti assured them, “Sit sit sit.” Everyone took their seats, except Rachel and Amy who hadn’t gotten up to begin with. The Lord of Manhattan took his throne opposite Julia. He was surprised to see her, “There you are. I heard Frank screaming about how were kidnapped.”

“I wasn’t kidnapped Don Gotti,” Julia spoke up, “I packed my bags and ran away.”

He laughed, “Didn’t get very far did you?”

“John,” Rachel spoke up, “It’s time for Frank to go.”

Everyone was somewhat shocked by Rachel’s bluntness. But Gotti laughed, “Straight to the point, that’s what I like about you Rachel.” He looked to Vince. “You got another cigarette?”

Bobby’s brother quickly pulled out his pack and handed one to the boss.

“Thank you,” Gotti held it, “Light?”

Vince lit the boss’ but for him.

“Thank you again,” he took a puff, it seemed like he was experiencing some sort of nirvana. Bobby and Rachel looked at him curiously. “I stopped smoking these for years,” Gotti spoke up, “But with my age now, what’s the point?” He hesitated and put his elbows on the table, “Rachel, I completely understand your position, more than you’d think. He’s been completely unreliable the past year. He’s acting out irrationally, calling me all the time, ‘I can’t find Julia,’ blah blah blah…” He took another puff of his smokestick feeling more rejuvenation, “But I do understand his frustration wanting to protect his daughter.”

Rachel rolled her eyes. She looked to the blonde, who looked back at her. Rachel threw her black gloves off tossing them to the ground. She violently grabbed Julia’s right hand and started to pull her glove off.

“Rachel!” Julia screamed, “What are you doing, stop!”

“Hey hey,” Bobby screamed trying to reach into help the girl.

A bunch of commotion started before Rachel finally got Julia’s white glove off of her right hand.

“LOOK AT THIS!” Don Giovanni showed the hand to Don Gotti, to everyone.

They all silenced and gazed in horror as this pretty young thing’s badly scared hand. Bobby stopped trying to intervene and stared at her fingers in disbelief. So did Amy, readjusting her glasses. Sal stood up to get a better view. Don Gotti sat there stone faced. No wonder she wore those gloves all the time. The girl herself almost started to cry.

“You see this?” Rachel yelled, “Is this Columbo’s idea of protecting his daughter?”

“STOP IT!” Julia finally pulled her naked hand out of Rachel’s palm and slapped the black-haired girl hard in the face.

One of Giovanni’s guards started to move towards the blonde, but Amy waved him away. She then turned her attention to her sister who held her face. Julia quickly pulled her glove back on like her life depended on it. She smoothed the leather up her arm, letting the sleeve of her shirt come up, until it fit perfectly snug on her arm. She then adjusted her coat sleeve. Rachel sighed and let go of her face. Amy looked at it. A red mark, but no cuts.

Julia soon reaffirmed her attention to her girlfriend, “Rachel I’m sorry.” She  held her head and kissed her cheek.

“I’m fine,” Rachel shook off her girlfriend.

“I didn’t mean to,” Julia was apologetic, “But you know-“

“Julia,” Gotti interrupted.

Her attention, and everyone’s attention, turned to a stern-faced Don Goti.

“Who did that to you?”

Julia sighed and let her head fall. She looked back up at the man, “It was years ago. My father came home drunk, angry, let it out on me… it was an accident really. Look I don’t want to talk about it!” She was very insistent on letting it go.

Bobby looked guilty, “I didn’t know about this Julia.”

Julia looked at her father’s friend, “Well now you know.” She was beginning to sound more like Rachel. “Okay yeah, my father burned up my hand and is the reason I have to wear gloves all the time, even in this hot room. So, yeah let’s just fucking murder him for that.”

“He murdered my brother Julia,” Rachel spoke to her, “He put my mother in a coma and he meant to murder me.”

“Look everybody calm down,” Don Gotti regained control, “Julia, maybe you should wait outside while we discuss this.”

“No!” Nobody spoke to Don Gotti like that, but Julia, once an innocent little flower was commanding him, “Remember that whole offspring bullshit you talked about last time? I’m Don Columbo’s daughter, and I, at the very least, get to sit here and hear what you guys are saying.”

Everyone was uncomfortably silent.

“It’s her decision,” Rachel spoke up with more respect.

Don Gotti sighed and took another puff of smoke.

“All due respect Don Gotti,” Sal spoke up. Rachel dropped her head expecting what he was supposed to say, “That’s unforgivable what Columbo did to Julia. Someone did that to my daughter, he’d be dead.”

