Free Mobster's Girl by Amy Rachiele Page B

see the day.
    Erin stands in the door way to the kitchen
off to the side. I see her.
    “What are you doing?” I ask.
    “Shhhh… I’m listening.”
    “Erin.” My mother scolds quietly.
    But Erin’s eyes go wide at what she is
hearing. Her hand flies up to cover her mouth. “They’re talking
about you.” She whispers, “Holy Crap. Antonio wants to date you.”
Her face is incredulous. I approach to listen too. My mother is
standing rooted to the kitchen floor with a scowl.
    I lean and take the same position as
Erin.
    “We had an agreement.” My father says. I’m
surprised at the tone my father is taking with Mr. Delisi.
    “Well, things change, Patrick.” He says. “My
son is asking respectfully if he can spend time with Megan. I did
what you asked. Tonio knew very well to stay away from her.”
    “I understand your concerns, Mr. O’Neill.”
Antonio says.
    “No, I don’t think you do, Antonio.” My
father says with an angry tone, “I didn’t want her involved.”
    Involved in what? My cell phone rings
on the kitchen table startling Erin, my mother, and me. I dive for
it. It’s Troy.
    “Hello.” I say softly.
    “Hi Megan.” Troy says quietly. “I just wanted
to…”
    I cut him off. “Troy, I gotta call you back.”
I hit end and stand with Erin again. My mother must have turned on
the coffee pot because I can smell it brewing. Erin whispers what I
missed. “Antonio’s father said that he will be very polite and
treat you cordially while you’re out. And he personally vouches for
his son.”
    “I need to talk to my daughter.” My father
says breaking Erin and I out of our quiet conversation.
    My father enters the kitchen. He looks to my
mother. “Will you and Erin please see to our guests? I need to
speak with Megan.”
    My mother passes us with a “hmmmph” carrying
coffee and Tiramisu. As soon as Erin and my mother are gone, my
father stands in front of me. I have no clue what he is going to
say.
    “When were you going to tell me?” my father
asks.

    “What?”
    “That you have a thing with Antonio
Delisi.” He says aggravated and pointing to the living room.
    “Dad, I just spent time with him last
night.”
    “I told you not to Megan!” My father’s almost
yelling. He never yells. He notices his tone and takes it down to a
lower level.
    “It was unavoidable.” I say looking at the
floor.
    My father paces a little. “I knew he was
interested in you.”
    “Huh?”
    “I knew Megan. Anytime we ran into him or saw
him he always watched you.”
    “How do you know that?”
    “I’m a father, Megan, it’s my job to know.” I
felt that my father was leaving something out of that
statement.
    “What about Troy?” my father asks.
    “He’s a friend, Dad.”
    “Well, I hoped he was something more.”
    “He’s not.” I respond.
    “Do you like Antonio?”
    “Yes.” I say staring at the floor again. Very much!
    I’m guessing those weren’t the answers my Dad
was looking for.
    “Well. I am going to give you permission to
see each other. Hopefully, it will be over before it starts. You’re
both off to college next September. Please, Megan, be careful. I
don’t want you to get hurt.” It seems as though hurt has a double
meaning in his tone.
    My father and I join everyone in the living
room. Antonio beams at me as I walk in the room. We sit down and
take the plates my mother offers to us. It is uncomfortably quiet.
My mother makes small talk with everyone. Erin clears the plates
and goes with my mother into the kitchen.
    “So.” Mr. Delisi says.
    “I am going to give my permission to
Antonio.” Antonio’s smile brightens and I think how eighteenth
century this seems and formal. “Please keep her away from…
trouble.” My father says.
    Mr. Delisi stands and Antonio follows. “I
have some business to tend to. Patrick, don’t forget to take care
of that matter.”
    “Yes.” We all stand and I wonder what Mr.
Delisi is talking about.
    “I’ll see you at school