Charlie sat in silence after Angel explained how Luca had admitted his feelings. Though she felt the urge to say something, she could sense that Angel had more to share about that particular event.
"I'll admit, that it was a tough situation," Angel remarked. "And it really was. But ya gotta grasp why things had to play out like that during those years. Some fellas in the Mafia were actually of a different persuasion, so I wasn't the only one dealt that hand. But life was a real struggle for 'em—more like a living nightmare. Being in a world that already looked down on you and questioned you just for the nationality you came from, and on top of that, being something that was frowned upon and against the law due to it being viewed as unnatural—it was a double challenge. Mobsters and folks in similar predicaments were cautious to keep their true selves under wraps, ya know? They had to, to sidestep all the judgments, prejudice, and trouble it could stir up from their criminal associates, the law, or the neighborhood."
"Managing things like concealing your true self, entering into relationships with women you might be friendly with, but only marrying them to maintain appearances, avoiding gay bars at all costs to stay out of sight—these were the survival tactics used to mask their true identities. They had to exercise extreme caution, especially if they were involved with someone within the same criminal circle. It was all about projecting a tough exterior because that's how men were expected to present themselves, all the while feeling torn apart inside. It's not that I didn't care or lack a desire for that kind of relationship with him, but given the kind of life we were entrenched in, there was no visible future for us. It would only breed resentment and frustration, tearing us apart. Even a discreet relationship would raise suspicions. When the two of us were at the farmhouse, that was one thing, because it was just the two of us. But back in the city, we were expected to keep up appearances and hide our true selves. There were ways to maintain clandestine relationships, of course, but the fact that we'd have to constantly tip-toe around just to avoid getting caught wouldn't work for long."
"I understand now," Charlie said. "You were declining Luca's feelings because you didn't want anything to negatively affect the two of you."
"Yeah," Angel sighed, rubbing his brow. "Pops was already giving me a hard time, and Fratello wasn't any easier. My brother didn't physically harm me for being gay or even for being with Luca, but he made it crystal clear that if I were discovered, I'd be digging my own grave, and I'd have to bear the repercussions of that. And Luca himself hadn't revealed to his Mom that he was bi since she'd take that as something to be ashamed of."
"If he was living in an apartment with his mother," Charlie suggested. "Couldn't it have been possible for him to have is own apartment and have you live as a room mate?"
"That wasn't really a thing back in the 30s," Angel explained. "For men, the expectation was to either live with their parents until they got married or live with their wives and children. While men didn't have a strict age deadline like women did, as it was common for guys to be on the prowl or have lovers outside of marriage. There was still a strong push for marriage at a young age, typically in their early twenties. If a guy didn't intend to wed or didn't find someone they were interested in, they were often labeled as a 'confirmed bachelor.' Unlike women, who were viewed as burdens if they didn't tie the knot before the age of thirty, 'confirmed bachelors' were mostly seen as eccentric and reclusive."
"There was also the matter of Molly. Whenever she returned to the city from upstate, Pops would parade her among the associations, members of the family who weren't blood relatives, and even families Pops believed would be essential for our family's interests. That's one of the reasons Pops was grooming Luca to be a potential husband for Molly. Pops saw something in Celani that he thought could strengthen our family, so he encouraged the pairing. Luca even made some suggestions, like agreeing to marry Molly but having her be a decoy while he maintained a relationship with me. Molly didn't mind the idea of being a fake wife so that I could have a relationship, but it was still an agreement for a woman to be a wife in name only while her husband was involved with his brother-in-law."
"Yeah," Charlie blushed. "I can see where that would be problematic."
"After Luca's revelation during that holiday season, things changed. Our interactions weren't as open as they had been before; it felt more like we were just coexisting. During the day, Luca would head off to a nearby town to sell the olive oil and other goods we produced. He wouldn't take me with him, claiming it was necessary to avoid being seen by anyone who could reveal my whereabouts. However, the nearest town was too small for someone like Pops or a rival family member to take significant interest. Maybe it was an opportunity for me to escape, a sort of 'If you're going to run for it, do it while I'm away' situation. This way, Pops could see me as a loss but no longer a problem for the family. Since I wasn't officially initiated into the family, it wasn't as if I could become an informant or anything like that. As far as Pops was concerned, I was legally nonexistent."
