Chapter Two

The Package

Vito drove his car across town toward his mother Cassandra's house. His eyes glancing at the people he passed by on the sidewalks. Just taking it all in as his mind started to wander while he drove. Knowing he was nearing his mother's because of the old church a few blocks from his childhood home. He often found himself thinking about his brother more often than normal on these days. Remembering growing up with his older brother Steven. The two were very close despite their ten year age gap. His mind flashed images of his brothers bloody face, head tilted back, knife sticking right up of out his eye. Vito shook his head to shrug the images out just as he realized he was coming to an intersection. 

He slammed on his breaks just in time to avoid slamming his car into this elderly old man trying to cross the street. Vito's car screeched to a halt, coming within inches as his heart raced, his eyes squinting, thinking for sure he just hit this old man crossing the street. Then he hears a thud on his hood, followed by an old man yelling. Vito hung his head, watching as the old man made his way across, swearing in Vito's direction.

Vito panted as he caught his breath, his hands gripping the steering while as he looked at the street light in time to see it turn green. Eager to get out of there as he was quite embarrassed and sure that someone saw what just happened. 

"Get it together Vito!"

He says to himself as he brings his hand across his eyes, rubbing them in an attempt to focus. The car behind him honks as he realizes the light is green so he steps on the gas and drives away from the intersection, continuing his trip to his mother's house. He finally arrives and pulls into the driveway of his mothers house. He opens his door after putting his car in park and exits, looking around at his mother's yard. The yard where he and Steven grew up. A smile crept into his lips as he spotted the old tire swing his dad had put up on old big tree in the front yard. He remembered Steven pushing him when he was younger. 

Vito walked up the quaint path that lead to the front door of this old little three bedroom home he grew up in. His steps knocking on the wooden steps and porch as he got to the front door. Taking a deep breath and sighing before ringing the doorbell. He stands for a moment, hearing his mother answer from the other side. He can hear her making her way across the room to the other side of the door. 

"Just a minute." 

Her voice somewhat muffled by the still closed door. Vito stood where she would be able to see him. He didn't want to frighten her after all. He watching and put his best smile on his face as he hear the latches to the locks on the door start to open. Feeling anxious as he watched the door creak open. A woman with auburn shoulder length hair peers out. Her hazel finding someone on her doorstep as she realizes who it is. 

"My Vito! You're here!" 

Cassandra smiled as she opened the screen door outward as well, stepping from her home to greet her youngest son. A long solid black dress already draped over Vito's mother. He smiled as his mother wrapped her arms around him, reaching up to hug her son. 

"You've grown so much my Vito."

His mother tried to smile as she struggled to hold back her tears as she thought of her late son Steven.

"You look so much like him now, you know that?" 

His mother said, wiping a tear away. Untying her apron which she had on over her dress and tossing it just inside before grabbing her purse and coat and then closing and locking the front door. Turning she did her best to smile at Vito the she took a deep breath, clutching her purse under her arm as Vito put her coat over her shoulders. 

"Come on, let's go." 

His mother added as they both walked back down the steps to Vito's car. Helping his mother down the the little stone path to the adjacent driveway. Walking her around to open her door for her. Vito not saying much as his mind struggled to stay focused. These once a year moments often too a lot out of Vito, mentally at least. He closed the door for his mother and walked around to enter the car. Smiling at his mother as he starts the car. 

"Ready Ma?" 

Vito asks, his mother nodding, her purse in her lap, a tissue in her right hand as Vito pulls out of the driveway and down the road to the nearby cemetery. Driving through the big wrought iron gates that adorn the entrance to the graveyard. 

"Pearly Gates Cemetery." 

Vito reads the name at the top of the gates as he enters. He never liked the name and thought it was pathetic that the city would name it that just because they had painted the fence and gates surrounding the huge lot a bright heavenly white color and positioned statues of angels randomly through the lots. Nonetheless this was where his brother was. Vito stopped the car in one of the parking lots and helped his mother walk from the car the short distance to their loved one's grave site. Once there they both stood silently a moment staring down at Steven's name on the hunk of stone. 

