Chapter 9: New Beginnings

Tank's POV

I'm on my back again! "Damn it, Ranger. You need to calm down. You're killing me here. What the fuck is wrong?" I ask as a slowly sit up on the mats.

"I'm sorry, Tank. Are you okay? I didn't mean to hurt you." Ranger said before running his hands through his hair, sitting down next to me. "Daniela is dating Morelli, for the last three months mind you."

I feel as if a freight train ran into me. "Did I hear you correctly? Your baby sister, your Princess, is dating Bomber's ex-boyfriend? Oh fuck. That had to go over well yesterday."

"When he walked in, it took all my control not to beat him to a bloody pulp when I realized that he was there with Daniela. They met the day he and Steph broke up."

"Are they still dating?"

"Yes. Daniela thinks she's in love with him and that he's the one for her. Of course, now that she knows that he's 'the cop' she doubts their relationship. She asked me to dig into his life for the last few months. I told her I would. He knows he's on an incredibly short leash. One fuck up, and he's permanently out of the picture, with the blessings of Daniela, my father, and Javier. He further explained some of his sick, fucked up past with Stephanie. Morelli has hurt her since she was six."

"Damn. But that can't be it, bro, for you to be this out of control."

"I think he's going to quit TPD and ask us for a job. As much as I think he'd be a good fit, I don't want him here in Trenton. Miami isn't an option, either. Boston would be the best fit, but I can't send him there if he is with Daniela. She doesn't want to be in Boston, not that I blame her. So that means, to keep the peace in my family, I'd have to allow Joe to work alongside my Babe here in Trenton." Ranger finishes.

"You trust Bomber, don't you? What did she say?" I ask.

"I trust Steph completely; I'm not sure she wants to see him every day. They have a complicated history. When I asked her, she told me that she's not comfortable with it, but if it is good for the company, then she'll accept him working here. She still feels like she doesn't have a say in 'my company.'" Ranger tells me.

"Ranger, when are we going to offer her the partnership? We shouldn't wait any longer. She deserves the partnership and has since she decided to work with us full time. Hell, she passed our standards, Ranger standards, except for pull-ups. There aren't many women who can do twelve pull-ups." I ask.

"I know. How about next Monday, after the weekly meeting?"

"That'll work. I'll let Lester and Bobby know."

Ranger stands up, offers me his hand. "Thanks, man. I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"No more than I can take. Now, go back up to your woman and work your aggression off in a more satisfying manner." I tell him.

"Good advice. See you in a couple of hours."

ONE WEEK LATER

The morning meeting is over, finally. This week's meeting seemed to go on forever. I know that the Core Team was nervous. We were going to offer Stephanie a partnership in Rangeman. We all know that she will be resistant, stating that she doesn't know the business nor have the skills to be a partner. But she fails to see how much she does know, how she puts our clients at ease, and how she can talk to anyone. We are a bunch of scary mercenary bad-asses. Women may drool and lust after Ranger and Lester, but they are never truly comfortable around them or us. Stephanie can put everyone at ease. The simple fact that she works with us all day after day shows our potential clients that we are good guys. We are different around Stephanie, so when we are with clients and Stephanie, they see a softer side of us, giving us more business in return.

Once the last guy meanders out of the conference room, Bobby locks the door. I scramble the cameras and shut off the ears. Now, it's Ranger, Lester, Bobby, Stephanie and myself left in the conference room. I was elected spokesman for the group.

"Stephanie, we agree that your job description needs to be updated. You are not working to your full potential, and we want to give you more responsibilities." I paused, gauging her reaction. "We want you to primarily handle the business side of the Rangeman, taking part in the occasional distraction or helping with a skip. You will be a partner in Rangeman. You need to be the point on residential services because couples and families are less intimidated by you than by us men. Ranger would continue to be in charge of the overall company, focusing on accounting, legal, and sales. My responsibilities would be to handle the Fugitive apprehension side of the business along with our government contracts. Lester would handle corporate security and help with residential. All other security concerns would go to Lester and you in consultation. Bobby would continue in his role of company medic, overseeing the training of employees, and running the research department." I finished.