"Luca could still hear my cries during my night terrors, but he no longer came by to check on me. On uneasy nights, I'd find my way downstairs to seek comfort on the couch by the dying embers. One morning, I woke up to find Luca filling buckets with water. He explained that a radio broadcast had warned of an impending winter storm. He was ensuring we had enough water for drinking and cooking in case the pipes froze. He also hinted that sleeping in the living room wasn't a good idea due to the plummeting nighttime temperatures. Later that afternoon, a neighbor from the nearby farms came over to assist in insulating the basement pipes with rags and newspapers."
"Instances like this occurred in the city as well, though most buildings had centralized heating. It was the tenements and slum areas that often suffered. All of this was a new experience for me; I had never had to be concerned about whether we had enough firewood, or if our food could be rationed until the worst of the cold spell passed, or even how to keep warm."
"By mid-afternoon, I was assigned the task of preparing a hot bath. It had a dual purpose: to warm the pipes and prevent freezing, and to allow us a chance to bathe, knowing we needed to conserve water during the cold snap. This would be our only opportunity for a thorough bath until the cold spell had passed. I took the first turn, and once I was done, Luca would follow suit before we drained the tub. After that, we settled in and made the most of the situation."
"When a bath became a necessity, we had to get resourceful. We'd carry a wash basin, then haul it back upstairs to the bathing room. Additionally, we'd place a stockpot filled with snow on the stove to melt and warm. The resulting melted snow was then added to the wash basin, allowing the water to reach a temperature suitable for a bath. Then we'd scrub ourselves down with a washcloth. Given the need for water conservation, we could only manage this ritual once a week at best. As always, we maintained our system of taking turns for the tub, and the used water was carefully disposed of afterward. This relentless cold spell persisted from before New Year's until the middle of January."
"In February, Fratello reached out to us about the start of the Castellammarese War. He let us know that he and the rest of the family were 'going to the mattresses,' which meant they were gearing up for intense conflict and wouldn't be readily available for contact. When Luca inquired about whether we should return to the city, Fratello couldn't give a definite answer. He assured us he'd notify us when possible. He also made sure to convey that Luca's mother was being well taken care of, and Molly was traveling to Italy with our upstate family, accompanied by our Nonna, who had chosen to return to Italy to spend her remaining days there."
"I felt a sense of relief knowing our family members were safe, but the worry for the people we knew in the midst of danger persisted. All we could do was wait for word on whether we were needed back in New York or for news that the gang war had come to an end. While awaiting updates, Luca and I took the opportunity to prepare ourselves. Unless the weather was a hindrance, we'd engage in gun training at dawn and dusk in a nearby wooded area. We opted for regular shotgun rifles to avoid raising suspicions from neighbors in case they heard gunfire. Additionally, hunting served practical purposes for us and the neighboring communities. During these times, I honed my cooking skills. One of the things I had in my possessions was my mother's old recipe journal, something Uncle Umberto thought would be useful. So I'd spend days reading it and committing the techniques to memory. It certainly helped with determining how to ration, how long something would last, and the like. Luca also had kitchen skills, having learned from his mother. He could offer advice on simplifying dishes or finding alternatives for less common or hard-to-find ingredients. However, the need to limit ourselves to meager meals did take its toll. Our preserves and pickled vegetables were running low due to use or bartering with neighbors for goods. Often, we found ourselves limited to either two small meals or one larger one, depending on what needed to be used up. So we were eating enough to function, but both of us grew thinner as a result. Some of our neighbors felt the need to sell their property and land to move away. Other families in the area were struggling, even without the economy being in such dire straits. On one hunting trip for gun practice, Luca and I managed to catch a couple of rabbits. Unfortunately, they were small and lean, not providing enough meat for anything beyond a stew. However, one of our neighbors had four young children, so we decided to give the rabbits to them, as they needed it more."
"That was generous," Charlie commented.