Here lies

 Steven "Pew Pew" Landucci

"Beloved son and loving brother"

Vito smiled reading his older brother's nick name. He remembered the stories that his brother would regale to him. Some fun, others dangerous and exciting. He remembered hearing the origin of his nick name from one of his brothers friend's named Pete. That was until Pete was tragically killed. Steven never really talked about that day. Vito realized his mind was wandering as he heard his mothers voice calling for his help. Cassandra had knelt down to pray and was unable to rise on her own. Vito leaned down and helped his mother up. 

"I'm sorry ma. I didn't hear you." 

Vito tried to explain but his mother just smiled regaining her composure on her own two feet. Giving Vito a pat on his shoulder.

"It's okay Vito, I know. It's not an easy day for any of us. Come on, let's go."

Cassandra says to Vito as they both make their way back to the car. Vito checking his pocket watch to see what time it was as he realized he must have lost track of time just now because according to the dial on his watch he was there with his mother at Steven's grave for almost 30 minutes. He suddenly remembered he was supposed to go see his childhood friend Joey Poncinni. 

Vito helped his mother back into the car and closed her door. He walked around and entered on his side, shutting the door and starting the car.

"Hey ma, I'm gonna go ahead and drop you off at home, okay? I gotta go over and see Joey." 

Vito explains to his mother, her face scrunching up as she hears Joey's name. She never liked Vito's friend, always told him he was bad company. That he would get her poor Vito in trouble some day. That he might end up like his brother, she would sometimes say, which would only make her burst into tears for fear of her last remaining son's life. 

"I know, I know you don't like him ma, but he's my friend." 

Vito retorted, knowing that if his mother ever knew that thanks to Joey he was already headed down the same path as his brother. The trip returning his mother home was silent. Vito figured she was upset as he helped her from the car to the front door. Her hand clutching his as she made her way up the steps onto the front porch. 

"You gonna be okay ma?" 

Vito asked, genuinely concerned with his mother's well being, especially given the day and the fact that she wasn't doing too good health wise these last few years. He helped her inside her home and stood in the doorway. Smiling at his mother as she smiled back. 

"I'll be fine, it's you I worry about. You be careful with that fool Joey." 

His mother says firmly as she gives her son another hug. Vito wraps his arms around her as well, hugging his mother tightly. 

"I'll call you... or I'll come by and check on you when I can, alright ma?" 

Vito adds as his mother starts to close the door. She smiles and nods at him as she shuts the front door. Vito stands a moment, listening to her latch all the locks again. Those sounds making him feel better about his mother being safe while he was not around. Vito sighed and turned around then headed back down the steps off his mother's porch. Getting back into his car he pulls out of her driveway and heads down the road over to his buddy Joey's apartment. 

Vito pulled into his friend Joey's apartment parking lot and parked the car. Getting out he looked up at the second floor apartment where he was going. He walked across the lot and up the rickety stairs that lead to Joey's door, lifting his hand upon arriving and knocking loudly on the door. A stream of deep loud barks start up on the other side of the door as Vito remembers about Joey's dog. 

"Yeah yeah, I'm coming. Who is it?!" 

Vito hears Joey's voice from the other side of the door, the dog still barking as well as Vito hears the lock unlatch. Seeing Joey's head appear as the door swings open. His hand gripped tightly on his dogs collar, holding him back as he slips outside, closing the door on his dog leaving it barking inside. 

"Hey, Shut up in there, It's only Vito, you know Vito, Chomps!" 

Joey shouted through the door at his dog Chomps. A beautiful black and brown German Sheppard that, while still only being a pup really was already big and intimidating. The name Chomps didn't help either. 

"Heeyyyy Vito! How you been, get over here!" 

Joey says loudly, now turning his attention to his visiting friend whom he gives a quick firm hug to. Joey knew what day it was, he knew how this day usually affected his best friend every time it came around and always tried to cheer him up or get his mind of things.

