Alderly Estate in Riverside Chicago was somber as moving crews packed up the belongings of Frank & Lucy Dicaprio into crates that would be put aboard a steamer vessel in New York bound for Sicily. 

Little six year old Katy had been told of father's death just a few weeks ago and she had asked Santa for him back when she'd seen him at Sears with Nery and Uncle Vito.  She'd been hoping if God could make baby brothers that he could just send papa home too.  She squeezed Mr. Hug-a-Bug tight as she watched all her toys and clothing being packed away by her 'uncles' ... they told her she was going to take another long ship ride.  

The first ship ride from her home in Ireland had been fun.  Her first mama and papa - Lucy and Frank - had come to have her live with them.  She missed her second Mama and Papa sometimes even though she'd been quite happy here in Chicago.  Silently she hoped maybe her uncles were going to take her back her second Mama and Papa - now that Mama Lucy and her baby brother went to heaven to be with Papa Frank.  Twice the night before she woke screaming and asking Nery and Angela if the angels were coming to take her too.  Who could say?!?  No one knew they would come for Papa Frank and by how everyone was reacting to Mama Lucy's death... no one expected that either.  

Wandering through the rooms she came to the advent calendar and realized she hadn't opened the doors on the last few days.  With her chubby little fingers she opened them, one - two - and three and pulled out the gold foiled chocolates from The Netherlands out.  Papa Frank had bought this for her and insisted this way she could have chocolate every day and Mama Lucy couldn't say no.  Katy loved chocolate but Mama Lucy though Papa Frank gave her too much.  Papa Frank had always said there was no such thing as too much for his little princess.  Katy looked around the large empty room.  Who would call her princess now?

"Hey Kid,"  Nery came into the room.  She liked Nery best cause he wasn't old like everyone else.  He was only a little bit big and he told her that he use to go to school and stopped.  She wished she could stop too.  She hated school.  Nery was lucky that Papa Frank let him work for him.  "Ah... forgot to move the calendar did we?"

"Will Santa find us on a ship?  We won't have a chimney for him to come down."

"Ship has smoke stacks, Kid, and a bit deck for Santa to land his sleigh and reindeer on.  Trust me.  You won't wake up without gifts on this or any Christmas yet to come.  We're taking you back to the Old Country... where Papa Frank grew up.  You'll love it there."

"Are my horses coming?" Nery sighed.

"They aren't, are they."  She said sadly.

"Horses don't like ships so much how much you want them to come, but there are a ton of horses back home.  You'll have your pick of the lot I'm sure."

Katy shoved a chocolate into her mouth.  "Nery?"  She asked with her mouth full and her ever auburn locks falling to the side as she titled her head.  "Can you promise the angels won't come to get you too?"

Nery walked over to her and knelt down.  He looked her in the eyes and put a hand on her shoulder.  With his free hand he opened his coat and showed her his gun.  "You see that."

Katy's eyes went wide and she nodded emphatically.

"I know your Papa Frank didn't like you seeing this sorta stuff, but this once I think he wouldn't mind so much."  He smiled at her.  "You know what that is?"

"A gun... a real gun."  She whispered with chocolate stained lips.

He nodded.  "That gun belongs to you - you can't shoot it, but I'll shoot it for you.  Anyone who comes for you... anyone who comes for your family and the people you love... I will pull this gun on and stop.  That I can promise you."

"Anyone?"

"Man, woman, angel, demon or even our holy father himself... no one will ever hurt you so long as I'm around Katy.  I swear it on my blood - on my soul.  If I fail you, may the devil himself take me."

"You won't fail me."  She tried to reassure her friend.  "You're tough."

He nodded.  "You remember that, okay Kid?  Maybe you'll stop having those bad dreams, eh?"

"Nery."  Vito peaked his head into the room, red in the face from heavy lifting.  "We need you in the back to help with these crates."

"I'll see ya in a bit."  He smiled warmly at her. 

Katy came forward, and pressed her lips to his and quickly pulled away, leaving a bit of chocolate behind after her stolen kiss.  "Thank you."  She said, still a little sad.

Nery laughed.  "I belong to you, Kid. Don't you ever forget it." He touched the place above her heart and stood up, leaving the room.  And again, Katy was alone.  She wandered over to the piano where her Mama use to sit and play and sing to her.  She slid up onto the bench and opened the lid.  Pressing down the keys which played the tune, 'Mary had a little lamb.'  It was the only song her Mama Lucy had taught her.

"Mary had a little lamb,"  She sang.  "Whose fleece was white as snow.  And every where that Mary went..."  

The door bell rang.  Was it santa?  Had he brought back Papa Frank?  Katy jumped off the bench and ran for the door.  "I'LL GET IT!"  She tore open the door with a bright, "Papa!"

A tall thin man with a long wrinkled covered face and gray hair looked down at her.  He removed his hat and his sullen expression softened at the sight of a child which he'd clearly not anticipated answering the door.  Before Katy could say a single word a large hand, that of a man, pushed her back behind him.  

Uncle Tony spoke, "Can I help you?"

The man with salt and pepper hair cleared his throat.  "Yes I think so..."  The man offered Tony his business card.  "I'm Gabriel Malkim.  I'm with the Law Offices of Smith and Mills.  I was secured about three months ago by Mrs. Lucia Dicaprio to,"  Katy tried to peak around Tony's leg at the mention of her mother's name.

Gabriel continued, "...upon the event of her death, to ensure certain items of importance reached specific parties as part of her last will and testament.  When her obituary came through the papers a few days ago, I began my work.  I was told that I might find a... Tony-Dicaprio here?"

"I'm Tony."  

"Could I see some identification to that effect?"

Tony pulled out his wallet and showed some items to Gabriel.  The old man nodded and handed the large yellow folder to Tony.  "A few days ago Mrs. Dicaprio came by my office with this.  It was the final visit she made to me."  The old man had that way of speaking that everyone had lately... sad.  "I'm so sorry for your loss."  He said stepping back off the steps and putting his hat back on.  "Have a happy Christmas."

Katy could see that the folder had Tony's name on the front of it - in her mother's hand writing.  Tony closed the door.