"It was something my Nonni was known for," Angel remarked. "As for Pops, his dad just left the family when he was young. So Pops and his siblings had to work from a tender age to make ends meet. This is what initially drew him into the world of the Camorra, where they could do as they pleased and get paid for it. You could say Pops viewed that life as that of a well-compensated tough guy. Now, my Mamma's Pops, although I never had the chance to meet him, was a man of strong honor. The Croche family may have engaged in questionable dealings and dark money, but at its core, they held a deep belief in honor and how respect had to be earned. If someone in the community was struggling, he'd discreetly investigate it and provide donations of money or food. Those who made a living by exploiting others or harassed people would find themselves plucked from the streets and put to work in factories or businesses tied to the Croche family. These actions weren't born out of pure altruism or anything of the sort. After all, if everything was done purely out of selflessness, there wouldn't be any need for organized crime or even the police. This was more of a goodwill gesture for the neighboring community, so they could feel that someone was watching over them. Pops, on the other hand, saw acts of kindness as a sign of vulnerability. He regarded goodwill as charity for suckers; if you were going out of your way to help someone, there had to be a guaranteed payback."
"If your brother had become the new head of your family," Charlie asked cautiously "How do you believe he would have lead it."
"Hard to say," Angel remarked. "I never lived to see him take on the role of Capofamiglia. I'd like to believe he would have led the family in a more honorable way than what Pops was doing. Still, Pops always kept Fratello close and trained him to follow in his footsteps. It wasn't easy for him, even though he was Pops' favorite. He didn't face the Don's wrath as often as I did, but he was careful to toe the line of what Pops wanted us to be. He'd tell me that my opinions on something didn't matter, the Don's word was the law. You're given orders, you carry them out, no questions asked. For someone as observant as he is, he just doesn't see that his loyalty to Pops and the family, as admirable as it is, means nothing in the end. At the end of the day, all Fratello and I, all anyone in the family ever was, were just tools that Pops felt he could use and discard as he pleased. Even when Luca died, or rather, when Luca was murdered, Pops treated his death as if it meant nothing and saw me as the cause of it."
"So you and Luca did have a relationship," Charlie asked? "I know you told him you didn't think of him in that way to avoid any trouble in the city. Why did you change your mind?"
"It ain't easy to repress yourself," Angel sighed. "Even if it's for someone else's well-being. Being told you have to deny who you are just to fit the mold someone else has for you is a dehumanizing experience."
"Thats how I felt when I was with Seviathon," Charlie commented as a way of showing she understood.
"I also didn't have the best examples when it came to loving relationships," Angel said. "Mamma...she suffered under Pops. I didn't understand it back then because I was young, but given how quickly things were disguised or even avoided, there was no way I couldn't have figured something was going on. Fratello, I knew he was married at that point. I didn't actually know how toxic that relationship actually was, though. Yeah, Fratello and his wife weren't exactly happy in the relationship, and I don't really blame them. After all, they were both pushed into it because Pops wanted to have an alliance with that Mafia Clan. While they had some time to become acquainted as a couple, it wasn't enough to know how compatible they actually were. With Sabina, she had a good relationship with Umberto. He still stood aside and let his own wife become Pops's plaything, because he felt there was nothing he could do or say in objection. So while I wanted to have a relationship with someone like Luca... I didn't want it, it if meant I would be in pain either because I was relegated to being a side fling because the rest of the world said we couldn't be in a relationship or I was just someone he could use and leave."
"The time I began to realize Luca's feelings for me were for real was during one time when I fell ill."
Flash Back, March 1930.
Anthony staggered down the creaky wooden staircase, his footsteps echoing in the quiet house. The morning sun streamed through the lace curtains, casting a warm, honeyed glow on the wooden floor. His disheveled appearance and sluggish movements painted a vivid picture of his condition, which was far from robust.
His body felt like it was encumbered by lead weights, each step a deliberate effort. Anthony's vision swayed in and out of focus, as if he were peering through a dense fog. The telltale signs of illness weighed him down, but he couldn't afford to admit it. Pops, the patriarch of his family, was a stern man, uncompromising when it came to any form of perceived weakness. Those who toiled for the family were expected to "man up" and give their all, no matter the circumstances. A mere cough or the sniffles were seen as excuses, a reason to take an aspirin and press on, regardless of how wretched one felt.
This rigid principle extended even to his children and their education. Anthony's memories were filled with instances where he was deemed too sick to attend school, yet he'd spend the day languishing in the nurse's office, biding his time until the final bell rang. On some occasions, a day's rest and the kindly nurse's ministrations were enough, but there were times when he had to bring home a note from the school, stating that he should remain home for the next three to five days. In such instances, Sabina, his aunt and their neighbor, would insist he stay with her family until he fully recovered, providing a warm bed and a caring environment to convalesce.
