Impossible Love

Impossible Love 62

Maxieplus

Gianni wanted to get out of that hospital as soon as possible. The left side of his hair had been shaved off but it was the least of my concerns. There had still been no sign of the monster that did this to him. No word on the computer no more ransom notes or demands, but I was assured that the police won't stop looking for him. All our family and friends walked around the streets in packs and Stavros had done a great job of keeping our community vigilant at all times, once again. As he improved so did our lovemaking. I had sometimes taken him into the shower room and he was well and truly taken care of every day.

Gianni had been sitting in a chair cuddling Lukas by the window, he had been promised he could go home today or tomorrow. He has been walking around the ward with the aid of a stick and it has paid off he moved a lot better. His hands were coming good and he now had strength back in his arms and legs, his hair had already started growing back and he tied his scarf around his head to hide the scar. I kind of liked it and it made him look more handsome, but mean at the same time.

I wasn't fully convinced he was back with us, his sense of humor and laugh seemed to be very subdued, and he was occasionally found staring into space and not acknowledging anyone around him. Doctor Mike said it was his meds and he will improve more as time goes by, but as I said I wasn't convinced. I really couldn't put my finger on it but apart from finding it difficult to string a full sentence, no one else noticed. The only reason he is being discharged is Mike thought he would benefit from being in more familiar surroundings.

Although he was healing on the outside he still had a lot of crazy things going on in his head, I was told they will disappear as his memory comes back. The last thing he remembers was dropping me off at the warehouse, and we three had sat through some mighty big nightmares he was having, at one stage we had to hold his arms down while he slowly woke up. All that has improved a little and he does take a lot of medication. I often wondered if it was the pills that were doing this to him or was it something more sinister. He knows everyone but he can't remember the attack, but by the looks of him and his injuries, he had fought hard for release.

Doctor Mike came by with a big smile on his face, he told us to pack our bags and get out of his hospital as soon as possible, if he didn't need the bed so desperately he would have kept Gianni in for a few more days. That was our cue to leave, Gianni hopped up but Mike insisted on getting an orderly to take him out to the van in a wheelchair, I think it has something to do with insurance.

We three tucked him into the van and belted him up, he was so eager to get back home I could see his hands shaking. There won't be a big party today just Sabine and gran, I insisted Gianni get some rest then one by one we will catch up with everyone as we get around to it, but for now, he's my priority.

He wanted to stop by the café and see for himself that it's still standing, after some argument I relented. I pulled into the car park and we three got him out. We ditched his walking stick and held onto him while he slowly walked into the busy market. It exploded with good wishes and he was ceremoniously seated at Stavros's table, and against my better judgment, a wine was placed in front of him. Alice immediately took Lukas and they had a most welcomed catch-up, she hasn't been talking him into work because gran and Sabine were around at home and he's been going to see his daddies almost every day, but today she got him again.

While he talked to Stavros and Nina, I talked to the staff and I couldn't thank them enough as I threw my arm around Angelo who had appeared from his restaurant. When Gianni noticed he shook his head and sort of smiled at me, he knows Angelo did a good job of looking after his staff.

The boys were celebrating their newfound freedom by sitting at a table and drinking vino, I can see they will be in bed early tonight they must be as exhausted as I am. Gino and Pat arrived and they both hugged him to welcome him back, they were helping the boys celebrate by getting their glasses filled. I looked over at my florist shop and the familiar scents were wafting in the air, I am home again and looking forward to having a long life with my family and wonderful friends.

Alice was leaning on the door frame looking at Gianni she was being reflective and I watched as she took a deep breath and went back inside, maybe to grab a tissue, maybe to grab Lukas off Bianca, I walked over and hugged her.

"He's back and hopefully everything will go back to normal soon."

"Is he though Antonio? I notice things and he's not the same and you know it also."

"Yes my lovely I do, he's not the same but he's improving every day. Have some hope Alice, and I know some people can't see it, like Sabine but she is shielding herself because she doesn't want to deal with it."