Stephanie took a deep breath before responding, "Tank, guys, I'm honored that you want to give me this position, but I don't feel as though I know enough about this company to be an owner."

"Babe, you know more about the company than you think. We will not be throwing you into the deep end, expecting you to handle everything by yourself starting now. We will work with you until you are confident and comfortable in your role. You can do this, we all believe in you, Stephanie." Ranger tells her.

I see tears forming in her eyes. FUCK! I hate it when women cry. I never know what to do. Fortunately, Stephanie speaks, holding my panic at bay for a few more minutes.

"I don't know what to say. I feel honored that you want me to be a partner, but I don't want to destroy the company or lose us clients. I'm not sure I can handle the job or the responsibility."

"Beautiful, you are a fast learner. You have learned so much in these last few months alone. Please take us up on our offer. We want the Core Team to be RBLTS, instead of a Ranger BLT." I roll my eyes. Yes, this 6'6" bad-ass mercenary ex-Ranger rolled his eyes. The things Stephanie makes us do. She laughs at Lester's statement, lightening up the mood in the room.

The anticipation is palpable. We want Steph to take this position desperately. Stephanie has no clue how great she is at this job. We watch her thinking, and all recognize the moment when she decides to take the job.

"Fine. But before I officially accept, I want to see all the fine print."

We each take turns explaining her new responsibilities to her. Each of us is giving her part of our current job description. Ranger adds additional responsibility to Steph's job, one that has the rest of us blind-sided but extremely happy.

"And lastly, Babe, you will be in charge of scheduling." She glances at us before her brow furrows.

"Why do I think you are giving me that job because none of you want to do it?" She asks hands on her hips. I guess we let our blank faces drop a moment too long. Damn Ranger and his surprise.

"Beautiful, the guys won't be as angry with you if there is a mess up."

"Or if they don't get the day off they want, Bomber," Bobby adds.

Steph smiles, then replies, "Okay. I'll take the position. Let's see the new company organization chart."

The new breakdown of company ownership will be as follows.

Previously Now

Ranger 55% 40%

Tank 15% 15%

Lester 15% 15%

Bobby 15% 15%

Stephanie 15%

"Ranger, why are you giving up 15% of your company?" Steph inquired.

Ranger explained, "Babe, once we're married, in reality, we would control 55% of the company together. However, by naming you as a partner, it would be easier for you to inherit my shares should something happen to me. The 15% is a safety net for you. We wrote the contract so that no matter what happens between us if we divorce or separate, I can never take your shares away from you. The only way to get your 15% back would be to buy you out at three times the market price. The rest of the owners need to agree to the buyout."

Stephanie finally realizes that we are giving her a partnership because she earned it, not out of pity or because she is marrying Ranger.

"Where do I sign?" Stephanie asks as we all let out a breath that we didn't know we were holding. We will announce her as the new partner at the Monthly company-wide meeting three days from now.

Joe's POV (10 days later)

The weeks since the bust have been a lonely three weeks. Things are not the same at TPD, especially where I am concerned. While life-long friends like Eddie and Carl still talk to me and treat me as before, most of the other guys ignore me. I'm finding it difficult to get my comrades to help me during investigations, often stating that they don't feel comfortable working with me. They truly believe that I am a snitch, an Internal Affairs mole looking to nail as many TPD officers as I can. No matter how many times I try to talk to them, they ignore me or refuse to listen. Going to businesses around the Burg isn't much better. Big Dog's family vilified me to every person they could, and many believe I tampered with evidence to implicate Big Dog because he was up for Detective. I can't even stop in Pino's to pick up dinner without someone harassing me. I guess I finally understand how Stephanie must feel after her car fires.