Today, however, Anthony knew this wasn't a mere cold or minor ailment. He had woken up later than usual, with the sun high in the sky, a clear sign that his housemate Luca had already been awake for hours, getting ready to take the precious olive oil they had bottles the previous day into town. As he descended the stairs, he couldn't ignore the shivers wracking his body, as if a sudden chill had overcome him. It was ironic that he felt cold, considering moments earlier, he'd been drenched in sweat and heat. The thin shirt plastered to his skin only intensified the bone-chilling sensation, and he couldn't help but worry about how this day would unfold.
Luca had been worried about Anthony all morning, and now, as he entered the farmhouse and saw his younger companion in such a pitiful state, his concern deepened. The realization of Anthony's condition hit him like a wave crashing on the shore, and a sinking feeling settled in his chest. The golden-haired young man's usual vitality had given way to a disturbingly ashen complexion, and the cotton top he wore clung to his emaciated frame, emphasizing the severity of his illness. Anthony clung to the newel post at the base of the stairs, as if it were the only thing keeping him upright.
"Anthony," Luca exclaimed with genuine worry, "what happened to you?"
"Celani," Anthony croaked out, his voice barely above a whisper, before he was overcome by a bout of heavy, wet-sounding coughs. It was a pitiable sight, and Luca wasted no time, rushing to his side and pulling the ailing into a protective embrace. Anthony's attempts to push him away were feeble and lacked the energy to put up any real defense against Luca's arms.
"I didn't mean to oversleep," Anthony mumbled groggily, his words punctuated by wheezing breaths. "I just...need some...aspirin, and I'll get to work."
Luca held Anthony close, his worry evident in his eyes. "No, Tony," he replied firmly, "you're not going to work like this. You're burning up. We need to get you somewhere you can lie down." Luca's expression was a mix of concern and determination. "Aspirin isn't a good idea right now," he insisted, gently but firmly. He guided the younger man to the living room, the warmth of his embrace reassuring. Anthony's protests were weak and unconvincing, a clear sign of how unwell he truly was.
As Anthony was settled on the couch, Luca left the room briefly, returning with a black case containing a glass thermometer. With utmost care, he extracted the thermometer from its case and handed it to Anthony. "Hold this under your tongue," he instructed. "You haven't eaten yet...how about I make some toast? It should be easy on your stomach. After you've eaten, I can give you some aspirin."
Luca left the room before Anthony could voice any further objections. The blond-haired boy contemplated the thermometer for a moment, his thoughts wandering to dark places. In reality, all he wanted now was to retreat to his bed and never wake up again. When Luca returned, he carried with him a couple of lightly toasted slices of bread drizzled with honey. He carefully removed the glass thermometer from Anthony's mouth and examined the results.
Luca's sigh of concern spoke volumes as he read the thermometer's high reading. "103.5," he murmured, as if confirming his suspicions. He knew that Anthony's illness was more severe than a passing ailment.
"But..." Anthony began to protest, but his words were gently cut off by Luca.
"I can't leave you like this," Luca said resolutely as he handed over the plate of toast. "If anything, I should be bundling you into the car and taking you to see a doctor. I'm wondering if I should call one anyway." Anthony picked up the slices of white bread and chewed on them mechanically. The soft bread was easy to swallow, but it still stung as it passed through his sore throat.
"You don't..." Anthony tried to protest again.
"I'll check your temperature again in a couple of hours," Luca said as he got up and left the room for the kitchen. He returned with a couple of aspirin tablets and a mug of water. He handed them over to Anthony, taking the plate from him. "You just get some rest for now, all right?" Anthony didn't argue. His body flopped into a prone position on the couch, as though he had expended his last ounce of energy. His heavy eyelids closed, and he drifted into an exhausted sleep, the soft hum of Luca's concern and the promise of care surrounding him as he sought solace in slumber.
