Angie Morelli was happy to have her precious Joey home. She enjoyed having a man in the house to eat her culinary creations. The first few months were pleasant. However, the novelty was beginning to wear thin. She worried about the company he kept. Namely, the women trolling the corners on Stark Street. Angie heard Joey enjoyed the company of the robust, full-figured hooker name Lula. Her skin resembled dark chocolate. It was disgusting and embarrassing. Why couldn't Joey find a Caucasian woman? Angie hated to admit Terry Gilman was more appealing as a potential wife for her youngest son.
Joe applied at Rangeman, hoping to get closer to Stephanie. It was his last chance to determine if she truly couldn't have a baby. He signed the documents, permitting Rangeman to access his military records. They would learn Joe's rank and other minor details. He never thought they'd have access to the disciplinary reviews and trips to the brig for defying authority and fighting.
"Has anyone called for an interview?" Joe asked. He sat at the table and served himself a portion of the reheated pasta for lunch. Joe never offered the food to his mom and Grandma Bella.
"Nobody called," Angie said, serving the lasagna to her mother-in-law before dishing some for herself. She thought Joey was rude for not offering the serving dish to his grandmother before himself. Angie was resigned to ignore the minor infraction. Her late husband was the same. Anthony Senior would serve himself without offering any to the others. He'd even start eating before everyone got their food. Angie shook her head as Joe took a bite of his lunch before she sat in the chair.
"Who is calling?" Bella asked. She had to know everything going on with the family. If nobody updated her, she'd make it up. Angelina, Anthony Jr's wife, called Angie and Bella daily with the details from the previous day. Bella appreciated knowing everything about the great-grandchildren and grandson. She didn't care too much about Anthony's wandering dick. The boy was too much like his father and grandfather. Their libido and need to have balls-to-the-walls monkey sex, as she overheard Joseph calling it, was too much for the wife to handle. It was easier to let them stray as long as they remained married to their wives and provided for the house. The threat of losing their testicles stopped them from procreating with other women.
Joe smiled at his grandmother, answering, "Rangeman. I dropped off a resume and application a few weeks ago." He purposely never checked his email, assuming they'd send a rejection letter instead of calling.
"I spit on them," Bella said. "I curse them and their families."
"It takes time to review the resumes and organize interviews. Grandma, you can't curse everyone," Joe warned. He didn't believe in Bella's ability to give someone the eye and curse them with an affliction like a rash or infection.
Bella tapped Joe's cheek a little too hard to be affectionate. "I curse them if they do not hire my Joey," Bella said. Joe mentally noted to sit away from his grandmother for dinner.
"I still have my job with Les Sebring. I'm making enough money to pay my bills," Joe explained. Joe complimented his mother on the lasagna. He left his dishes on the table, then retired to the basement. Angie shook her head, wondering why Joe couldn't clean up after himself like his brother and nephews.
Joe used the computer to check his email, hoping to receive an interview request from Rangeman. He was disappointed to read the rejection email. In the body, it gave him a generic reason for not getting an interview. Joe didn't pass the pre-interview background check. "How the hell did they find out?" he asked. Joe had to know and called Rangeman. He rubbed at the tightness in his chest. The heartburn was getting worse. He never had a problem with heartburn until going to rehab.
"Thank you for calling Rangeman. How may I direct your call?" Valerie asked. Joe was surprised he recognized the voice. He thought if Valerie could get a job at Rangeman, he could too.
"Hi, Valerie. It's Joe Morelli. May I speak to the head of the Human Resources department?" Joe politely asked.
Valerie rolled her eyes. She knew Stephanie wouldn't want to talk to Morelli. "Hold one minute. I'll transfer you to Tank," Valerie said.
"Yo," Tank answered. Valerie explained the situation and why she wanted to forward him the call instead of Stephanie. "We don't want Morelli to know Stephanie's position in the company," Tank replied, agreeing with Valerie's assessment. "Forward the call to me."
Tank's phone rang a second later. "Human Resources, Tank speaking," he answered, smiling deviously. Tank retrieved the intel gathered from the military background service record check. He had the signed and dated document from Morelli. It permitted Tank and Ranger to access the files. Morelli's commanding officer was forthcoming in explaining why Joe got discharged from the Navy. No love got lost between the CO and Morelli. Tank wanted to know how Morelli got hired at the TPD.
