Setting: A Friday evening, six weeks after Marina left for New York.
Authors' Note: This story is a product of the tag-team collaboration between Lysa and Deb. The title of this story is borrowed from the film of the same title, directed by Stanley Kramer. Thank you, thank you to everyone who sent such nice feedback. You guys are the best.
Bobby turned on `Law and Order: SVU' on television. As he walked to the kitchen to get a beer, the doorbell rang. He opened the door. "Hey, Jimmy. Come on in."
"Sorry for just droppin' in. I need to talk to you and I didn't want to have this conversation at the office."
"That's OK. I was about to get a beer. Want one?"
"Yeah, thanks." Jimmy followed Bobby to the kitchen. Bobby opened and poured out two Beck's beers.
"Let's sit in the living room." They sat on the sofa. Bobby used the remote to mute the TV. "So you're not in New York with Marina this weekend?" he asked.
"I'm driving down tomorrow afternoon."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Actually, it's about New York. You know how Marina is taking up a judgeship there. Well, I'm going with her. I'm leaving the firm and moving to New York."
"Why don't you stay in Boston and see each other on the weekends? Have a commuter relationship."
"We want to be together and have a real relationship. It's been a hard decision and one I been thinking lots about. I don't like the idea of leaving Ma and my family. Then there's you and Lindsay and BJ. I've grown to love the little guy. And the others at the office. But I'm going."
Bobby just stared at him a moment. "What about your career?"
"Marina got me a job working for a good friend of hers. I'd be one of three attorneys on his staff."
"Who's the good friend?"
"I'd really rather not say."
"Who is he, Jimmy?"
Jimmy hesitated, not wanting to hear Bobby's inevitable lecture. "It's Vincent Scarponi."
Bobby just stared at his friend, incredulous. "Scarponi the mob boss? The guy who took over the New York crime family when John Gotti got busted? Are you insane?"
Lindsay entered the room. "Keep it down, guys. I just got a cranky BJ settled down to sleep." She sat on the floor opposite Bobby. "Why is Jimmy insane?"
"He's leaving the firm to live with Marina in New York and to become an attorney for an organized crime king pin."
"You are insane!" Lindsay said.
"Why? Is it so hard to believe that a woman could love me?"
"No, of course it's not," Lindsay replied. "I'm glad you found someone. But how in good conscience can you defend a murderer like Scarponi?"
"Same way I defended criminals at the firm."
Bobby said, "At least sometimes our clients were innocent."
"I can live with it, OK?" Jimmy was getting impatient with their questioning.
"And what if you don't get him acquitted? What happens to you then? I'll tell you. You'll lie in a shallow grave near the river in northern New Jersey!"
"You been watchin' too much `Sopranos'"
"Look, I have some contacts at law firms in New York. Why don't I make some calls for you? You don't have to work for mobsters."
"It's all been set up. I leave in three weeks."
Lindsay lost it. She said loudly, "Jimmy Berluti, you are the most ungrateful man I've ever known! How can you leave the firm after all Bobby's done for you? He hired you after you were fired from the bank even though the firm could hardly afford another lawyer at the time. He never reported you to the Bar even though there were many times he could have, like when you traded in Clyde Miller for Henry Olsen. He didn't fire you when you embezzled from the Peterson trust fund. And not to mention the fact that he practically carried you through law school! Bobby did all that for you and now you turn your back on him."
"Lindsay!" Bobby said.
"I know what Bobby did for me, and yes, Lindsay, I am grateful. But my life has changed. I'm going to New York to be with the woman I love."
Bobby took a long drink of beer. "So you're tearing up your roots, quitting your job, and moving to New York all because you think you're in love with my sister?"
"Right." Jimmy nodded.
"What if you and Marina break up? Will Scarponi keep you in his employ?"
"I dunno."
"Are you two going to live together?"
"I dunno."
"It doesn't seem like you've thought this out very well. How certain are you of Marina's love?"
"Pretty damned certain. Why would you even ask that?"
Bobby hesitated. "Jimmy, Marina is very capricious. A person she loves one day, she shuns the next day. I hate to say this about my own sister, but she's a heartbreaker. I don't want to see you among the causalities."
"That ain't gonna happen, Bobby."
Bobby smiled sadly. "Then I wish you the best of luck. You're obviously going to need every bit of luck you can get."
