Chapter 2 – Family

Momma and Poppa Rossi's house Little Neck, VA

The smell of pasta fills his nostrils the moment he opens the front door. Removing his jacket, he hangs it on the peg with the handmade sign that reads, "Davey". His parents had insisted on keeping everything when they moved from his childhood home on Long Island, to the house he bought for them seven years ago. He heads towards the kitchen.

"Hey Momma, where are you?"

"Where the hell do you think I am," a feminine voice grumbles from the back.

He chuckles as he makes his way down the hall past the framed pictures of his family. He steps into the large open kitchen and dining area.

His mother, hair in a bun and wearing an apron stained from years of cooking, stands on a stool in front of the stove.

"You look as beautiful as ever, Momma." He moves closer and plants a kiss on her cheek. "Happy birthday."

She grunts. "Why is it that on my birthday, I'm cooking the dinner?"

"Because you insisted," he tells her as he takes a taste of the pasta sauce on the spoon she offers him. "I told you we could go out to eat and I would pay for everyone."

"Would their sauce taste as good as this," she asks.

He shakes his head. "No one's sauce tastes as good as yours."

She puts the spoon down and steps off the stool to wrap her arms around his waist. Her head rests just below his shoulder. He wraps his arms around her and holds her close. Her frail body relaxes against him.

After a moment she steps back and pushes him away. "Your sisters will be here soon. Go wake Poppa."

"Yes, Momma."

He leaves her in the kitchen and retraces his steps back to the hallway. He ascends the wooden staircase. At the top, he glances into the master bedroom, his Dad lays sleeping on the top of the covers. He knocks gently on the door and enters the room.

Perching on the edge of the bed, Dave bends over and kisses the older man's cheek. The man stirs.

"Poppa? It's time to get up."

The older man stretches and wraps his arms around his son pulling him down for a hug.

"Davey. How's my favorite son?"

Dave chuckles and settles into his father's arms. "I'm good Poppa."

"Yeah," the older man questions. "Are you sure?"

Dave sits up and eyes his father. He shrugs and chuckles. "I'm okay. I just have a lot on my mind."

"What's her name," his father asks.

Dave sits up and helps his Dad sit up as well. "I wish it were that easy."

"Only you would think that women were an easy problem to handle," Poppa Rossi states. "What did you bring your Momma?"

Dave blinks. "Uhhh…"

"You didn't bring a gift?"

"I thought my presence would be enough," Dave snarks.

Poppa laughs. "Oh, that worked when you were eight, but now…"

"Shit," Dave swears. He pulls out his phone.

Poppa laughs again and places his hand on Dave's. "A large bouquet of flowers and a thick envelope arrived a few hours ago. She hasn't opened it yet. She wanted to wait until you got here. By the look on your face, it will be a surprise to both of you."

"That has to be compliments of Bren," Dave quietly states. "I really don't know what I would do without her."

"Get your ass kicked by your eighty-three-year-old Mother," Poppa says. He puts his arm around Dave's shoulder and pulls him close. "I love you, but you're an idiot."

"I take after you," Dave teases.

"So true," Poppa laughs.

"Davey," his Mother yells from the bottom of the stairs. "Come help me!"

The two men share a smile. "Go help your momma. I'll be down in a few minutes."

Dave stands and helps his father get up from the bed.

"Thank you, Davey." He pulls his son into another hug which Dave returns. Poppa kisses Dave on the cheek then shoves him towards the door. "Go before she yells again and we both get in trouble."

Momma's Kitchen – later that night

After dinner, Dave and his Momma work together to clean up the kitchen, it's a tradition they have been following since he was a young child. He finishes drying the last dish and puts it away before sweeping the floor. She wipes down the counters and the stove. Together they take out the trash. Momma sits on the back steps and motions for him to join her. He sits next to her putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.

"Do you like your present," he asks as he kisses her temple.

"Of course I do," she replies. "A trip to Italy to visit my family, Davey, you always know what I need."

"I try," he replies. They sit in silence for a few moments. He listens to the crickets chirping in the bushes.

"Penny for your thoughts," she says.

"I don't think they are worth that much," he replies.

"They are to me," she smiles.

He smiles back and lays his head on her shoulder. The smile softens as he feels her kiss his head.

"What's troubling you, mio figlio?"

He sighs. "I never could hide anything when you were around."

She laughs. "You hid plenty of things. You still do."

He sighs. "Only because you let me."

"True," she agrees. She hugs his arm tighter. "What's the matter, Davey? Talk to Momma."

