The sun was just rising, sending it's warm rays down upon the countryside. Today he was summoned to the house of Don Messina for what was supposed to be a very important meeting. Calimero never left home without his shotgun as it was necessary for survival in the old country. You never knew when you'd be whacked by a rival, the polizia, or even your own family. It was best to be prepared at all times for the worst case scenario...

Calimero's nickname was Ira, which translated to Wrath. The nickname was for his work under Don Messina along with his strong belief that his work was guided by God and his righteousness. There were many notches upon his shotgun for the men that he had killed in service of the Messina crime family. He also had a blade that hung at his hip with a rosary attached which he would place his hand through to help keep it within his clutches. That blade was used in order to punish those who stole, spoke out of turn, or any other punishable offense which did not bring down the judgement of death. 

As he walked the countryside he stopped to pick an apple to eat during the journey. It was perfect and filled with delicious juices making it quite nice for the morning stroll. Although he could have gone later in the day, he was not somebody who wished to make the Don wait. The earlier he got there, the quicker he could begin his work. 

As he walked up to the gate of the compound he nodded at Ciro who was guarding the front, "Buongiorno, come stai oggi?"

"Sto bene. Il capo ti sta aspettando in giardino." He replied as he opened the gate. 

He tossed the apple before entering and then began to make his way to the garden. The Don was most likely having breakfast while enjoying the serenity of his garden. There was plenty of money from Don Messina and along with plenty of work put into that garden by some of the town's people. Calimero entered the garden and made his way over to the table sitting at the center of the garden where Don Messina was eating. 

"Benvenuto Calimero, è bello vederti. Presto come al solito. Ho un compito importante per te." He paused to take another bite of his breakfast pastry and a sip of his coffee. 

Calimero stood at attention waiting to hear what the Don required of him, "I am going to now speak to you in English Calimero. I know that you are one of a few of my men who has practiced it. I do not wish to have this heard by anyone who may repeat what I have to say." 

This change in language made this appear to be a matter of utmost importance. As it was very rare that most in the old country would abandon their native tongue. The Don motioned for Calimero to take a seat across from him which was also a bit unusual. 

"What is it Don Messina? What do you need of me?" All that came to mind was that somebody was on their way to either heaven or hell. 

The Don paused and had a solemn look upon his face before continuing, "You remember my daughter Marie, correct?"

The question confused him as he had grown up knowing Marie quite well as childhood friends. They had played among the townspeople, around the countryside, and had many memories together. Although the Don was most likely being formal as he knew this quite well. It was how he came to work for the Messina family since he spent so much time near their family. So Calimero nodded quickly and waited for the Don to continue on. 

"Well, I do not know how much you have heard of our relationship and how things that I have done created a disconnect between myself and my daughter. I need you to travel to America, Chicago specifically and try to help me mend that relationship. I had Don Pisa killed rather than allowing my daughter to do so. While I still believe what I did was right, I do not wish to lose my daughter when I was only trying to prevent her demise." The Don seemed quite saddened by these events. 

This was quite a different side of the Don, but he knew that he would not speak of it otherwise he may find himself paying the price. So he again nodded, but this time he had something to add.

"So, you wish me to go to Chicago in order to talk to her? There are no more tasks you would ask of me? This is not the usual business that you ask me to take care of." He did feel quite out of his comfort zone. 

"No, this is what I need of you. You are her childhood friend and I do not think anyone else could reach out to her with any sort of success. If I just sent any member of my organization then they may either fail miserably or be killed if they choose their words poorly." He seemed quite serious. 

Calimero understood that this was something that possibly only he could do. Success was not guaranteed, but he would have god on his side and that would be enough. So he rose from his seat...

"Si prenderà cura del capo." He paid his respects as the Don nodded without a word. 