 "Hey Joey, I've been alright. You know how it is." 

Vito answers trying his best to not let his mood ruin his friends. 

"Yeah, I hear ya buddy. Hey, I'm actually glad you came by. I might need your help with something. You still packing?" 

Joey asks his best friend as he opened his front door only enough to grab his coat from just inside on the rack. Chomps going crazy again barking up a storm as Joey shuts the door and locks it. Slipping his arms through his coat and wrapping it around his suit. Vito figured something was up since Joey was already dressed and in a suit. 

"Yeah, why? What's up, what's going on?" 

Vito asked quizzically as Joey stepped past him and started down the rickety steps back toward the parking lot. Chomps barking and scratching at Joey's door from the inside frantically. Vito followed behind Joey as they walked to Joey's car. A dark blue 1933 Chevrolet Deluxe 2 door coupe. They both climbed into the car before Joey started filling Vito in to what was going on. 

"Listen, we gotta pick up this package for Vinny. It's over on 22nd street at Manchello's Restaurant." 

Joey stated as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. Heading down the road Joey made small talk with Vito to keep his mind on other things. He wanted his friend focused if anything went wrong. Not that he was expecting it to. This was an easy pick and drop off job for the Farelli family. 

As they arrived at Manchello's, Vito noticed a few hoods hanging around the front entrance, Joey pulling into a parking spot and turning off the car. 

"Don't worry, this place is safe, it's one of Farelli's. Come on, Vinny's inside, let's go get this package." 

Joey said as he opened his door, Vito followed suit as they both stepped from the car and walked toward the entrance of this quaint yet very protected establishment. Joey and Vito nodded at the men at the door and they nodded back as they headed inside. 

The inside of the diner was like your average typical mid class Italian restaurant, with the exception of the amount of Farelli's men seated throughout. Obviously one of the popular Farelli hangouts. Vito and Joey made their way over to the waitress and asked for Vinny. She smiled her cute twinkling eyes at Joey and directed them around the side and to the back behind the kitchen.

Vito followed Joey as they walked around and down a hallway, passing the double doors into the kitchen where people were working, to a door at the end of the hall. A simple plaque was centered right in the middle with the lone word Farelli engraved on it. Joey gave a sharp rap on the door and a voice answered from the other side.

"Yeah come on in, It's open!" 

Joey opened the door and Vito followed him inside, closing it behind him, hearing it latch as they stood in a makeshift office. Three men were in the room. One of them by the door they just went through, another standing beside a big desk at the back of the room. Vinny seated in his chair behind the wooden work space covered with a felt green top, a few nice cut out lines of some of the family's grade A cocaine lay across a medium sized mirror that say upon Vinny's desk.

"Joeyyy! Vito! You made it! You guys want some of this?!"

Vinny says loudly as the two visitors approach his desk. Vito nodded at the two guards that were there to protect the man seated at the back. Vinny Scarponi was one of Don Luigi Farelli's top Lieutenants within the family. Joey and Vito had spent the last few weeks working under Vinny's crew for Don Farelli, running errands, collecting protection and some light extortion with the occasional burglary or small time heist. Vinny had been impressed with Vito and Joey's progress lately and had a simple task for them. Take a package over to a designated location and that's it.

"Hell, don't mind if I do!" 

Joey peps up as he leans over the front of Vinny's desk, taking a rolled up hundred dollar bill from beside the drugs as he leans his head down and Joey listens to his friend snort up a couple of lines. Vinny then looks at Vito with an offering gesture but Vito simply shakes his head respectfully. He liked to stay focused, especially when working on something for the family. 

"Nah, I'm good, thanks Vinny."

Vito answered as Joey stood and sat back into the chair next to Vito. Wiping the white residue from around his nose as his pupils fluctuate in size as he winks over at Vito. Joey always was the flashy one, the one that like to party and stand out. Vito was more the thinker, the planner almost always preferring to remain sober when there was work to do. Of course he knew how to have fun when the time was right. Today the time was not right, for many reasons as Vito sat patiently waiting for this package they were supposed to pick up.