"Mama sent that?"  Katy asked.  

"Katy why don't you come help us."  Nery was back in the room and Vito was just behind him.  They sounded serious.  

"But I want to see what's in Mama's letter too!"  She protested.  

"Tony will share with you if there is anything in it for you... but you need to leave him be for now.  Come on."  Vito said in a sterner voice.  "Take your time Tony.  We got her."  With that Katy followed her uncles out of the room and Tony was left alone with the folder.

Inside there was two white envelopes, the sort you sent business documents in.

The first said, "Tony Read This." in Lucy's hand writing.

The second said.  "For Delivery."

Opening the envelope, Tony found the following.

No kind words or mentions of their night together in Detroit.  No reassurances.  No apologizes - just one final order from a boss to her employee.  Take a letter to some man named Frank at this random address in New York.  The envelope was thick with a LOT of papers but holding it up to the light revealed nothing.  She'd clearly taken pains to ensure whatever was inside did not get seen without someone breaking the seal.

The question was... would Tony break it?  Would he follow his boss' last order?  Or would he throw it away, leave for Sicily and never think of this place and all the pain it held ever again?

Tony sat there looking at the letter and the name of the person he was to deliver it too.  He wondered if she did this thinking about her dead husband Frank.  Was it another Frank and how does this Frank know Lucy.  Tony head fell back to the rear as he wondered what was going on.  He thought on how much he loved that woman and what was he in for.   Tony eyes started to swell as he could recall her touch, her smile and laughter.  His head dropped and tears flowed as he could hear Katy in the other room.    

Tony didn't want to send Katy away but she needed a mother and to grow up safe.  The Dicaprio's help power in Sicily so no one would move against her there.  She had a cousin that came to power also that owed Lucia.  Katy was wealthy from all the holds Frank had and matching that with what Lucia made Katy great grand kids would be set for life.  The Dicaprio family ties would only add to that wealth.   She had connection with NY and that truly made Katy a mafia princess. 

The sound of Katy's laughter took him back to Ireland when they recued her and killed the opposition.  Frank nodded as he also realized that Katy Grandfather was running a powerful Clan in the Irish mafia that was also management for the IRA.  Katy didn't understand that she could topple a foreign government.  She had enough money in her account to that was worth more then most countries gross national product

Tony biggest fear was that he would never see Katy who was the spitting image of Lucia.  He didn't want to fail Lucia or Frank.  Tony called Vito as he hear Giuseppe voice.  Giuseppe also walked into the room to speak with them.   Tony explained to Giuseppe that Frank made arrangements that he could live in Sicily if anything ever happen and he needed a place to live out his days.  The Dicaprio's had a small villa that they would give him and that if he was willing he could help Nery watch and protect Katy.  Giuseppe nodded as he started to weep at the lose of Lucia who was like his daughter, and best friend.  How him and Frank bonded and how he slugged Frank because he wanted to protect Lucia honor. 

Giuseppe agreed to go he was surprised that Frank thought so highly of him.  He was close with Frank but Lucia was his heart.  Then the sound of Katy laughter brought him and Tony to tears as they heard Lucia in her.  Vito smiled as he knew at some point he would be home again and at anytime he would be back with his brother.  Tony dried his eyes and explained that he had to catch another ship to Sicily as Lucia had one more assignment for him.  He didn't cover the details but instructed them that Nery and Gino work strictly for Katy and that if Frank Grandmother needed more men that they should telegram him and they will be on the first steamer heading to Europe. 

Tony walked into the other room as Katy was playing tea party with Nery.  He did it just like Frank did real sandwiches and a friendly smile as Katy asked a 101 questions looking Nery in the eyes just like Frank taught her.  She never looked away and she spoke softly but in a stern tune to show she had no fear of any man.  Her angry face was funny as she tried to make her tough girl face.  Cute squinty eyes and puffed out cheeks.  Katy was used to smiling and Tony knew that Franks Mother and Grandmother and cousin Gina would keep her smiling and Gino was a big kid at the age of 33.  Nery was 17 a tough kid that Frank liked because he first saw him in a fight against three men and he didn't back down and he gave as good as he received.  Nery was also a very handsome kid that was a quick study.

Tony sat next to Katy as everyone stepped into the hallway.  Tony explained that she was going to see her loving Grandmother that came to visit her just a few weeks ago.  Katy smiled Tony also said that Vito, Giuseppe, Gino and Nery were going and would stay with her there.  That any summer that she wanted to come back to America all she had to do was tell her Grandmother and call Tony and he would make sure she could.  He told Katy that she was a princess and that she would be around a lot on bodyguards to keep her safe.  That she could have pony's to ride every day if she wanted.  To remember him and know that he would write her letters every week.  Katy kissed Tony on the cheek then said

I guess you have to stay here and take care of mom's job.

Amazed at her perception he knew that one day Katy would be a powerful woman to content with.  He nodded yes as he smiled at her.  He reached into his pocket and like frank gave her a choice to pick from three lollops red, green and purple.  She took all three and put them in her little purse.  Tony shook his head and laughed as she knew with Tony she could take them all.  The men came back into the room as Tony stood up and Nery poured a glass of wine for each man and grape juice for Katy.  Katy stood in the middle of their circle as they raised their glasses and toasted.

We stand here before God that nothing shall ever harm Katy as long was we draw breath.  Everything we do we do as a brotherhood sworn to protect Katy to our dying breath.  Katy is our life and our lives belong to Katy.   

The men drank as well as Katy, she didn't say a word as she looked at everyone vowing to protect her always.  She seemed to understand that they all worked for her and she was their boss.  She whispered to Nery am I really the boss and Nery smiled and said Yes you are the boss!

