Chapter 32
32
H arlem (Kathy’s House) 1949
“Hey, can I talk to you for a sec?” Ely asked quietly.
“Sure,” Kathy said. He had driven them in her daddy’s Cadillac to the Sexton Place, the Harlem basement business of Martha Sexton, one of the master seamstresses uptown. Big Mama and Claudia were behind the curtain, busy working with Martha to adjust Debbie’s dress and carefully conceal her little baby bump.
Kathy pushed up from her seat and followed Ely outside. Her mother had left earlier to tend to the bakery, leaving just the two of them to manage the dress viewing. As they stepped out onto the bustling sidewalk, Kathy smiled, drinking in the city noise and the warmth of familiar, friendly faces. But when she turned to Ely, the joy quickly faded; a shadow of concern clouded his expression.
“What is it? Something wrong?” Kathy asked nervously.
Ely took a deep breath. “Had a talk with your Pa last night. I always wanna be honest with you, Kat. I know how happy you are to be home, how much you’re hoping to stay?—”
Kathy’s heart dropped. Her eyes widened in alarm. They hadn’t even been back a full day, and already Ely was preparing her for disappointment.
Ely glanced away, his voice heavy. “Your father has a lot of pressure on him. You gotta know that first. He loves you, Kat—he misses you more than you know.”
“But?” she asked, barely above a whisper.
Ely’s voice tightened. “Bumpy Johnson made a deal for your life with the Sicilians—with that Italian boy’s father. Luciano himself agreed to it from Italy, and Carmelo’s father intends to honor it. They exiled you from Harlem, Kathy. Your father’s been playing the villain with you and your mama because he didn’t want either of you to know the truth—that he had no choice. He got special permission to bring you back this time, and he convinced them to let you stay for a full week. But after that, if we don’t leave… the Italians will break the peace. If they come for you, they come for Harlem. Your daddy will do anything to protect you.”
Kathy stumbled backward and sank down onto the stoop, staring numbly at her shoes. Her father’s joyful greeting upon seeing her suddenly made sense, along with his coldness when she'd left before, the unanswered letters—so many unanswered questions suddenly became painfully clear.
“Kat—”
“Don’t say it, Ely.”
“Let me finish. Your daddy doesn’t want you to leave again. He has a plan to bring you home permanently,” Ely said carefully.
She lifted her gaze, confused. “But you just said there's a price on my head if I stay.”
He nodded slowly. “Your daddy thinks Bumpy can get the target lifted if he can prove you and Melo are done forever—if he can make them believe it.”
“How exactly does he plan to do that?” Kathy’s voice trembled.
Ely hesitated, eyes fixed on hers, silent.
“How, Ely?” she demanded.
“He wants us to get married. He wants me to propose. He figures after a year or so, if we have a baby, he can bring us all back to Harlem,” Ely admitted, his voice cautious but honest.
“No!” Kathy shot to her feet. “What? Has he lost his mind? Did you tell him he was crazy?”
Ely sighed deeply. “Kathy?—”
“I love Melo! You know that!” Kathy’s voice rose in panic.
“And do you love your family, Kathy?” Ely’s voice hardened, urgency sharpening his tone. “Did you hear what I said? If you go anywhere near that boy, your family will be destroyed. Your father will die trying to protect you. Is Carmelo worth all that?”
Kathy shook her head, tears spilling freely down her cheeks.
Ely’s expression softened immediately. He stepped forward, wrapping her gently in his arms, resting his chin lightly atop her head. “I’m your friend, Kat. I’m telling you this so you understand exactly how dangerous this is. You don’t have to marry me. But you need to know the sacrifices you’re making for Carmelo aren’t the only ones. Your mama and daddy—they're finally happy again. They have you, they have Big Mama here. But when you’re gone, things between them get real bad.”
“I know,” Kathy whispered, pressing her face against Ely’s shoulder.
He held her tighter for a moment, letting silence settle between them. When he finally spoke again, his voice was gentle and reassuring. “We have a week. Let’s make the best of it, alright? Help your parents believe you’re strong, that you’re okay. Can you do that?”
