Forbidden love for a Barkley
Part Thirty Six:
"Jarrod's Plan, pt. 4: Possibilita Di Giustizia"
Jarrod revealed the beginning stage of his plan which made Paulie feel very hopeful that Sturgis, Clevenger, Reardon, McIntosh, and Halloran would finally be held accountable for their roles in the murder of Emilio and that the case would be looked at, reopened, and brought to trial. As much as he wanted to guarantee that there would be justice, Jarrod laid out the possibility of the whole thing never seeing the light of day and no justice being served in the case of the late Emilio Mangano to which Paulie admitted that as much as it hurt to hear the eldest Barkley son say such a thing, he completely understood and appreciated the effort & that he (Jarrod) cared enough to try. In other words, "A" for effort. Of course, as much as he needed to lay out the disappointing possibility, Jarrod also told Paulie to hope for the best besides preparing for the worst which in itself was never an easy task. How could one prepare for the worst while hoping for the best at the same time? It's easier said than done for goodness sake! Anyways, Jarrod not only stressed those things, he also stressed that if there was to be a trial, Paulie, Serafina, and Carmine would need to testify which meant reliving the horror all over again to which Paulie understood completely and was willing to do it. Meanwhile, Nick would explain to Stefania what made him different from other men and Stefania would admit that even though Nick said all the right things, those things were 'just words' or 'solo parole' in Italian, adding that actions speak louder than words. Nick would admit she had a point before shifting topics to where he would admit that he'll always harbor guilt for what happened to her and his own father before grabbing his gun belt, clearly indicating that despite his injured status, he was ready to go through with his plan of making McMahon & his bunch Leonard pay for what happened to Stefania only for her to stop and convince him to put the plan aside and rest before tucking him in his bed all snug, putting a pillow under his broken leg, and leaving the room to retrieve his sandwich. Audra would come in and shoot the breeze with Nick, voicing her concerns on whether he and Stefania were arguing or not, only to be told that the conversation between the couple only involved the two and not anybody else. She would explain why she asked before leaving and running into Stefania where the latter would tell her she has something on her mind and the two would agree on a woman-to-woman talk. All the while, Jarrod would admit that he wished Carmine would hear him out to which Paulie would say in so many words that he had a way to convince his older brother before leaving. Now, after Paulie left, Victoria would ask what was going to which Jarrod told her it would be better explained at a late Mother's Day dinner he promised to her before he had to leave for San Francisco that time. This brought a smile to Victoria's face before she hurried up the stairs to get her shawl. The questions that remain are as follows: Will Paulie manage to convince Carmine to hear Jarrod out?, Will the story involving Santo be fully revealed?, How will Audra and Stefania's woman-to-woman talk go?, and most importantly, will the case of Emilio Mangano's murder be brought to trial? Stay tuned and find out!
Author's Note: I do NOT own The Big Valley or its characters. I ONLY own this fic and the characters of: Stefania Mangano, Carmine Mangano Sr, Carmine's friends, Paulie Mangano, Italia Mangano, Emilio Mangano, Serafina Mangano, Chet and the men Heath rounded up, Jess and Mavis Chaney, the Animal Team, Leonard Barkley, Seth & his gang, and the Mangano family. Also too, as you can very well see, this is the fourth of however many parts to another multi part chapter saga. Full disclosure, I'm not a legal expert or lawyer by any means, so please, bear with me during the parts involving Jarrod putting on his lawyer hat.
WARNING: There may (or may not) be more talk of pregnancy resulting from r*pe and the topic of men abandoning pregnant women in this chapter. If it makes you uncomfortable, I understand and...you get the idea by now when it comes to the "WARNING" label :D
(Flashback to part 35)
"You're right, Stefania. Actions do speak louder and I'm all about actions speaking louder than words. Look, I'm going to prove myself to you. I'm going to prove that I'm not like others." Nick put his hands on her shoulders.
"I hope so, because I don't like having these fears and thoughts. I used to believe there were good people in this world and while I still do-" Stefania was cut off.