"And you?"

"I will do everything I can to bring his smiles back you know I will, and if I crash I will come to you for support that's if you will have me."

"Of course I will, hopefully, it won't take him long to reappear, I hate this so much Antonio,"

"I know you do and so do I, but we will see, and pray a little on the way also."

Sabine wasn't in her little dress shop she would be at home waiting, so I sent her a message to say we are at the market and leaving soon.

"I drive because I am a man."

"Over my dead body."

"Antonio I must drive."

"Not today sunshine it's my way or the highway."

"You're no fun, Antonio." He pouted I laughed, at least he hasn't forgotten that one little fact.

The homecoming was wonderful and although I told them no party they had one anyway. I couldn't blame them because they all wanted to see us out of that hospital. The babies were all dressed up and playing on the floor, the three little ones were just as excited to see us all, as everyone else was.

The boys again opened the champagne and passed the glasses around.

Maxie and Tommaso helped gran in the kitchen and Sabine took over Gianni's care. She sat him outside in the sunshine, he was getting tired but managed to slightly smile and talk in his Italian to everyone. Grandad was once again on the sofa with Lukas we didn't have to argue with Alice to bring him home with us.

The babies were put to bed, gran covered the table with food and Gianni ate very little. He was tired so I walked him into the bedroom and he fell on the bed exhausted. I stripped him off as much as I could and got under the covers with him. After pulling him into my arms and a few kisses later he quietly went to sleep.

It was so nice to wake up next to him and when I looked across at him, his eyes were open but he looked like he was in a world of his own. I turned onto my side he didn't react so I kissed his cheek, he managed a sort of smile.

"Any news?"

"No my number one man, no news only good things coming our way from now on. When you are fighting fit again I want to go back to the family vineyard I have unfinished business."

"What business?"

"I have to catch up with that farm boy again by the lake." He smiled and turned his head towards me then he passionately kissed me.

"When do you think we go?"

"Maybe four to six weeks, we need to hire more staff we can't be using Angelo's all the time."

"He should with us."

"Why?"

"Threesome by the lake with a twinkle." He stared at me.

"Dream on." I snuggled into his chest and after a few seconds, I started my journey down to find a very nice surprise. Over the next week or so his meds were slowly disappearing and he improved more, but he still would get that far away look, and sometimes I would find him just sitting on the fire escape on his own. It frightened me that he would be there unsupervised but he assured me it was his pills and his foggy head that he had to get cleared.

He still didn't recall the attacks, and he still had nightmares. I thought this is why he looks like he's not responding because he's deep in thought most of the time. I had to be very careful because the first big nightmare saw me pinned up against the wall with his hands around my throat, if it wasn't for Leon and Carlos I would have been toast. From that night on the boys slept with us, it wasn't always convenient but a must in their eyes, but it did get better as the days passed.

Some nights we sat with Iris in her apartment before we all went to sit outside with Gino and most nights she dined with us and talked a lot about wines and the business, the younger boys had put the cheeses on hold until Gianni was well enough, then they can concentrate on that.

Gianni didn't drink too much he wanted to get back to normal but he also wanted to be sober for the babies who he played with constantly, but I knew deep down he was too scared to get drunk. Mike had reduced his medication again which bought him back some more, I sometimes found him laughing his head off watching the kid's antics, Lukas had been teaching them how to roll over and to do tumbles.

Mike had also talked Gianni into going to see a therapist who was into hypnotism to try and get his lost memories back. Gianni was hesitant because he was too frightened of what he would remember. It worked a little and the more he does it the better he would feel, but I could also see his frustration at it all.

I sat with him one evening on the fire escape and we talked it out for the last time, we kissed and clinked our glasses then I said.

"Gianni the reason you don't remember anything is that you were heavily knocked on the head, you probably had a concussion and wouldn't remember anything because you weren't a part of it."