He made his way slowly out of the garden while the smells of flowers and different plants hit his nose making him already feel homesick at the thought of heading to America. His home was here and he would most likely feel quite out of place in America. He made his way home and gathered his things. Then it was time to make his way to a cargo ship which would sneak him into the country to avoid immigration or anyone checking his things. Otherwise he would not be likely to get his guns, knife, and cash through to Chicago. 

The boat trip was quite long, but worth it in the end to get through without notice. Following that he boarded a train in New York that would take him through multiple states to Chicago. There, he would hopefully find Marie_Lucania. He was not sure what sort of welcome he would get from her, but he had to continue with his Don's orders. 

As he departed the train in Chicago, he took out a piece of paper which contained directions to where he would most likely find Marie. As he made his way down one street he was grabbed by two men and dragged into an alley way. This was quite the mistake...

They threw him up against the wall, "Give us all ya got ya dumb guinea!"

These men were clearly of Irish Descent. Calimero knew that the Irish had a small foothold in Chicago and he also knew of their hatred towards his people. The Irish and Italians fought for control all across the country, but the Italians held most major cities. Calimero chuckled to himself and began to speak....

"Il Signore è il mio pastore; non c'è niente che mi manchi. Mi fai pascolare nei verdi pascoli; verso acque sicure mi conduci; mi ridesti le forze. Mi guidi lungo la strada giusta per il tuo nome...." The men looked at one another in confusion."Anche quando cammino in una valle oscura, non temo alcun danno perché sei al mio fianco; la tua verga e lo staff mi danno coraggio." 

"What is it you be blathering on about?" One of them cried out with some confusion.

As he did Calimero took one quick step forward and placed the muzzle of his pistol underneath his chin. The gun had slid down from his sleeve like lightning. Before either man knew what was happening, his brains were exiting the top of his skull. The other man cried out in horror and fell down as he backed away.

Calimero placed the gun into a holster hidden underneath his jacket. He then slid out his knife and placed his hand through the rosary. He walked towards the man...

"Pace, vengo con te; la mia pace ti do. Non come dà il mondo, lo do a te. Non lasciare che il tuo cuore sia turbato o spaventato." He spoke as he approached the second man. 

"I will not punish you as I punished the other man. One of you will need to spread the word that god protects me and I will bring his wrath upon those who act against me or those I work for." The man's face contorted in horror. 

"While I took his life, I will only take some of your fingers. For your attempt to take what is not your own." The man tried to get up as he heard what Calimero had to say. 

He placed his knee upon the man's chest using all his weight and pressure. The man tried to fight him off, but he punched him twice in the face causing him to become a bit dazed. Then he took the man's right hand and placed it flat upon the concrete. Finally he placed the knife upon the man's fingers before expertly putting his pressure upon the knife. As quickly as this conflict begun, it now ended. The men received their punishment and seen the word of god. 

He wiped the blade upon the man's shirt before placing it back securely on his hip. He rose from the ground and left the alley. He still had a mission to accomplish for Don Messina and he would not let anything get in his way. After a long trip through Chicago he finally found his way to the Lucania headquarters. 

Upon reaching the front of the building he was greeted by a man in a suit who asked for his reason of being there...

"I am here to see Don Lucania. I have traveled here by the request of her father. I just need to speak with her if she will let me. We are old friends, just let her know that Calimero DiGrazia is here." He watched as the man left to go inside. 

Hopefully this would be a friendly conversation, although he knew that due to the relationship between her and her father she may not be so welcoming. For an old friend he believed she would at least give him a chance.

On top of Marie's desk lay open several of the family's books which Marie sat studying them.  It was Yheti's job as her RHM to keep the books up to date with all the various racks the family had going on, but Marie deeply held the belief that the leader of a family had a responsibility to review those books.  She of course did not need to know ever detail, but she should be knowledgeable enough to make informed decisions and ensure that checks and balances were in place.  It someone was stealing money from her, she needed to know it.  When there came a knock on the door she did not stop to look up from the books she merely called out, "Enter."

