The crematorium was in the east wing of the cathedral. The East tower was a chimney. Romulus had his men build it 20 years ago when they ran out of places to properly dispose bodies. That was during the war with the Chinese Mafia. It was a simple room. Statues of angels on one side and statues of their counter parts in the other. A symbolic presentation of who will get the soul of the body that burns.
Romulus reached the crematorium to find Stefano already there, praying quietly in latin. His white robe reflecting the fire in the pit. The gold and ruby cross lay on his chest, matching the red piping and zucchetto. He held a tattered bible in his hands…his own copy. Stefano aged like wine. He was nearly 80, the only way you knew he was worn out is the bags under his eyes.
Romulus broke the slience between them."It's done."
Stefano turned, facing Romulus."Good. Does anyone else know the truth?"
He shook his head."Just us."
Stefano smiled warmly, patting his back."Good. You never fail me. Romulus."
Matthew made his way to the courtyard where Feliciano wanted breakfast to be served. He wore his baby blue jean short shorts and with a pink halter, accompanied by his white silk robe with small canaries on it. His blonde hair still wet, he planned to dry it off in the sun.
Feliciano and Lovino were already sitting, Lovino reading the morning paper and Feliciano pouring coffee into three mugs.
"Come Mattie sit, sit." Feliciano cooed.
"Did you guys sort out the vomit in the vase?" Matthew asked as he took his seat.
"Do you hear me yelling? Besides, I made the maids clean it immediately. I just hope it doesn't happen again." Lovino glared.
Feliciano mimicked his brothers voice,"Okay mom."
"Don't start with me."
"How about we just have a peaceful breakfast?" Matthew suggested.
Feliciano set aside his coffee."Matthew is right. We have so much planning to do anyway for his birthday party, so we don't have time for chit chat or repremands Lovi."
Without looking up from the news paper, Lovino asked,"Alfred isn't having the party?"
Matthew shook his head."No. He's in school, remember? He's staying over there with my dad. My dad sends his love."
"Yeah, like politicians send their thoughts and prayers right?"
"Lovi that's not nice to say."
Matthew leaned back in his chair, looking down at his lap. He felt a pang in Lovino's words.
"No, he is right. And thats what has me fucked up but it's always been this way. The birthday parties in the past weren't really mine. It was Alfreds. I was the plus one."
Feliciano frowned. "Matthew I will not listen to you speaking this way. You are so much more then a plus one and you know it." He stood up abruptly, his own baroque robe falling off one shoulder.
"Let's go. We are going out and going shopping!"
"Shopping? Now? Finish your breakfast Feli." Lovino said sternly.
"Yeah, I'd like to finish my breakfast too please." Matthew took a bite of his spinach and ricotta omelet.
Rolling his eyes, Feliciano grabbed his croissant and coffee. Getting up, he turned to Matthew, "Okay fine, but after you finish, get dressed properly. I'm taking the Maserati."
"No. No. Take the Ferrari. I need the Maserati for later." Lovino looked up at the red head,"Bring it back in one piece."
"Okay sweet brother! Ciao!"The younger Italian raised his coffee has a cheers and disappeared inside the mansion.
"If anything happens to my car I'll kill you both…That's my baby."Lovino confessed to Matthew.
He smiled at his grumpy friend."Of course, Lovi!"
They sat in comfortable silence, Matthew finishing his breakfast quietly and Lovino sipping on his coffee, enjoying the gossip column-his guilty pleasure. They both let out a shared sigh of content.
This is the life.