“You don’t have a daughter,” Charlie spoke to his friend.

Sal hesitated pondering the conversation. He looked around looking confused.

Don Gotti then turned his attention to the next man in line for Columbo’s job. He hesitated and pointed to him, “I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

“Bobby,” He spoke up slightly intimidated.

“Bobby, sorry. Do you think you can run the Columbo family business?”

Bobby sighed himself looking at everyone in the room. “I suppose so Don Gotti, although I think there might be better suited men for the job.”

Julia groaned. Hearing of her father’s fate certainly couldn’t have been easy on the girl. She felt conflicted. Before she had packed her bags, she secretly wished her controlling abusive father dead. But now, it pained her to hear this.

“I hate to make this decision,” Don Gotti proclaimed, “But I can’t honestly make a case for Frank Columbo at this point.” He took another light of his cigarette. “Business must move forward.” His famous phrase seemed to make sense.

“And I suppose,” Julia looked to her girlfriend, “You’re gonna be the one to do it. Right?”

Rachel felt guilty, but she kept her poker face. How could she blame Julia for her frustration. Even her own father who never gave her attention didn’t deserve to die. There was so much left unresolved between them and that’s what made her feel most guilty. Frank Columbo was a million times worse than Marlon Giovanni, but she couldn’t expect the man’s daughter to just accept her father’s death without argument.

The room stayed silent, hot and humid. Shirts were being tugged from sweaty torsos. Finally, the Consigliere spoke up.

“I think I might have a solution,” Amy spoke intelligently.

Everyone listened.

------------------------------------------------------

Frank Columbo looked at his watch: 4:20 AM. He stood at the 21 street station of the G Line with his bodyguard Bobby Russo and his taciturn brother Vincent. His arms crossed and he spat at the train tracks. His light trenchcoat remained motionless in the humid station. It was quiet. There was not another soul around.

“I think Gotti’s got alzheimer's or something,” The boss snorted. “This better be worth it.” He now looked back to Bobby, “You sure he didn’t say anything else?”

“Sir,” the bodyguard held his hands up, “He said he couldn’t discuss it on the phone.”

He pulled out his phone again, “Fuck Snakes, where are you?” He was whispering as the sound of a train increased in volume. The G train ran slower than usual across the tracks. As the G train finally stopped, Columbo and his two bodyguards walked into one of the brightly lit middle cars. There was no one else on the train. Not a single person. No drug dealers, prostitutes, insurance salesmen, the usual people they expected to see at 4:30 in the morning. Columbo sat down and didn’t say a word. His bodyguards walked around looking like they were checking the place. They moved a little closer to the emergency door. Soon enough, the train slowly left the station. Frank Columbo looked bitter and impatient as he felt the tracks slip down into the neutral zone between Queens and Brooklyn.

“I bet I know what he wants,” Frank spoke up, “He wants to meet with that dyke Giovanni and she thinks she’ll be safe in her own territory.” He sighed, “God I wish I could kill that old bastard and run Manhattan-“

Suddenly the train slowed down to a stop. Columbo groaned, “Figures.”

“Wonder what’s going on?” Bobby looked around.

“The MTA sucks,” the boss turned around to his bodyguard, “That’s what’s going on.”

“We’ll talk to the conductor,” Bobby and Vince moved to the emergency exit towards the next train.

Columbo sighed and slowly got up. “I’m too old for this shit.”

Suddenly, the lights went out. It was pitch black.

“Oh Jesus!” Frank yelled, “What did I say about the MTA?”

There was no response.

“Bobby?” Columbo yelled again, he couldn’t move around without hitting one of the polls.

Within half a minute, the lights came back on. The fat man looked to where Bobby and Vince were supposed to be, but they weren’t there. As he looked on, the lights weren’t on in the next train. It seemed like his train may have been the only one. He stayed motionless, “Bobby?” There was still no answer.

“Hello Frank,” a low feminine voice uttered.

Frank quickly turned around, his heart racing and saw her standing at the opposite end of the train car. Rachel Giovanni, the black-haired boss in her leather jacket with her hands in her pockets. The jacket was open showing off her Sopranos t-shirt with her black jeans and boots. Frank Columbo reached in his coat for his gun.

“It’s not there.” Rachel said very matter-of-fact-like.

Frank let out a yelp and quickly felt his heart racing like crazy. He began to shiver thinking this was the end. But Rachel just stood there not moving a muscle. As silent time slowly passed, the Columbo boss began to let every thought in his head about his two bodyguards get the best of him.