Rand stuck his head inside, "Ma'am there is a gentleman at the door who claims to be here at the request of your father."  Marie's head shot up and Rand physically recoil a bit as his eyes dart down to her hands.  He seemed to relax when she did not appear to be reaching for a heavy object, or worse, her gun.  Before she can say anything Rand quickly adds, "He says his name is Calimero_DiGrazia."

The rage that had filled her face was suddenly gone with the sudden revelation of a name she had not heard in quite some time.  She put her pen down and sat up.  After a moment she spoke softly to Rand, please show him in.  Afford him the respect of a Don and offer hospitality before escorting him to the study.  Let the men know not to disturb us except for any requested food or drink."

Rand nodded and left quickly to execute her orders.  Marie stood up and arched her back to stretch it, putting her knuckles into the small of her back to help.  As she straightened again, her right hand moved to cover her belly.  The baby inside had taken to kicking of late and it still felt odd.  Moving out from behind her desk she opened the closet door to reveal a mirror that hung there.  She tussled and fussed over her hair a bit and checked her make up.  It was far from perfect, but there was no time to freshen it up.  Looking down at her cream colored blouse and her tan skirt she brushed them off with her hands before closing the closet door once more.

As she left her office and made her way to the study she thought about the situation.  She had cut off all communication with her father following the Cuba affair.  She had not even told him about her pregnancy though she had no doubts he knew.  Little happened around her that he did not know, much to her dislike.  There was logic behind who he chose to send.  Had it been anyone else they never would have made it through the front door.

When she came into the study she smiled at him.  When last they saw each other Calimero had barely been a man and had been unable to grow much in the way of a beard.  Now he stood there look rather dashing and handsome.  Crossing the room, she spoke and kissed him on both cheeks, "Auguri amico mio.  E 'bello vederti."

Marie walked into the room and welcomed him with kisses on the cheek and greeting him in their native tounge. It was a very calming sign as she could have easily just have spoke in English disregarding the old country. So at least she was in a good enough mood to do that...

"Ciao, mi rende la giornata felice di vederti dopo tutti questi anni." He said with a smile upon his face.

He set a bit uncomfortably in his chair as he did not entirely want to continue on with his task.

"I shall continue on in English as I do want to respect the fact that we are in America and I'm sure you have become more accustomed to it." He awkwardly smiled as he shifted from Italian to English. 

"So as I told your man at the front. I have come here on behalf of your father. He would not usually use me for a task that requires speech as the main tactic, but felt I suppose that because we were such good friends when younger that I could somehow get through to you. Your father, Don Messina wishes to repair the relationship which has deteriorated so much." He pauses to look at Marie in order to gauge how she is feeling. 

Her face does not seem to give much away, although the mention of her father definitely creates a change that can only be noticed upon her eyes. The welcoming look behind them had shifted slightly to a disdain or possibly just anger. This made him hesitant to continue, but he had committed to this task and would do so until either he succeeded or failed. 

"Well, although I only know the basics of what happened between you and him. As I was away on a task in Rome for your father when all those events in Cuba occurred. I hope that maybe we could somehow talk through this as I have seen your father so recently and the way he spoke of wanting to repair things brought out emotions I've never seen him have in front of his men." Out of some awkwardness he rubbed the rosary hanging from his blade in an attempt to find some extra strength as he continued,  "Possibly you could even tell me your side of things or if there is any way for your father to fix things between you two?"

He looked at Marie_Lucania with some hope that she would at least give him a chance at discussing the topic....

When he brought up the reason he was here anger welled up inside Marie.  Not anger towards her dear old friend, but towards her father.  How dare he use Calimero like this.  With practiced determination she refused to allow the anger to touch her face, but his next words swept her feet out from under her and left her at the mercy of her hormonal-induced torrent of emotions.