Kathy sniffed softly, drying her tears against the back of her hand. She looked up at him, grateful for his strength. “Thank you, Ely.”
He smiled, a bittersweet sadness in his eyes. “I love you, Kathy,” he said softly.
* * *
“Hey, what's wrong with you?” Debbie chirped. She had just put her dress back on after the fitting, and Big Mama insisted on making the final adjustments herself, claiming she knew best when it came to Debbie. Now, the girls were left alone while Ely had gone off to gas up her father’s car.
“Nothin’,” Kathy mumbled, looking away.
Just then, the phone in the shop rang. One of the workers rushed over, motioning to Debbie. “Phone’s for you, Debbie.”
Debbie hurried away excitedly, leaving Kathy to watch as her cousin eagerly spoke to whoever was on the other end of the line. That familiar, unwelcome pang of jealousy rose within Kathy again. She shut her eyes tight, silently praying it would pass.
“Kathy! C’mere,” Debbie suddenly called, waving her over.
Opening her eyes with a heavy sigh, Kathy slowly approached Debbie and took the receiver from her outstretched hand.
“Hello?” Kathy said softly.
“Hey, pretty girl. It’s Daddy,” Henry’s warm voice filled her ear.
“Oh—hey, Daddy,” Kathy replied.
“I was just telling Debbie that José and his father left the pool hall a bit ago. They brought some big news. José found a new place over in Brooklyn—a place for him and Debbie. They want you both to meet them there today so Debbie can see it.”
“For real? Wow, a new place?” Kathy’s spirits lifted slightly.
“That’s what they say. Now, listen: drop Big Mama off at the bakery and have Ely take you girls over there. Your mama wants me to trust you—that you’ll go straight there and come right back. Can I trust you, Kathy?”
“Yes sir,” Kathy answered quickly.
“And that Italian boy?” Henry asked, his voice firm but hopeful.
Kathy swallowed hard. “I haven’t seen or spoken to him since I left, Pa. I swear it. I swear,” she lied smoothly.
Henry released a sigh of relief. “Good, baby girl. Y’all have fun, but be back before the streetlights turn on, understand?”
“Okay, Daddy. We will,” Kathy promised and gently hung up the phone.
Debbie was nearly jumping up and down beside her, a huge grin splitting her face. “It’s Matteo, Kathy! He did it—my man did it! And guess what?”
“What?” Kathy asked cautiously.
“Melo is gonna be there too. You’ll get to see Melo!” she whispered.
Kathy’s smile vanished instantly. Her stomach twisted with anxiety. “But I just swore?—”
“What?” Debbie asked, confused.
“Never mind,” Kathy said, shaking her head and quickly masking her concern with a smile. “Oh my God! I can’t believe it.”
The cousins hugged each other tightly, joy bubbling between them. Just then, Ely walked back inside, approaching them with curiosity. “What’s got you two looking so happy?”
Kathy stepped aside, letting Debbie eagerly spill the news—minus the part about Melo. Ely’s gaze flickered briefly to Kathy, smiling gently, entirely unaware of what they truly had planned.
* * *
“She’s really coming here?” Carmelo paced anxiously. “Are you sure?”
José stood off to one side, quietly observing, while Matteo sat at the table with his head resting in his hands. “Would you calm down?” Matteo said, sounding weary. “José sent the message. She knows you’ll be here.”
“I can’t believe it,” Carmelo muttered, half to himself. “I just can’t believe it.”
José looked at Matteo, his face tight with worry. “This could still blow up in our faces, you know. We have no idea who they’re bringing. You two need to go upstairs the moment they get here. If everything checks out, I'll send her up to you first, Melo. Then Debbie can come up to you, Matteo.”
Matteo exhaled in relief. “José, thank you for this. I know how much it took to convince your old man—to get him to Harlem, to make him believe the story and ask for permission. I owe you.”
José gave a wry smile. “Yeah, well, it benefits me too. We all get something out of this. Besides, my pa barely speaks English; he doesn’t really grasp everything he did.”