As Anthony's groggy eyes fluttered open, he was immediately struck by the feeling of disorientation. Something was off, and it didn't take him long to realize that he was not in his familiar guest room. Confusion clouded his still-aching head as he attempted to make sense of his surroundings. The room he found himself in was definitely one of the rooms of Luca's farmhouse, but it wasn't his guestroom, nor was it Luca's room. It was similar but distinctly unfamiliar. Of the three bedrooms, the only one that wasn't used was the one that had once belonged to Luca's parents.
Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he took in the room's details. The bed he lay in was notably larger than any of the beds in the farmhouse, clearly intended for a married couple. Then, there was the startling sight of Luca, fully clothed, lying flat on his back beside him. The room was filled with an odd silence, and the whole scene was perplexing, to say the least.
Anthony struggled to sit up, his body protesting with aches and chills. He cast another glance at Luca, who appeared to be peacefully sleeping. His mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened and how he had ended up in this unfamiliar room. The pieces of the puzzle were missing, leaving him in a state of bafflement.
Luca stirred in his sleep, his eyes opened before they shifted and met Anthony's, he quickly moved into a sitting position with his back turned, as if he had been caught doing something rather forward. The room was thick with an awkward silence, making it clear that both of them were uncertain about the unusual circumstances.
"It's uh...good to see you awake," Luca began awkwardly, attempting to break the ice. "I checked your temperature again a couple of hours ago. I noticed things hadn't elevated, which was good, but it hadn't improved either. I called for a doctor, and he looked you over, telling me you should rest and stay hydrated. He didn't think taking you to a clinic was a good idea, considering your already fragile condition. Moving you to a clinic could stress you to the point of endangering your life. If you had to be moved, it was better to have you brought up to your room. I had to carry you upstairs."
Anthony listened to Luca's explanation in silence, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease. He was acutely aware of how helpless he had been during this ordeal, unable to consent or protest. The situation was both confusing and humbling, and he wasn't quite sure how to respond.
"You uh...talk in your sleep when you're distressed," Luca said, his voice tinged with a hint of concern and intrigue. "You had been placed in your bedroom... I had replaced the sweat-soaked bedding while you were sleeping downstairs. When I brought you in here and was laying you down, you started to cling to me and whimpered, 'Don't leave me here by myself.' I couldn't just climb into bed with you, 'cause, these beds aren't meant for two, and I didn't want you to wake up and think I was takin' advantage of you. So I brought you into my folks' old room. I made sure you were warm under the blankets, and I've stayed close beside you."
Anthony refrained from any commentary, uncertain about the recent revelation that he unconsciously conversed during his slumber. It led him to ponder the possibility of other inadvertent revelations since his arrival at this locale.
"I reckon I owe you an apology," Luca declared. Anthony found this declaration rather perplexing and disconcerting. He couldn't recollect Luca ever uttering anything insensitive or offensive. Maybe his fever had yet to subside, leading to hallucinations... that seemed to be the only plausible explanation.
"I owe you an apology for what I said to you last year... during the holiday," Luca clarified, his words tinged with sincerity. "I don't regret expressing my feelings, but I failed to consider your point of view. You're a kid, technically. It might have been too much for you at that time. And you were right even if we were to pursue a relationship, it would be only be here. In the city, it'd be a lot more complicated. We'd have to keep everything hidden, and a single slip could expose us. We'd be fortunate if the Don simply banished the both of us."
Anthony, though his voice remained raspy, be managed to respond, "It's not just that. Everyone I've loved and cared about... they've always been taken away from me. My mother passed away, Sabina took her own life, and Molls was sent away... if I were to lose you... I don't know..." His words hitched, and he took a sharp inhale of breath.
Luca's arms enveloped him, pulling him into a warm embrace. Anthony's instincts initially urged him to push away or react defensively, but simultaneously, there was something gentle and secure about being in Luca's arms. It had been so long since he'd felt such comfort that a sob escaped from his chest. Luca's embrace only grew tighter.
"I won't leave you," Luca reassured him. "I promise, even to my last breath... I'll never abandon you."
*End flashback*
"In that night, the fever that had me in its grip finally broke," Angel recounted. "Although I still felt far from well in the following days, Luca stood by my side throughout. Our days at that farmhouse were something special, as we nervously awaited news of our return to the city or updates on the Valvano investigation. Despite the uncertainty, we relished every moment there, not wanting it to end. I even accompanied Luca on his marketing trips, maintaining our cover story of being cousins while also playing the role of a business partner. Surprisingly, I had a knack for spotting those who tried to cheat us or shortchange customers. Store owners often blamed the tough economy when we confronted them, and though there was some truth to it, they weren't the only ones feeling the pinch. Our ability to lower prices was often requested, prompting us to consider selling goods directly to customers.