 "Well, although I only know the basics of what happened between you and him. As I was away on a task in Rome for your father when all those events in Cuba occurred. I hope that maybe we could somehow talk through this as I have seen your father so recently and the way he spoke of wanting to repair things brought out emotions I've never seen him have in front of his men." Out of some awkwardness he rubbed the rosary hanging from his blade in an attempt to find some extra strength as he continued,  "Possibly you could even tell me your side of things or if there is any way for your father to fix things between you two?"

 Her anger was instantly washed and her eyes moistened.  She turned her head as if doing so might hide the reaction from Calimero.  Her father was a hard man.  Marie couldn't remember a time her father showed emotions -- like Calimero was describing -- towards her, let alone his men.  The unexpectedness of it had caught Marie completely off guard.  Oh how she had longed as a child for her father's love, yet it never came.  He had always resented the fact that he had had a daughter instead of a son to carry on the family name.  Something had happened during the delivery that had resulted in her mother being unable to have any more children.  Marie was an only child.  

Marie closed her eyes for a moment to center herself and when she opened them again she looked back to Calimero.  "Cuba was just the last straw between my father and I.  We have had a lifetime to build the wall that is between us.  You say that he wishes to repair our relationship, but what does it say that he did not come himself?  My father is no coward so what other reason is there besides his foolish pride that keeps him from coming to me?"

Calimero frowned as Marie_Lucania's questions and comments were definitely difficult for him to answer when her father had not given him much to work with. He was sure that it would be his pride that kept him from coming, although it could also just be the years starting to get to him. Travel can be tough on a man as he rises in age. He did not feel like making excuses for the man though as Marie deserved his honest opinion and he did not want to speak so strongly about the Don's age or physical ability. 

"Well, Marie I am not sure his exact reasoning for not coming. I suppose you could be correct about his pride getting in the way. Perhaps he even could not bare to come all this way to fail himself. If another went in his place then failure to fix the situation would maybe not sting as much." He shrugged.

"Your father did not tell me much, nor give me much information to work on. He just asked for me to make this journey and make the attempt to speak with you. Which I suppose makes it quite difficult for us to really get anywhere in a quick sit down. One thing I do know, is that although there are struggles between you two it is hard to just live on and never attempt to fix things." He adjusted himself in his chair.

"I did not have my own father growing up as he died at the hands of Don Pisa's men at a young age. Although you did get to grow up knowing your father, I would not wish it upon anyone to spend their adult life without that connection to their famiglia." He then motioned to Marie's stomach, "Would you wish your child not know the old country or the strong family he came from? I know that some things are hard to forgive and I do not believe you have to forgive them all in order to be on speaking terms with your father. I definitely do not wish to speak with any disrespect or to infer that this is an easy decision for you to just make either."

He cleared his throat as he felt a bit of thirst creeping up on him...

"I would of course want to hear your own thoughts on what I've had to say, but would you mind asking your man back here as I have developed quite a thirst from all this speaking. Just some water would do wonders in helping my throat." He smiled sincerely.

Marie reached for the button to the buzzer that was next to her chair.  In a moment the door to the study swung open and one of her men step in.  "Oliver, would you please bring us both a glass of water.  Thank you." 

The man nodded, "Yes, ma'am." and quickly left to carry out his orders.

Marie placed a protective hand over her stomach and sighed.  Calimero knew what family meant in the old country.  It was practically bred into them and Marie could not deny that it pulled on her very soul.  The words he spoke were like a recording of her own thought in recent days.  "These are things I do wish for my child.  Despite the difficulties between us, I do want my son or daughter to see my home country and to know our family history.  One most know where they come from to know where they are going."

Marie stood up and moved to stand in front of the window.  As she gazed out into the garden, Oliver returned with the drinks.  He handed Calimero his glass and offered Marie's to her, as well.  Taking it she held it and wait until he excused himself from the study to leave them alone once more. 