“You,” He finally managed to squeak out.

Rachel nodded her head, “Me.”

Columbo looked back at the pitch-black train and sighed, “There,” he turned his head back to Don Giovanni, “Is no meeting, is there?”

Rachel slowly shook her head no.

“And I can assume my most trusted men are in on this… And that Snakes is dead.”

“Three for three,” Rachel didn’t move, “You know Snakes almost killed your daughter.”

Columbo’s anger became more noticeable, “Where is she?”

“She safe,” Rachel replied, “Away from you.”

The older man chuckled, “So you can have your way with her?”

“I saw the scars on her hand Frank.”

There was hesitation. Columbo didn’t blink, but gulped. The memories of how her scars came to be haunted him again. “How did you see them?”

“Do you really want to know?” She was answering his questions like she had anticipated him asking them and had answers prepared.

Columbo shook his head. “It was an accident.”

“Sure it was.” It didn’t seem like Rachel believed him.

By now, Frank Columbo’s life seemed to be flashing before his eyes. He thought for sure this was the end. He woke up every day thinking this could happen at any moment. He even assumed it would be at the hands of a Giovanni. But here, now, betrayed by his own men, by Gotti, even his daughter abandoning him. What a fitting way to die, in a subway on his way to Brooklyn.

“So?” He lifted his eyebrows.

There was no response from Rachel. She was still staring at him with murder in her eyes.

“What are you waiting for?” The man’s voice was cold and intimidating. “You want me to get down on my knees and beg for mercy?”

Still no response from the woman.

Shaking, the man finally yelled at the top of his lungs, “WOULD YOU FUCKING SAY SOMETHING?”

Rachel paused for a second and then replied, “Something.”

The man began to calm down and think of a way out of this. “What do you want Giovanni? You’ve driven me out of Manhattan, you’ve turned everybody against me-“

“You did that to yourself Columbo,” Rachel interrupted him. “And you know it.”

“And now,” Columbo laughed, “You’re gonna get your revenge. I kill your brother, you kill me, and round and round we go.”

Rachel simply shrugged her shoulders.

Enough was enough, Frank let out a long sigh and sat down on the bench. He took out a cigarette and lit it with shakey hands. Rachel finally walked towards him, not taking her hands out of her pockets. The man smoked his cigarette like it would be his last.

“How did you get the train to stop and the light show?” His voice felt calm now, but tired.

“That’s Gotti’s touch.” Rachel answered standing over him.

The man laughed refusing to look at his killer. “Of course.” He sat back and enjoyed his cigarette.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to smoke in here.” Rachel said coldly.

Frank Columo finally looked up at her and rolled his eyes. More silent time passed between the two. Finally the man spoke again: “I lost my wife Rachel.”

“I know,” She decided to sit down next to him allowing her black leather hands to escape from her pockets.

Her enemy took another puff, ignoring her, “Julia’s all I have. You’re gonna tell me I wasn’t a good father? I hurt her, doing bad things to her, am the reason she’s a lesbian.”

“Amore Ragazze,” Rachel corrected her.

Columbo waved his hand at her, “Whatever. I didn’t want anything to happen to her, not after losing my wife. She’s all I have left.”

“I lost my father,” Rachel began to sound more human, “My mother’s in a coma,” She looked to him, “You and I both know what happened to my brother.”

Columbo gave Rachel some attention out of the corner of his eye.

“Truth be told,” she looked down at the ground, “I feel like Julia’s all I have left now.”

There was silence.

Rachel chuckled, “I’m reminded of when my mother said there’s hope for you yet.”

“Yeah, I remember.” Columbo seemed a lot more at ease. He took another puff of his cigarette. “Truth be told,” he mimicked her, “I didn’t mind your mother so much.”

Rachel snorted, “So why did you shoot her?”

Columbo pulled his cigarette away from his mouth, “You know why.”

The two of them looked forward sitting next to eachother.

“I don’t really know,” He looked up at the lights, “Where this family feud came from.” She spoke slowly. “I remember when I was a boy, my father would come home, drunk off his ass, mad as hell.” A hard sigh escaped him. Rachel turned around to look at the man. “He beat the hell of me. I mean just abuse you wouldn’t believe.”

“Is that why,” Rachel interjected, “You’re so fucking ugly.”

Columbo laughed, “Maybe.” He took another puff of his cigarette. He still wouldn’t look at the girl. “I never wanted to give Julia the same treatment, but… just this life.”

