Cousins All
by: Will B
(© 2007 by the Author)
Advisor: E Walk

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

From Chapter 12: Tony and Rosa had a beautiful evening, but Mama Lombardi had a disturbing visitor.

Chapter 13.

Late in the evening of July 6.

When “Snake” got back to his dingy apartment he decided to round off the evening by watching some of his favorite videos.

The first contained scenes of naked men engaging in a variety of sexual activities. If “Brimstone” and “Sulfur” had seen this one, they might have shaken their heads but watched a little of the video, ‘just out of curiosity.’

“Snake” decided to watch the second video, which involved teenaged boys and if a policeman had seen that one he would have arrested “Snake” on the spot. This one made “Snake” extremely excited as he thought about getting his hands (fangs?) on Tony.

The third video was so full of scenes of pain and degradation, that “Snake” was practically salivating at the action. Any doctor who observed him at this time would have unhesitatingly committed him to an asylum for the criminally insane.

Truly “Snake” was evil. He did not even have the excuse of having been an abused childhood, which might have explained his attitude. He just enjoyed inflicting pain.

At the Lombardi’s house:

When Papa and Tony got home, Mama was, to all outward appearances, her usual calm, loving self.

Tony said goodnight and went up to his room, to put the movie ticket stubs in his treasure box, and to ponder how a light butterfly kiss could be so wonderful.

Downstairs, Mama broke down.

“What’s wrong, Mama?” Papa asked. When she told him about the not so veiled threats the visitor had made, Papa was beside himself in anger and frustration. He and Mama just held each other for some minutes saying nothing, but each drawing strength from the other.

Finally, Papa said, “Mama, I am developing a plan. We are going to have a dinner party.”

“Papa, how could you think of having company just now?” Mama wanted to know.

“Listen, Mama. We cannot be seen with police cars around our house, but we can invite Officers Al and Mark to come to dinner in plain clothes, and ask them to bring their guitars. Perhaps they could also bring some of their friends, with whom they sing, as well. We can tell Officer Al and Mark on the phone that this dinner party is ostensibly to plan a block party, but let him know the real reason. We should also tell the neighbors what we are planning and that they will be hearing about this party shortly. After dinner while the others are singing, we can explain the situation more fully to Al and Mark.”

“Luigi Lombardi,” Mama said, “That is a wonderful plan. I could kiss you.”

“Well, my beautiful Rosa, what are you waiting for?”

And he did, and then she . . . , and then they . . . (My dear readers, it’s a well know fact, that when a couple have been together a long time, that a spark of excitement may help to rekindle the flames of love!).

July 8, at Mac and Buddy’s apartment.

Mac was just finishing taking a shower when Buddy entered their apartment.

“Honey, I’m home, and I’m famished. I know we’re going upstairs to have supper with Pete and Joe, but do we have any snacks for now?” Buddy called out.

“Well, sweetheart, we have some chips and pretzels you could nibble on, or . . .  (Mac opened the bathroom door, and stood there, completely nude, his body glistening from the shower, his smooth muscular torso and his equipment looking ever so enticing) . . .

or me!”

Buddy did not wait for a second invitation, but enjoyed a pre-dinner appetizer of sweet man-milk. Then he had to serve Mac.

Finally the two guys got dressed and went up to have supper with Pete and Joe. To their surprise Al and Mark were there as well.

“Hi, officers. Have you come to arrest us and take us to that special cell we’ve heard so many stories about?” Mac asked (jokingly).

“Now, Mac, behave! Honestly, guys, sometimes I think I can’t take him anywhere!” Buddy said in a fake whining voice.

After some good-natured laughing and joking, the six men sat down to supper of fried fish, scalloped potatoes, string beans, and apple pie and ice cream for dessert. As they sat and relaxed, Al told them why He and Mark had been invited for supper.

He told them about the Lombardi family and how they ran a neighborhood grocery store, and how they allowed customers who were out of work, to have the necessary groceries and to pay later. He told them how they had lost their son Anthony the previous year, and had taken in a foster son Tony, who was 14.

Pete and Joe already knew of this because of their work at the Department of Social Services, and they knew the Lombardis wanted to adopt Tony.

Al went on to tell his listeners how this man had tried to sell them an insurance policy, which was really just another form of the protection racket. He also told them about the not-so-veiled threats he had made about Tony.

The others were shocked and horrified that such nice people could be so frightened. Pete said, “Is there any thing we can do?”