Vinny shrugs off Vito's rejection as he himself leans his head down and takes another two lines through his nose before sitting up and getting to business. Clearing his throat he motions to the guard beside his desk to hand the two men the package. The man walks to a locker against the side of the wall and opens it. Pulling out a medium sized suitcase and handing it to them. 

Joey takes the case and sets it down beside his chair. Sitting up properly as Vinny started giving instruction for this easy job. 

"Alright, listen up guys, Don Farelli needs you to take this suitcase over to a warehouse down by the docks. Your gonna give to an individual by the name of Santino. That's all you need to know, and as usual.. Don't look in the case? Okay? Can we count on you for this?"

Vinny asks, pushing his chair back and standing up behind his desk. Joey mirrors his actions, standing as well, grabbing the suitcase as Vito stood up and readied to head out. 

"You bet, We'll just take this over right now, and I'll give ya a call back here when it's done."

Joey said as he reached out and shook Vinny's hand. Vito did the same. He didn't want to show any lack of respect. Vinny nodded his head at both men and smiled. The guard by the office door opened it for Vito and Joey as they walked out, suitcase in hand. 

"Sounds good, give me a ring when it's done, and I'll pass the word on to Don Farelli." 

Their superior answered as they headed out, the door to Vinny's office closing behind them. 

They made their way out through Manchello's and back out to the parking lot as Joey tossed the suitcase into the back seat. Getting in and starting the car they pulled away from Manchello's and headed across town to the docks. The drive was most uneventful, that is until Vito spotted a car following them. He watched the car in the rear view mirror wanting to make sure before saying anything, after all it could just be his imagination. Joey took a left turn.. then a right turn.. then another right.. He wasn't aware that Vito had spotted a tail, this was just the way Joey drove whenever he was working. He liked to throw people off. The car following them wasn't thrown off though as Vito noticed it was still a couple cars behind them after a few miles. 

"Hey Joey, I think we got a problem.."

Vito mentions as Joey sped up, already picking up on Vito's tone, or maybe it was the fact that he saw Vito looking back for the last few minutes that gave it away. Whatever it was, Joey stepped on the gas and sped up. The car tailing them didn't hesitate to do the same, swerving around traffic as people honked at these two crazy drivers all over the road. The car had gained on them enough for Vito to notice that they were outnumbered. He could see at least 3 men in the following car. Maybe a fourth. Everything was happening so fast.

"We gotta get off these streets! Fast!"

Joey shouted, taking a hard left causing Vito to slam into his door. Vito looked around as Joey drove, trying to determine their best course of action. Realizing they weren't far from the docks, but knowing they couldn't bring this trouble there, Vito shouted to Joey who was at this point driving like a maniac. 

"Take a right, there's an old abandoned gas station a couple blocks down this road! We can at least get behind some cover!"

Joey nodded agreeing with Vito's plan. He knew Vito was the thinker, he was always figuring out ways of bailing them out of trouble, plus there was less people out down this way. He didn't hesitate to follow his buddy's suggestion, quickly taking a hard right, the bumper of their car clipping a fire hydrant as the pursuing car rounded the corner shortly after. Ahead they could both see the abandoned gas station, the orange and red colors of the setting sun shining across the run down building and mostly shattered glass windows from underneath the railways overhead that lead to the inner city. 

Joey brought his car to screeching halt a few feet from the front of the gas station. Vito and Joey jumped out of their car immediately as the sounds of screeching tires came closer. They sprinted toward the empty diner knowing it offer better cover than waiting for them in the car. 

"SHIT, THE CASE!"