Rachel nodded.

He finally turned to face her, “Does Julia know about this?”

For once, Rachel was hesitant about responding, but she eventually answered, “If it makes you feel better, she didn’t take it well.”

Frank Columbo gave out the most painful sigh she had ever heard from him. His eyes closed, almost like he was about to start crying. But his pride was too big for that.

Rachel figured the man had sweat enough. “I’m not going to kill you Frank.”

The man opened his eyes and looked at Don Giovanni.

“But you’re through.” She turned and looked at him in the eyes, “Be smart! Leave!”

Columbo laughed hearing his enemy utter back the same advice he gave her. “See what happens when you try to be merciful?”

Rachel finally stood up and turned to face the car before her. She gave a thumbs up sign. Within a couple seconds, the train started up again and all the lights came on. In one train, Bobby, Vince and a number of Columbo’s men stood looking in. In the train behind him, Charlie, Sal and several bodyguards. Rachel walked towards the train with her fellow soldiers.

Columbo took this moment in as the train inched closer to Brooklyn. Before Rachel could enter the next train, he called out, “Rachel.”

The woman turned around without saying anything.

“Take care of her.”

She hesitated looking at her enemy. Then turned opening the door marked “No moving between subway cars.” Columbo couldn’t hear the dialog between Rachel and her men. Instead he turned his attention to his own men staring at him like he was on his way to execution.

The final approach to the Greenpoint Ave stop (first stop in Brooklyn) must have felt like the longest minute of his life. He really wasn’t sure if this would in fact be his last ride. He began to play a scene in his head of seeing Julia at the platform waiting for the train to come in (at least he was hoping she would be there):

He notices a couple figures on the platform as the train rides by. No doubt, some of Rachel Giovanni’s goons. And there she is, his daughter Julia, dressed in a full white outfit with the gloves to hide her father’s abuse. She stands inbetween two bodyguards watching the train roll into the station. Columbo would look out the window. As the train comes to a complete stop, he runs to the doors. But they don’t open. He watches as the doors on the other cars opened allowing the Giovanni family and the Columbo family to exit the train. Rachel meets Julia, the two exchange in a hug (he wouldn’t allow his imagination to go past that). After some inaudible dialog between the two girls, Julia walks to the car. The door opens and the blonde walks in. She begins to yell at him, telling him off and how he treated her wrong all these years. Of course, Columbo would get defensive, but he can’t order her around this time. But when the smoke clears, he and Julia hug and she says goodbye to him.

Columbo couldn’t decide in his imagination what happens after that. Could he somehow use this to his advantage and get Julia back on his side. Well, the platform became visible. Columbo did in fact turn to look out the window. There were two bodyguards as he had envisioned…

But Julia wasn’t there.

Maybe she was somewhere else on the platform? No. There was no one else there. He watched as the car door for the Giovannis and Columbos opened. His car door stayed closed. He closed his eyes in disappointment. When he eventually opened his eyes, an exchange of words was given between Rachel and Bobby, but Columbo couldn’t really hear them.

The only person who was looking at him was Sal. He was smiling in a cocky way. He grabbed his crotch taunting his old enemy. That didn’t last long as Charlie gave him a smack in the head.

Rachel then motioned for her goons to follow her. Bobby led his troupe in front of the subway car. Frank Columbo didn’t know what was gonna happen.

------------------------------------------------------

There were a few cars waiting outside, but specifically one just for Rachel Giovanni. Amy opened the door from inside and allowed her sister to get in. Not a word was spoken and the car drove off. Except as the car drove back, Rachel began to shiver, she clenched her teeth and growled as if she was in pain. Amy looked at her sister but didn’t know how to react. It looked like Rachel was about to break down. She could only imagine the emotions running through the woman who confronted and metaphorically destroyed the same man who killed her brother, wounded her mother, drove her father to his grave and injured the love and her life. Now she began screaming with her eyes closed, her neck very tense. The driver and other bodyguard up front looked back concerned.

Amy grabbed hold of her sister and held onto her. She didn’t say a word. Rachel allowed her head to drop into Amy’s chest. Don Giovanni tried her best not to cry, but her shell was cracked and tears escaped. Amy too felt emotionally overwhelmed, but needed to keep her strength just a little while longer to console her boss. Rachel’s emotional breakdown began to settle the tighter her sister held her. They never let go of each other that entire car ride.

Rachel deserved a day off as Don Giovanni.