"I have thought about that too Antonio, I am more scared that I may have shot the man."

"You didn't, there was no gun and he rang me before he died. I reckon he was trying to save your life. Think about it, you were not yourself you couldn't go to any bank or remember your accounts, you were of no use to them at all. I believe that the father wanted to kill you and the son saved you, you can't remember because you were very sick."

He looked at me and said.

"That's what I think, and the shrink thinks that also, but we will never know I suppose."

"Well if that's the case we have a lot to thank the son for, and you should stop worrying about it, put it away, and look to the future."

"But my nightmares."

"Just that, nightmares. Doctor Mike told you your brain is maybe playing tricks on you and it has settled down now you aren't taking so many drugs."

"I hope so Antonio I hate feeling like I did something wrong and I hate more the feeling of being so useless."

"You didn't do anything wrong, the father did, and you're not useless just maybe a little sick still, but that will pass and you will be giving the orders again in no time."

"No word of him?"

"No, I think he's in hiding somewhere here in Australia and I doubt whether he will contact us again."

"Why?"

"Because he's now wanted for questioning for murder."

I knew he was coming good soon after this talk because he had three wines then kicked the boys out of our bedroom. He had me up against the headboard and was trying to destroy me and the bed at the same time, yes, he is the man of the house again.

Today he is insisting he's good to go to work, it's not that he doesn't go because he does, but he doesn't last long because he gets tired. But today it's a little different I saw a spring in his step and the welcomed shafting I got in the shower tells me he's almost over the worst part.

He's also insisting that he is driving. I argued with him but he was adamant so I handed the keys over and that great big smile was back on his face again. His hair was growing and I could see the dark curly hairs appearing again under his scarf, he did look pretty awesome and funnily it attracted me even more, as I said I liked a little rough now and then.

He did very well for his first drive in months, he even opened the door for me and the boys, Stavros was there early and he hugged Gianni and me, then he made us our coffees. The boys headed upstairs and I talked to the staff that was there, I worried about them constantly because that mad man was still lurking in the shadows, but by all accounts, he's gone underground and nothing is turning up on the market security cameras which are scrutinized every morning.

Nina had organized a steel bar security door to be installed at the back of the café and the florist shop, Angelo and Sabine already had one done when their shops were renovated, the market picked up the tabs for these additions. Shane is coming by today with an update, and as I sat down my phone alerted me to a private message

.'He is gone, he killed my brother for helping my prince, you will find the gun in the letterbox later do not touch it, fingerprints, you are all safe.' I quickly shot a message back.

`Are you okay please I must know?'

`Night in hospital but he won't bother you again, kiss your babies for me Antonio and God bless you Padrino.'

I didn't answer her straight away but I got the feeling he had caught up with her somewhere and they had a deadly confrontation, or she caught up with him because it was all over the news. I had no idea what she had done, and I couldn't tell Shane the cop about this. I have to wait until the gun turns up I suppose, but in the meantime, I need to tell Gianni and maybe Stavros that it's all clear again. The relief was instant and Magdalena's message was welcomed, at least I knew she was okay. One more message to be sent to her and one answer.

`If there's anything we can do for you, please I beg you just say'

`I can go home now, we catch up when you in Italy, maybe you bring babies to see me at airport'

'Yes let me know when'

I looked at Gianni who was looking at me, he came over to the wine counter and said.

"It was him wasn't it?"

"No, he's gone, grab Stavros and come out the back."

I opened a bottle of wine and on cue, the boys poked their heads in.

"Come and sit I have news but for your ears alone." They tried to get it out of me but I told them to wait.

Stavros and Gianni appeared and I poured them a drink.

"I got a message from one of my gang, he's gone, and the gun used to murder his son will be dropped off at our place soon to be passed onto Shane."

"Who?" Gianni asked.

"Stavros this doesn't involve the police, I need your promise this goes no further than it has to."