"I've decided I'm going back to the FBI," he says seriously.

"Okay."

He raises an eyebrow and smirks at her. "That's all you have to say?"

She lifts her head and looks at him. "What else should I say? Don't go. You're too old? What?"

"Reeni's not going to be happy," he shrugs avoiding her responses.

"Reeni needs to learn to mind her own business."

Dave laughs. "Like that's going to happen."

"This is what you do, Davey. It's who you are."

He gives her a long thoughtful look. "Is it? I sometimes wonder…"

"What?" she challenges.

"Stefano," he starts.

"You will always be you, Davey. The man who saves others. The good guy," she says softly.

He drops his gaze to his feet. "How can you be so sure? Maybe I would have followed him into the mob."

She puts her hand on his knee and squeezes. "Stefano was getting out. At least as out as one can get from the mob. He was doing it because you asked him too."

"He got killed because of me," Dave whispers harshly.

"No," she says sharply. "He got killed protecting you. You did nothing to cause any of it."

"That's not how I remember it," he sighs.

She snorts. "You were a child, in the middle of a traumatic situation. What is it you have told me over and over again? People in trauma remember things how they believe them to be, not always how things actually were – especially children."

He looks at her and smirks. "That's almost word for word in one of my books."

She grins. "It's the only thing I read at night."

He laughs. "Momma, that's going to give you nightmares."

"Yes," she nods. "And not returning to the FBI is doing the same to you."

He raises his eyebrows and sniffles in acknowledgement.

"You don't think I'm too old," he asks.

"Pshaw! Too old. You've never let anything stop you before, why would you let a few gray hairs stop you now," she admonishes as she tugs the hair on the side of his head "There's only one thing that may get in your way."

"What's that?"

"Your stubbornness. You may have been the bull in the woods before, but remember things change and just because you know everything about profiling it doesn't mean you know everything." She rises and heads for the door. "You do what you feel is right, David. I love you no matter what. Just don't let yourself get in the way of your success."

He looks up and back at her. "I love you too, Momma."

"You haven't been happy in years, David. You've put on a good façade, but I know better."

She enters the backdoor and lets the screen door close behind her. Dave sits on the steps and breathes in the night air. The crickets have settled and no longer chirp leaving the night quiet.

Little Creek Cabin – the next day

Dave puts the finishing touches on the salad and places it in the refrigerator. His phone buzzes on the counter. He picks it up and reads the text message: If you're serious about coming back, contact Erin Strauss for your start date. Jack.

Mudgie gives a bark as someone knocks on the front door. Dave closes the message and slips his phone in his pocket.

"Davey," Reeni calls out as she lets herself and Bill into the cabin.

"In the kitchen," he yells back at them.

"Hey," Reeni says as she enters the room. She sets a box on the counter before she goes to Dave and kisses him on the cheek.

Mudgie bounces around the room, going from person to person in hopes of more pets and maybe a treat.

"Mudgie," Dave says softly. "Go lay down."

Mudgie looks at Dave for a moment then trots off to a rug by the back door and lays down.

Dave looks over at the man standing in the kitchen doorway. Tall, sandy-blond hair and blue eyes. Dave takes in the nervous tapping of a finger. It's the only outward sign of uncertainty.

"Dave, this is Bill," Reeni says in introduction. "Bill, my younger brother Dave."

"Her only brother," Dave says with a smile. He steps forward and extends his hand. They exchange handshakes.

"Thank the Lord," Reeni mock whispers teasingly.

"It's nice to meet you. Irene has told me a lot about you," Bill smiles.

Dave glances at Reeni then back to Bill. "Whatever she's told you, it's all true."

"Especially his big ego," Reeni interjects.

Dave growls at her.

"Did you make chicken for dinner," Reeni asks as she pokes around in the kitchen.

"Get out of there," Dave tells her.

"I'm hungry," she whines playfully.

"It's almost ready. Set the table," Dave orders. He looks at Bill. "You want a drink?"

"Whatcha got," Bill asks.

Reeni walks past them with her hands full of plates and silverware. "Everything. Just tell him what you want."

Bill raises an eyebrow at Dave who shrugs and grins.

"She's not lying," Dave states.

"Iced tea," Bill answers.

"Me too," Reeni chimes in.

"Coming right up," Dave tells them as he heads to the kitchen. Bill follows and settles at the bar.

Dave pours three glasses of tea then places the pitcher back in the fridge. He hands one glass to Bill.

"How long have you been retired," Dave asks casually as he moves over to the oven and opens the door.