When, on that late Saturday afternoon, Jimmy walked into Marina's Park Avenue apartment, he was greeted with flowers, flickering candles by the hundreds, and Marina wearing nothing but a sign that said, "Welcome Home, Jimmy!". She also wore a smile. After she welcomed him for several hours, they both collapsed in contented exhaustion, sated and peaceful. In her antique four-poster bed, Marina snuggled up beside Jimmy and laid her head on his chest. "You doing ok?" she asked. "You're gonna kill me, " he gasped. "I can't feel my legs." She chuckled. "Me too, " she said. "This is first chance we've had to chat. How did Bobby take your leaving?" "Not good, " he sighed. "He and Lindsay said I'm ungrateful for leaving after all they've done for me." "Whatever! They think you owe them your life? That you should stay there forever, never progressing? Come on! Anyway, you've done a lot for them, too. You've been a good and loyal friend, and that alone is worth an awful lot." Again she was angered by the way Jimmy was treated by the firm. "I know." he said. Jimmy couldn't make eye contact with her. "What else?" she asked. "Did he say anything else that bothered you?" "Well, yeah," he answered reluctantly. "Bobby said that you would get tired of me and I would end up alone in New York." He didn't want to believe that could be a possibility. Marina sighed and sat up on elbow to meet his eyes. "Jimmy, listen to me. It's true that I haven't had a lot of luck with relationships in the past. But Bobby doesn't know the whole story. When I first started my career, I dated a little. One guy got way too serious way too fast, and I knew he wasn't the one for me. The other one I really cared about. I thought I loved him, but he turned out to just be interested in my money. That really hurt, so I decided to quit looking for Mr. Right and focus on my work. All I ever told Bobby was that things didn't work out. I gave him the barest of details. So he doesn't really know a lot of things about me, I'm afraid. I've shared more of my heart with you than I have with him. It's not that I don't love him, I do! Dearly, but I just couldn't share some things with him. And when I met you, I knew that I've never really known love before. Not like this, not like the love we share. I've never wanted to totally dedicate myself to another person before. Please take what Bobby says with a grain of salt, ok? He isn't the expert on Marina Donnell." He looked into her green eyes as she spoke. The eyes that seemed so cold, so reptilian when he first saw them had many layers. Reflected past the cold, defensive wall was an insecure, lonely, tortured soul. He reached up and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Ok," he finally managed to say. She settled her head back onto his chest and heard him take a deep breath. His entire body relaxed into her. He absentmindedly feather stroked the soft long lines of her bare back. "I love you, Marina," he said as he drifted off to sleep. "I love you, James Berluti, " she whispered. "Forever and always."
Bobby woke as the sun began to break the dark of night. He thought for a few moments, realizing what he had to do. As quietly as he could (Lindsay slept beside him), he showered and dressed in Levi jeans and a thick, cabled turtleneck sweater in emerald green. From the closet, he pulled his leather overnight bag. In it, he put clean boxers and socks, jeans, a quiet blue plaid shirt, a navy sweater, his toiletries kit, pajama bottoms, and his robe.
"What are you doing?" Lindsay asked groggily.
"Sorry I woke you. I was trying to be quiet."
"That's all right. BJ will wake up soon anyway. What's with the suitcase?"
"I'm going to New York and talk to Marina about this Vincent Scarponi. I have the feeling that there's more than she's told me about this judgeship. I don't think she got the appointment by merit alone. I want to know what's going on."
"She's over 21, you know. You can't be her overly protective big brother forever."
He stood straight and looked at his wife. In a determined tone, Bobby said, "Yes I can, Lindsay, and I will. When Mom was sick, just before she lapsed into a coma, she made me promise that I'd always watch out for Marina, that I'd always help and protect her. That's a promise I won't break."
Lindsay understood. Bobby was always obsessive about anything concerning his mother.
"Then you should go, Bobby. Are you staying over?"
"I don't know. I hope not. If I do, I'll call you."
"Helen and I might go shopping at the mall today. I'll bring my cell phone just in case."
Bobby nodded. "I'll do the same. Sorry to run out on you, Lindsay. I have to settle this, and I have to do it face to face."
"I understand. Good luck, honey. I hope you and Marina can sort things out."
"Thanks. I do too." He went to the bed to kiss Lindsay good-bye. "I'll let you know what happens."
"Drive carefully."
"I will." He zipped shut his leather case. Kissing her again, Bobby left the their bedroom. He stopped for his brown suede jacket and gloves then began the 3 hour, 45 minute drive to New York City.