Joey shouted as Vito stopped and looked back at the car. He darted back since he was closer just as the men in the other car rounded the tall wooden fence of the run down apartment complex that sat beside the abandoned gas station. Joey lifted his arm from his coat, his finger on the trigger of his colt 1911 already as he fired off a couple shots at the incoming car. Watching as Vito reached into the back seat of the car and quickly grabbed the case. They may have been in trouble now, but if they lost that case they were as good as dead. Vito gripped his hand around the handle of the case as he reached into his coat pocket with his right hand, brandishing his snub nose .38 as he ran back toward Joey and the cover of the gas station. 

The other car skidded to a halt as three men hopped out of their car and immediately took cover behind their doors. Clearly they planned to advance on the gas station as Vito and Joey made it inside. The front of the store offered little protection as almost all of the huge glass windows that once stood when this station was operational, are now shattered and broken. The inside of the store offered better protection though as Joey ducked down behind what used to be the cashiers counter. Vito ducked down and crept to the other side of the store staying below the top of the shelves, the suitcase still firmly in his hand. Peeking around the corner at the men as they scurried from cover to cover, getting closer to the front of the store. 

Vito watched them move, formulating a plan to get him and his friend out of this alive. Just then he hears two shots pop off to his right. He watches as the two bullets whiz by one of the men's head. Hearing his buddy Joey's voice shout out from behind his cover.

"Haha, the next one won't be a miss! Now get outta here!"

Joey taunted, peeking out and letting one more fly from inside the store. Vito sighed and rolled his eyes, Joey was his friend but he wasn't exactly tactful and Vito knew this. It was normal for his friend to get loud and rowdy, maybe he just felt safer when ever he had Vito around. 

"Damn it Joey!"

Vito cursed in a mumble, his thumb cocking back the hammer of his .38 as the men got closer. Vito darted behind some old half opened boxes against the side wall of the store, his friend Joey at the other end of the store doing what he did best. Attracting attention to himself. This time however it paid off as Vito spotted one of the men attempting to climb through the broken window closest to him. He waited for him to step all the way into the store, the sound of Joey still taunting the men keeping the mans focus away from Vito as he crept up behind him and aimed his .38 at him. Letting two go off and hitting him once in the shoulder and again dead center in his back. Vito watched as the man grunted and fell forward, his gun sliding onto the floor. 

Vito crept over to the edge of the front of the store, standing beside the broken open window the now dead man just came through, his fingers still gripped around the handle of the case. He could see one of the other men creeping up on the side, coming up Joey's blind spot. 

"Joey! Look out!"

Vito shouts as he jumps from his cover and through the opening where the window used to be. Lifting his arm and aiming his revolver at the attacker, watching him round the wall taking aim at Joey. Vito just happens to be faster as his finger hits the trigger and a shot flies from his barrel across the front door and tearing through the mans stomach. Joey's face darting at Vito's who just saved his life. They both look around for the third attacker when they hear a car start up outside and peel out. 

They both run outside to see the back of the other car that was following them speed away. 

"That's right! You better fucking run!" 

Joey screamed, laughing, excited for having survived another close call. 

"You really showed them Vito! I'm glad you're on my side." 

Joey laughed as they headed back to their car, suitcase in Vito's hand.

"We better get this case over to Santino, then call Vinny and let him know what happened."

Vito adds, changing the subject as they get to the doors of the car. Vito stops when he hears a cough. Looking over he realizes the man he shot in the stomach is still alive. He places the suitcase in the back seat of the car and walks over to the man on the ground, the pool of blood slowly growing under him as he coughs and spits up more blood. Looking up at Vito as Joey steps up beside him. Both looking down on this dying man. They both squat down beside the bloody man as he groans.

"Looks like today wasn't you're lucky day, was it there buddy?!"

Joey asks him mockingly. Vito staring at him, watching him slowly die.

"F... fu... FUCK.. Yo.. you." 

He grunts through the pain, blood practically pouring from the hole in his stomach. Both Vito and Joey start to stand up, planning on just letting this man bleed out. They turn to walk away as they hear the mortally wounded man try to say something else.

"Th.. the... Tuc... Tucci, will fi.. find you."