I've seen Santos, Brown, Tank, Manoso, and even Stephanie try to talk to them, explaining that the Chief approached Rangeman first, and then they approached me with a specific list of dirty cops, but it doesn't matter. Some of the Burg busybodies are shunning my mother, which isn't making her happy. Even worse, she can't even blame Stephanie, which was her go to deflection. I almost got shot last week when the back-up I called for took their sweet time to arrive. I'm at wit's end. I realize that my days as a cop are over. I resign myself to talk to Ranger tomorrow about the possibility of working for Rangeman. I hope my relationship with his sister doesn't hinder my ability to work for him.

The next day

I decided that today is the day. I wake up, throw on some sweats and take Bob for a run. Since I started working out during the case with Ranger, I've noticed that if I run with Bob, he's more content and less likely to destroy my house during the day. While completing our five-mile run, I think about my options. Option A, I stay with TPD and hope that with time, the attitudes of my fellow officers will change to support me once again. Option B, I work for Rangeman, in what capacity, I don't know, but I become a Man in Black. Option C, I look to transfer to another city and hope that the officers there don't find out about the case and abandon me as well. By the time I finish my run, I know that Option B is the only option.

I enter the house, feed Bob, then head upstairs to take a shower. I put on a pair of black jeans and a grey t-shirt with CAT boots. I have my gun at my waist and my clutch piece at my ankle. My badge is in my pocket. I comb my hair, mindful that I need a haircut. Maybe later on today I'll go to the Barbershop on Main Street. Once I deem myself ready, I grab my keys and phone, locking up the house before driving to Rangeman.

I no longer have a key fob, so I need to ask for entrance into the garage. Fortunately, Ram is on the Welcome Desk, still recovering from his injury. He opens the gate for me, and I park my POS truck in one of the visitor's spots. I think back to the red SUV I had when I went FTA. God, I miss that truck. Damn Stephanie for commandeering it. Though I do have to give her credit, stealing the distributor cap was something I would never have thought to do to a car. I get out of my car and head into the lobby.

"Good morning, Ram. How's the arm?" I ask.

"Morning, Morelli. It's healing well. I should be back to full duty in another week. Sitting around all day is for the birds."

"I hear you. Is Ranger available? I'd like to speak to him."

"Do you have an appointment, Detective?"

"No."

"Give me one moment." He turns and picks up the phone at the desk. I hear his side of the conversation. "Detective Morelli is here to speak to the Boss."

"Okay. I'll tell Morelli to wait." Ram hangs up then looks at me. "Lester will be down in a moment to escort you upstairs."

Shit. Back to the formalities. Mabe this wasn't such a good idea. Lester comes out from the stairwell, beckoning me to follow him. We start the climb up the five flights of stairs. Doesn't anyone, besides Stephanie and Ella use the elevator in this building? We exit the stairwell on the fifth floor, and instead of stopping at Manoso's office, I see us head to the conference room. We walk in, and I find not only Manoso but Tank, Bobby, and Stephanie sitting there waiting for me. Lester tells me to have a seat then sits down next to Stephanie. Here goes nothing.

Ranger's POV

"Boss, Morelli's here," Tank tells me from the doorway of my office. "Lester is escorting him up."

I pick up my phone dialing speed dial one, "Babe, meet me in conference room 3, please. Bye."

Tank raises his eyebrow at me, "Phone manners?"

"Steph hates it when we hang up on her. She's trying to teach me phone manners, at least with her."

"I'll keep that in mind when I call Bomber."

I get up and follow Tank to conference room three. Stephanie arrives at the door at the same time as we do. I kiss her on the forehead. "Morelli's coming up. I think he wants a job."

Stephanie sighs shaking her head then enters the conference room. We sit at the far side of the table, myself in the middle seat with Tank and Bobby to my left and Stephanie on my right. Next to Stephanie is a seat for Lester. I realize that my family is on my right and my friends my left. Interesting. Lester enters the room with Morelli. I scramble the camera feed.

"Morelli, to what do we owe this honor. You fuck up already with my sister?" I start.

I see Morelli pale a little, obviously reevaluating his options. "No, Manoso. I gave you my word I would honor her, and I am."