Bobby found a parking space very close to the high-rise apartment building on Park Avenue where his sister lived. Leaving his overnight case in his Audi, Bobby walked to the lobby of the tall building.
In the lobby, a maroon liveried doorman greeted him. "May I help you, sir?"
"I'm here to visit Marina Donnell, Apartment 1404. I'm her brother, Robert."
"One moment, sir," the doorman said politely. "I'll check if Ms. Donnell is receiving." The doorman relayed the message. "Ms. Donnell said you may go up. I'll buzz you up."
"Thanks." Bobby walked through the glass doors to the elevator. From the elevator, he turned to his left. Her apartment was two doors down. He pressed the doorbell.
Marina opened the door, tying the belt of her purple satin, floor-length robe. "Bobby. This is a nice surprise."
"I should have called. Sorry. I left home on impulse."
"Not a problem. Come in." Marina stepped aside so that her brother could enter. "I'll put on some coffee then we can make breakfast together, like we used to at home, remember?"
"Sure I do. It took you two years to learn how to make decent fried eggs."
She smiled. "OK, I'm a recovering yolk breaker. Sue me." She closed the door and led Bobby to her kitchen. While Marina started the coffee, Bobby removed his suede jacket and gloves. "What shall we make? Eggs? Pancakes? French toast? Oatmeal?"
"I hate oatmeal. I did as a kid and I still do as an adult." Bobby said. They laughed. "I'll make you something that Lindsay and I love. Do you have bacon, eggs, cheddar cheese, bread, butter, milk, and dry mustard?"
"I do. I'll get them all for you." Twenty minutes later, Bobby slid the casserole dish into the preheated oven. He set the timer for 40 minutes.
Marina refilled Bobby's coffee mug then hers. "Forgive my directness, Bobby, but I've been patient long enough. Why are you here? What's so urgent that you drove four hours to discuss?" She sat at the antique drop-leaf table with ladder back chairs.
Bobby sat opposite her. "I have some questions that need answers."
Marina stirred sugar into her coffee. "Ask away."
"In two weeks, you begin a term as a district court judge. Given that, despite your excellent legal track record, you really don't have the experience yet to be a judge. I've been wondering, therefore, why you were appointed. Then Jimmy revealed yesterday that you were close friends with Vincent Scarponi. Things then made a more sense to me." Bobby looked deeply into Marina's green eyes. "Marina, is Scarponi behind your appointment?"
Marina wondered how much she should tell her brother and decided on the whole truth. He deserved that. "It's true that Vince did play a part in my appointment. But it is a legitimate judgeship. I'll just be working for the Family as well as the city of New York. I see it as a step to bigger and better things." He stared at her. "But what about this 'Family'? Do you have to bend the law to suit them?" "Bobby, in New York, the Scarponi's ARE the law. And anyone who crosses them, breaks that law. I'll just be upholding that. Sometimes. The Scarponi's rarely even go to trial. I am just a bit of extra insurance in case any of them do." He looked scandalized. "Marina! How can you do that? You are compromising everything you believe in!" "Don't get on your high morale horse with me, Bobby. This is a start for me. I know how you got your start. I know you laundered drug money through your firm to get it started. We all need a little help from time to time. And Vince has always been there to help me. When I am in a position of more power, I won't have to compromise. But we all compromise! All of us! Even you. Don't make me out as the EVIL Marina Donnell! If I needed that, I would have stayed in Boston!"
"Stop being such a drama queen! No one has called you `evil'. Can't we have a calm, adult discussion here?"
"You're jealous of my success, Bobby. That's the real rub here. You can't stand that your younger sister will be a judge while you're still defending murderers and drug dealers!"
"Do you have any idea who naive you sound? OK, in my early days, I did launder drug money, and I used to defend druggies. But I never supported or abetted organized crime in the process." A pause. Bobby took a drink of coffee. "Marina, I beg you. Get out of this vicious trap while you can. Set up your own legitimate law firm here in New York or come back to Boston."