"In the midst of it all, Luca and I deepened our connection, evolving from companions to lovers. Luca had experience with women but had never ventured into a male relationship, and I, until then, remained a virgin. Our intimate moments were precious, but it wasn't just about the physical connection; the true joy lay in the quiet moments after, or simply cuddling without the need for any action. Unfortunately, the good times couldn't last forever. Shortly after my eighteenth birthday, we received the call that the Castellammarese War had ended, Masseria had met his demise, and Maranzano was restructuring the city's organized crime into what would be known as the Five Families of New York."
"However, Maranzano's ambition got the better of him when he crowned himself the "Boss of All Bosses" and demanded tribute from all mafia families. This decision didn't sit well with the other families, and, several months later, Maranzano met his own end. The title of "Boss of All Bosses" was abolished, as they realized that having someone with that much power would only lead to trouble."
"In addition to the powerful Five Families in New York, there existed a governing body known as the Commission, much like a board of directors for organized crime. This Commission was akin to a high-stakes executive meeting that brought together the heads of major mafia organizations across America. These leaders, who held a similar status to CEOs in the criminal underworld, convened to address and resolve conflicts among various mafia families. The Commission included key figures not only from New York City but also from other influential criminal hubs like Las Vegas, and even had a seat for notable figures such as Al Capone. Pops hated the idea of both because it meant paying a tribute to the Lucchese crime family, and even though he was the head of a Mafia clan, he didn't have enough standing to have any role in the Commission."
"Remarkably, the Commission extended its reach beyond the Italian Mafia, as it also counted the Jewish Mafia among its members. Their primary goal was to maintain a sense of order and prevent destructive gang wars that could harm their overall illicit enterprises. In essence, the Commission served as a peacemaking and decision-making body for the American criminal underworld, so everything Pops regarded as weakness. To ensure that orders were carried out efficiently, the Commission had a specialized enforcement arm known as Murder Inc. As I mentioned before, Murder Inc. was responsible for carrying out the Commission's orders, particularly when it came to eliminating individuals who posed a threat or needed to be silenced. These guys were the attack dogs of the Commission, ensuring that their directives were executed with precision and secrecy."
"With the issues regarding Valvano's death, while he did have standing among the various families, he ironicly didn't have as many friends among them as he believed he did. As it turned out, I wasn't the only one Valvano had made into a plaything. This despicable bastard had a twisted preference for young victims, whom he saw as his way of teaching them how to "properly" love their men. He shamelessly exploited his connections within the mafia families to manipulate his victims, convincing them that he held the power to make them vanish if they ever dared to speak about the horrors they endured."
"Valvano's male victims, particularly those who exhibited more feminine traits or features, were also subjected to his predatory advances. It didn't matter whether they identified as straight or not; to him, they were nothing more than fresh meat. Just like his treatment of female victims, these guys found themselves in a situation where they couldn't easily come forward. Those who may have been gay or bisexual feared being discredited and shamed, while even straight men were reluctant to admit to the humiliation of being sexually. Valvano's abuse and manipulation had left a trail of suffering and silence that he exploited to maintain his grip on power and control."
"In light of the situation, Pops couldn't order my execution for taking down an associate of the family. However, it was made abundantly clear that I wasn't off the hook for my actions. To emphasize this point, it was decided that I had "made my bones" and would be formally inducted into the family as a soldier. Pops concocted a convenient narrative, claiming that he had long harbored suspicions about Valvano. He asserted that he had brought me into the fold as an associate with the intention of having me get close to Valvano. By eliminating him, I had, in Pops' eyes, proven my loyalty and earned my place within the family."
"The reality of the situation was that this induction was a strategic move to ensure that I wouldn't engage in any actions that could tarnish the family's reputation again. It was a means of keeping a close eye on me and making sure I understood the consequences of my past actions. My newfound status as a soldier came with a sense of belonging but also carried a weight of responsibility and expectations from the family."