"Six years next month," Bill says. "I spent ten years in the Marines after I graduated high school, joined the fire department a few months after returning to civility."

"Semper Fi," Dave cuts in. He pulls the tray of baked chicken out of the oven. "I did two years in Nam, twenty-three in the Reserves."

"Retired Marine and FBI?"

Dave nods. Bill whistles.

"Don't you two start a love fest now," Reeni jokes as she joins the two men.

"Why didn't you tell me your brother was a Marine?" Bill asks.

She shrugs. "If I told you all the good things about my brother, you wouldn't believe me when I told you about all the bad things."

She picks up one of the glasses of tea and takes a drink.

"What was your final rank," Bill asks Dave who is placing the chicken on a serving tray.

"Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps."

Bill whistles again. "Too late, I am in love."

They all laugh. Dave hands the tray of chicken to Reeni. He opens a warming drawer and pulls out a bowl of mashed potatoes and another tray of buttered rolls. After placing them on the counter he heads to the refrigerator. "What kind of dressing do you like, Bill?"

"I'm not picky; ranch, thousand island, Italian, whatever you got."

Dave grabs the salad he prepped earlier and a bottle of dressing. He hands them to Bill. "Take these to the table."

They sit down to eat.

Bill peeks over Dave's shoulder and out the back door. The cabin sits at the edge of the reservoir. A small boat sits tied to a dock on the water's edge.

"Nice place you have here," Bill says.

"Thank you."

"You do a lot of fishing," Bill asks.

"Some. I prefer duck hunting," Dave says.

Bill nods.

"We all get duck for Thanksgiving and Christmas," Reeni shares. "At first, I thought it was icky, but Davey has taught us some great recipes and now the whole family looks forward to duck season."

"Are you a sportsman," Dave asks Bill. They fill their plates and start eating.

Bill shrugs. "I enjoy fishing on occasion. I've never been hunting myself. I prefer to get my food at the grocery store."

"I think Davey is addicted to hunting. It's not so bad now that he's not hunting people," Reeni states casually.

Bill looks horrified.

Dave chuckles. "She's talking about my work in the FBI."

Bill laughs at himself. "For a moment, I pictured myself running through the woods with you chasing me, shotgun in hand, just like in the movies."

Dave's face goes tight.

"I'm sorry," Bill apologizes. "Did I say something wrong?"

Dave shakes his head. "Unfortunately, that scene has happened in real life a time or two. There are some really sick people out there that have no regard for their fellow human beings."

Bill nods. "I can't even imagine. How did you do that job without going crazy?"

"I put it on paper," Dave states.

"Irene mentioned you were a writer," he nods. "Do you miss it?"

"The writing?" Dave asks.

Bill chuckles.

"I think he's talking about the FBI," Reeni clarifies.

Dave pauses for several seconds. He and Reeni lock eyes. "I didn't, but I'm starting to."

"Do you think you would ever go back," Bill continues.

Dave looks at him. "Well, actually…"

"No," Reeni says vehemently. Both men look at her. Dave locks eyes with his sister. He should have waited, he should have worked up to it, but no he had to plunge neck deep into a topic he knew she wouldn't like. When would he ever learn?

"You are not going back to that god-awful job," she growls.

"Reeni," he says lowly.

"Are you crazy?!"

"It's important…"

"Fuck that," she screams and slams a hand on the table. "You promised, Davey. You promised! After Brian was killed, you stood there at the funeral and you promised me you wouldn't do anything that put yourself in danger ever again."

By now tears run down her face. Bill sits quietly watching the two siblings.

Dave puts his fork down and leans back in his chair. "I have to," he says quietly.

"No, you don't!"

Reeni gets up from the table and paces back and forth, arms wrapped tight around her body, tears flowing freely.

"I left things unfinished, Reeni. I need to make things right," Dave tells her. "I need to fix it."

She stops pacing and glares at him. "It's been ten years, David."

He winces at the use of his given name.

She continues. "How are you going to make it right? Are you going to bring people back from the dead? Are you God?"

"I can find the people responsible for the crimes."

"There are other people out there looking for those people. You don't have to do it anymore," she reasons. "Let it go!"

"I can't," he admits. His shoulders slump. "I can't."

She stares hard at him. "I can't even look at you right now."

"Reeni..." he steps towards her. She holds up a hand and takes a step away from him.

She looks at Bill. "I'm sorry, honey. We need to go."

She doesn't wait for his reply as she marches out of the kitchen. Bill looks at Dave awkwardly. Dave waves him off.