The men laughed, the tension breaking slightly. José glanced through the curtains toward the street and froze. Debbie and Kathy were approaching—but Ely was with them. His heart sank.
“Shit,” José cursed under his breath.
“What?” Carmelo jumped, alarmed.
“Ely’s here with them. I’ll handle it. You two, upstairs—now! Ely can’t see you!”
The brothers bolted up the stairs without another word. José took a deep breath, straightened his shirt, and walked calmly to the door. He opened it with a welcoming smile. Debbie burst inside immediately, leaping into his arms and planting a kiss on his cheek.
“What’s the surprise, José? Where’s Matteo?” Debbie asked excitedly.
José’s expression faltered, suddenly wary. Debbie noticed and paused, glancing back at Kathy and Ely, who stood quietly behind her. Her eyes widened as realization hit her.
“Oh…shit,” Debbie murmured. “José, Ely knows everything. He knows about Matteo, about the baby—he knows it all.”
José’s gaze shifted uncertainly to Ely. “You do?”
“How you doin’, José?” Ely said, extending his hand. José hesitated briefly, then took Ely’s hand and pulled him into a brotherly hug just as Matteo descended the stairs alone.
Kathy felt both anxious and relieved. Ely knew about Matteo—but not about Carmelo. After what Ely had told her earlier, she wasn’t sure how to reveal the whole truth.
Debbie rushed into Matteo’s arms. Kathy glanced nervously at Ely, waiting for his reaction, but he remained steady, silently watching Matteo embrace Debbie. Matteo kissed Debbie softly, whispered something reassuring into her ear, and then took her hand to approach Kathy and Ely.
“Hi, Kathy,” Matteo greeted gently.
“Hi, Matteo,” she responded quietly, offering a shy smile.
Matteo turned toward Ely, offering his hand. Ely hesitated for a moment, studying Matteo closely, then finally shook his hand with a polite nod. José raised a questioning eyebrow at Kathy, who subtly shook her head, signaling him that Ely still didn’t know the full story. José immediately understood.
José cleared his throat, stepping forward to ease the tension. “So, this is the place we found for you and Debbie.” He turned to Ely. “Hola, can we step outside for a minute? There’s some things I need to catch you up on.”
Ely glanced protectively toward Kathy.
“I’ll be fine,” Kathy assured him quickly. “I’ll take the tour with Debbie and Matteo. Mama Stewart’s is next door—I told you about it, remember?”
Ely’s eyebrows lifted slightly in recognition. “Oh, yeah? You bought a place for Kathy next to Mama Stewarts’ diner?”
Debbie hugged Matteo’s arm tighter. “We’ll meet you guys over there,” she said, lightly dismissing the accusation in Ely’s tone. Matteo just stared at him. Didn’t make a move. Debbie kissed Matteo’s cheek to soothe tension. It was going wrong and fast.
Ely hesitated again, clearly uneasy. Kathy stepped closer, gently taking his arm. “Trust me, Ely. I’m not stupid. I believe what you said to me earlier. I’d never do anything to hurt my daddy. I promise.”
Ely’s expression softened, visibly relieved. He nodded. “Alright, Kat.”
José led Ely into the street, the door shut softly behind them. The moment it closed, Carmelo came slowly down the stairs, his polished leather shoes tapping against the worn wood. The late afternoon light caught the sharp angles of his face—his olive skin, his dark, wavy hair neatly combed back, save for a single stubborn curl that fell over his brow. He wore a crisp white button-down, sleeves rolled to the elbows, revealing strong forearms dusted with faint dark hair. His trousers were pressed, his suspenders snug against his broad shoulders—every inch the Brooklyn boy who’d grown up just a borough away but now carried himself like a man who’d seen and been through too much.
And then he saw her.
Kathy stood frozen, her breathing stopping and starting. She was even more beautiful than he remembered—her deep brown skin glowing against the ruby-red of her dress, the fabric hugging her bosom before flaring at the waist. Her long, dark hair cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders, catching the light like polished mahogany. Her lips, painted a bold crimson, parted in shock.