"I hope so, Morelli because nothing would give me more pleasure than to kick your ass for what you did to Bomber when she was a kid," Lester said. Stephanie once again shakes her head, placing her hand on Lester's arm. He looks at her, then sits back and relaxes. It's amazing the control and power my Babe has over all of us.

"I thought I was meeting with only you. I asked to meet with you."

"If you are here for the reason I think you are here for; it will expedite the process to have the Core Team present," I reply

"I thought the Core Team was only four member." Morelli stupidly answers.

"The Core Team did consist of four members; now we are five. We are the five owners of Rangeman." I reply. I see a look of shock on his face when he realizes that Stephanie is now a partner in my company. He slams his cop face down, which is good because he's not earning any points with us right now.

"Look, I'm here to see if you have any job openings. I can't stay in TPD anymore. My colleagues don't trust me, and I don't trust them. They see me as a traitor for getting involved, even though I got rid of dirty cops. I realized, from working with you guys, that my former impressions of your company couldn't have been further from the truth. You are not the thugs I thought you were, and I'm sorry for disrespecting you for all those years."

"You think you'd be a good fit here?" Tank asks.

"I understand your military thinking and way of running things. I was in the Navy, you know. I know that I'm not as physically fit as I need to be, but I'm hoping I have time to get up to par. I already know law enforcement and have contacts on the street. I know the major players. I can help you." Morelli stated his case.

"Look, Morelli, I know that you can be an asset to Rangeman, but you haven't made many friends. You need to understand that the way you treated Stephanie did not sit well with most of the men here. Now, you're dating my baby sister. The men will be even more on your case if you hurt her. I'm not sure Trenton is the right office for you. I would offer you Miami, but it's the office I visit most often, and I intend to spend more time there. My daughter is there. Boston would be best, but my sister can't go back to Boston, and I won't make her. So, Morelli, you can work here, but know that you will need to earn the respect and the trust of my men. If you fuck up once and hurt either Stephanie or Daniela, you won't survive the day."

Morelli sighed, understanding the implication of what I told him before he responds, "Ranger, I get it. I do. But I need to work, and I like law enforcement. I enjoy protecting people. I don't want to be a rent a cop, and I can't work on another force. I'm willing to do what I need to do to get everyone here to trust me."

Bobby starts to go over the physical requirements of the job. When Bobby finishes, Lester goes over the weapons requirements. Morelli seemed a little impressed and intimidated at the same time with the expectations.

I look at Bobby, and he gives a slight nod. Tank follows, then Lester. I turn to Stephanie. She has veto power. If she says no to hiring Morelli, then there won't be a spot for him in Rangeman. I look at her. I see her battling with herself. Finally, I see consent in her eyes.

"Morelli, welcome to Rangeman. I want to let you know that you can thank Stephanie for us hiring you. If she had said no to hiring you, you wouldn't be working here, but she agreed to us hiring you."

If Morelli was confused by my statement, he didn't show it. "I understand. When can I start?"

"When are you finished with TPD?" Bobby asks.

"I hoping today. I have no active cases. I'm not on the roll today. I am planning on going in to resign today. I wanted a job lined up first."

"Go take care of things with TPD. Come by this afternoon, after you leave TPD to fill out the employment package and sign your contract." I tell him.

"Okay. Thank you for giving an opportunity to work here."

Morelli left, only to return four hours later. He will start tomorrow morning.

Lester's POV (one week later)

I still can't believe that Morelli is a Rangeman. I never thought I'd see the day when that cop, of all cops, would want to work with us thugs. I guess dating Daniela has opened his eyes to who we are inside, and not the personas we share with the world.

Bobby evaluated Morelli on his first day, giving him four weeks to get in shape for this physical test and weapons test. He passed the basic weapons test using his police-issue and a Glock, so he was able to go out on surveillance and apprehensions. We partnered him with Cal and Hal. As with all new Rangeman, he started with the low-level skips that Stephanie always went after. After getting in a food fight with Norville, being forced to chase after an 85-year-old streaker, and taking in his first naked skip, he realized how hard Stephanie's job was, and he apologized to her for treating her like shit. He finally understood that it wasn't her fault. After he apologized, he graduated to mid-level bonds, which while not easy, didn't often lead to food fights or bringing skips to the cop shop in their birthday suits.