They all looked each other in the eye and nodded whispering to our brotherhood.  Tony then bent down and kissed Katy on the forehead and told her he will see her again.  He walked back into the room and put the letters into his pocket then walked back into the room with everyone else.  Tony smiled as they talked about what time the steamer was departing and what they were going to eat.  Gino stated that the telegram was sent to Teresa Dicaprio and she would be at the port with security for her grand daughter.  Tony nodded as he headed to 5527 Highland Street the Bronx, NY

"You deaf?!?" The gorilla in denim pants and a dirty white tee-shirt looked like a dock worker and he smelled like one too.  He'd come in every day for the last month, always sitting in the same seat at the end of the bar where a skinny German now sat with a beer clutched between his hands.  He and his two friends loomed over the fresh-off-the-boat middle-aged man.  "I said we don't want your kind in our bar, Kraut - so why don't you take a hike?!?"

The German man slid off the bar stool and made for the next one over.  "Es tut mir leid."  The man pleaded. 

Frankie didn't know what he said but his tone and body language made it clear that it was an apology for some unknown offense. 

"I am not making English good."  The man continued in a painfully thick accent which caused the dock workers to laugh.  

"I bet this bastard fought our guys in The War?"  A man with lazy eye taunted.

"I bet you did, didn't you Kraut?  You kill Americans?"  The Gorilla asked, closing in the man.  Frankie watched as the man at the counter found something to be busy with in the back.  She sighed.  This was clearly going no where good.  She stood up.

The gorilla grabbed the German who was frantically trying to remember English words that might back these men off.  

Frankie pressed the muzzle of her gun to Lazy Eye's skull.  "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."  She said in a Sicilian accent.  "Why don't you remind your friend that we're all immigrants in this country - unless he's got some Native American blood in him...or maybe you do?"

*CLICK*

"Maybe we should find out?"  She offered, looking past her target to the gorilla who was now turning around slowly to look at the woman who held a gun to the head of his companion.  Frankie was tall for even by Sicilian women's standards with an athletic build.  She had never been one to sit around the house eating baked goods when there were horses and boy to run down. 

She hadn't expected the guy behind her to be so fast.  A glass bottle cracked over her head and it was a wonder she didn't squeeze a round into the asshole's head.  Her gun skittered away from her and then things really took a left turn.  Gorilla grabbed her, holding her arms behind her back.  The fedora flew off her head as she struggled and flailed wildly to get free.  Lazy eye threw a right hook catching her hard in the eye.  That would become a shiner for sure.  

Frankie used the gorilla's massive strength to her advantage, leaping into the air with the bottom half of her body she kicked Lazy Eye in the head knocking him back and his head into the bar.  The man went down cold.  The man who had hit her with a bottle came rushing forward and he grabbed up her gun.  Frankie considered her options, all told things were NOT looking good.  Behind her and the gorilla she could hear the bell on the door ring.  She supposed the German must be fleeing for his life.  

Great, even when you save a man's ass he leaves you behind!  Story of my damn life!

Tony arrived at 5527 Highland Street the Bronx, NY he was a careful man never wanting to be caught off guard.  He checked his gun and his switchblade.  As he walked in their was action going on woman were screaming and old men leaving.  Standing in the doorway as people tried to move passed him he looked at a fight between two men and a tall beautiful woman.  Tony didn't move he just stood there wondering was his eyes playing tricks on him.  

The woman he recognize and memories flooded his mind what the hell was happening, where was he?  His mind was rushing did he step back in time was he back in Sicily.  Did one of his so called brotherhood slip something in his drink?  Tony wiped his eyes as he focused on her she was older but could it be?  It had to be Francesca his Francesca the woman he was going to marry in Sicily before he was sent to America.  How long had she been there? 

He remember her toughness, her laughter and he ability to shoot.  His father like her as she was tough and smart.  Tony loved her but wasn't able to find her he wasn't able to get a message to her.  He wondered what happen to her.   They used to ride horses together, they played and made plans for the future and after three long years she's here.  How and why, who did she know to get here, How did she escape her family.  She would never leave her family. 

She was distracted as she looked in the mirror at a face she recognized she yelled out to him.

"ARE YOU GONNA HELP ME OR STARE WITH YOUR MOUTH OPEN ALL DAY!?!"

Tony snapped back to reality and moved with a quickness grabbing  the man with the gun.  Tony right hand grabs the mans gun hand pointing the hand with the gun to the ground.  Tony using the palm of his left hand and smashes it into the mans gun hand elbow in the opposite direction causing it to broke with easy then he slings the man around driving him into the bar his back hits the bar and again the man screams in pain as Tony takes a bottle and smash it against the mans head the one arm man falls slowly to the floor an tony starts kicking him repeatedly breaking a few ribs as Tony uses Sicilian profanity  as the man lays there Tony turns. 

The look in Tony's eyes read excitement they read vengeance.   He was letting out the pinned up anger over losing Lucia and now forced to send Katy away.  Vengeance because the woman he thought he would never see again because she was either dead or married to another was here in America and she didn't even try to find him.  As he moved toward the man Frankie was pummeling Tony pulled out his switchblade and sliced the mans face with a long stroke down from his cheek the a short stroke making an l shape.  He then he was ready to slit the throat but Frankie yelled "Not in my bar".   

Tony looked at her stopping then he stood up the fight was over as people looked at him wondering how many men has he killed it had to be a lot with his temper.   

How did you get here?  What are you Frank?  Shit Franks a mans name.  Dammit Fracesca!   Why didn't you return my letters?

Frankie struggled to catch her breath and picked up her hat with a curse followed by, "Dicaprio..."  A mix of hurt and annoyance flashed in her eyes.  "Of course, of all the Dicaprio's in all the damn world..."  She put on her hat as she stood up and Tony went on ranting.

"Frankie."  She corrected him as he asked if she was Frank.  "JOE!"  she called out to the man who worked the bar.  "GET A MOP!"

As Tony continued on about it being a man's name she pretended not to care; but she wanted to go on a tirade about how that's the only way a woman could get any damn respect in this thing of ours.  Put on a suit and a man's name... but Tony was clearly in a state and not going to listen.

THEN he said it.  "Letters?"  She stopped and turned towards him and began scream at him as though she might hit him rather than thank him for saving her life just moments ago.  "Sei un figlio di puttana!  Don't you pretend like you ... OH!  You go off to the states and you don't so much as CALL on the damn phone and you try to put this one me!  Dovrei mettermi il pugno sul naso!"