"Hi. It's Joseph Morelli. I have a question regarding the standard rejection letter. Why did you access my military disciplinary records?" Joe asked, his mouth dry in hopes Rangeman didn't know all his dirty little secrets. The only way for them to learn the official reason for his discharge was to speak to his commanding officer.
"I was expecting your call," Tank replied. Tank scanned the signed documents, then sent them to Morelli using the Rangeman info account email address. "I've scanned and emailed the disclosure papers you signed during the application process, proving Rangeman had permission to access your military files. According to your commanding officer, you defied direct orders to avoid the local women during your deployment. Most of the female occupants within the compound were below eighteen. Some younger than sixteen. You were pulled aside and specifically warned to stay away from Inez."
"She came onto me," Joe said, defending his actions. "It had been a long time and my boys needed servicing." Joe hoped the commanding officer didn't tell Tank everything. He didn't know Inez was that young at the time.
"Inez wasn't eighteen. Her age was closer to fifteen but no older than sixteen. That was according to the dental examination conducted by the medic. Inez didn't know her age because her parents died before she moved to the compound," Tank replied. "Defying your commanding officer's direct order is inexcusable. Having sex with a child is despicable. She died from an infection caused by an incomplete miscarriage. You will never work for Rangeman. We do not tolerate such disgusting behaviour from our employees."
Joe's face paled as he listened to Tank. Having sex with a minor was not in the plans. He never thought of the consequences of his actions. Joe realized his actions were inexcusable. His chest hurt. He couldn't breathe past the tightness in his chest. Ranger knew his misdeeds. Probably every Rangeman employee knew too. Stephanie knew. Joe felt sick to his stomach. His family would lose their standing in the Burg. Joe's mom didn't deserve the shame the intel would bring upon the family.
"Someone call 911 and dispatch them to Angie Morelli's house!" Tank bellowed into the control room. "Morelli. Talk to me."
"I," Joe said. The receiver dropped to the table. "Help."
"I'm sending help," Tank yelled, hoping Morelli could hear him. Tank stayed on the line until someone ended the call. In Tank's opinion, Morelli was an abusive asshole and deserved to die. But not on his watch.
"Report," Carlos demanded. Tank gave Carlos the rundown on the conversation with Morelli.
"I don't think he knew," Stephanie said. "He probably thought she was older. I don't believe Joe would have slept with a minor had he known."
"He stole your virginity," Carlos growled.
Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Yes, but I was also sixteen, and he was eighteen. I was technically the age of consent. Morelli obviously wasn't thinking with the right head during that deployment. Military life isn't for everyone," Stephanie reasoned.
"No, it isn't, Little Girl," Tank replied. "But it doesn't excuse his actions. I've known many soldiers who were unsuited for the rage of war, but they never crossed the line of human decency." Stephanie tried hard not to smile at his statement but failed.
"Sorry," Stephanie giggled. "I know we're having a serious discussion, but Tank quoted part of a line in Mulan. Have you been watching movies with Mary Alice again?"
"Continue," Carlos ordered as his lip twitched in amusement. Carlos imagined Tank watching Disney movies with the girls. Stephanie shoved a hand over her mouth, hoping to stop the giggles from erupting.
"Morelli's breath got short, and he was gasping in pain. I ordered someone to call for an ambulance," Tank replied.
"Does Morelli have a history of heart disease?" Bobby asked. Everyone looked at Stephanie, who shrugged. She didn't know.
"Maybe it was a panic attack?" Lester asked. "People mistook them."
"He always popped Tums like candy," Jeanne Ellen replied. "It's possible he panicked when Tank recited his misdeeds." Stephanie snorted when Jeanne Ellen said misdeeds.
"How did his father die?" Bobby asked.
Stephanie thought back to the semester after that horrid summer. "Anthony Morelli Senior died in a bar fight," she replied. "He was known to drink excessively. Tony was an abuser. He took his belt to the boys in the garage and beat Angie. It's hard to determine what killed him. For all I know, Tony could have died from a heart attack. I can always as Dad."
"Call him," Carlos requested. Stephanie used her cellphone to contact her dad. He answered on the first ring.
"Hey, Daddy," Stephanie said. "I have a question about Tony Morelli."