Mark took over the explanation of the plan. “The six of us have been invited to the Lombardis’, for an evening of music, and planning for a neighborhood block party. After supper, Luigi Lombardi, Al and I will make some plans for trapping these low-life scum while the four of you, Mama Lombardi and Tony are singing, playing guitars, and enjoying yourselves loud enough so that anyone watching the house will think that it is simply a party, maybe a little rowdy.”

Mac and Buddy said, “Sounds like a good plan. We have our guitars and maybe Tony has some musical ability.

The Lombardis had invited them to come to supper the following day. The supper party broke up and all three couples went to their separate ways, excited about what might happen.

July 9, Supper at the Lombardis

 At six o’clock two cars pulled up outside the Lombardis’ store. Al and Mark (in plain clothes of course) got out of one car, and Pete, Joe, Mac and Buddy got out of the second car. All were carrying guitars, but Al had some “special equipment” in his guitar case.

It was a very warm day and all the guys were in short sleeve shirts, slacks, and socks and loafers. It would be difficult to find another group of six men who were so good looking in Baltimore that evening.

Just as Pete knocked on the side door of the Lombardi’s store, the door that opened directly to their home, Mrs. Himmelfarb, a talkative but a very kindhearted Jewish widow, dressed in her usual black, came along the sidewalk.

“Hello, officers Al and Mark,” Mrs. Himmelfarb chattered. “I hear that the Lombardis want to have a block party and you are helping to plan some musical entertainment . . .  and who are these other handsome gentlemen. I don’t believe I’ve ever had the pleasure . . .”

Al and Mark introduced the others and there were smiles and handshakes all around. Mrs. Himmelfarb went on her way, and Al smiled and said, “ Yes, I know. She talks a lot, but you would not find a more kind-hearted woman.”

Luigi had come to the door while the guys were talking to Mrs. Himmelfarb; after she left, he invited the six guests into their home. Al introduced Mama and Tony to Pete, Joe, Buddy and Mac.

Mama Rosa was wearing a new blue silk dress, with a gold brooch. To protect her finery, she had a large white apron on over her dress, but nothing was hiding the smile she had while she greeted Pete and Joe and Mac and Buddy.

“It is so good of you all to come. I hope you like Italian food. My Tony has learned that there are some things better than hot dogs and French fries.”

Buddy went into his ‘comedian mode’ and said, “Oh, yes, Mrs. Lombardi, and what would those things be, please?”

Now it was Mac’s turn to play the straight man and he said, “Now Buddy, what did I tell you about behaving when we go out? Honestly, Mrs. Lombardi, sometimes I despair of ever teaching him any manners!”

Humor can be contagious, and Tony was inspired to say, “Mr. Mac, we do have a child’s table that Mr. Buddy could sit at while we adults sit at the big table.”

“Mr. Tony, my man, that is an excellent plan,” Mac said. “Shake, friend. And I really think you could call us just plain Mac and Buddy.”

“OK, Just Plain Mac, that’s what I’ll call you.”

Papa, who could scarcely keep a straight face, said, “If all the gentlemen who are hungry will follow me, I think Mama is ready for us to sit down at the table.”

Buddy pleaded, “If I promise to behave, can I sit at the grownups’ table, please? Please?”

Mama said, “Of course you can bambino mio, and if you are good, Mama Rosa will have a special dessert for you.”

Papa asked the blessing, “Heavenly Father, we ask you to bless this food. Bless those who are gathered around this table. We ask a special blessing on our plans to help make this neighborhood a safer place. We ask this in the name of our Blessed Lord. Amen.”

Mama served lasagna, bread sticks, salad (with a choice of several dressings), iced tea, and for dessert she had orange sherbet.

When it was over, Mac said, “Tony, how about you, Buddy and I clearing the table and putting the dishes in the dishwasher, while the other old men talk to your parents—I mean foster parents?”

While the three youngest men cleaned up the table, Papa and Mama, Al and Mark, and Pete and Joe sat down to talk.

Mama reviewed the disturbing visit she had had from the sinister character that had made threats against her and Papa and against Tony.

Pete and Joe were upset and angry that anyone could threaten such nice people. Oh! They knew such things happened, but it was worse when it happened to someone you knew.

Al spoke up, “I have brought a special alarm that will sound at both police headquarters and in our squad car. It’s voice activated. All you have to say is ‘Santa Maria!’ three times and that will cause the alarm to be activated. We have talked to our division commander, and he wants to do whatever we can to get rid of these criminals.”

“Papa, it is wonderful. I thought there would be some button we would have to push, under the counter, or on the floor, but no! Just our voice will do it,” Mama said.

“Yes, Mama, and before we leave we will set it so that it will react to your voice, Papa’s voice, and Tony’s voice,” Mark said.