Turning to look at Calimero she asked him, "Do you know why I left Italy and came here to America."  When he shook his head no, she explained, "My father had received a suitor from another family.  From a political stand point, it was a smart match.  My dowry would have been substantial and was much needed by the groom's family to expand their operations.  On the other hand, my father would have gained the alliance of the groom's family and be assured that they did not align with Don Pesa's family." 

She took a sip of her water before continuing, "I begged my father not to do this, but he was steadfast in his decision.  He said the arrangement had already been made.  That night I slipped out of the house and never looked back.  Once I was in America, I sent a letter home to let my mother to let her know that I was well ask her not to worry that I would be fine."  Marie closed her eyes in remembrance and her voice wavered a bit as she continued.  A few months later I received a letter back from her.  In the letter she told me that for my betrayal to the family, my father had disowned me and that I was dead to her.  For years I tried to reach out to them.  I wrote letters and even sent them an invitation to my wedding to my first husband, Luca.  I never heard from them again until shortly after Luca's death."

Marie moved to sit back down in her chair. "Upon hearing that I was a widow, my mother finally reached out to me.  She offered her condolences and gave me words of encouragement.  She also told me that the blood feud between Don Pesa and my father had intensified and my father needed help.  I was a newly authorized crew leader in LA at the time.  For me to go to my father's aid was not possible even if I had wanted.  However, I did send my Right Hand Man to him."

Marie stopped her story to ask Calimero, "Don Salvatore_Luciano of Detroit is my husband now and was my Right Hand Man then.  Do you have the opportunity to meet him while he was in Italy assisting my father?"

Calimero smiled and said, "Grazie"  as he received the glass of water. He tilted his head back as he took a sip feeling the liquid refresh his throat. As he took a couple more sips he began to listen to Marie_Lucania explain more about her relationship with her father and all that had happened. At least it was a condensed version that she could tell...

She slowly finished her story and then posed that question to him about her husband Sal who was now the leader of Detroit...

"No, sadly I cannot say that I did. I do so much for your father, especially traveling long distances to accomplish these tasks. Whether I am traveling throughout Italy, Sicily, or even making my way to England. Only once before had I been to the United States. Although I have helped him during many conflicts, he has tended to use me for very specific targets. A couple occasions I even traveled on his orders to carry out assassinations of politicians who would hurt him or his allies if they were left alive." Calimero took another sip of his water.

He paused a moment as he continued to digest the things she had told him prior to her question, "I am sorry to hear about you and your mother. Although it is always hard to have a bad relationship with your father, to lose your mother in that way is a great tragedy and I can't imagine the feeling." 

Calimero couldn't help but think of his own mother who worked hard his whole life to give him at least a decent life, until he began to earn enough that he could help her live comfortably. 

"I suppose I cannot give much of an opinion on an arranged marriage as some people practice it and some do not. It can be tough on either party or become a surprisingly good match. Although I cannot deny that it is hard for one to deny what your heart wants which was not the man your father wanted you to marry." He stood and rubbed his chin as he began to walk about the room.

After taking a couple more sips of water he continued, "You two may not have ever seen eye to eye or agreed on much of anything. I think the one thing you two can agree on is the want for a strongly bonded family. Which, your father failed to achieve and wishes to fix is possible. You are creating a strongly bonded family here in the United States, but it is incomplete without your family back in the old country. Essentially, even though you two may still not fully forgive each other for each decision you've made there may still be a chance to at least start anew."

He stood there and awaited what Marie's thoughts would be or if she'd have more to add to the story and his understanding of the events leading to this meeting...

Calimero's counsel continued to impress Marie.  Rarely had she meet someone that was so adapt at being able to read both the lay of the landscape and people so precisely.  She could see why he was so very good at what he did for her father.   It took that sort of man to work specific targets and function as a scalpel rather than a blunt force club.  