Tony smiled as Frankie said she should hit him in my nose?  Tony yelled

Sei ancora la ragazza selvaggia che volevo come mia moglie; Ora sei qui e in una rissa e vuoi picchiarmi.

Tony shook his head and then walked behind the bar and took a bottle of Italian wine and two glasses.

Sedersi con me e bere un drink per favore. 

Tony sat a table and poured wine in the two glasses and then looked at her he didn't have a smile but he did have a look of how?  He tried to contact her but he received no replies. 

Tell me Frankie what's going on?  Why didn't you return my letters what did I do that you would cut me off completely?  I thought you had died? 

Frankie was exasperated.  "You left me."  She said as if the words were meant to be a slap across his face.  "They told me that you..."  She lowered her voice and leaned in.  "That you claimed credit for killing Di Salvo!  Why would you do that?  You should have told them it was me with the gun... Christ!"  She said and then immediately crossed herself.

"And now I find out you're married to some American mafia Don and you have the gall to ask me about why I didn't return your letters - Tony I never got a single letter from you hand to God."  She shook her head. 

"For years I waited and sabotaged any decent guy who came to my Grandfather's house seeking the right to court me - and still you didn't write or call!  Was I suppose to wait for you forever?  Clearly you didn't wait for me!  And where's this wife of yours...??? Don Lucia contact my Grandfather and had me sitting here for the last month poisoning my liver on this sorry excuse for wine while I waited on her orders!"

Tony sat there dumbstruck then he leaned forward and said in a low voice.

That hit wasn't approved and a war was going to breakout, they knew I was there I didn't claim it.  I kept your name out to protect you I loved you and you, your the one that wants to live this life.  This life claimed my cousin Frank, you remember him?  He was the one that married the American woman that became a Don. 

He reached into his pocket and hander her the letter from Lucia. 

That woman wanted me to deliver this as her last orders to me.  If you really think that I didn't write and call then you never really knew me did you?  I'm not married nor have I been.  

Tony drunk his wine still looking at her with focused eyes.    

Frankie kept her eyes on Tony measuring him up.  Then her gaze softened.  "It was a reasonable thing to think."  She said softly, clearly feeling foolish for having made the assumption.  "I get summoned her by a Don DiCaprio and then you show up..."  She picked up her wine glass.

"I'm sorry."  She said into the glass as she sipped.  "For the assumption and for your loss... I ... well I know how you felt about Frank.  Hell," She shook her head sadly.  "How we all felt about him.  He was one of the good ones."  She put the wine glass down.  

"So... she's gone too then?"  She sighed and opened the envelope which presented her with several smaller envelopes each with an instruction on what order they should be read... and one which was labeled: 'For Tony Only.' in big letters.  Smaller print which said 'If Tony should refuse this letter or not be there when you open the note, burn it without opening.  Disregard my instruction at your own peril.'

Frankie arched an eyebrow.  "Lovely lady so far, may she rest in peace... but I don't want to find out how she decides to handle me from beyond the grave, so... I think this is for you."  She passed the envelope to Tony and began to open her first letter.  While she read her note, Tony opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside and unfolded its pages.  Lucy's hand writing was smooth and flowing - beautiful - as if she had taken the utmost care in choosing each and every word.
 

Anthony,

If you are reading these words, then I have failed and I wish to apologize for the burdens you now must carry on without me.  I have failed to spare Katy the life of an orphan & failed to reach my goals as Don ... to lead and teach the families of this world a better way. 

I can deduce that this is very soon after our night in Detroit as I would have sent you to Francesca personally, had I lived to do so.  Please do not hate me for having meddled in your life so.  I promise my intentions were pure, from a place of caring as I'll explain that at the close of this letter. 

I can not tell you how the thought of being gone so soon breaks my heart.  The only consolation I have is that I have gone home to my parents who have waited long for me, and to my husband whom I deeply and dearly love. 

You're likely sitting across from Francesca or perhaps you've just left her.  If the later - go back.  That old bastard Messina lied to you and her - you deserve every chance at happiness and I knew it could not be with me despite what your heart wanted.  So I took a story of Frank's and did some digging.  A few phone calls later and this lovely young woman was on her way.  She's brilliant the way I hear it.  Talented.  And deserving of her shot - as I once was when you first met me.

I've asked her some very difficult things.  Unfair of me really, never having known her.  I've called on old debts that were not mine, but became mine after Frank's death.  She can not refuse me.  Even now she's very likely trying to think her way out of it... this task I ask of her; but if she is as honorable as I hear - she will not refuse a blood debt.

Across from Tony, Frankie read the words on her letter intensely with furrowed brow.  Deep in thought she is keeping the paper close to her, careful not to let anyone in the room see a word of it.  She grips the paper with white knuckles.

Tony looked back down to his own letter again.
 

She will need someone like you to help her or she will most assuredly die.  I don't say that to threaten or make you feel guilt; I tell you this because it's a fact and the dead have no need to lie about such things.  I no longer need to worry about my image in your eyes - though I know there is little I could do to sully it.

Happiness did not die with me.  It may not be Francesca, but Anthony - you will never know if you leave now.  You will always wonder about what would have happened if you stayed.  You will always wonder what I asked of her that was so dangerous.  And, be assured, that unless she believes she can trust you ... until that trust is reestablished between you; she will not tell you what I wrote in the other notes.  That means, you will have to repair the rift between you and at least become friends again.  If not more.

Tony looked up as Francesca pulled the pile of letters back into her lap and slid them into her purse before returning to read her note with more intensity than before.  Her face flush, and the small vein almost visibly pulsing in the side of her neck as her heart races... in fear?
 

Because the dead do not care what the living know - as I have no shame to worry for any longer; I wish share with you what I could not share in that hotel room in Detroit.  What I wanted to say, but lacked the ability to allow myself to own.

The day we met.  Do you recall?  I'd lost Husky and my heart was shattered.  I was sure I would never let myself love anyone again and on the ship to Sicily I confessed to Frank that I had agreed to come along on his trip to drown my sorrows in good wine and the company of men.  Yes.  I told the man who would become my husband that I had intended to become a hedonist the whole of my time in Sicily if only to burn the desire of Husky from me.