For a cop, he was in horrible physical shape. I'm surprised he never lost a suspect while trying to chase after one. All the Rangeman can minimally bench press their weight. Morelli couldn't even bench press Stephanie's weight. As far as running, he could only sprint. The five-miles he claims to run must be at a snail's pace. His sit-ups and push-ups were pathetic, and his form horrible. Cal was embarrassed, saying that Morelli gave the Navy guys a bad reputation. Navy is always picked on, especially for being on a ship in the middle of an ocean most of the time, rarely in the thick of things. Now, Joe had to go and make everyone think that Navy basic training was a joke. The best was that Joe couldn't complete four pull-ups. After he finished his initial evaluation, Stephanie walked into the gym to begin her training with Ranger. Morelli stayed to watch her train. We knew he would be impressed with her progress.

Stephanie started with sit-ups and push-ups, doing over a hundred of each. Then, she completes fifteen pull-ups. She can bench press five pounds over her weight and refuses to go higher, stating she wants to continue to look like a woman, curves and all. Ranger doesn't push her; we know he likes her curves. She's up to ten miles running each morning with Ranger. After her warm-up, they moved to the mats for hand-to-hand. She started training with me, then Bobby, then Tank. She took us all down more than five times in one session. We knew she was ready for Ranger. At first, Ranger wanted nothing to do with working with Stephanie on the mats. It was after he watched her take on the three of us and knock us all down that he realized she was a formidable opponent. Neither holds anything back, only pulling their punches and kicks enough not to hurt each other severely. That day, with Morelli watching, she and Ranger sparred for over forty-five minutes before she knocked Ranger down. He got back up and knocked her down. Then, right before the session was over, Ranger managed to sneak in a sweep when she was distracted by someone dropping a barbell. When Bobby called time, he helped her up, once again tell her he was proud of her. We are all proud of the work Bomber has put into changing herself for the better.

When Morelli walked over to her, we all tensed, wondering what he was going to say. The words that came out of his mouth, though, surprised us all. He said, "Stephanie, I can't believe everything you've accomplished these last few months. I know that if you came after me today, you would have captured me that first day we bumped into each other. Good work." Stephanie beamed, took Ranger's hand, thanked Morelli, then left for the penthouse. We didn't see them on five until three hours later.

Daniela's POV

The month and a half since Abuela Rosa's birthday went by quickly. Joe surprised me when he told me he quit TPD. Then, he told me that he was working for my brother. I almost fell off my seat. Carlos looked into Joe's spending history since we started dating. He asked his contacts on the street about Joe. Everything came back clean. Joe was a new man. I was glad to hear that Joe was honest with me. It seems that Carlos is resigned to our relationship. I only hope that by employing Joe, he will further learn to trust this man who I love.

Marriage has come up several times in recent weeks. It is clear that we both want to get married. The way we see our marriage, though, is different. Joe still wants the housewife, the stay at home mom. He hopes that once we start having a family, I will stop working to take care of our family. While I have no problems with that role while our children are home, once they are in school full-time, I intend to start working again. I try to explain that it's not for the money, it's for the social interaction with other adults, for having a purpose to get up each day, for giving me something to be proud of myself for accomplishing. I feel as though I'm starting to get Joe to see my side.

I want to marry Joe. I love him. I smile every time I think of him. I find myself picturing what our children will look like, with his Italian features and my Cuban ones. At thirty, I'm not old, but I don't want to wait too much longer. I always pictured myself as having a large family, at least four children. I know that there is a greater likelihood for me to have twins, especially since I'm a fraternal twin. My doctor explained that since my mother released multiple eggs at one time, there is a greater chance that all my sisters and I will also release multiple eggs at one ovulation. Joe would like a big family as well.

