July 20, 1997
In St. Vincent's Cathedral, Father Mateo Minelli launched into the final prayer. "Father, your love never fails. Hear our call. Keep us from danger and provide for all our needs. Amen!"
Roberto Mancusi echoed in the chorus of amens.
Father Minelli raised his hands. "Now, go forth and announce the Gospel of the Lord. Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. Go in peace," he said.
"Thanks be to God! Amen," the congregation proclaimed and once again Bobby joined in. He waited for his parents to process out of the pew into the aisle and then he followed them into the vestibule. When they fell into conversation with the DiMaggios he made his way over to the prayer altar and lit a candle for Claudia.
Somberly he bowed his head and began to pray. "Dear Saint John, after a sinful life, through the power of God's Word you learned to love your fellow human beings. Self-sacrificing, you founded the Society of Hospital Brothers. Now, please intercede for all that suffer weakness, but especially my wife Claudia. Help me to be a better man like you. In Jesus' name. Amen," he whispered.
"Bobby!" his mother called.
Awkwardly Bobby turned from the candle altar and took a step towards where his mother was standing with Sylvia DiMaggio and Angela Augustino. He saw that his father had stepped away with their husbands. Something was definitely up but he wasn't sure what. He had been focused on Claudia and his father had tolerated that. He knew that was the best he could hope for.
"You will join us for Sunday Dinner," his mother said when he joined them.
Bobby noted that she commanded more than asked. That was typical and usually he just went along with it because it was easier than fighting. Or he had until after he married Claudia. Then he went along with it unless it was going to be hurtful or painful to Claudia. "I think I will just grab something at the hospital. I need to go check on Claudia," he said.
"You will do no such thing! We are eating at one. Please don't be late," his mother said.
"I suppose I can come for dinner. But I need to get over to Mercy Memorial this afternoon to check on Claudia so I'm warning you I am going to eat and run," he said. He noted that his mother didn't look thrilled, but she didn't say anything.