=YESTERDAY=

Tony Capazzo eyed himself on his standup mirror from top to bottom. He wanted to make sure he looked exquisite today. Today was no ordinary day, it was an important one...for him at least. He made sure his suit was wrinkle free and everything was tucked in. He straightened his tie and put on his jacket. Finally to finish out the outfit he put on his fedora.

This was a new suit he had bought, but waited on an occasion quite like this, to wear it. Once he was done he came outside. There was a black limousine waiting for him. Tony was immediately met by the driver. For this particular event Tony had given Paulie the night off and used the limo service driver. The man came and tipped his hat to Tony. Tony nodded and shook the mans hand while giving him a $100.

"Thank you sir."

Tony nodded once again and the man opened the door for Tony. Tony got in and the man closed the door behind him and made his way to the driver seat. It was very spacious in the limousine and Tony glanced over to see the rest of his order in the back. There were two dozen long stemmed red roses, also in a separate area, was champagne on ice.

"It's by Myrtle ok?"

Tony reminded the limo driver. The man nodded. Tony, in this short time, in this life...had done many things, met many important people and had seen a lifetime worth of things BUT nothing had ever made him as nervous as to what he was about to embark.

Not to long ago he was on a collections run for the boss and happened to walk into a garment store of sorts. There he had met the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Samantha. She was very shy but always seemed to have a smile on her face. Tony was basically taking a shot in the dark. There was no date set, he never asked her to go out...nothing. He just decided to get all this together and surprise her, he hoped she would come along for the evening but knew if she said no he deserved it for pulling a stunt like this. This was literally as random as it could get.

Tony looked across from the seat opposite of him and there was a box there with a big red ribbon and matching bow. In it there was a evening dress, Tony was no expert in this area but luckily some of his female friends helped him pick out the perfect dress. He looked through the windows watching and awaiting the destination.

Normally Tony would have met her father and asked him permission to take his daughter out but Samantha's father was just a local idiot drunkard who gambled away all his money. Tony recalled the last time they met he tried to pimp out his own daughter just to pay back some money owed to the bosses. Disgusting. Luckily for him he was able to get some wins at the track and pay back that money on the date Tony and him agreed upon.

Finally the limousine pulled up in front of the clothing store. Everyone in the area looked around, it wasn't every day this type of vehicle drove by, especially this specific area. Tony came out and grabbed the box containing the evening dress, he also took the roses. The chauffeur closed the door behind him.

Tony entered the door and spotted the old man and his daughter. The old man frightened immediately walked behind his daughter. Samantha looked up and saw Tony, as always she shyly smiled and slowly brought her head down. Tony smiled back at her and walked forward.

"Hello Samantha, how are you?"

The girl smiled.

"I am doing well Anthony, I see your hands are full today."

Tony nervously forgot that he had those things in his hands. He gave her the roses.

"This is for you..and also this."

Tony also passed her the box. The girl looked surprised as her jaw dropped. She looked at her father and he just looked on. She held the flowers closely adoring them and taking in the smell, she then lay them down on the counter. She looked at the bow with the ribbon and smiled.

"Nice job with this Anthony."

Tony chuckled.

"I could never do such a great job at wrapping."

The two laughed as the girl finally opened the box revealing a beautiful black evening gown. Inside the gown was a diamond necklace with matching earrings and a bracelet. Her eyes lit up and her mouth once again opened shockingly.

"Anthony, is this?"

He interrupted her.

"Diamonds...yes, it is and it's all for you. I humbly ask Samantha if you could put on everything in this box and please be my escort for the night to dinner. Would that be ok?"

The girl quickly looked down being very shy, also knowing her father was right there, she wanted to be respectful.

"Anthony, I can't. I am sorry."

Tony froze for a moment. She had said no...no. He wasn't going to give up that easily though.

"Why, if I may ask Samantha?

She didn't respond.

"If you don't want to go to dinner we can go have some coffee, whatever you like."

Once again she didn't respond.

"Please, you can tell me whatever it is."

The girl looked at her father then back at Tony.

"I am sorry, my papa, I have to help him here. It's not right?"

Samantha looked at her father. Tony then gave the man a stern look and sarcastically spoke.

"Is it right PAPA?"

The man immediately got the picture and understood where Tony was going with this.

"No! No! No! It's okay, Samantha...young Anthony here is a nice boy. You go in the back and get dressed, I will be fine here!"

"PAPA....?"

Samantha was shocked her father was this open to the idea of her going out with a man. IF SHE ONLY KNEW. Before she could finish her question, her father stopped her and told her to go in the back to change. She hugged her father for the approval and grabbed the box with the dress and jewelry. She ran to the back to change. Tony patiently waited and after a moment Samantha's father tried to make small talk.

"You know I went to the horse track today and ba-"

Tony quickly annoyed shouted at the man.

"Shut up."

The man nodded.

"Shutting up sir."

Tony shook his head in disgust. He continued to wait as he checked his watch. Under no circumstance was he impatient or upset the girl took a long time. He knew the wait would be well worth it and a few moments later she finally came out from the back.

Samantha came out with her necklace, earrings and bracelet. Her evening dress was long and flowing. She had a smile that could brighten the darkest rooms and Tony couldn't help but smile back. Her hair was well brushed and flowing down her back. Tony was in absolute awe of the beauty in front of his eyes. She finally came around the corner and Tony extended his arm for her to take it. She looked one more time at her father to make sure he approved and he smiled at her and nodded. She then put her arm around Tony and the two began to walk to the door. Tony then stopped.

"Ooops, one second please Samantha."

He then walked and took one rose from the bunch and gave it to her. She took it and smiled.

"Thank you Anthony...and Papa, please put those in some water for me...thank you Papa."

The old man waved to his daughter as Tony and her exited. Once she was outside she saw the chauffeur and the limousine waiting. Samantha again was floored and excited.

"Are we going in this?"

Tony nodded and smiled.

"This...ALL OF THIS...is for you Samantha."

She smiled and the chauffeur opened the door for them. Once they were inside Tony smiled. This was going to be wonderful. A great dinner with an amazing woman. Tony Capazzo had found his date for this evening. Samantha...Capazzo's Valentine.