The story does not contain sexual material involving people under 18.
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I've never met my biological mother. She died during the difficult delivery. I was told that my Dad, Enzo, mourned her death for about a year before marrying Bianca, who was 15 years his junior. Dad was busy at work much of the time, so Bianca was the one who cared for me most of the time until I started going to school.
My happiest times were on weekends. On many occasions, my extended family gathered in our fenced yard for barbeque, games, and to get presents. I found out I had many uncles: Francesco, Sandro, Giovanni, Giuseppe, and others, but Toni was by far my favorite. He was a short guy, 5'7", about 160 pounds. He always let me beat him in Backgammon, Remi cubes, and checkers, as well as riding him playing horsy. Dad watched us playing and seemed happy. Toni was the one who bought my first bicycle and taught me how to ride it. I loved him.
When I started elementary school, I saw our uncles less often, but still managed to receive presents every holiday.
When I was in 5th grade, I was smaller than average. In order to have friends, now and then, I invited guys to our large home, and let them play with my toys. On my birthday, I got from Toni a new colorful soccer ball. I was the happiest child in the world. I brought the ball to school, and during the breaks we played in the school yard. In the last break, 2 big students, Leroy and Mark, who were known throughout school as bullies and were 2 classes above us, grabbed the ball and said, "Children, you played enough. From now on, the ball is ours." I attempted to steal the ball from their hands, but they slapped me, laughing loudly. I was furious but not a snitch and refused to complain to the teacher.
Once I was at home, I went to my room and started crying. Bianca heard it and tried to find out what happened, but I refused to talk. Later that evening, Dad and Toni came to our house. Bianca must have told Dad that something upset me.
Both he and Toni came to my room and asked me what the issue was. I stayed mum. Toni said, "OK, don't tell us. Let's go outside and play soccer." I blurted, "We can't. Leroy and Mark took it." Dad looked at me, "What are you saying, and who are these people?"
"These are 2 bullies from higher classes and they confiscated the ball, saying that from now on it was theirs."
Dad glanced at Toni, "Buddy, do you think you can help?" Uncle Toni had a strange smile that I've never seen before and blurted, "Enzo, I love your son like he was mine. Of course."
I held Toni's hand, "Please, don't. These guys are bullies, but only children. However, their fathers are rich and powerful, and you'll get hurt."
My Dad grinned, "I think that Uncle Toni can manage. Toni, what do you think?"
Toni kissed my cheek and said, "Joey, I think I can persuade them to return the ball and be nicer to you and the other kids."
The next day, as we got out for our first break, Leroy came toward me with the ball in his hands. He gave it and mumbled, "Joey, I am very sorry about yesterday. It will never happen again, and if anyone ever bothers you in school, just let me know and I'll kick his butt." It didn't sound like Leroy, and I looked at him suspiciously. I noticed some bruises on his face and right arm.
"Where is Mark? I asked.
"He called me this morning to say that his parents moved him to another school."
This was the first time I realized that my family had more power than I thought.
The same evening, Dad entered my room and said, "Son, one day you'll grow to be a handsome young man. In the meantime, you need to learn to defend yourself. I think to assign you to 2 of my good friends, who will teach you several methods of self-defense.
For the next 6 months, Aldo and Rocco worked with me twice a week on how to kickbox, as well as karate, and krav maga. I wasn't very strong yet, but the principles helped my self esteem and definitely improved my ability to fend off other students.
...
When I was in high school, I first realized that my Dad was the godfather of the most notorious group in the city. The name Enzo Balistreri made the most influential people cringe. I often saw the mayor, aldermen, board members, and rich industrialists come to ask for advice or his support. I've never seen him commit or order somebody to hurt anyone, but the reputation of the family was widely spread. Uncle Tony was the enforcer, or as he liked to call it, the persuader. But to me, he remained the best uncle ever.
I tried my best to be a good student, but I could never get higher than a B. I saw myself as a failure, and Bianca was always there to offer her support. In junior high, it was time to make up my mind what I wanted to be when I grew up. I sat with Dad and Toni and discussed the possibilities. I asked Dad if he expected me to join the organization and follow in his footsteps. He blurted, "Son, I hope you don't. It may look to you like a glorious life with a lot of money and respect, but it's all a façade. The police are after me, and one day I'll lose everything. Better be legit and have a real profession. How about becoming a lawyer?"
I laughed, "With my grades, no decent school will accept me."
"The question is whether you wish to become a lawyer or not."
"It's a good profession, and I like Andrea, your attorney."
"Good. From now on, try to get reasonable scores on your exams, and Toni and I will see what we can do to help."
By the following year, my AVERAGE was B, which was slightly better than previously, when my HIGHEST score was a B, but I doubted it would be enough. Andrea helped me apply to several law schools. In my senior year, I was notified that I got accepted to Penn Carey Law School. I was amazed. Only later, I discovered Dad used his connections and contributed a large sum of money to secure my admission.