"Of course Antonio, my lips are sealed, but my nephew is on my payroll he is trustworthy." And I believed him.

"The message was from Magdalena the boy's mother, she has been traveling around Australia trying to avoid her father and brother. He must have caught up with her somehow and I got this message. I handed my phone over to him to read then he handed it to Gianni.

"It sounds like he's dead but she only said gone."

"Yes Gianni, he's gone, and I don't know what role Magdalena played in it, but as you saw she spent a night in hospital." I winked at him, I read that he is dead but I don't think Magdalena was going to incriminate herself.

"What does this mean?"

"We can call our surveillance off and there won't be any more trouble." I smiled.

"So you have your very own private mafia now Antonio." Stavros's eyes were half-closed.

"Yes, you're not the only Padrino in Australia I also have a payroll." I laughed he smiled but he was unsure.

"Cheers." I saluted.

"It's exactly what I said Gianni, the father tried to kill you the brother saved you, hopefully, the gun will confirm that. You had nothing to do with it because you were out cold." I smiled, he grinned.

"The nightmares Antonio?"

"They are what they are, it's just your brain healing, but I wish sometimes they were erotic I can help you with them no problems." I smiled.

The boys were so excited they called Sabine to come over then Nina, and that's when another party started. Stavros said we were not to worry about his nephew he will talk to him, it's all about closing the case than chasing murderers all over Australia. Our beautiful staff was relieved more than I guessed, they had been so worried. Angelo joined us and he seemed as relieved as everyone else.

"Antonio." Iris called.

"Yes, Iris?"

"I need cakes."

"Coming oh wonderous wine expert lady." I cackled as I went out to serve up some treats. My life is full of love and babies at the moment and I never dreamed it would be anywhere near this good.

The café seemed to come alive again as my friends celebrated, Gianni threw his scarf in the air he looked like the country Gypsy boy I fell in love with and it nearly bought me to tears.

"So tell me Antonio, who do you know that I don't?" Stavros couldn't leave it alone.

"More than you know Stavros, maybe your gang is slipping a bit."

"These agents of yours are they for hire?"

"Who would you like `gone' dear friend, I can arrange it immediately."

"You, and don't be so smart, look behind you." He grinned.

I did and the boys and Gianni were puffed up and glaring at me.

"I give up, I fucking give up there's no way those three could take me or my gang on, and they all fucking know it. Buried under the statue in the town square? I give up I bloody well give up." I threw my arms in the air then went to the toilet, after a lot of shuffling and screaming I was left standing there fully naked, they had physically attacked me. Finally, my friend Angelo handed my underwear to me with a smile, and I could hear Carlos.

"That's it I have had it with you lot, there's no way, and by the way Antonio smarty pants Cartasso, the statue in the square is almost new, we had it removed to refurbish it, just after Luca's attackers were found." I imagined his arms swaying everywhere, and now he's trying to tell me it was all true.. Gianni knocked on the door.

"Can I come in Antonio?"

"At your own peril Gianni Cartasso." The door opened and the biggest Gypsy grin met my eyes, and I melted.

"Is that true they had the statue removed for a while?"

"Yes baby, on your knees please I need an apology gift."

I didn't believe him but I heard him chuckle as I complied to do a very much needed chore.

It was three days after the celebrations at the café I checked the letterbox and found a parcel along with a signed confession. I made sure it was given to the police who seemed very keen to close the case, there was no indication that he was dead just the confession that was passed on to Interpol.

A few nights after this occurred we took four babies to the airport and after their mum said a farewell to them Gianni and I, she caught the midnight flight out of Australia with her lady friend Mary. We slipped her a note to tell her if anything is needed she was to contact Roberto or Adamo they will see her right in every way.

There is never a dull moment in my house as we put the babies to bed, the boys wanted to know where we had gone but we were closed-lipped, that was until we had a few wines on the terrace then I told them, after all, they are included in everything we do as a family.

