Chapter 20 Multiple Funerals
Twenty
Multiple Funerals
Serafina
Since my mother’s death, Eros has been constantly by my side.
He helped me with the funeral arrangements, making sure it was all taken care of.
Monica and Armando have been spoiling us all.
Monica has taken on the role of surrogate grandmother and is doting on Anita and Alia.
They were devastated by the loss of their nonna.
They’re both so young to have lost their father and grandmother in such a short period of time.
Bianca and I have spoken about how all the ugliness that has befallen us stems from Giusto.
It was his lust for power and greed that caused our family such anguish.
My brother was a smug, self-serving asshole, and ultimately, his actions and decisions led to Mom’s death.
Bianca was worried that Eros would want to change the living arrangements, but he overheard us talking and responded immediately with “You are not taking our nieces from us. Your home is with us.” He said it in an authoritarian tone, but I know it was just for show.
After the funeral, we go back to our home.
Eros had contractors come in to put our home back in order.
He even offered to sell the place and start over in a new home, but I refused.
This is our first house, and although tragedy has struck and it will take time for the memory of that day to fade, this is where I want to be.
People are floating around the room, all paying tribute to my mother and giving their condolences.
As I scan the room, I see many faces of men and women who were a huge part of our lives when Dad was around.
They became distant after my father’s death, but I attribute that to Giusto and the way he alienated my mother and me from our friends.
I hear that Livio is being buried tomorrow.
Eros hasn’t said a word about it, but Felicia and Grazia have told me.
Livio’s burial will be attended by only his immediate family.
Marco has openly discussed his distaste for Livio’s actions and those of the men who followed him into battle, resulting in my mother’s death and those of several other men from La Famiglia.
This means that no underbosses or their families will attend.
I can’t say that this upsets me, because this man took my mother from me, but I do think of his family and the horror they’re facing.
Once a man shows such disrespect for our capo and our ways, it throws a dark cloud across the entire family.
Eros
My wife is as strong as steel. In the wake of the tears emerged a woman of elegance and self-control.
She has greeted every guest and thanked them for coming.
She listens attentively to the stories about her parents, and I’ve even heard her laugh a couple of times, including when one of the underbosses told her how her father and mother got caught in the rain when Vera snuck out to meet Egidio in the garden.
She was locked out of the house, and Egidio had to find a way to climb up to her bedroom window and sneak her back into her room.
God! It’s good to see her smile again. Representatives from Il Destino, Nostra Casa, Ultimo Morte are all in attendance.
I know most of the major players from our allied families, and today I was introduced to Niccolo’s brother, Davide.
Niccolo is Alessio’s consigliere and most trusted man.
Alessio arrived with his younger sister, Mara.
Davide is her bodyguard. He doesn’t seem too pleased with the role, but he doesn’t let her out of his sight.
Livio was found and punished, as were the other five men who were plotting against me.
They paid with their lives, but I still wish I could bring Livio back to life and kill him all over again.
There are many funerals to attend, Vera’s being the start of a very long week.
For the next several days, Serafina and I will be attending the funerals of the three other men we lost. Men who did all they could to protect my wife and who now are gone.
Marco and I have already set up trusts for their families. We take care of our own. Nero, Luciano, and I have weeded through every soldier to ensure their allegiance to the family.
I see Serafina slip away onto the patio, and I follow her out.
“Gioia mia, how are you holding up?” I ask.
She turns and immediately walks into my arms. “I’m better than I thought I’d be.
Mom would be pleased at how many wonderful things people have to say.
” She pauses and looks into my eyes. “When she was lying there, dying, she said that she was happy to go. She said she missed Dad and wanted to be with him. I’m glad they’re together again. ”
“Yeah, baby. I’m sure they’re in each other’s arms.”
“I think that Miranda is with them. Your mom and dad are taking care of me, and I believe that my parents are with Miranda.”
I’m not particularly a man who believes in that sort of thing, but I pray to God that what Serafina says is true.