Marie hated that she now viewed people as resources like that.  How she could utilized and leverage them to steer this thing of theirs.  It was necessary as a leader, but it still did not sit well with her.  She had to keep reminding herself that her men were living breathing people.  In the past to many leaders had forgotten that simple truth.  She would not be one of them.  She had to be successful in establishing the commission.  

Setting aside her thoughts about the commission she spoke once more, "It has truly done my heart well to see you after so many years.  I know how much you love our home country, but might I entice you to stay stateside for a while?  You have convinced me that I need to open myself up to the possibility of trying to forgive and to heal some of the damages that has accrued between my parents and myself.  If not for my sake or theirs, than for the sake of my child.  I believe that with your counsel and insight into my father there may be hope to restore some peace between us, if not a complete healing."

This turn of events was not expected for Calimero. He had arrived here to accomplish a task for Don Messina in order to bring him and Marie back together. Never did he think that Marie would be in need of his services or want him to stick around. Although it did make him happy to feel needed by his old friend in a time when she herself was rising to great heights just as her father had in the old country...

"Well, I shall be honest that this catches me off-guard Marie. I was not expecting you to ask such a thing of me." He paused for a moment as he continued thinking.

It would be difficult for him to leave the home country for so long, as he wasn't sure when he would be back once again. He figured he could continue to assist his mother by sending money home to her. He was her main source of income and she could assist him with taking care of his home in the countryside. 

"I think that I would be quite honored to stay here in the states in order to help you in any way possible. Obviously I would continue on attempting to be the bridge between you and your father. I think that in time things could be fixed, but that they will at least improve." He rose from his seat holding his rosary in hand and then took a knee.

"Ti servirò con onore. Darò la mia vita per te se è necessario. Il duro lavoro che ho fatto per tuo padre, ora lo farò per te. Qualunque cosa tu abbia bisogno di me, tutto ciò che devi fare è chiedere." Calimero bowed his head.

"I will hope to never let you down Marie_Lucania." He rose to his feet and put away his blade.

A swearing of fidelity was no small thing.  Of this, Marie was keenly aware.  Here in the states she knew such things were often viewed negatively.  This was mostly because the American's looked at is as a sort of indentured servitude, akin almost to slavery.  Having grew up in the old country she knew this was far from the truth.  Fidelity was not a one way relationship.  There were assumed duties and responsibilities placed upon both parties -- the one giving fidelity and the one receiving it.   

Marie rose to stand with Calimero.  "You honor me deeply.  I, in sincerity, pledge myself, my fortunes, and my sacred honor to your service, as you have pledged to me.  Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust."  These were not just words that she spoke to him but a sacred vow.

Calimero smiled at Marie_Lucania's words and felt a great happiness at the choice he just made. Although Don Messina may not be entirely happy, he would see how logical this plan was for the betterment of his relationship with his daughter. It would be quite the change for him, but it would also be a great new experience...

"Thank you Marie, you do me a great honor by allowing me to stay here and assist you in Chicago. I hope that I can do you proud and serve you just as well as I have served your father. I shall try to find a place to stay at once so that I can begin to set up some operations and begin to do my part for you and the Lucania Crime Family." He couldn't help but continue to smile.

He had reconnected with his childhood friend and although it was an odd feeling to work for her now, he knew it only meant that great adventures awaited him along with some great dangers. Calimero took a moment to finish up his glass of water and then stood back up from his chair.

"So, I suppose I shall take my leave now. Is there anything else you would ask of me now? I'll of course make sure to call your father and let him know of what has unfolded here so far. I do not expect you to just jump onto a phone call with him just yet." He awaited to see what she may say or if she'd send him on his way.

"No, please take some time to get settled and setup.   It you need anything don't hesitate to ask." 

She smiled at him again.  "It is really good to see you again.  I would love to have you come over to the house for an informal supper one night soon so that we can do some catching up.  Who knows, maybe my husband will even be in town and he can join us."

Marie said her goodbyes and then excused herself to go back to her office.  There was still more work that needed to be done.