We four sat and watched the moon and we reminisced about Luca and Italy and were saddened that Magdalena had gone back, it wasn't because we would miss her it was because we wanted to go with them. I had also wanted to get to know her a little better after all she is the mother of my babies. I doubt whether she will have any more because I caught a hint, just a hint, of a gleam in her eyes for Mary her friend whenever she mentioned her name.

That was the night my brick left me and my walls came tumbling down, I sort of lost it as my body relaxed again. I was taken to bed by three hunks and kissed and caressed until the crying abated and through sheer exhaustion, I fell asleep.

"I am sorry Gianni."

"Understandable Antonio, we have been expecting it."

"You have?"

"Yes Antonio my love, and I can't thank you enough for placing that pressure on yourself for me." The boys were out feeding babies when I woke up and Gianni was holding me, my eyes felt so raw and as he kissed my lids he was whispering to me in Italian to rest up and he will do the work today.

"Lukas we have to drop him at grans."

"He's very excited to see his little garden again, I have spoken to gran and she has agreed to make sure everything goes back to as it was."

"Thank you." I slipped my arm across his stomach and he pulled me in closer, the more he pulled the more I was resettled down the bed nearer to his big stiff member, so what can a guy do, I guess I'm back to work.

Gianni was playing with my nipples as we laid on the bed. I couldn't move and wanted him to recover so I could do it all over again.

I heard the babies crying so reluctantly I pulled my shorts on and went to help out, I missed them and wanted to give them some hugs.

Gianni took to wearing his scarf around his head all the time now and it did suit him as he walked out with it on and just his jockstrap, I heard Angie gasp and I took some photos.

"Think Italy, holidays, gypsy, men to die for." I giggled at her face.

"Sorry Antonio but you have to admit he's a walking wet dream."

"I agree, perve on my dear lady friend." I smiled.

I was already back to planning the holiday, and yes we will be taking Iris with us maybe she will find someone to walk through the vineyards with her. This all meant that gran and grandad might come and Angie of course will be with us, maybe Federico and Alice if I play my cards right.

Gran was a bit pleased to see us when we arrived to drop Lukas off, Gianni was the first to be hugged. Grandad was sitting at the table saying good morning to him but he wanted to go and look at his little garden, we both were dragged out the back, and Lukas screamed because he had some tiny green leaves sprouting, I figured they would be some sort of herb.

"That reminds me grandad, you know the train the boys bought for the babies?"

"Yes, grandson."

"Can you drill some holes in the seats, I want Lukas to have a little garden at the apartment too, so I thought they would look good with flowers in them."

"I will do that next time we are there, can you get some compost from the garden shops?"

"Done." I looked at the boys and got sad faces.

"What did you have in mind to do with them?"

"We were going to use them for parties to put ice in."

"That's a good idea too, maybe not a garden for your nephew then."

"Antonio you have wheelbarrows from the event to put plants in."

"I forgot about them, can we pick them up tomorrow Gianni just a couple."

"Of course we can baby." With that sorted out I am now looking forward to my next chore.

"Gran and grandad, we are planning our trip to Italy again, will you come?"

"We will let you know son, how much time do we have?"

"A month or so, I want to go when it gets colder here."

"We will discuss it."

We said goodbye to our baby and Gianni drove us to work, he made us a coffee and we sat out the front. I looked around and felt a slight chill, autumn will be upon us soon.

"I don't think you are going to be busy in winter baby, the crowds drop down a bit especially on the rainy cold days."

"I will survive Antonio, we don't need to worry about it much because I have the wholesale accounts, and there's something I would like to ask you to do for me."

"Yes baby, anything."

"Antonio, it has come to my notice that you are not fully recharged from my hospital stay, I would like you to have a few hours to yourself every day, take the babies shopping or to the park and relax with them."

"I don't need it Gianni, but thank you for thinking of me."

"I worry about you."