It seems so stupid now.  The memory of that man is but a faint echo of my past, but then the pain of his loss was so very real to me.  It threatened to destroy me utterly... how little I knew of pain then!  What can a woman who has never truly known love know of loss?  

But I digress.

It was you who I thought to take to my bed Anthony.  I later confessed that truth to Frank and it was for that reason I lost all sense in Detroit when you insinuated that Frank feared he and I were drifting apart.  I thought he knew of your love of me... and I knew that he had known of my lust and longing for you - something neither of us EVER would have acted upon while he still drew breath.  And yet, that he knew some part of us desired each other... it was a horrifying realization. 

Still I sit here and contemplate his last moments.  Did he fear that I would betray him with you, as he was dying alone?  Did he wish us well?  Did he want for us to comfort each other as we did in Detroit?  I like to think that's the man my husband was... selfless, but we both know better.  And that's why I could not return your affections... because I was so utterly disgusted with the woman he must have died thinking me to be.  

Had it only been on the boat or in the frame shop in Sicily where you saved my life; it could have been forgiven... I had not known Frank's touch then and I was not his.  But in Philadelphia, that dark and terrible night... on the run together, fleeing the very people I would eventually lead here in Chicago; perhaps it was my fear or the shock of seeing all the people I pledged my life and blood to murdered - but I felt it again.  I think Frank knew.  How couldn't it?  THAT was why we fought that day he found me in Nikki's hotel room and you had to punch him to make him go back to me.  Frank wasn't worried I still loved Husky, a dead man, when he told me love was a choice and I had to make it carefully.  He was telling me that it was my chance to go to you.

Time and again fate made us as close as two people could be - and while some part of me always knew what you felt for me; I could never accept it.  My life with Frank was a fairy tale.  An impossible story of two people torn apart by murder and betrayal - brought back together against all odds.  I wanted to think that just once in my life... even if only for a very short while... everything would be perfect.  That I might have a small taste of happily ever after.  And, I did.

That's why you're across from Francesca today.  Murder and Betrayal stole years from you.  And while we, you & I, might have been... perhaps we were not, because your fairy tale was yet to happen.

So, this is my gift to you.  As I had lost the strength to give my heart... I hope I have brought hers back to you; if you have the courage to pursue it.  You will die Anthony.  She will die.  One of you will break as I broke when Frank was taken.  As my father broke when he lost my mother and as Frank's mother broke at the loss of Santino... but all of us HAD something worth living & dying for.  You deserve that joy. 

And one day, when you give my Katy away at her wedding - you will tell her this too.  I have instructed Vito that she should be trained up in the ways of her Father and Mother.  You will warn her that love will break her utterly and she must accept that truth if she is to be strong.  But tell her that she should not fear being broken; because if something can be broken, if a Tower can shatter, it means that it once stood tall and proud and that is a lovely thing.  If one never loves, if they have no one they can call family, then they are nothing. 

Do you understand Anthony?  I was nothing before I met Frank again... and before you brought my daughter back to me.  You and your cousin, you gave me purpose and reason for living when all there was before was survival.  Endless days of nothing but mindless jobs done without reason.  It is a debt that I can only pray I have repaid by calling back this ghost, Francesca, from you past.

I'm out of space on this paper now Anthony and while I know you would tolerate my bull-headed lectures for another hour if it meant that my voice would not be gone from this thing of ours... even ghosts must know when the time to leave is finally at hand, and this is mine.  Here ends the story of Lucky Lucy Fazzone and perhaps, here begins the story of Frankie Messina, the girl who wanted to be a Made Man who could yet change this entire thing of ours as we know it.  May God send that it is her destiny to do so, that The Ivory Tower Still Stands, and that you will be at her side as you were mine.

Love,

Lucy. 
The luckiest girl ever to live in this thing of ours

 

As Tony finished the letter he would find Frankie watching him closely, trying to read his emotional reactions as he progresses down the page to the very ending.  She silently refills both their glasses with wine and waits for him to say something.

Tony sat still reading the letter to himself his eyes fixated to every word read.  His heart broke as he continued to read Lucia last words to him.  He thought she did and it did clear up the strange behavior Frank had with Tony after coming back from Ireland.  Tony never looked up his facial expression was locked which is why he was made at such an early age in Sicily and why he was called the mountain because he never changes his facial expressions his face remained the same when he killed or ate dinner or even at a play or talking with the old men of Sicily. 

Tony nodded as he though on the words about helping Frankie with her mission but Lucia left out what it was.  He continue reading and though why did Frankie grandfather hide her from him.  Tony had help the old man on several vendettas with Tony asking permission from his own Don.  It became clear why she never returned his calls or letters and he held his anger in not showing his cards which made him a great card player and man of honor in the old country.  Many people feared Tony over there they never knew if he was giving you a envelope of cash or the business end of his pistol. 

Tony looked up and made eye contact with Frankie and she knew in his eyes that that letter spoke about her in some way.  She could read his eyes and she could tell he was touched in some way.  Tony took a sip of the wine that she poured into his glass and continued to read.   His mind flooded with so many what if and why not's with Lucia that he for once showed a facial change not of anger but of pain deep within his soul.  He didn't look up as he didn't want Frankie to see but she did.  Tony quickly changed back into his serious face as he read on to the last paragraph. 

Tony then he gazed into Frankie's eyes with a deep loving but friendly look.  He was torn inside but managed to hid that part he gave her a smile crack of a smile which she recognized a hundred times.  It was I'm thinking of you Frankie are you okay Frankie.  He dropped his head and inhaled slowly as he read on.  He again became engrossed in the letter as if he was read a novel and reached a page turner in the story line.  Then he reached the end.  He wanted more as he slowly turned the page.  He heard Lucia voice as he read it and wanted to read it again.

He folded the letter and put it neatly in the envelope and then placed the envelope into his jacket pocket slowly and very carefully as not to wrinkle it.  He looked at his glass then at her the small sliver of a smile returned as his eyes looked over the table.

