Free Armored by S. W. Frank Page A

doesn’t spill the ice cream on his trousers. He is such a gentleman.”
    “Sí, I am proud.”
    The headache had dissolved as the car traveled along a narrow street to the theatre in Via Bara dell’ Olivella directly across from the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. The vehicle halted, and the trio exited after guards surveyed the vicinity.
    Later, they sat in the small theatre, and laughed throughout the performance.
    Giuseppe soon became light hearted when witnessing his son’s cheeks color and listening to his loud giggles mingled with children as a result of the silly marionette’s escapades.  The outing turned cathartic as he watched Nicole’s interaction with Carlo. He smiled at their mutual excitement as she pointed to the cloth rainbow which appeared high above the stage. They clapped with joy and his eyes softened with jealous pride. Then the master puppeteer picked Nicole out of the crowd to come on stage during the conclusion. He introduced her to the audience, and urged her to play the piano with his puppet. That’s when Giuseppe understood the popularity of the woman on stage in the creative world where he usually didn’t dwell.
    Giuseppe balanced Carlo on his lap and leaned forward. His attention focused on something other than grief hidden with impatient scowls.
    The grace in which Nicole played; the ease of every note caused the audience to hush. And when she smiled at Carlo and Giuseppe when fingering the keys, Giuseppe had a lump in his throat.
    Then the curtain came down and the audience erupted in applause. Carlo and Giuseppe were the loudest and proudest of their donna.
     
     
     
    C hapter Nine
     
     
     
     
     
     
    “Okay Amelda,” Selange answered in response to the impatient urging that she hurry.
    Amelda remained perched near the door, working her mouth as she text furiously. “Bene!”
    The suitcases were taken to the guest bedrooms, which were recently decorated and child-proofed. Maria gave her daughter-in-law a tight hug before taking possession of the twins. They shouted “Nana…Nana,” and Maria beamed. Allie marched off to the living room after saying bye to her mom, undoubtedly checking for something to get into. Maria warned her not to touch Bruno’s crystal chess set. She had broken one of the pieces during her last visit which he had to replace.
    “Ciao Signore Diaz.” Amelda waved as she exited, clicking across the marble foyer outdoors in the extremely high heels with the metallic base. “I will be in the car Selange!” she shouted as she tossed her long tresses to the side.
    Amelda was the epitome of a Mafia Princess; theatrical and self-assured.
    Selange prepared to leave when Maria stopped her. “Mija, a minute por favor.”
    “Sure, what is it?” Selange asked.
    “Teresa asked for your number. She said she wanted to speak with you, but I did not give it.”
    “Do you know what she wanted?”
    “No lo sé,” Maria said and then told the twins to join their sister for a moment. They obeyed Nana, skipping down the hall.
    “I’ll call Teresa later.”
    “She sounded very depressed, please give her a call right away, I am worried. She said Alfonzo has told her not to contact you anymore. Did you have a falling out with her, mija?”
    “No,” Selange answered. Maria did not know about Teresa and Jesús’ relationship, none of the family did. They were only informed Domingo’s killer had been caught and the murderer was someone from the ‘hood named Jesús.
    “Por favor, call her. We are family. It is not right she feels abandoned and my son is wrong to treat her that way. He has known Teresa many years.”
    “Okay I will.”
    “She has always liked you. Alfonzo is the girl’s godfather. Why he forbids her to contact you is cruel. I tried to speak to him about it and he only said he doesn’t want Teresa bothering you with problems. My son doesn’t understand that sometimes a woman needs to speak to someone they trust about personal concerns men don’t