Mark added, “I think now we should all go in the living room and discuss what music we could do for the block party and maybe do some singing ourselves.” Come gentlemen, Mama. Tony, if you, Buddy and Mac are finished cleaning up, join us, please.”

Soon all nine were assembled in the living room. Mama played the piano and she and Papa sang duets.  They sang ‘O Sole Mio,’ and ‘Mamma Mia.’ Pete and Joe sang several songs from musicals. Al and Mark sang ‘Bless This House.’

Buddy turned to Tony, “Do you sing, Tony?”

“I don’t know, I never did much singing,” Tony replied.

“Let me hear you sing ‘Happy Birthday,’” Buddy asked.

Tony sang in a light clear tenor. Fortunately, his voice did not break.

“You have a nice voice, Tony,” Buddy said, “And I’m getting the beginning of a shadow of a glimmering of an idea. . . . I have it! I have to admit that Mac and I like old movies and especially old musicals. There is a simple tune from ‘The Sound of Music,’ called Do Re Mi.

Mac and Buddy quickly taught the words to Tony, and the three of them sang it. Tony sang a line, and Mac and Buddy sang a line, and so it went.

When they finished, everyone applauded, and Rosa said, “I think we should call our party “The Neighborhood Goes to the Movies.” The older inhabitants will enjoy songs from the musicals of the 1940s and the 50s, and we can have sheets made up so that everyone can join in singing some of the songs.”

Suggestions came thick and fast. ”In the Good Old Summertime,” “Whistle While You Work,”  “Getting to Know You,” and “When You Walk Through a Storm,” were among those suggestions.

Al asked, “Is there a young girl we could get to sing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ from “The Wizard of Oz’?”

Tony said shyly, “I think I know one.”

Mama and Papa smiled because they knew who Tony had in mind.

The group decided to meet again, once ‘the problem’ was resolved. Pete and Joe and Mac and Buddy said their goodbyes and departed for home.

Al and Mark took Papa, Mama, and Tony, into the store, and installed the tiny microphone and showed them how to activate the alarm. For once the technology worked just like it was supposed to.

 There were more goodbyes and Al and Mark drove off. As the Lombardis stood on the sidewalk waving as their friends drove off, no one saw two large birds (They couldn’t have been eagles, could they?) silently raise their wings and fly away from the roof, where they had been perched all through the evening with their heads cocked to one side as if they were listening to all the conversation taking place in the house.

Bedtime in various homes:

Tony went to bed thinking of Rosa and how sweet and wonderful and beautiful she was. He wondered if he should tell her about the possible danger; or maybe Papa could talk to Mr. di Napoli. Tony couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to Rosa.

In their bedroom, Papa and Mama were talking about the events of the day. Mama said, “Luigi, I try to be a good Catholic, but if anybody tried to hurt Tony, I think I could kill them without blinking an eye.”

“Rosa, you are a good Catholic, and of course you would try to kill anyone who tried to harm Tony. But, my dear, you need not worry. I am taller and stronger than you, and I would probably get to them before you could.”

In their apartment, Buddy and Mac were talking about the pleasant time they had had. “That Tony’s a nice kid,” Buddy said. “Do you think he’s ‘one of us’?”

Mac smiled and said, “You never know, but somehow I think he’s ‘on the other side of the fence,’ but he is a nice kid and he has a nice voice. It’ll be nice to work with him.”

Al and Mark were also getting ready for bed. Al said to Mark, “I think this alarm system will work. I just hope we can catch the bastards who are doing this. I’m willing to bet there are other small businessmen who are being terrorized by this gang, even if they haven’t reported it to the police.”

Mark replied, “ Yup, they are bastards and we need to get them . . . But listen, my fellow police officer, my night stick needs some attention, and I think yours does too, so shall we . . . ?”

Pete and Joe were in bed and Pete was spooning Joe. “The Lombardis are such nice people. I know they want to adopt Tony, and when we get to work Monday morning, I’m going to see if there’s anything I can do to speed up the paperwork,” Joe said.

“Ummm, that’s a good idea.” Pete replied. “Good night, my love.”

“Good night.”

To be continued . . .

Feedback always welcome:     

Author’s comments: Somewhere over the rainbow there is a place where hate and evil do not exist. We may not find it in this lifetime, but we can work toward it. Tell somebody you love him or her. Send a friendly note to someone you’ve been ‘on the outs’ with. Cherish your friends.

Editor’s Comments:  I sure hope they catch creep before anything happens to Tony or Rosa. I feel better knowing that the two eagles are involved in the matter. E

Posted: 03/28/08