"Being a made man meant I had certain responsibilities to the family. My street captain, who brought me into the crew, happened to be one of my father's brothers, Uncle Cirillo. Among my dad's siblings, Cirillo wasn't the most ruthless, but he was the sole survivor. Uncle Maurizio and Augusto met their fate during the Castellammarese War. The remaining brother died of a cholora outbreak in Italy after Pops moved to America."
"My duties for the family kept me from laying eyes on Luca or even exchanging words with him. I can't spill the beans on my family work, but it wasn't pleasent."
"I had the chance to meet Corrina, my sister-in-law, not long after I returned to New York City. She presented herself as pleasant on the surface or gave off the impression of being well-intentioned. However, I always had the sense that she viewed me as a rival or saw me as a threat in some way. Pops, true to his unpredictable nature, actually followed through on a promise he intended for when I turned 18, one of those promises I had hoped he'd conveniently forget. During our teenage years, Fratello and I had witnessed Pops bringing women home on occasion, and there were moments when Fratello was allowed to partake in their company as well."
"So, when Pops returned home with a woman one evening, I thought nothing of it and simply retreated to my room. However, to my surprise, Pops barged into my room instead of heading to his own, and with a tone that left no room for refusal, he informed me that he had paid the girl extra to ensure I had a good time. He made it clear that he had no intention of spending money for nothing. The girl seemed to grasp that Pops' motive was to make a point or teach me a lesson about meeting certain expectations, so she quietly instructed me to focus on the wall and assured me it would all be over in five minutes. That was the longest five minutes of my life."
"I would imagine," Charlie said sympatheticly. "You shouldn't have had to go through that."
"Yeah," Angel replied with a nonchalant shrug, "That's just how things went down in those days. Sure, I could have taken the 'Confirmed Bachelor' route, but it wasn't the foolproof shield it might seem. Back then, 'Confirmed Bachelor' often meant something else – a code for being 'in the closet,' if you catch my drift. If I showed no interest in women at all, folks would immediately start suspecting my affections leaned toward men. Even if I did get hitched and settled for a platonic partnership, there'd still be whispers about procreation. People couldn't resist speculating if we were trying for a family or if one of us had fertility issues. And, let me tell you, it was usually the woman who got the blame for not conceiving, even if it was the guy's issue. A classic case was Fratello's marriage – he only had two living sons, and they came late in my life. They were just seven and five when I kicked the bucket."
"I never got to meet those boys in person; Corrina thought I'd be a bad influence on them, so I was kept away from them. But she'd been pregnant three times before those two boys came along. The first two ended in heartbreak with miscarriages, and the third, a little girl, was stillborn. Pops was mighty disappointed and blamed Corrina for her inability to have a child. He even suggested she find herself a new husband. Now, she might've been going through some hormonal rollercoaster at the time, having just lost another baby, but she also pointed her finger at me, saying my presence was preventing my brother from becoming a father. Fratello, he didn't exactly defend me, but he didn't buy into the accusation either. Pops had his doubts, too, but he had high hopes for that alliance with the DeNatale Family to boost our family's standing. If Corrina couldn't bring a live child into the marriage, the alliance would be worthless. Still, he couldn't deny that my return to the family might've played a part in Fratello's childless predicament."
"That's..." Charlie began, his voice tinged with speculation, "horrible. I can empathize with her emotional turmoil, losing not just one child, but three, must be unimaginably devastating. However, shifting blame onto you and insinuating that your reintegration into the family somehow led to the tragedies... It seems to me like Corrina might be searching for reasons to push you away or to have you removed from the family."
"Don't know what she was hopin' to gain from that," Angel said. "It's not like I had much standing or anything to gain by being part of the family. I'm surprised Pops never forced me to get actually get hitched to anyone. Sometimes, I wonder if he was expecting me to get gunned down at some point. After all, soldiers are the equivlent of hired grunts. A number of them do wind up dead or badly injured to the point they aren't of any use to the family anymore."
"What happens then?" Charlie asked cautiously.
"It all depends on the injury and the reasons behind it, or what it leads to," Angel muttered as if he was struggling to articulate his thoughts. "But, you're better off not prying too much."
"Oh..." Charlie said getting a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"A couple months after Luca and I returned to the City," Angel said. "Molly also returned, though she didn't come back alone."