Carmelo froze completely, his chest tightening as if the air had been punched from him. Debbie and Matteo glanced at each other, the silence thickening like the summer heat.
Then, Kathy moved.
She broke into a run before she launched herself into Carmelo’s waiting arms. He caught her effortlessly, lifting her off her feet as if she weighed nothing, spinning her in a tight circle. Her arms locked around his neck, her face buried in the crook of his shoulder, breathing him in—the familiar scent of his cologne, faintly spiced, mixed with the warmth of his body heat.
Ten months apart had stretched like a lifetime; now, words were useless. Kissing could wait. This—the solid press of his body against hers, the way his hands gripped her waist like he’d never let go—was enough.
But beneath the joy, fear coiled in Kathy’s chest. She knew the risks. Knew his family would sooner see her dead than agree to their love. And her father finding her in the arms of an Italian boy from the Mafia would be the ultimate betrayal after she promised she would not see him. Yet if this were all they’d ever have—one stolen moment before the world tore them apart again—she would take it.
When Carmelo finally lowered her back onto her feet, tears streaked Kathy’s cheeks, glistening like morning dew. He cradled her face in his rough hands, his thumbs brushing away the wetness before pressing slow, reverent kisses to her lips.
“ My girl ,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.
And just like that, the world outside didn’t matter.
“Stop crying, Kathy. Please don’t cry. It’s alright,” he whispered softly.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” she managed, voice trembling.
Debbie and Matteo quietly moved upstairs, leaving them alone. Matteo’s murmured explanations about renovation plans faded into the background. Carmelo wrapped his arms around Kathy again, holding her securely. If he hadn’t gripped her so tightly, she might have drifted away on sheer relief.
“ Ciao, bella , let’s start again,” he murmured tenderly, drawing back slightly to look into her eyes.
“Hi,” Kathy whispered back, finally calm as she met his gaze.
“I have so much to tell you,” he said softly. He took a deep breath and lowered himself onto one knee before her. “But first, I need to know: will you still marry me?”
Kathy stared down at him, her heart racing. She vividly recalled his first proposal, next door at Mama Stewart’s—the fairy tale she’d once wholeheartedly believed. But so much had changed since then.
“Carmelo, your father has put a price on my head,” she said gently, sadly. “If I stay in Harlem longer than a week, he’ll destroy my family. And Bumpy Johnson will let it happen. That’s why I can’t pretend we could do this. Even if we run, your father will make my father pay. That’s the truth I have to face.”
Shock covered his face. “That’s not true. It can’t be.”
“It is! It has always been this way. We are risking people’s lives.”
“Let’s not talk about it right now, let’s…”
“No!” she shouted, “Stop pretending. You nearly died. Next time, someone will.”
Carmelo took her hand and pressed it to his lips. Then froze. “Where is my ring?”
“Huh?” she asked.
“The ring. You swore you would never take it off,” he said.
“Are you serious?” she snatched her hand down.
“Kathy..,” he stammered.
“I can’t wear it, Carmelo. Are you paying attention? Snap out of it. Every day, I have to be careful. Forget it. Maybe Ely was right, I should leave.”
“Ely?” Carmelo’s face hardened. “What is it with you and Ely?”
Kathy rolled her eyes. “He’s nothing but a friend. That’s all.”
Carmelo saw her anger surfacing and had to find a way to bring it down. He could not waste their reunion on this silly argument. He loved her too much.
“I know it seems like we’re worlds apart right now. And yes, my father has done terrible things to keep us separated. But Kathy—all I need to know is this: when it’s over, when I’m finally free, will you still have me? Will you still be my girl?”
Kathy blinked away her anger, and her face softened. She smiled sadly through her tears. “Always.”
Carmelo pulled her into a deep embrace, and their lips met. The kiss she’d dreamt of a thousand times ignited a surge of joy and renewed hope inside her. Suddenly, the weight lifted from her shoulders, and she felt free again—free enough to believe, just for a moment, that maybe the fairy tale could still come true. It had to.