Come, we need to talk and eat are you hungry Francesca?

She knew then that he was thinking and planning she was going to have a serious conversation and he was going to ask some questions and listen very intently.  She knew everything about this man because they had known each other at a very young age.  Tony was the first boy that walked up to her.  She punched him and he stood there and smiled.  She socked him again and that smile was still there telling her that he can take her punches the third and forth punch she throw at him she missed as she wondered why he never swung back or blocked her punches. 

She recalled that she yelled fight me and his reply was simple "why?" 

Tony was the first boy to give her a flower and walked home with her.  He made her feel comfortable as he always made time to hear her vent or help her fight.  He allowed her to be herself and she never had to play the soft little girl.  Tony never judged her and that's why she loved him.  She recalled how her uncle was about to slap her and Tony grabbed his arm and pulled it down without saying a word Tony just looked into his eye's with that stone face of his as her uncle nodded and turned to Frankie and apologized to her explaining that the whole family was worried about her because she was late coming home and the family needed to be together her family loved her and she new that but she also knew at that moment that Tony would kill anyone for her as she knew her uncle has never backed down before that or since that. 

Tony looked at Francesca hoping she would go out to eat or at least have a deep conversation with him.  She was his first love but it wasn't what he felt for Lucia.  He had a deep burning passion for Lucia that came from his soul.  He thought if he had married Francesca maybe his love would have grown beeper and it would have also touched his soul.  Maybe Frank would be alive and so would Lucia.  Katy would have had her parents and Lucia would have had Francesca as a friend and close bodyguard as she loved to shoot.  Frankie was just as deadly with the gun or knife as Tony was.  She took to it like a fish in water.  They hunted together and she could skin a rabbit with the best of them.  Cooking was something different.

Again lady lets get something to eat as I recall your cooking was something lacking.  His eyes were solidly focused on her but his heart was fully broken as a slight tone in his voice revealed pain.  Again Frankie knew Tony better then Tony knew himself better than anyone in the world accept his mother.

Lucia DiCaprio was one brilliant twat.  Brilliant because she'd thought of all this, and a twat for having chosen to drop it into her lap with no warning and then forcing it to become her problem; but the payment for taking up this garbage was too sweet to turn away from.  Likely she'd end up in a shallow grave for even trying, but Don DiCaprio was the first person to even dare imply that her father might still be alive in years.  He disappeared after her mother's death when she was twelve.  She'd only just met Frank and Tony back then.  Her mother's sickness, the doctors called it a cancer, was a brutal thing that took a healthy woman in her prime.  

When her father disappeared one night and didn't come back, everyone assumed he'd gone on a drinking bender - as he'd taken to doing since her mother had been diagnosed.  But when he hadn't come home after a few days, the men in her family began to accuse the other clans and that's when tensions began to rise and never really had calmed down all these years later.  It was her Grandfather, the Don, who had kept her uncles from launching an all out conflict against the DiSalvo family - they were, after all, the most likely to have killed her father and hid his body.

And yet, Frankie always held out hope he was alive.  He'd simply left.  Why she felt that way, she could not say.  Her Grandfather, who had taken over her care and raising, had always tried to have her bury that hope insisting her father was dead in his eyes and it was best she bury him in her heart; but she couldn't.  And now, here was a dead woman claiming that if she followed her exact steps - did precisely what she said - and in the order that she stated it... she would find her father very much alive.  Could it be true?  Or was this a manipulation from beyond the grave?

Frankie watched Tony read his note from his Don.  He clearly had devotion to her... not a shock.  He loved Frank and so he likely loved his bride as well.  The woman had some nerve manipulating Tony in this way.  Bringing him to her was as cruel a thing as it was the things she asked of Frankie in her letters.  Tony had most likely moved on long ago - to make him go back to the past and revisit this thing that had died between them; if Lucia DiCaprio was still alive, she'd punch the woman in her smug mouth for hurting him that way.

"I'd love some dinner actually and you have no room to talk about my cooking.  I don't recall you spending hours in the kitchen with Teresa, Gina, and Rita.  You and Frank were too busy getting in fights and chasing skirts for all that."  She returned his sliver of a smile.  "We could pick up something and walk to my place.  I got second story walk up a few blocks from here if you don't mind walking?  It's just above this little deli that has some good meats and cheeses."

Frankie had away of easing Tony's pain she has always been able to do that. 

Yeah me an Frank did get into fights daily as I recall we fought everyone that seem to irritate you and the only shirt I chased was yours Ms. Sharpshooter.  Can you still shot fruit off a tree at 200 yards away? 

She replied that her skills are sharper now then they were then.  Tony nodded as his face showed that he believed her.  Frankie never lied to him about anything and she has always been a straight shooter with her words.  Tony stood and as he walked around to scoot her chair back so she could rise. 

Yes I would like to see your place.  I hope it's clean as I recall you hated everything domestic. 

He chuckled as he recalled being at her villa being ordered to sit still while they did her hair she hated being girly and how she refused to wash dishes and clothes.  Frankie could throw a knife and hit an apple twenty feet away.  Her ability to clean her room was hit of miss depending what she could stuff in a basket or her closet.   He watch her gut a pig for a pig roast on her grandfathers birthday her Grandfather was so proud but her Grandmother not so much as Frankie had no intentions on help cooking it.  She once shot a snake head off with a pistol that came into their home as her grandmother and older female cousins screamed from fear.   

They walked down the street talking about the days they would go swimming and how she taught Vito how to swim and how tony gave her, her first pistol.  They reached the deli and ordered sandwiches and beer.  Then up to her flat as Tony braced himself for the mess he was shocked at how clean the place was. 

What you have a live in maid?  I never seen your living quarters this clean? 

Tony spotted several pictures of them together back in Sicily.  Tony looked at her as she waved her hands to show off her place then pointed to the couch.  He sat down as she got a bottle opener.  She smiled and then slapped him.  She did that a lot as they grow up that was her way of playing it caught him off guard as he looked at her at first wondering why then he laughed as he remembered that she did that to him daily.  Nodding to indicate she got him as she laughed herself.