" What is there for me on Boston? A nephew who hates me and a brother who has no time for me?" she asked, her voice cracking. His eyes softened. "I always have time for you. We are family. This is your family. Please don't throw it all away by working for some mobster." She mopped up her teary face, but she took his hand to maintain contact. "Bobby, Vince is like my father. More so than our own dad, I'm afraid." "Why, Marina?" he wondered aloud. "What did Dad do that drove you away? We were all so close before mom died, but after...you just sort of evaporated. What happened?" She looked both uncomfortable and relieved to be addressing this issue. "He didn't really do anything to drive me away. I just retreated into the only person I could depend on...myself." "That's not fair. I was always there for you!" She squeezed his hand. "Yes, you were. I didn't mean it like that. But you were only 15 and dealing with tremendous issues yourself. The person I really needed was emotionally withdrawn, and he never came back." "Well, he was dealing with the loss of his wife." "I know, Bobby, but I was 12 years old, an age when girls think the earth revolves around them. I thought it was my fault mom got sick." "How could it have possibly been your fault?" he asked. "Look, I know now, as an adult, that it makes no sense, but as a kid, it made perfect sense. I thought she died from the stress of being my mom. I thought I was too difficult." "You thought you made Mom sick?" He felt sick himself. "I never knew." "That's because we never discussed it! And that's how Dad failed me! I needed to know what happened! One day I had a mom, the next day I didn't, and nothing was ever dealt with! I needed Dad to be a dad, and he couldn't. I thought he blamed me for her death. I drove myself to perfectionism, thinking then we could be close, but it didn't work. And you were working out all of your stuff, your anger. I know you have it, too, Bobby." "Did have it. Dad and I worked it out. So how does this Scarponi fit in?" "I met him in law school. He has an eye for young talent. I worked a little for him while I studied, and he took me under his wing. He was the father figure that I yearned for, and I adored him. He offered me a job right out of school and I was dazzled by the attention and money. He was a friend, a confidante, and he threatened to kick my butt if I got out of line. He was exactly what I needed." Bobby shook his head. "But, Reenie, the mob..." "I know. I was put off at first. But when I got to know them, it was different. They are good people in a bad business, and like it or not, I am a part of them now." "I don't like it at all. It's dangerous. You are taking your career, not to mention your life, into your own hands. And what about Jimmy?" She lowered her voice and glanced at the bedroom where Jimmy was sleeping. "Bobby, I love Jimmy. More than anything else, I love him. I want to be with him, but there's something else. Are you aware of Jimmy's gambling problem?" "I wasn't aware that you were aware of it. I thought he was getting help with it." "I am going to make sure he does, because he's in big trouble. One of the reasons I brought him here was so I could keep an eye on him. He owes the family big, I mean BIG bucks. I am trying to pay them off, but he needs to stop gambling. And I think I can help him." "Marina, does Jimmy know you are paying his debts?" "Not yet, but we are going to have a long talk. I am going to tell him that I will pay the remainder as long as he promises to quit gambling. I've already taken responsibility with Vince." "Be careful, Reenie. I don't want to see you get hurt." "I'll be fine. The Family might have hurt Jimmy, but they won't hurt me. Bobby, I know you aren't comfortable with the whole mob thing, but I would like your blessing. Please just be my brother and love me. Don't judge me." He sighed. "You're right, I don't like the mob thing. It's reprehensible. You'll be distorting the law, acquitting those who are the most guilty. But that asise, talk to Dad, ok? You need to get all this stuff out in the open."
She nodded. "And what about Jimmy?" she asked. "What about him?" "Do we have your approval?" "Do you need it?" "No, but I'd like it. Jimmy and I are probably going to get married, have babies..." "OK, that's enough. I don't need the visualizations of my sister and Jimmy rolling around in bed
together." He shuddered. She couldn't resist teasing him. "Oh, we go at it for hours! He does this thing where he takes my leg and puts it up around his neck...." He put his fingers in his ears, "I'm not listening. LA LA LA......" She laughed. "Allright, I'll stop." He took his fingers out of his ears. " I'm glad you came here." "I am too. I should be getting back, though." Bobby stood and put on his suede jacket. "Marina, please reconsider your judgeship. Renouce the appointment and all it entails. No good can come out it, and you're only kidding yourself if you think otherwise."
"I'll be fine, Bobby."
"I'm serious, Marina. I don't want you `sleeping with the fishes' like Luca Brazi. Keep the hell away from Vincent Scarponi and his henchmen."
Marina slowly shook her head. "I can't do that."
"Then be careful, very careful." Bobby bent and kissed her cheek. "I'll let myself out."
Marina watched from the kitchen as her brother closed the door behind him. `He just doesn't understand about Vincent,' she thought as she sat back down at the drop leaf table. `I'm in too deeply for them to let me out now."