The more I get to know Stephanie, the more I see how Stephanie and Joe were never right for each other. They are like oil and vinegar. Stephanie doesn't even want to stay home while her children are little. Hell, she is still claiming she doesn't want kids. As much as Carlos says he's fine with whatever Stephanie wants, I can see that he would like to have more children. He regrets everything he missed out on with Julie and wants an opportunity to live those moments with another child. I think Stephanie will eventually decide to have a child, but I don't see her having more than two, maybe three at most.

On the other hand, Stephanie and Carlos are perfect together. They are both workaholics, adrenaline junkies, and stubborn as all hell. They could ignite a forest on fire with the heat and passion that sparks between them. Neither of them backs down, but their love for each other forces them to compromise. When they get lost in each other, it is as if no one else in the world exists, it's only the two of them. Stephanie understands Carlos even better than I do, which is saying a lot. I don't think there are any secrets between them. I'm so glad Carlos found Stephanie.

Tonight, I'm accompanying Joe to his mother's house for dinner with her and his Grandma Bella. I must agree with Stephanie; his Grandma Bella is scary. At first, she hated me because I'm not Italian and not from the Burg. However, once she discovered that want children and I want to get married, she started warming up to me. When she heard that I was Catholic, I was the perfect woman for her precious Joseph. I carefully look in my closet, trying to find a pretty, but modest dress to wear.

I finally settle on a peach dress with a high rounded neckline, cap sleeves, and skirt that slightly flares at the waist. It ends at my knees. I pair the dress with cream colored kitten heels and stockings. I wear a white cardigan to battle the chill in the early spring air. Joe arrives to pick me up at 5:30. When I open the door, he stops and stares at me.

"Cara Mia, you look beautiful. I love that dress." He says. Joe is carrying a duffle bag; still wearing his Rangeman uniform, which still doesn't fit him like Lester's and Carlos' uniform. He needs to develop more muscles.

"Thank you, Joe. Is that what you're wearing to your mother's?" I ask before leaning in to kiss him on the lips.

"No, do you mind if I use your bathroom to change?"

"Go right ahead. I'll wait here for you." I respond. Five minutes later, he emerges from the bathroom, wearing tan Dockers and a blue and white button-down shirt left untucked.

"How is your training going?" I ask him as we walk to his car.

"Well. Bobby says I'll be testing in two weeks."

"Who's training you in hand-to-hand combat?"

"So far Cal, Manny, and Lester. I have yet to face Bobby, Tank, or Ranger."

"Honey, you have a long way to go before you can last with my brother."

I can tell that Joe is insulted and hurt. "Why do you say that, Daniela?"

"Joe, you are not built enough, you still are having difficulties getting the pull-ups completed, and have only lost three pounds. I don't think you are eating the proper diet. You're lucky my brother had to go to Miami for a few weeks. It's giving you an extra two weeks to get up to par."

"I've managed fine in the TPD. I was a good boxer in the Navy.

"That may be, Joe, but my brother and Lester started training at fifteen. Carlos BMI is five. He has almost no fat on him. Lester is a ten. You are most likely at 18. You are lacking the definition your body should have after training for the last few weeks."

Joe sighs. "I guess you're right. What should my diet consist of to help me bulk up?"

We continue the car ride discussing his new diet, which does not include his mother's leftovers. I swear, no one from the Burg eats vegetables. I'm surprised they all haven't dropped dead from heart attacks yet. Carlos told me that Stephanie was the worst when it came to eating "twigs and bark" as she called my brother's diet, but since they have been living together, her diet has been super healthy. Tia Ella knows how to make food taste fattening and delicious using all low fat, natural ingredients. Even her desserts are healthy. The last time we ate dinner with my family, Stephanie chose mostly low fat, healthy options, like the rest of us do. I'm glad she's consented to making some minor adjustments to her diet. It will ensure that she spends many, many, many more years with Carlos and the rest of the family.

Joe parks his car in the driveway then walks around the car to open my door before we walk to the porch. Like always, his mother and grandmother are waiting for us at the door. It is unsettling how they always seem to know when we are arriving. Mrs. Morelli opens the door for us, giving both me and Joseph hugs and kisses to the cheek.