...
My first year in the university was totally different than senior high in many regards. By then my body had matured. I was 5'9", 170 pounds, with developed muscles due to twice a week exercising in the local health club, and now and then, I continued to train with Aldo on my fighting skills.
One evening, I returned home and saw Bianca crying. "What is going on?" I inquired.
With tears in her eyes, she muttered, "Andrea just left. He told me the fed is suing Dad for tax evasion and what they call the RICO guidelines. They push for 20 years in jail."
"What does Dad say?"
"He hopes for the best. He knew about it for quite some time, but didn't tell us because he didn't want us to worry. But now it became clear the fed had a witness, secret recordings, and even video clips of wrongdoings. They confiscated all of Dad's books and have enough evidence to keep him in prison for a long time. Dad will be here later and talk to you."
My father arrived an hour later. He looked older and tired. He had a small smile and said, "Remember I told you one day everything may crumble like a house of cards? Well, that day had come for me. My only consolation is that YOU were not part of the organization. I agreed to plead guilty provided Tony and the others stay out of jail, but I am definitely going for a long time. Please, keep in touch with Toni and the other guys, and don't blame them for what happened to me. More importantly, take care of Bianca. She is still young and beautiful, and being recognized as a gangster's wife may complicate her life. Please, be there for her."
Six months later, exactly one month before our summer vacation, Dad began his 12 years in prison in Colorado.
...
Every time I could, I returned home to tend to Bianca. Initially, she seemed confused, cried a lot, and did not know what to do with herself. I registered her at the same health club I used to go to before attending the university, and took her to restaurants and shows. She joined me without argument, but she looked like a balloon that had all the air let out, drained.
It took Bianca about 2 months to start showing emotions. I was already on vacation and lived in our big house. She continued crying, though she attempted to do it in her room so I wouldn't hear her.
One afternoon, after visiting a friend I hadn't seen in years, I returned home and saw Bianca wearing large dark sunglasses. I asked, "Why the glasses?"
"Never mind," she mumbled.
I didn't like her answer and pulled the glasses off. I saw that her right eye was black.
"Bianca, I love you. Please tell me what happened."
"It's not a nice story. I'd better tell it to Toni."
"Mom, start talking."
"I dressed casually and went to the mall. I needed comfortable shoes and decided to try the new store with the big blue sign. I measured 2 pairs, but they didn't fit me well. The big guy smiled at me and said, 'My best shoes are in the back. There are no clients, so let me show you the selection there. You won't be disappointed.' As I got in the back, he hugged me and tried to unzip my dress. I attempted to strike him, but he slapped me hard and tried to kiss me. I shouted and cried, but could not free myself. Fortunately, a couple entered the store and came to the back to see what the noise was about, and he freed me."
Initially, I was so angry, that I thought I would kill this SOB. However, a couple of seconds later, I had a better idea. I told Bianca not to talk about it with Toni and let ME handle it. She begged me, "Joey, you are now the only family I have. He is a big and strong guy. What am I going to do if he sends you to the hospital?"
I chuckled, "A smart man once said, 'The bigger they are, the harder they fall." Soon after, I left the house with Bianca crying.
I went to the mall, found the store she mentioned, and waited outside until the 2 clients left. I entered, locked the door behind me, turned the sign to 'CLOSED', and sat on one of the chairs.
He blurted, "What is it?"
"I just came home and saw my mother crying and having a black eye. She said something to the effect that you tried to rape her. Is it true?"
He measured me with his eyes and giggled, "Look moron, it doesn't matter what really occurred, if you wish to live to see another day, you better open this door and run as fast as you can before I change my mind."
I stood up. I was 5'9" and he was about 6'5", a burly guy of about 30 years old. So, in his mind, there was no contest who was stronger. Boy was he wrong...
I came closer, "Sir, I do not like your tone of voice. Better explain your action before I get angry."
"What an idiot," he said and tried to slap my face.
I easily avoided his palm and kicked him hard in his nuts. He fell like a huge log on the hard floor, and began whimpering. I stood near him and repeated, "Sir, your ears may be clogged, and you didn't hear my question. Let me repeat: What made you attempt such a disgusting attempt on my vulnerable mother?"
I saw it in his eyes: He wasn't ready to give up yet. He rose and tried to hit me with his fist. I had had enough with his BS and sucker punched him, broke his nose, sending him back to the floor. He began crying.
I sat down in front of him and said, "Sir, it seems the problem is not your ears, but what you have in between, so let me make a suggestion. Tomorrow, my mother and I will be back here. Once you see us, you ignore anybody else in the store and apologize to her for what you did. Then, you'll show how sorry you are by offering her to come to your store anytime she chooses, and select a pair of shoes that you'll give to her as a gift. Understood?"