Authors' Note: This story is a product of the tag-team collaboration between Lysa and Deb. The title of this story is borrowed from the film of the same title, directed by Stanley Kramer. Thank you, thank you to everyone who sent such nice feedback. You guys are the best.
Bobby turned on `Law and Order: SVU' on television. As he walked to the kitchen to get a beer, the doorbell rang. He opened the door. "Hey, Jimmy. Come on in."
"Sorry for just droppin' in. I need to talk to you and I didn't want to have this conversation at the office."
"That's OK. I was about to get a beer. Want one?"
"Yeah, thanks." Jimmy followed Bobby to the kitchen. Bobby opened and poured out two Beck's beers.
"Let's sit in the living room." They sat on the sofa. Bobby used the remote to mute the TV. "So you're not in New York with Marina this weekend?" he asked.
"I'm driving down tomorrow afternoon."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Actually, it's about New York. You know how Marina is taking up a judgeship there. Well, I'm going with her. I'm leaving the firm and moving to New York."
"Why don't you stay in Boston and see each other on the weekends? Have a commuter relationship."
"We want to be together and have a real relationship. It's been a hard decision and one I been thinking lots about. I don't like the idea of leaving Ma and my family. Then there's you and Lindsay and BJ. I've grown to love the little guy. And the others at the office. But I'm going."
Bobby just stared at him a moment. "What about your career?"
"Marina got me a job working for a good friend of hers. I'd be one of three attorneys on his staff."
"Who's the good friend?"
"I'd really rather not say."
"Who is he, Jimmy?"
Jimmy hesitated, not wanting to hear Bobby's inevitable lecture. "It's Vincent Scarponi."
Bobby just stared at his friend, incredulous. "Scarponi the mob boss? The guy who took over the New York crime family when John Gotti got busted? Are you insane?"
Lindsay entered the room. "Keep it down, guys. I just got a cranky BJ settled down to sleep." She sat on the floor opposite Bobby. "Why is Jimmy insane?"
"He's leaving the firm to live with Marina in New York and to become an attorney for an organized crime king pin."
"You are insane!" Lindsay said.
"Why? Is it so hard to believe that a woman could love me?"
"No, of course it's not," Lindsay replied. "I'm glad you found someone. But how in good conscience can you defend a murderer like Scarponi?"
"Same way I defended criminals at the firm."
Bobby said, "At least sometimes our clients were innocent."
"I can live with it, OK?" Jimmy was getting impatient with their questioning.
"And what if you don't get him acquitted? What happens to you then? I'll tell you. You'll lie in a shallow grave near the river in northern New Jersey!"
"You been watchin' too much `Sopranos'"
"Look, I have some contacts at law firms in New York. Why don't I make some calls for you? You don't have to work for mobsters."
"It's all been set up. I leave in three weeks."
Lindsay lost it. She said loudly, "Jimmy Berluti, you are the most ungrateful man I've ever known! How can you leave the firm after all Bobby's done for you? He hired you after you were fired from the bank even though the firm could hardly afford another lawyer at the time. He never reported you to the Bar even though there were many times he could have, like when you traded in Clyde Miller for Henry Olsen. He didn't fire you when you embezzled from the Peterson trust fund. And not to mention the fact that he practically carried you through law school! Bobby did all that for you and now you turn your back on him."
"Lindsay!" Bobby said.
"I know what Bobby did for me, and yes, Lindsay, I am grateful. But my life has changed. I'm going to New York to be with the woman I love."
Bobby took a long drink of beer. "So you're tearing up your roots, quitting your job, and moving to New York all because you think you're in love with my sister?"
"Right." Jimmy nodded.
"What if you and Marina break up? Will Scarponi keep you in his employ?"
"I dunno."
"Are you two going to live together?"
"I dunno."
"It doesn't seem like you've thought this out very well. How certain are you of Marina's love?"
"Pretty damned certain. Why would you even ask that?"
Bobby hesitated. "Jimmy, Marina is very capricious. A person she loves one day, she shuns the next day. I hate to say this about my own sister, but she's a heartbreaker. I don't want to see you among the causalities."
"That ain't gonna happen, Bobby."
Bobby smiled sadly. "Then I wish you the best of luck. You're obviously going to need every bit of luck you can get."