"You heard about Joseph's trip to the hospital?" Frank asked.
"Yes. Tank was talking to him and got someone to dispatch an ambulance while keeping the line open," Stephanie replied.
"Sherman is a good man," Frank said, smiling. "Tony died from liver failure. But he did have a heart attack that day. He never got released from the hospital."
"Thanks, Dad. Did his family have a history of heart disease?"
"None of them lived past the age of forty-five," Frank replied. "Whether from heart disease or liver failure is anyone's guess. I'm sorry if I can't give you a better answer."
"That's okay, Daddy. Thank you. I've got to go," Stephanie said, then ended the call. She smiled when she faced the others. "Dad said they have a history of liver failure and heart disease."
Stephanie wondered if she should eat leaner meats and lower-fat foods to follow her husband's diet. She was already eating healthier versions of her favourite meals. The takeout food consumption decreased to once per week.
"How did he get hired at the TPD with that serious infraction?" Lester asked.
"Police Commissioner Bruno Magliano and Mayor Sylvester Gianni," Stephanie replied. "Bruno was the chief when Morelli joined the police force. Anthony Sr and Bruno were close friends since childhood. Gianni and Anthony Sr met in high school. They were thicker than thieves."
"They did Joseph Morelli no favour by hiding his past. It gave him a sense of invincibility," Tank said. Stephanie snorted since Morelli got treated like the prince of the Burg. He could do no wrong. Morelli never got held responsible for his actions.
Stephanie felt Morelli's fall from grace was long overdue.
Joe woke up to the sounds of beeping machines. He looked around the room to determine his location. "Oh. Thank goodness you're awake," Angie said. She pressed the button to call the nurse.
"How long have I been here?" Joe asked. His voice sounded rough like he had a frog stuck in his throat.
"Almost a day," Angie replied. "When did you start feeling heartburn or chest pains?"
"During rehab," Joe said. "The nurses said it was a panic attack." Angie wiped the tear off her cheek.
Nurse Janice entered the room. "It's nice to see you're awake, Mr. Morelli. How are you feeling?" she asked. Janice recorded his heart rate on the chart, then ensured the cables and IV were secured. She checked his oxygen saturation level on the pulse odometer.
"Like I got run over by a car. Actually, I know how that felt. It's worse than getting hit by a car," he replied. Joe wanted to know why he was in the hospital. "I had a panic attack. Why am I here?"
"You had a minor heart attack," Dr. Stevenson said as he entered the room. "I performed an angioplasty to open the coronary artery. You had a blockage. Eventually, you'll need bypass surgery."
Joe shook his head, unwilling to believe he had plaque building up in his artery. He was only thirty-two, which was too young to experience blockages. "How do I reverse the damage?" Joe asked.
"Low-fat diet and exercise. I advise eating healthy by adding more vegetables to your meals," Dr. Stevenson replied. "Cut back on the red meats and processed foods."
Angie was devastated. Her precious Joey had to change his eating habits to survive. She didn't know how to cook other foods. Would Joseph follow a healthier diet? Her late husband refused to follow the restrictions when he got diagnosed.
"How long do I have if I maintain my current habits?" Joe asked. He couldn't image not eating lasagna made with ground beef and sausage. Joe refused to give up his meatball subs. What was he supposed to eat?
"A few years," Dr. Stevenson replied. He used his prescription pad to draw a crude diagram of Morelli's heart. "You're already building plaque in these arteries." Dr. Stevenson drew the areas affected.
"Would changing my diet clear the plaque?"
"No, but it would decrease the amount deposited." Dr. Stevenson had two types of heart patients. The patients either followed the restrictions or ignored them. Heart disease would still claim their lives, but following his recommendation extended their life span. There was no reason why a young, virile man couldn't live until his eighties.
"Thank you," Joe replied. "When can I go home?"
"Tomorrow," Dr. Stevenson replied. He left the room, knowing the patient would change nothing about his life.
"I'll be back later, Joey. I have to go shopping," Angie said.
Joe glared at his mother. "You better not be buying that healthy shit," he warned.
"It's okay, Joey. I'll buy lower-fat options for the meat. You can still enjoy your favourite foods."
"Just don't substitute lasagna noodles for that eggplant shit." Joe hated eggplant. It was disgusting the first time his mother served it as a healthy lasagna.