Hi, my name is Joe Defazio. This story is about what I did to keep my marriage.
My height is six feet; my weight is about one hundred sixty pounds. I have average looks with a much above average IQ. I work as a hotel desk agent. My age is the same as my wife's, twenty-five years old. I graduated from high school. I took two years of college majoring in restaurant management.
My wife is very pretty. Not in a sexy way but the Mary Tyler Moore type of look. She is very naive. She works as a waitress in the same hotel restaurant as I labor. Many enjoy pulling her leg. She always laughs and looks innocent. However, many times she realizes she is being put on but acts stupid. It often results in a bigger tip. She is a high school graduate but does not have any college.
We met in high school. Both of us were greatly attracted to each other. It never diminished. We married when I finished college. We rarely argue. Our likes are similar. I would do anything for her. I am sure she would do anything for me.
I have to mention, "I have a very bad temper." I rarely lose it but when I do I can do real harm.
My father was an alcoholic and was abusive to both me and my mother. One day he went too far and gave her a black eye. When I saw my mom's eye I decided I would do something about it.
That weekend my father and I went on our annual camping trip. The camp was at the top of a mountain. At the far end of the camp was a huge rock behind some trees. People would stand on the rock and had a fantastic view. At the end of the rock was one hundred footfall. No one went closer than two feet to the last part.
After we had supper I asked my father to join me at the rock. He was already drunk. He agreed.
We stood for a short while. I asked him to pose for a picture of him looking at the view. He did. I ran toward him and gave a hard push. He went flying.
No one saw anything. I said he insisted on going to the end of the rock. He was drunk, slipped, and fell.
Rangers investigated the accident. I was fourteen years old. They readily agreed. His blood-alcohol level was high and made an accident a plausible explanation.
At the hotel/restaurant where we are employed Mary works from 3 pm to 9 pm. I work from 3 pm to 11 pm. She makes supper for us when she gets home.
The Hotel is located just outside a residential area. We live in an apartment in that area, a short distance away.
We had been married for five years. All five were good years. We are making enough money to put some away to buy a small restaurant; we lived a modest existence.
This morning as we entered work our boss Bob asked us to join him in his office. A major change had occurred. The place was bought out and had a new owner.
The new owner was Peter Orzinie. He did not plan on making any changes. He wanted all the employees to stay. Bob said we all know his reputation as a mafia boss. He wants to keep this place clean. He wants a place where the part of his family that is not connected to the mob would have a place to work.
That does not mean he will lay off all our people it just suggests he will just replace the people who leave with his family members.
No mob business will ever be transacted in the hotel or restaurant.
Immediately, a table was set up in the back of the restaurant. Orzinie's seat was back to the wall. He could see the entire bistro.
He was an attractive man. Forty-two years old. Well dressed. He was married with two girls. He had a reputation as a ladies' man.
He was attracted to black haired married women who were naïve, a perfect description of my wife. He was not concerned about the husband. When a husband objected he was told it would only be for a short time and the wife would be adequately rewarded when it ended. He sometimes was also told the alternative which nobody wanted.
A conversation with my wife was in order. I said, "This man is a criminal. He takes what he wants. He will want you. We are going to have to be prepared. Avoid taking his table. Be very short with him. Do not allow him to think you are interested. Our marriage is at stake.
Mary replied that, "She will do whatever I ask to avoid him."
Three days later Bob asked Mary to take Orzinie's table. She said, "I would prefer you assign that to someone else.
Bob said, "He requested you. You have to work at his table."
That night we discussed our alternatives. Mary said, "We both should quit." I agreed.
The next day we handed in our two-week notice. We said that since Pete's family would eventually have our jobs anyhow so we would move now.
Both of us were called to Bob's office. He had mentioned our resignations to Pete. Pete had told Bob he recognized our experience and wanted us to stay. He said maybe one of us could leave and the other stay. He specifically wanted Mary to stay. He felt she was a strong attraction for the restaurant. I said, "It is out of the question. Mary and I always work together."
Later in the shift, Pete's bodyguard visited me at the front desk. He said in no uncertain terms, "You can leave but your wife is staying. If Mary leaves Pete will make sure neither of you will find work in any restaurant."
I said, "Since Pete feels so strongly we would stay."
Mary and I were aware of what was in store. I obtained a gun, a thirty-eight with a silencer from a source on the street. We decided if Pete insisted that she go somewhere with him then she would be firm on stopping by the desk before she left.
For a while, all seem to be going well. Mary was very professional when she served his table. She listened to Pete but limited what she added to the conversations.