When, on that late Saturday afternoon, Jimmy walked into Marina's Park Avenue apartment, he was greeted with flowers, flickering candles by the hundreds, and Marina wearing nothing but a sign that said, "Welcome Home, Jimmy!". She also wore a smile. After she welcomed him for several hours, they both collapsed in contented exhaustion, sated and peaceful. In her antique four-poster bed, Marina snuggled up beside Jimmy and laid her head on his chest. "You doing ok?" she asked. "You're gonna kill me, " he gasped. "I can't feel my legs." She chuckled. "Me too, " she said. "This is first chance we've had to chat. How did Bobby take your leaving?" "Not good, " he sighed. "He and Lindsay said I'm ungrateful for leaving after all they've done for me." "Whatever! They think you owe them your life? That you should stay there forever, never progressing? Come on! Anyway, you've done a lot for them, too. You've been a good and loyal friend, and that alone is worth an awful lot." Again she was angered by the way Jimmy was treated by the firm. "I know." he said. Jimmy couldn't make eye contact with her. "What else?" she asked. "Did he say anything else that bothered you?" "Well, yeah," he answered reluctantly. "Bobby said that you would get tired of me and I would end up alone in New York." He didn't want to believe that could be a possibility. Marina sighed and sat up on elbow to meet his eyes. "Jimmy, listen to me. It's true that I haven't had a lot of luck with relationships in the past. But Bobby doesn't know the whole story. When I first started my career, I dated a little. One guy got way too serious way too fast, and I knew he wasn't the one for me. The other one I really cared about. I thought I loved him, but he turned out to just be interested in my money. That really hurt, so I decided to quit looking for Mr. Right and focus on my work. All I ever told Bobby was that things didn't work out. I gave him the barest of details. So he doesn't really know a lot of things about me, I'm afraid. I've shared more of my heart with you than I have with him. It's not that I don't love him, I do! Dearly, but I just couldn't share some things with him. And when I met you, I knew that I've never really known love before. Not like this, not like the love we share. I've never wanted to totally dedicate myself to another person before. Please take what Bobby says with a grain of salt, ok? He isn't the expert on Marina Donnell." He looked into her green eyes as she spoke. The eyes that seemed so cold, so reptilian when he first saw them had many layers. Reflected past the cold, defensive wall was an insecure, lonely, tortured soul. He reached up and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Ok," he finally managed to say. She settled her head back onto his chest and heard him take a deep breath. His entire body relaxed into her. He absentmindedly feather stroked the soft long lines of her bare back. "I love you, Marina," he said as he drifted off to sleep. "I love you, James Berluti, " she whispered. "Forever and always."
Bobby woke as the sun began to break the dark of night. He thought for a few moments, realizing what he had to do. As quietly as he could (Lindsay slept beside him), he showered and dressed in Levi jeans and a thick, cabled turtleneck sweater in emerald green. From the closet, he pulled his leather overnight bag. In it, he put clean boxers and socks, jeans, a quiet blue plaid shirt, a navy sweater, his toiletries kit, pajama bottoms, and his robe.
"What are you doing?" Lindsay asked groggily.
"Sorry I woke you. I was trying to be quiet."
"That's all right. BJ will wake up soon anyway. What's with the suitcase?"
"I'm going to New York and talk to Marina about this Vincent Scarponi. I have the feeling that there's more than she's told me about this judgeship. I don't think she got the appointment by merit alone. I want to know what's going on."
"She's over 21, you know. You can't be her overly protective big brother forever."
He stood straight and looked at his wife. In a determined tone, Bobby said, "Yes I can, Lindsay, and I will. When Mom was sick, just before she lapsed into a coma, she made me promise that I'd always watch out for Marina, that I'd always help and protect her. That's a promise I won't break."
Lindsay understood. Bobby was always obsessive about anything concerning his mother.
"Then you should go, Bobby. Are you staying over?"
"I don't know. I hope not. If I do, I'll call you."
"Helen and I might go shopping at the mall today. I'll bring my cell phone just in case."
Bobby nodded. "I'll do the same. Sorry to run out on you, Lindsay. I have to settle this, and I have to do it face to face."
"I understand. Good luck, honey. I hope you and Marina can sort things out."
"Thanks. I do too." He went to the bed to kiss Lindsay good-bye. "I'll let you know what happens."
"Drive carefully."
"I will." He zipped shut his leather case. Kissing her again, Bobby left the their bedroom. He stopped for his brown suede jacket and gloves then began the 3 hour, 45 minute drive to New York City.