He grins through his pain up at Vito and Joey. 

"He.. will find... you.. and....... kill you."

He manages to mutter out one last time as Vito and Joey watch the man gasp and stop breathing, his eyes slowly glazing over as he stares up at the sky. The pool of blood beneath him slowly growing as they both hear sirens in the distance. 

"Sounds like we better get outta here, Come on Vito." 

Joey says, starting toward the car. Vito turned and followed, the dead man's last words echoing in his head. They climbed into the car and sped out of the lot and away from the fresh crime scene, knowing those sirens were getting closer. The ride was mostly quiet, with Joey concentrating on driving calmly to not draw attention to themselves. Vito on the other hand couldn't figure out why the name the dying man muttered was sticking in his mind so firmly. He tried to ignore it, but maybe it was the curiosity, or maybe it was the fear of this new person that might be coming for them. Vito eventually spoke up on their ride to finish dropping off the package to Santino. 

"Hey Joey, who you think that guy was talking about back there?"

Vito asked curiously, looking over at his friend driving. Sure he was focused on the road but there was something else wrong with him. Vito could see a sense of fear. Joey didn't answer for a few minutes but Vito didn't press the issue. He knew he'd find out more eventually. 

"Let's just drop this off and call Vinny." 

Joey says finally. Vito could tell something was bugging his friend, but he knew better than to press it. 

They drove until Vito could smell the salt water air of the docks. Joey turned off the lights to the car as they approached the drop off point. It was already getting dark now as Vito spotted the flicker of what could have been a match ahead in the dark. A dim light was glowing from a single door along a tall long aluminum wall. As Vito and Joey approached, suitcase in hand, they could see two men standing outside the door.

Both of them kept their hands in their coats, with the exception of Joey's left hand which held the package he was there to deliver. His right hand however gripping his pistol in his pocket. Vito was doing the same, already having a bad situation today and ready for anything as they approached the two men. 

"We're looking for Santino." 

Joey spoke up. They watched as one of the men banged on the door and after a second someone opened it from the inside. The two exchanged a few words and the door closed. Neither of the two men said a word, which only added to the already uncomfortable feeling that was swelling in them from the recent gunfight they had not more than an hour ago. What feels like minutes pass before the door opens again and the two men whisper before opening the door all the way. The man outside nodding both Vito and Joey inside and the man inside directing them to follow him. 

They proceeded down some stairs, their dress shoes tapping along the steel stairs as they reached a door. The man they followed banged on the door and it opened from the inside. Just like the door upstairs. Vito and Joey started expecting the worst as the door opened and a large heavy set man stepped out from inside. 

"Santino will see you now." 

The behemoth of a man said, slowly stepping aside to let both of them in. Inside, behind a medium desk there sat a non imposing slightly elderly man. He looked up with a smile as Vito and Joey entered the room. 

"Come in, come in.." 

He said excitedly as he stood up from his seat. His eyes spotting the suitcase almost instantly. 

"Ahhh yess.. Is that for me? From Don Farelli?" 

He asks with a grin. Rubbing his hands together as Joey lifts the suitcase and sets it on the desk before what is now evidently Santino. He reaches forward and spins the case around as he flips the latches. Opening it he keeps the back to Vito and Joey who only get more curious as they still don't know what's in the case. 

"Yess.. this is gooood." 

Santino responds happily. Closing the case and looking over his desk at Vito and Joey. He nods strangely. Both Vito and Joey can't help but think this guy isn't all here as they stand up.

"Well Mr. Santino, Don Feralli sends his regards." 

Joey says as they turn and start to walk back out of this creepy place.

"Tell the Don, thank you on my behalf."

Santino adds as Vito and Joey walk out. The giant monster of a man that stepped out from the room before they entered steps back in upon them leaving. The door to Santino's office closing behind them. The first man that led them in, now leading them back up the steps outside.

Vito and Joey head over to the car and decide to go back to Manchello's and talk to Vinny and let him know what happened.