Hey guys! Here's another chapter for you. Please R&R!
WHY! Why did I agree to this? I asked myself three days later. It was a Friday, and since I had been able to move today, I was practicing being a boy. Francesca had dressed me in Sal's clothes, tied down my chest with a bandage, and was now trying to fix my voice.
"No!" Francesca commanded. "Lower, like you have a cough in your throat. Say something in English, and try using an accent like they have here."
I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. I had been speaking only Italian for my time with them, so my English wasn't fantastic today. And, it's not like I would know what their accents sounded like because I hadn't been able to leave the apartment. Not until it was time for me to be a boy could I leave the apartment. Sal and Francesca didn't want to set off any alarms with the neighbors, or let any kind of connected people know that I was a Sicilian. And according to Sal and Francesca, there was no safety if you were a girl on your own here.
"Hey dere," I said. "Wanna purchase some newspapers?" I said in a pathetic attempt at a New York accent. Francesca burst out laughing and couldn't stop. I promptly broke out in laughter.
"First," She said once she caught her breath. "Is the Italian accent might have to work for you. It's going to be incredibly difficult to get rid of, but I'm sure it will fade in time. Secondly, you got a good pitch on that one. But, you have to be less formal, principessa. You sound like a lawyer!"
I grinned, and tried again. This went on for a good hour, until we heard a knock at the door. We look at each other with panic in our eyes, and I dove into the bedroom, barely peaking around the door as she answered it. It was a very plump woman holding a basket.
"Francesca!" She exclaimed, grabbing her into a hug. "Sal told me this morning that you have a cousin staying with you. I've come bringing gifts for him. How old is he? Can I meet him?"
"Oh, Paola, please come in." Francesca said, practically cringing. When Paola was in front of her, she mouthed "big mouth" and shook her head. I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing. "Yes, we do have a cousin staying with us. But, he isn't feeling great today. You know, he's very worn out."
"Oh, nevermind that. What's his name? Tell me all about him," Paola said, sitting down and helping herself to a pastry she had brought. Francesca sat down, a small secret smile playing at her lips.
"His name is Enzo," She began. I raised my eyebrows from my hiding spot. Enzo? Really? Did I look like an Enzo when I was a boy? "And he is 17." At least that part I wouldn't have to lie about.
"No wife picked out for him yet?" Paola asked, leaning forward. I practically hit the floor. Damn, this woman went straight to the point.
"Oh, no. I found my Salvatore without having an arranged marriage, and we are very much in love. I hope the same for Enzo." Francesca said, and Paola tipped up her nose a little bit.
"Now, Francesca, you know that is very rare." Paola began, haughtily. "But, I want to set up Enzo to meet with my precious Agostina. I think that it would be a proper welcome to America."
"Oh, yes," Francesca said, not making eye contact. She must have offended Paola, which didn't look like a good thing. "As soon as Enzo feels better, we should have them meet."
"Perfect," Paola huffed happily. "I'm sure they will get along. I better be going, I have so many things to do. I am such a busy woman. But, first, can't I take a little peak at Enzo sleeping?"
She was already getting up and moving, so I panicked. I jumped into bed, straightened my hat, and pretended to snore. Just in time, as Paola was now barging into the room as Francesca followed frantically. Paola got closer and closer to me.
"Oh, isn't he a handsome fellow?" She whisper screamed. "Beautiful skin, but a bit skinny. We need to fatten him up, don't we Francesca? Make him eat the things I brought over, and have him drink plenty of wine. You don't want him wasting away, do you?"
"Of course not, Paola," Francesca responded, her voice soft as if she didn't want to wake poor sleeping Enzo.
"Alright, I'll be back next week to make a time for them to meet. Ciao, amica." Paola stated, stomping out the door. I jumped out of bed as soon as the door shut.
"She's horrible!" I yelped. Francesca shook her said sadly and laughed.
"Yes, she is. But, she's a very powerful woman in this community. Her husband is involved in the mafia, so she has a sense of entitlement. And if you think she's bad, just wait until you meet her precious Agostina." She practically spit. "We have to be very careful around them. Very careful."
"Sure," I nodded my understanding. "If she's coming back next week, I better become a newsboy on Monday."
"What?" Francesca looked panicked. "But, but we've only just begun, and what if you still walk like a princess? What if they know you're a boy? What if you get killed? What if you-"
"Francesca," I interrupted. "I promise I will be fine. We've been working together, and we will just have to practice tonight and all of tomorrow. We can do this. Don't worry," I said, hugging her.
"I'm scared for you," She whispered. "For us."
I nodded my understanding, and I looked into her light brown eyes.
"It's going to be okay," I began, sounding a hell of a lot calmer than a time traveling freak should. "We are family now, and we can get through this."
"We are family," She repeated, grabbing my hand. "Every Sunday, you promise you will come back? You won't forget about me?"
I didn't realize how lonely she must be. Sal left for the bakery at 5 in the morning, and didn't come back until 8 at night. They loved each other, but it was clearly hard for her to be alone in a country that wasn't hers. Maybe she needed me as much as I needed her. Either way, our friendship had grown strong in the past few days, and it would be sad to leave her.
"Of course not." I stated. "I will always be here for you. You and Sal are stuck with me, especially as soon as you pop out a cute baby for me to play with."
"Alright," She laughed. "Let's try this again, Enzo."
I pulled my cap further down on my head, and reached for a hand towel on the counter.
"Hey lady," I said in English, my voice deep. "Wanna buy a paper?"
"Victory!" She shouted, clapping. "When Sal comes home, we can start practicing your walk."
We spent the rest of the night, and the rest of Saturday practicing until I felt more masculine than I ever had in my entire life. On Sunday morning, they went to mass together and left me at home to keep me away from Paola and Agostina. But, the plan was to talk to the family from Calabria, the family Verduci.
When they returned, they got me dressed in my newsboy outfit. We handled my long black hair by braiding it, pinning it underneath my hair, and then greasing it all back. With a brown cap on top, my chest bandaged down, and my two sizes too big outfit, I looked like a real boy. A real boy with clear skin, good eyebrows, and feminine cheekbones, but a boy nonetheless. The Verduci family had invited us over for dinner to meet me, and for the sons to give me advice on being a newsboy. I felt confident as ever until we got in front of their door.
My heart was beating fast and I was sweating. I grabbed Francesca's hand and she squeezed mine reassuringly. Sal smiled at me, and slapped me on my back like I was the son he never had. I took a deep breath, and before I knew it, the door was opening to reveal two handsome, black haired boys dressed like I was.
"Hey dere," Said the shorter one in English.
"Benvenuti," Said the taller one in Italian.
I nodded, as my voice wouldn't work. Sal and Francesca greeted them with smiles and hugs.
"This is Enzo," Sal said to the boys.
"Antonio," Said the shorter one. "But most of my friends call me Racetrack."
"Domenico," Said the taller one. "But, my friends call me Bumlets."
"Piacere," Was all my voice could get out.