Bobby found a parking space very close to the high-rise apartment building on Park Avenue where his sister lived. Leaving his overnight case in his Audi, Bobby walked to the lobby of the tall building.
In the lobby, a maroon liveried doorman greeted him. "May I help you, sir?"
"I'm here to visit Marina Donnell, Apartment 1404. I'm her brother, Robert."
"One moment, sir," the doorman said politely. "I'll check if Ms. Donnell is receiving." The doorman relayed the message. "Ms. Donnell said you may go up. I'll buzz you up."
"Thanks." Bobby walked through the glass doors to the elevator. From the elevator, he turned to his left. Her apartment was two doors down. He pressed the doorbell.
Marina opened the door, tying the belt of her purple satin, floor-length robe. "Bobby. This is a nice surprise."
"I should have called. Sorry. I left home on impulse."
"Not a problem. Come in." Marina stepped aside so that her brother could enter. "I'll put on some coffee then we can make breakfast together, like we used to at home, remember?"
"Sure I do. It took you two years to learn how to make decent fried eggs."
She smiled. "OK, I'm a recovering yolk breaker. Sue me." She closed the door and led Bobby to her kitchen. While Marina started the coffee, Bobby removed his suede jacket and gloves. "What shall we make? Eggs? Pancakes? French toast? Oatmeal?"
"I hate oatmeal. I did as a kid and I still do as an adult." Bobby said. They laughed. "I'll make you something that Lindsay and I love. Do you have bacon, eggs, cheddar cheese, bread, butter, milk, and dry mustard?"
"I do. I'll get them all for you." Twenty minutes later, Bobby slid the casserole dish into the preheated oven. He set the timer for 40 minutes.
Marina refilled Bobby's coffee mug then hers. "Forgive my directness, Bobby, but I've been patient long enough. Why are you here? What's so urgent that you drove four hours to discuss?" She sat at the antique drop-leaf table with ladder back chairs.
Bobby sat opposite her. "I have some questions that need answers."
Marina stirred sugar into her coffee. "Ask away."
"In two weeks, you begin a term as a district court judge. Given that, despite your excellent legal track record, you really don't have the experience yet to be a judge. I've been wondering, therefore, why you were appointed. Then Jimmy revealed yesterday that you were close friends with Vincent Scarponi. Things then made a more sense to me." Bobby looked deeply into Marina's green eyes. "Marina, is Scarponi behind your appointment?"
Marina wondered how much she should tell her brother and decided on the whole truth. He deserved that. "It's true that Vince did play a part in my appointment. But it is a legitimate judgeship. I'll just be working for the Family as well as the city of New York. I see it as a step to bigger and better things." He stared at her. "But what about this 'Family'? Do you have to bend the law to suit them?" "Bobby, in New York, the Scarponi's ARE the law. And anyone who crosses them, breaks that law. I'll just be upholding that. Sometimes. The Scarponi's rarely even go to trial. I am just a bit of extra insurance in case any of them do." He looked scandalized. "Marina! How can you do that? You are compromising everything you believe in!" "Don't get on your high morale horse with me, Bobby. This is a start for me. I know how you got your start. I know you laundered drug money through your firm to get it started. We all need a little help from time to time. And Vince has always been there to help me. When I am in a position of more power, I won't have to compromise. But we all compromise! All of us! Even you. Don't make me out as the EVIL Marina Donnell! If I needed that, I would have stayed in Boston!"
"Stop being such a drama queen! No one has called you `evil'. Can't we have a calm, adult discussion here?"
"You're jealous of my success, Bobby. That's the real rub here. You can't stand that your younger sister will be a judge while you're still defending murderers and drug dealers!"
"Do you have any idea who naive you sound? OK, in my early days, I did launder drug money, and I used to defend druggies. But I never supported or abetted organized crime in the process." A pause. Bobby took a drink of coffee. "Marina, I beg you. Get out of this vicious trap while you can. Set up your own legitimate law firm here in New York or come back to Boston."