"There's no need, I'm over it and looking forward to the future."

"You need to get to know your sons better."

"I already do baby, can't I stay here with you?"

"If you must." He puffed his chest out and smiled then I said.

"Do you want to talk about wages?"

"No."

"Okay."

It was about this time strange things started happening and my first hint that something was up involved, Stavros. He collared me during the day and made me sit with him, he had even ordered up a bottle of vino.

"What's happening Stavros?"

"We have some business to discuss Antonio."

"What business is that?"

"I have a shop on high street, it has been rented out for the past three years and because it's on a lease I can't eject the tenant."

"So what has that got to do with me?"

"I want to hire you to make life hard for my tenant so he will be forced to close down."

"You what?" I almost screamed.

"I want to hire your men to give my tenant a hard time."

"I don't think I can do that Stavros, which shop is it?"

"The souvlaki one he's not a very nice man he doesn't pay his rent on time." I was laughing inside and if he wasn't so serious about it I would have outwardly called him an idiot.

"Leave it up to me then, I will see what I can do." I played the game and he handed me a hundred dollars.

"It's going to cost you a thousand dollars more Stavros, but no promises I will see what I can do." He smiled at me and I had another drink, I wanted to laugh so bad as I slipped the money into my pocket. I will leave it a few days and tell him my men are in Italy now and not coming back for six months.

I had a good night on the balcony that night, I told the boys and Gianni and we all laughed our heads off, it was three days later Stavros handed me a thousand dollars and said thank you, he almost curtsied.

My jaw dropped and I moved slowly out the back to grab a drink I had borrowed the local paper off Alice and read the headlines.

'Car destroys local Souvlaki shop, the elderly driver was unhurt.' I stared at it for ages and thought it was just a coincidence and I couldn't take the credit for this one, it was just an accident a plain and simple accident but to my disgust, I did play the role of Padrino perfectly all day.

Gianni told me several times to take that smirk off my face he said it will get me into trouble one day. I had received the price list for cheeses from Matteo and sat with Gianni, Maxie, and Tommaso on our rooftop and we went through it. Maxie picked six different wedge ones he liked and we decided on the biscuits to go with them. It was the order that took its time and they still hadn't come up with a name so I insisted they call it Tommaso's cheese it sounded better than Maximus's cheese it didn't roll off my tongue too good. Maxie tried to cut the order down but I insisted once again it was what they would require.

I had David look at the cool room and he deemed it fixable so I had it delivered to my shops and he will repair the motor on-site for the boys. Iris was in on the meeting and she was quietly writing out her first order and had given the boys a list of addresses to deliver stock to, her staff will do the rest. We emailed the order to Matteo including Giannis that will be labeled with his brand, Stavros will get his lawyer to register the business which doesn't take long, and as soon as they get a number they can start trading.

"No that's too much Iris you won't need all of that." Maxie said. Iris's first order was massive. She smiled gently and had the devil in her eyes when she replied.

"I have forty-five bottle shops attached to forty-five hotels Maxie, the bottle shops will only need a third of this order the restaurants and snack bars will eat up the rest and it will be ongoing."

"My god now I have to think about wastage what do I do when the dates start running out?"

"Hire a stall at the market and sell it all off at cost plus twenty percent for your trouble Maxie, come on it's your business, think like a businessman." She almost shouted at him.

"Don't stress guys it will all work out, you will be rolling in money in a couple of months, you won't know what to do with it." I smiled at their shocked faces. I have to say the wholesale prices landed in Australia were pretty cheap and the order I got from the casinos was just as big as Iris's well almost, that will be a secret gift from Gianni and myself.

The wine was produced and we all went to find our friends on the steps, the boys will meet us there, they had something to do after work so we had driven home with just us and Lukas today.

