Epilogue
“Ihear you snared all three of the Fortuna boys, and they’re even going to let you have a part in running the family business.”
I take a slow breath in as I shake my head. “Daddy, they’re not letting me have a say. I’m taking charge. I’m the boss, they’re my captains.”
He smiles. “Well, however you make it work, I’m sure it will work out fine. But seriously, I’m proud of you.”
“Are you, Daddy? Are you really? It’s wonderful to hear it, but I’m not sure if you’re serious. If you really mean it, that’s great.”
“What do you want me to say? Well done, Lucia.” Even now, I can’t tell if he is just going through the motions, patting me on the head. Still, when he says that, a fuzzy glow starts inside me, and I straighten up as it spreads.
He gets us both a drink and I settle into the armchair, getting ready for what I’ve come to say. When I get to it, his jaw drops.
“Daddy, it’s time you stepped aside.”
He narrows his eyes and fills his chest. “What? You going to have me taken out? Have me popped? Because that’s the only way. I’m not handing over to Miko. You’re crazy if you think I am. What, do you think I’m blind? Am I soft in the head? He’s my son, and some day he will have to be my heir, I know it. But he needs to grow and develop. He needs time to mature. Right now, he’s a nincompoop.”
I smile and shake my head. “Daddy, it will be a miracle if Miko matures at the speed of a coastal fucking redwood. I could find you an acorn that will be ready to run a family business before Miko.”
Daddy sits back, but his color is up and his eyes are wary. “So what the fuck you talking about? Have you come to try and get me to hand over to Chris? What would be the logic to that?”
“I’m not talking about you handing over to either of them.”
“Oh, come on now. Lucia. Please.” His head turns. He’s pushing down on the arms of his chair, getting ready to heave himself up. I never saw his age so clearly before.
His mouth twists. “We’ve had all this before.”
“Daddy, all my life you’ve complained about the family being a number three. How we deserved to move up. How it should be our time.”
“So?”
“You took your shot, Daddy. You had your time. You know that in the Life, retirement is never the end. You’ll be an elder statesman. One of the wise heads. At the top table.”
“That’s never for a third grade family.”
“And that’s what I’m telling you, Daddy. Move aside. I’ll take over. With me in charge, the family moves up. We’ll fulfill all of your family ambitions after all.”
So Daddy wont forget who’s the boss now, I tell him, “And I’m taking Mikey with me, Daddy.”
I offer Mikey to sit in back with my three princes, but he smiles and shakes his head.
“I’m very happy to be back in the driver’s seat, thank you.”
Alessio, Bruno and Carlo look at me quizzically when Mikey says, “Onward and offward, Princess?”
“Wait,” I tell him. “Where’s Diabolo?”
Mikey gives me a rare smile. “He’s right up here, Princess. I sneaked him into the footwell.”
Diabolo pops up and peers over at me, panting as he props his big paws on the back of the seat.
Alessio flinches. “I don’t like dogs.”
“You’d better be good to me then, Prince,” I tell him, “because Diabolo will do anything to protect me. Isn’t that right, Mikey?”
“Anything, Princess.”
Carlo says, “Then he’s definitely one of us, Lessie,” and he winks at Alessio. “Better start getting used to it.”