Mrs. Morelli prepared lasagna for dinner with Italian bread. No vegetables, again. Not even a salad. While we are eating, Mrs. Morelli says, "I'm glad you were able to make it for dinner. Joe, how is your new job going?"

"It's going great, Mom. I enjoy working with the men. I still get to go after bad guys, but have normal working hours for once with better safety equipment."

"But, Joe, I thought you said they were thugs and criminals. Why do you want to associate with men like that?"

"My brother and his men are not thugs or criminals. They are veterans, who risked their lives to ensure your freedom. They were mostly Special Forces, doing things that only a handful of people even know about, things that are locked in secured vaults in the Pentagon. They may give off the aura of being scary, but that is to help keep the gangs in line. Not a single one of my brother's men have ever harmed someone out of malice or for fun. If someone got hurt or killed, it was to save a life or because they were ordered to do so, much like a cop."

Mrs. Morelli looked shocked at my outburst. Joe looked pained. Grandma Bella seemed like she wanted to curse me. I will not allow anyone to talk bad about my brother. He is a hero and deserves respect and gratitude. He's too humble for his good. If he were to show off some of his medals people wouldn't be so quick to think of him as a thug.

"I didn't know that Ranger guy was your brother, Ms. Garcia." Mrs. Morelli answered.

"Ricardo Carlos Manoso, also known as Ranger, is my older brother, and my hero. He protected me from bullies when I was a child, getting into trouble because of me. He never told my parents why he did what he did; he was afraid they would do something to put our family in harm's way with the gangs in Newark. He built up enough street credibility that when my parents sent him to Miami to live with my Abuela that my sisters and I were safe. We still are, no one will mess with Manoso's sisters or parents in Newark. When he joined the Army, he broke my heart. I was afraid to lose him and came close to losing him at least three times. But, he came back home to us each time, a little more closed off, a little scarier. He stopped showing his emotions, only giving us his blank face. Then, a few years back, he started to laugh again, smile a little. He would drop his blank face occasionally. He began to live again. He stopped being reckless, stopped taking the most dangerous jobs. He decided he wanted to end his government contract. Almost four and a half months ago, I got my big brother back, thanks to his fiancé Stephanie. She gave him a reason to live again. So don't you dare disrespect him ever again." I said, holding back my tears at the callous, disparaging remarks my potential future mother-in-law said about my brother.

"I'm sorry, Daniela, I didn't know any of that about your brother. I didn't mean to disrespect him."

"Have you ever tried to have a conversation with him or his men? Have you ever said 'Hi' to one of them? Or do you cross the street when you see them because they are big men and minorities?"

I know I struck a cord. The Burg was one of the most prejudicial places I've ever seen. Don't get me wrong; it was okay to be a minority as long as you didn't try to infuse yourself into the Burg. Owning a business, shopping in the are was okay. Dating an 'outsider' was a faux pas. It took Mrs. Morelli almost two months to accept me because I'm Cuban. Carlos still isn't accepted by his future mother-in-law.

"Dani, please," Joe says, asking me to stop. He doesn't understand. If she were directing her misguided judgment against me, I would take it, but I would never back down from protecting my brother.

"No, Joe, don't stop her. She's right. I am a judgemental bigot, like Ellen Plum and most of the other Burg woman. We only see the world as black and white. White is good, everything else evil. As I've gotten to know Daniela, I see that she is a wonderful, respectful lady. You love her, and she loves you. I spent years trying to force you on Stephanie to no avail; you were both miserable together. However, you both found your companion in someone from outside the Burg. I was raised to marry Italian only. If he wasn't Italian, he better be Catholic at least. Marrying a non-Catholic, non-Italian was forbidden. I'm afraid I raised you kids with that same expectation. I didn't see that until now. Daniela, I'm sorry for my past actions. While I can't go back and change what I did, I will try to be more accepting and more open-minded in the future."

"Thank you, and I meant no disrespect," I reply.

"I know that dear. Now, who wants dessert?"