" What is there for me on Boston? A nephew who hates me and a brother who has no time for me?" she asked, her voice cracking. His eyes softened. "I always have time for you. We are family. This is your family. Please don't throw it all away by working for some mobster." She mopped up her teary face, but she took his hand to maintain contact. "Bobby, Vince is like my father. More so than our own dad, I'm afraid." "Why, Marina?" he wondered aloud. "What did Dad do that drove you away? We were all so close before mom died, but after...you just sort of evaporated. What happened?" She looked both uncomfortable and relieved to be addressing this issue. "He didn't really do anything to drive me away. I just retreated into the only person I could depend on...myself." "That's not fair. I was always there for you!" She squeezed his hand. "Yes, you were. I didn't mean it like that. But you were only 15 and dealing with tremendous issues yourself. The person I really needed was emotionally withdrawn, and he never came back." "Well, he was dealing with the loss of his wife." "I know, Bobby, but I was 12 years old, an age when girls think the earth revolves around them. I thought it was my fault mom got sick." "How could it have possibly been your fault?" he asked. "Look, I know now, as an adult, that it makes no sense, but as a kid, it made perfect sense. I thought she died from the stress of being my mom. I thought I was too difficult." "You thought you made Mom sick?" He felt sick himself. "I never knew." "That's because we never discussed it! And that's how Dad failed me! I needed to know what happened! One day I had a mom, the next day I didn't, and nothing was ever dealt with! I needed Dad to be a dad, and he couldn't. I thought he blamed me for her death. I drove myself to perfectionism, thinking then we could be close, but it didn't work. And you were working out all of your stuff, your anger. I know you have it, too, Bobby." "Did have it. Dad and I worked it out. So how does this Scarponi fit in?" "I met him in law school. He has an eye for young talent. I worked a little for him while I studied, and he took me under his wing. He was the father figure that I yearned for, and I adored him. He offered me a job right out of school and I was dazzled by the attention and money. He was a friend, a confidante, and he threatened to kick my butt if I got out of line. He was exactly what I needed." Bobby shook his head. "But, Reenie, the mob..." "I know. I was put off at first. But when I got to know them, it was different. They are good people in a bad business, and like it or not, I am a part of them now." "I don't like it at all. It's dangerous. You are taking your career, not to mention your life, into your own hands. And what about Jimmy?" She lowered her voice and glanced at the bedroom where Jimmy was sleeping. "Bobby, I love Jimmy. More than anything else, I love him. I want to be with him, but there's something else. Are you aware of Jimmy's gambling problem?" "I wasn't aware that you were aware of it. I thought he was getting help with it." "I am going to make sure he does, because he's in big trouble. One of the reasons I brought him here was so I could keep an eye on him. He owes the family big, I mean BIG bucks. I am trying to pay them off, but he needs to stop gambling. And I think I can help him." "Marina, does Jimmy know you are paying his debts?" "Not yet, but we are going to have a long talk. I am going to tell him that I will pay the remainder as long as he promises to quit gambling. I've already taken responsibility with Vince." "Be careful, Reenie. I don't want to see you get hurt." "I'll be fine. The Family might have hurt Jimmy, but they won't hurt me. Bobby, I know you aren't comfortable with the whole mob thing, but I would like your blessing. Please just be my brother and love me. Don't judge me." He sighed. "You're right, I don't like the mob thing. It's reprehensible. You'll be distorting the law, acquitting those who are the most guilty. But that asise, talk to Dad, ok? You need to get all this stuff out in the open."
She nodded. "And what about Jimmy?" she asked. "What about him?" "Do we have your approval?" "Do you need it?" "No, but I'd like it. Jimmy and I are probably going to get married, have babies..." "OK, that's enough. I don't need the visualizations of my sister and Jimmy rolling around in bed
together." He shuddered. She couldn't resist teasing him. "Oh, we go at it for hours! He does this thing where he takes my leg and puts it up around his neck...." He put his fingers in his ears, "I'm not listening. LA LA LA......" She laughed. "Allright, I'll stop." He took his fingers out of his ears. " I'm glad you came here." "I am too. I should be getting back, though." Bobby stood and put on his suede jacket. "Marina, please reconsider your judgeship. Renouce the appointment and all it entails. No good can come out it, and you're only kidding yourself if you think otherwise."
"I'll be fine, Bobby."
"I'm serious, Marina. I don't want you `sleeping with the fishes' like Luca Brazi. Keep the hell away from Vincent Scarponi and his henchmen."
Marina slowly shook her head. "I can't do that."
"Then be careful, very careful." Bobby bent and kissed her cheek. "I'll let myself out."
Marina watched from the kitchen as her brother closed the door behind him. `He just doesn't understand about Vincent,' she thought as she sat back down at the drop leaf table. `I'm in too deeply for them to let me out now."