Tony you are so easy you haven't changed at all.

Tony smiled as he opened the bottles then said

Only you and my mother have been able to slap me and live to talk about it.  That still makes you special as I recall do you still like dancing?

She shrugged her shoulder and Tony knew that she didn't do much dancing lately.

What mission are you task with that I'm to help with?

She shook her head and said in a low voice

Always straight to business with you Tony.  Can't we just talk a bit then eat?  Business isn't going to go away and I want to relax and know what has transpired in your life? Don't you want to know what I've been up too since you left me?

She sipped her beer.  "I'll go first.  So... you ran off to the States."  She said flatly - remembering she was bitter still.  "And I was left to deal with my Grandfather alone.  No more 'traipsing about the countryside with those DiCaprio boys' as he'd say."  She rolled her eyes, saying the last bit as a mimicry of her Grandfather's voice.

She smirked.  "I was pretty much tied down to a kitchen after you were gone and not allowed to leave the house save to go to Church.  So... I snuck out a lot."  She laughed.  "Do you remember that night we snuck out to go that party in Old Carmine's barn while he was away in Enna?!? God, but you were brilliant that night!  I've never seen anyone that drunk fight that well!" 

She leaned over and said playfully, "And since you're already in a mood, I might as well tell you now that I may have lied about that jerk slapping my ass."  As Tony's face changed to one of shock she added, "HE WAS ALWAYS LEERING AT ME THOUGH!"  She laughed.  "Oh, but I wanted to see how much you were in love with me back then...  I had no idea that you, Frank, and Vito would end up fighting half a dozen guys by the end of it.  But you were... oh!  You were stunning, Tony."

Her laughter faded as she came back to the reality that it wasn't long after that when he left her.  "Well... anyway, after a couple months the parade of eligible men began.  I swear Grandfather found every guy up to ten years older than me in all of Sicily."  She shook her head and tried to make light of what had been so humiliating and a constant source of conflict between she and the Patriarch of her family, "And you'd be proud of me... for the most part I didn't physically harm any of them... much."  She winked.

"So now you... what trouble did you and Frank get into?  I had heard he came home to marry non-Sicilian... it was all the talk for a while.  It's why I thought it was you who was married to Don Lucia.  I take it Frank had the church annul the marriage?"  She shook her head.  "Always knew he was too much of a ladies man for his own good.  A big heart on that guy, but always with a dozen girls chasing after him." 

Frankie looked down at her beer and considered why she never thought Frank to have been the more desirable of the three DiCaprio boys - even though most girls did think that way.  For her, it had always been Tony.  She'd not looked twice at Vito and Frank.  He was quiet, he listened to her, and he was tougher than the other two by far... but more than anything, he never expected her to fit into the mold that everyone in her life was trying to force her into.

"Did you ever... I mean you said you weren't married to Don Lucia, but did you ever find love again?"  

Tony smiled as she talked about him in his younger days fighting.  Then the questions about Frank and his life.  but her last question he knew he couldn't lie because they never lied to each other when it came to serious questions. 

Yeah I recall that night, Frankie I broke his hand and jaw and his brother suffered three broken ribs. 

Shaking his head he realized that she was a minx, he looked in her eyes and remembered who she attacked a young girl that gave Tony ice cream at the town fair.  She didn't even asked what was going on she simply walked up and smiled at the girl took the tray out of her hands acting as she wanted to help then hit her knocking her into a few chairs then she looked at Tony and took his ice cream. 

You remember the school picnic?  When you got into a fight with Lauren and her sister Tonia?  I will never forget how you punched Lauren and as Tonia ran up you ducked under her and jumped on her back chocking her until she passed out.  Then you went back to punching Lauren.  You thought she was talking to me but she was asking about Frank.  Frank didn't want to talk to her and I was telling her to talk to Gino or Vito but Vito didn't like her. 

Tony smile grow as he thought how she fought over him as much as he fought over her.  Nodding he started to answer another one of her questions.  The scent of her perfume was wonderful he continued to inhale as he

Frank first wife was named Nikki that marriage faded faster then the sun going down for the day.  Frank was crushed but he found a woman you keep calling Don Dicaprio.  They were friends as babies and found each other years later.  They didn't even know it until she came to Sicily her father was a Capo in this thing of ours he and Franks dad were best friends Her mother and Franks mother was good friends in Ireland.  They came to Sicily and Teresa Franks mom told them how they grew up together and how she went looking for her when her parents were killed.  They bonded and they were happy together.  They died shortly after they found Lucia daughter and brought her home.

Your last question Yeah I found love here but that love wasn't to be.  It wasn't mines to have.   I had no idea you where in America, we never talked about leaving Sicily.   Frankie I never wanted to leave you, I tried to get you here Frank made calls and demands but You grandfather keep you hid well.  I thought you would get a message to my family when you didn't I figured you moved own or were killed.    I cried over you and tried to move forward. 

Tony sipped on his beer as he remember the words in his letter from Lucia about rekindling his love for her.  He looked at her face and saw how beautiful he looked but he couldn't down play his love for Lucia any further.  He took his sandwich and took a bite.  He wanted to understand why Lucia had her here for a month when they could have been together then, why Lucia kept them apart if she was sent here to be with Tony.  Frankie heard his voice but knew that he didn't explain everything in detail.  She didn't push but she knew as time progressed that they would either talk further at a later date or they would rekindle their love. 

Their eyes locked as she smirked at him.  Then tony asked her.

Those suitors any of them every get close enough to kiss you.  Do I have to go back and do some damage control?  

Tony looked at her as she took a bite of her sandwich and smiled as he loved how she eat.  The way her tongue reached out slowly to draw the food into her mouth how she chewed slowly barely showing movement.  Tony thought her and Lucia would have been good friends. 

So what else do you want to know? 

Frankie finished chewing and swallowed.  She washed the sandwich down with a swig of beer as she considered all Tony had told her.  He'd been through a lot since they last were together.  