"I'm sorry," Dave says. "Give her some time to cool down before you say anything to her."

"Okay," Bill says as he stands. "It was nice to meet you."

"Same," Dave says absently. Dave stares at the table as Bill leaves. He hears the car doors close, the engine start, and the car drive off.

"Well, that went well," he says aloud. He stands and begins to clear the table.

After putting away the leftovers and washing the dishes, Dave heads upstairs to change into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. Back downstairs, he grabs a bottle of water from the fridge then he and Mudgie head out the back door, across the yard and into the garage. The front of the building holds his cars, while the rear of the building has become his home gym. Mudgie settles onto a pile of old blankets in the corner and falls asleep.

On one side of the gym, stands a newer Bo-flex and a set of free weights, while the other side has a hanging heavy bag and a speed bag. Dave grabs a jump rope and begins his workout. It's been a while since he last put some time in, so he misses a few jumps and has to start over. Once he finds his rhythm, he jumps for several minutes until a fine sheen of sweat covers his brow.

Tossing the rope back where he found it, he moves on to several rounds of squats, push-ups, and crunches. He takes a minute to catch his breath and drink a generous portion from his water bottle. After his break, he moves on to some shadow boxing, keeping his feet moving left and right as he throws jabs, cross and hook punches at an unseen foe.

Finally, he grabs a pair of thick gloves and pulls them on as he moves over to the large heavy bag. He throws a combination of hooks, jabs, and crosses, again keeping his feet moving as he dances around the bag. His shirt becomes drenched in sweat and still he continues to throw punch after punch. He pauses every so often to catch his breath and rest his arms and shoulders, but in less than a minute he is back at it.

Eventually, he stops and removes the gloves, tossing them onto the shelf next to the jump rope. He sinks to the mat covered floor and does another set of push-ups, then sit-ups and squats. Once finished, he drinks the rest of the water and calls for Mudgie to follow him. They head back to the house.

Muscles aching, he heads back upstairs and begins to strip. He loved boxing, it was a great all body workout. In his younger years, in the Corps, after he got out of Vietnam he was introduced to boxing by a vet who had recognized the fighter in him. Boxing became a great way to work out his frustrations without getting drunk and possibly ending up in jail. Had he not been recruited by the FBI, he may have become a professional boxer.

Later that evening, Dave pours himself a drink. It had been a quiet day full of contemplation about the direction his life was turning. He looks up at the pictures on the wall. His eyes settle on an old picture of him, Reeni, and Brian. Brian wears his Boston police department uniform; Reeni is in her wedding gown and Dave in his Marine Corps dress blues.

He'd never seen his sister as happy as she had been on that day when she and Brian had been married. Fifteen years later, Brian and his partner were killed in the line of duty. After that, Reeni had started her campaign to get Dave to leave the FBI. She was ecstatic when he made the announcement. And now, he was breaking her heart.

He takes his drink out to the back porch, settles into a chair, and is immediately joined by Mudgie. He gives the dog a few scratches.

"Atta boy. You're okay with me going back to work, aren't you boy?"

The dog pants and wags his tail.

"That's what I thought," Dave mutters. "You don't give a fuck."

Dave pulls out a cigar. He lights it and relaxes in the chair watching the sun go down beyond the hills. It's a little chilly as a breeze goes through the trees, rustling the leaves.

His phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out to read a text from Reeni: Don't bother texting me back, I'm still mad at you. I know you are going to do anything you damn well want. I hate that job, not you. But right now, I am hating you for wanting to do it again. Don't get yourself killed.

He closes the phone and holds it in his hand as he watches the sky turn darker. He smokes for a while and finishes his drink. The night gets still as the moon reflects off the water.

Dave opens the phone and dials a number by memory. The line rings and is answered almost immediately.

"Federal Bureau of Investigation, how may help you?"

"Erin Strauss, please."

"I'm sorry, sir, Chief Strauss is out for the night."

Dave snickers at the title. "That's okay. I'd like to leave a message on her voicemail."

"I'll patch you through. One moment," the voice replies.

There's a click and then the phone rings again. After the third ring it goes to Strauss's voicemail. Dave half listens to the message until there is a beep. "Strauss, Rossi. Call me back."

He ends the call then opens his text messenger. Heading out of town for a few days, please take care of Mudgie while I am gone. Love you, Davey.

A few seconds later, he receives a response; Fine.

He hangs up the phone, gathers his stuff and heads into the house with Mudgie at his heels.

"Let's get some ducks in the morning, Mudgie. What do you say we start hunting the right way?"

End Chapter 2