Sonny believed that you're only allowed three great women in your lifetime. That they come along like great fighters, every ten years. That he had his three when he was 16. Well, maybe he thought one of the women when he was 16 was great and she wasn't, or maybe he meant that there are three great women leading up to the greatest woman. Or maybe he just wasn't expecting Carolina Cassano, because she was the greatest of all of them.
Sonny and some of his guys crossed the street to have a meeting at the Italian Bistro down the street from the bar. It was something they didn't usually do, but Sonny was in the mood. Jimmy Whispers ordered their drinks from the bar and the 10 men.
Carolina was one of the hostesses at the small place and took the tray of drinks to the group. She began handing drinks to people, trying not to interrupt.
"Whisky?" She asked and Sonny motioned to set it in from of him. He glanced up at her and then did a double take. Lovely was the perfect way to describe her. Her dark hair fell just under her shoulders and her eyes were light and bright as she moved about. The red sundress she was wearing made her glow. He watched as she went around to the other side of the table.
"He's a fucking idiot. He's always up to no fucking good." Frankie Coffeecake was commenting on someone. She wasn't averse to cursing though they used it in excess.
"Watch your mouth around the lady." Sonny spoke up and the conversation slowed. They all looked at him, including Carolina.
"Oh, it's fine." She felt the heat rising to her face.
"Sorry about that, miss." Frankie apologized anyway, along with a few others before they went back to their conversations sans swearing. She went back over to Sonny.
"Qualsiasi altra cosa?" She asked and he recognized the Italian instantly. "Anything else?"
"No, thank you."
The second time she served him was two days later for breakfast. He was only with Jimmy Whispers this time.
"Ciao, buona mattina." She approached them.
"How ya doin'?" He greeted her.
"What'll you have?" She looked to both of them.
"I want your favorite thing." He didn't even look at the menu.
"You trust me?" She asked, taking their menus. This wasn't the first time a man had said that to talk to her. However, none of those men were Sonny LoSpecchio.
"I think you'll take care of us." He shrugged.
"Of course." She nodded and headed back to the kitchen. In a few minutes, she carried a tray to them. "Cappuccino," She sat a cup in front of each of them followed by plates with two pastries on them. "And cornetto." She stood with a smile. "Can I get you anything else?"
"Your name?" Sonny looked up at her expectantly. Jimmy slyly looked between them. Sonny didn't ask for names. He didn't need to. He could have any girl who was attracted to power.
"Carolina Cassano." She was surprised at the request but didn't argue. Sonny picked up her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Cassano." He kissed her knuckles. He watched the heat rise to her face and grinned. "Call me Sonny."
That was nearly six weeks ago. Ever since then, she brought him his breakfast in the mornings when he showed up at the bistro and she was nice to him. She wasn't hiding behind fear either. She was just that sweet.
"Carolina," Rose came up to her, "Sonny's here. He wants his usual." Rose smiled at her as Carolina smoothed her skirt and hair. At first she was hesitant about the attention Sonny was giving her cousin and wondered what his presence would bring to her husband, Johnny's, restaurant. But after a bit it was normal, they had good business, and Sonny was being a gentleman.
"Good morning." Carolina sat his breakfast in front of him. In his words, he always got what she gave him.
"How are you?" He caught her hand and kissed it, making her cheeks warm. She was wearing a navy blue skirt that stopped at her calves, kitten heels, and a light blue button down.
"I'm wonderful." Her eyes shined when they looked at him.
"Can we have dinner tonight?"
"Want me to cook?" She was used to having dinner with him now. The first time he asked her, she was uncertain. Now she enjoyed them.
"You make sauce?" He asked her and she scoffed.
"Do I make sauce?" She scoffed at the mere question and he laughed at her reaction.
"Alright, I'll be there at 7."
They weren't sexual and they hadn't even shared a traditional kiss, but the affection was there. He would make sure he shaved and put on cologne. She wore something nice and put on a fresh coat of lipstick. When there was a knock at the door she opened the door with a smile and let him in.
"These are for you." He handed her a bouquet of flowers and a bottle wine.
"Thank you." She kissed his cheek and he did the same to her. "Come here, I have to show you something."
"What?" He followed her to the kitchen and she motioned to a pot on the stove.
"You tell me if I can make sauce." She gave him a knowing look before getting a vase. He smirked at her then turned to the stove.
"This's a good sign." He picked up the wooden spoon next to the pot.
"Mmhm," She hummed as she took the flowers and put them on the table. She went back to the kitchen to see him eating a spoonful of sauce.
"Sweetheart, this is damn good." He was about to taste it again but she took the spoon and instead handed him two wine glasses.
"Take a seat and I'll be right there." She told him. She came out a few moments later with plates and, after a quick prayer, they ate. Sonny didn't know how he possessed the talent but he could make Carolina laugh like it was his job. Her shoulders would shake and she'd erupt into laughter in the most alluring way. He had a way about him and he hoped he'd never lose it. He could get her to laugh, curse, and dance.
Sonny led her around her living room in a slow dance. She'd taken her shoes off making her 5'6 even shorter to his 6'3. This only made him more intimidating and didn't help her nerves in bringing up their next topic.
"The other day this guy was talking to me and he was nice." She began.
"So?" He moved them across the floor.
"So, I was thinking like, what if I wanted him over for dinner?"
"What are you talking abut?" He looked down at her. "Who are you trying to have over instead? Who is this guy?"
"That's not the fucking point." She gave him a knowing look. "The point is, I couldn't if I wanted to because they all say 'what about Sonny?' around here." He twirled her as the song ended.
"So what are you saying?" He pulled her closer with the next song. Her smile faded and her gaze lowered. "Hey, look at me." He squeezed her hand. She did so hesitantly.
"Sonny, I don't know if we can keep doing things like this." She started getting nervous. She had never talked to them about their relationship before.
"What's gotten into you? You don't like this?" He asked her. He thought she liked this thing they had.
"No, I do like it. I like it a lot." She smiled up at him. "I just want to have someone to introduce to my family."
"You can't bring your family around now?" He knew she was holding back from the real question as his hand fell to her waist again.
"I want love." She told him softly.
"What, you don't think I love you?" He asked.
"W-what?" She stopped dancing, making him almost fall over her.
"I love you." He shrugged casually. "I'd take care of you if you'd let me."
"Sonny, I'm not joking." She told him firmly.
"You see me laughing?" He pointed to himself with his hands. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"Anch'io ti amo." She whispered in his ear.
"Are you happy?" He asked her, his arms wrapped around her. She leaned back and nodded.
"Sì," She kissed his cheek.
There aren't really any pieces for A Bronx Tale so I thought I'd ride the wave of inspiration I had. I'm assuming not many people frequent this section so whenever you're reading this, I hope you enjoyed!