"Salvatore."  She said his name with a smile.  "I kissed him... often actually."  She put the beer aside and turned towards Tony.  "But he kissed a like a cow chews and his breath constantly smelled horrible."  she laughed her head shaking it.  "But he was sweet to me... he was handsome and his father had a very nice bit of land near the coast which he was doing to inherit a large plot of.  Grandfather was over the moon when I started spending time with him, but it wasn't meant to be.  Salvatore has the heart of a merchant.  He wanted a woman who would give him a dozen strong boys and who'd bake him pies and hand roll pasta.  I just couldn't ever embrace that life."  She looked down at her lap and said, with a touch of sadness, "I broke his heart... and that's when my Grandfather stopped speaking to me."

It was clear, by her body language that her Grandfather deciding to not speak to her was a deep wound.  "When they told me I was coming to the United States to become Mafioso... I thought maybe my Grandfather had broken down and we were going to see eye to eye."  She shook her head no.  "He didn't even go to see me off or say goodbye."

She looked to Tony, "I'll show him though.  I plan to keep sending tribute home.  He may not see me but his books will feel my presence.  I'll give respect to my family even if they don't want it.  I love that old man, despite the stubborn and wrongheadedness of his ways." 

She sighed.  "What do I want to know?  I want to know why you're here if your Don is dead.  What will you do now?  Where will you go?  You asked about what it was Don Lucia wanted of me... I don't know that it matters today, but - why do you ask?  Are you staying in New York?  Is that your plan?"

Hearing her words and seeing her reactions Tony scooted closer and hugged her.  He whispered to her.

They love you Frankie your Grandfather was proud of you, if you where a male he would have made you his underboss.  Tradition is keeping him from doing what he wants and you are seeing things through pain.  Trust me my last days there your grandfather spoke of you as his angel and he call you his Bella Mafioso. 

She looked deep into his eyes and knew that he was telling her the truth and not just saying what she wanted to.  She nodded and moved slightly away as she asked him several questions.

I'm here because Chicago was hot and my Don past so Frank had a few connection here and I made a few calls.  I'm here because as a man of Honor in the old country I keep my word.  Here last wish was for me to deliver you her letters.  I made a vow to Frank to protect his family and I doing that still.   Their daughter I will protect and manage her business until she is of age.  I'm here with you because Lucia wrote me in that letter that I'm here to help you.  

Now I will make my way in America and hopefully find a lost love. One that is free to love me as much as I love her.

Frankie knew he was talking about her but that he was unsure she never heard him speak like that.  Tony was never unsure and she wondered what was haunting him as he looked tried.   She looked at his eyes as he spoke she wanted to read him to understand him.

Yes I plan to work in and live in New York.  Your not telling about the assignment that I to assist you with.  I want to know your plan see if you still have the skills to pull off work.  

He paused 

I can't believe your here Frankie, Lucy brought you here and hid you from me for over a month.  I'm not angry just wondering did you know I was here and working for her?  Why didn't you look for me?

Frankie wasn't sure to make about his statement of rekindling their romance... it did have its advantages and it was certainly not off the table, but his comment that he wanted to see if she still had what it took!  That set her teeth to grinding.  She picked up her trash and began to walk it into the the kitchen.

He continued on to ask her if she knew he was here in the states - of course she knew that... he'd fled Sicily and most people knew where he'd gone but when he didn't call her for so many years, why would she ever have thought to look him up?!?  She was, clearly incorrectly, convinced that he hadn't cared enough about her to even try to reach out to her.  And she had no idea where he was so how could she have ever found him?  Had he not seen a map of this country - was HUGE!

Frankie put her scraps into the bin and sighed.  "Well, I'm really glad you're going to give me your thoughts on this thing - it's really huge and I'm honestly not sure how I'm going to pull it off."  She pulled the note out of her purse and opened it.  "It says here that she wants me to fly to Washington D.C. and kill President Herbert Hover."  She let the words hang in the air.  If she was lying, she was doing a very good job of keeping of straight face.

Tony sat there looking at her.

Wait she wants you to do what?  Did you say kill the America President Hover? 

He paused and looked at her knowing Lucy would never take an assignment like that.

Your toying with me. 

Frankie started laughing and he finished his sandwich and then his beer. 

Your not answering my questions so I assume that I have to rebuild my trust with you.  I don't know how to do that so please give me some time to do that.  You're still a cute woman but don't think that your cuteness means I'll do everything you say. 

Tony picked up his trash and took it into her kitchen putting it in the trash can.  He looked at Frankie and remembered that she liked to punched him so he moved back out of her reach and caught a glance into her eyes.  He then gave her a slight smile as he went an sat on her couch.  He looked at her pictures of them and remember the day they took it.

They just finished riding horses and witnessed a vendetta on a farm less then a hour from the village which Frankie's grandfather controlled.  Tony took a rifle and three pistols he gave Frankie her first pistol that she used to practice shooting fruit off of trees and bottles tied to tree branches.   She became quite good shooting while riding her horse. 

So what would you like to do next or should I let you get some sleep?

Frankie crossed the room to the couch and sat back down next to Tony.  "I remember that day."  She says looking at the photo he was looking at.  She sighed.  "A lot has changed since we were kids back in Sicily, Tony, but... my trust in you, now that I know you did try to contact me... I don't think that's something you need to worry about so much."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek, quick and innocent. 

"But, maybe we should take some time to get to know each other again? I don't need you to see if I still have still have the skills necessary to perform Don Lucia's first set of orders, as you chose to put it, but I do want to see whether or not we can pick up where we left off.  If you're open to that?  Maybe... we could do a job together?  Maybe you could take me out sometime and show me a nice night on the town since I'm new here?"

Tony looked at her as she kissed his cheek he remember the first time she did that.   It was on a dare from Frank and the second time when Tony gave her, her first gun as he nodded in agreement.

That is actually a good idea.  Getting to relearn each other will be fun.   I manage a club here in New York called the cotton club.   I can arrange for us to do some dancing and a great dinner its a high class joint.  Plus there are places in Chicago I would like to take you.   I still have access to the Don's estate and if your willing to travel to Vegas I can arrange a few things there for us to do. 

I missed you and I thought .... well I thought many things.  Seeing you here is still a wonder for me.