Maxie and Tommaso couldn't stop talking about it, and our night was full of smiles and laughter. The boys turned up moaning their heads off because Nina had them working on the new shops. They had to pick out colors and she wanted to get Remo's little corner shop painted first. He will be getting the keys and two ladies to work for him next week. Dave has already restored the cabinets and installed a small cool room, workbench and cooker for their use, they will make a lot of it on-site so it's extra fresh.

The excitement was overwhelming when the big day came, Remo had no idea what was about to happen to him. We had all congregated outside the café and Dave and Queenie had arrived to await his appearance.

There were many tears and he buried his head in Dave's shoulder and said his sincere thank youse to everyone from that position, embarrassment and gratitude were the order of the day. He handed his son the keys and a mob of Italians made their way over to the shop. The ladies were behind the counter and it was open for trading, they had gathered up their cooks and made quite a lot of basic pasta. The lights went on and we all cheered and clapped as Remo put on his apron to start his new business, could his smile get any bigger.

He disappeared for a time and I found him in the cool room looking at his stock, he couldn't stop crying as I stroked his head and congratulated him.

"You did this for me didn't you?"

"It was my idea but I had a lot of help to get it to this stage baby, particularly from your father."

"Thank you so much, all I can do is thank you. I have been waiting for weeks for this day to happen."

"I know baby, and it's finally arrived." And the comment didn't go unnoticed.

Just those few words, and the gestures that had been made, thumbs up, winks, giggles behind my back, and of course they had told him, why would I think they wouldn't. So I walked back out the front and turned on them full force.

"If you three think you're going to sneak around behind my back and undo all the good work I have done, then you had better think twice. I give up with you lot, I really do, you spoiled a wonderful surprise for our dear friend and I am never going to speak to you ever again do you hear me." I was shouting and Gianni was trying to calm me down.

"I suppose it was your idea this time Mr. Gianni Cartasso."

He blushed.

"I fucking thought so, you can all get stuffed, the lot of you. And don't ever talk to me ever again. Remo, good luck with your new business, Gianni Leon Carlos you can piss off." I threw my arms in the air and as I left, the crowd was laughing. I did an expert exit down the aisle talking to myself and still swinging the arms, shoppers were staring at me and I screamed at them.

"What are you all looking at, get back to your shopping or better still take a picture it lasts longer."

I was going back to stick my nose into a bottle of vino, then to add insult to injury as I sat down with a nice bottle I heard Stavros laughing.

"Such language Antonio, I will have to get your grandmother to wash your mouth out."

"I mean it, Stavros, you can all get well and truly stuffed," I shouted.

People came by and commiserated with me and when Gianni dared to come back I watched him go and have a giggle with Iris so I stood up, walked to the wine counter, opened the register, and took out seven hundred dollars.

"My wages." I left him with his mouth open and Iris grabbed a glass and joined me out the front, the boys were nowhere to be seen.

It took him a half-hour to wiggle himself into a seat and when he said his first word I went for the jugular.

"Antonio it was just........"

"A joke Gianni Cartasso, well I will be having a lot of jokes with you in the future and the biggest one of all is, I won't be booking your holiday. I am going to Italy without you, just me and my friend Iris thank you very much." Iris sat up straight and smiled.

"But Antonio." He whined.

"Don't but Antonio me, I said I was going alone and that's the end of it."

"Can I have a vino, Antonio?"

"Do what you like it's free today, I couldn't care less what you do anymore. You have just spoilt what was to be a wonderful moment for Remo. I feel so disgusted in the three of you I have no more words."

"I take it they informed the boy in advance judging by the mood you're in," Iris said gently.

"Yes they do it to me all the time, there are no secrets in my family. They can all bugger off, I don't need them anymore and I'm never going to do anything nice for anyone ever again, they have spoilt that for everyone." I wasn't surprised and I wasn't mad, this is just something I am expected to do in a family crisis.

Gianni sat and had a vino, Iris went back to work and within ten minutes he had my shorts down and was attending to me in the bathroom, it was nice, as you know I love a bit of rough trade.

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