"I know what you mean, Stefania. In fact, I feel the same way. I also used to think the world was full of good people and while I still do believe there are good people, I've encountered a lot of bad ones that ruin it. It's like a few bad apples in the bunch. You can't let those bad ones ruin the whole bunch, but it's hard not to. My father's murder was enough to make me more aware of the fact that not everybody is as good as they seem nor will they always be your friend. I mean a family friend turned sour and murdered my father over a feud. A feud that could've ended in a more civil manner, but what's done is done unfortunately. Just like a lot of things such as what happened to you." Nick sighed.
"Nick, you know that wasn't your fault." Stefania looked into his eyes.
"I know and just like it isn't your fault either, but that doesn't mean I don't feel bad. I have everlasting guilt over it, because I promised to protect you and I failed. I failed terribly just like I failed my own father." Nick sat down in a nearby chair and put his head in his hands, "Nobody has any idea of how much guilt I carry. Yes, I'm working on forgiving myself and not having the guilt, but no matter how hard I will keep on trying, there's a part of me that will always feel it and not to be rude, but your father does a good job reminding me of what happened to you and how I failed to protect you plus still believing that I'm friends with McMahon and his bunch & solely responsible for it all."
"Nick..." Stefania walked over to him, lifted his head so that way they were making eye contact, and cupped his head with her hands, "I understand your feelings completely, but what happened to me and the murder of your papa are not your fault. You had no way of knowing. I know you would've done anything to prevent both things, but sometimes, things are far beyond one's control."
"I know, but deep inside, I'll always harbor the guilt. That being said, I mean it when I say I will stick by you and I am devoted to the one I am with. I mean every word of it. In fact, I promise you that I'll prove that I am not other men and I vow to make it up to you." Nick looked into her eyes.
"You don't have to make anything up to me." Stefania shook her head.
"Oh yes, I do. I do, Stefania. I wasn't there when you were being attacked and r*ped, but I'm here now and I will make it up. I'll right a wrong in two ways. One is being here for you and the other is...going back to my plan of finding McMahon, my uncle Leonard, and the others & making each of them pay." Nick got a look of determination in his eyes.
"Nick-" Stefania was cut off.
"In fact, I best get started now." Nick slowly stood up.
"Nick, don't you dare go anywhere. You're hurt." Stefania grabbed his arm.
"I don't care. Injured or not, my plan remains the same and I won't let a broken leg stop me." Nick grabbed his gun belt and put it on along with his black gloves.
"Nick, I won't let you move a muscle. Take your gun belt and gloves off. You're injured as it is and if you go out in your current state, you may get injured some more or worse." Stefania tightened her grip on his arm.
"Stefania, I made a promise and this one I plan on keeping." Nick insisted.
"I know, but you also promised to stay by my side and during the recovery process, you promised to stay off your feet which you are going to do. Now, get back in your bed." Stefania reminded him before pointing at Nick's bed.
"Ahhhh, but Stefania." Nick sounded like a whiny child while trying hard not to.
"Nick, get back into your bed! I will not have you moving around and aggravating your already broken leg." Stefania sounded like a mother.
"But Stefania-" Nick was cut off.
Stefania, still pointing at Nick's bed, didn't say word and instead, stomped her foot in response.
"But-" Nick was cut off, again.
Stefania stomped her foot, again. Knowing he wasn't going to get out of this, Nick reluctantly took his gun belt and gloves off before limping over to his bed and getting into it.
"There you go. Was that so bad?" Stefania smirked before grabbing a pillow, walking over to his bed, and gently placing it under Nick's broken leg in order to elevate it.
"Very." Nick folded his arms and pouted.
"Now, don't have a temper tantrum, Nick." Stefania fluffed the pillow.
"Who's having a temper tantrum? I just don't like laying around." Nick slightly chuckled.
"Nobody does, Nick, but sometimes, we all need to rest and recuperate." Stefania pulled a light sheet over Nick and started tucking him in.
"I know, but I don't want to go too long without going through with my plan." Nick told her.
"I know you don't, but all plans need to be put on hold while you're on the mend. No ifs, ands, or buts." Stefania finished tucking Nick in, "There you are, Nick. All tucked in as snug as bug in a rug, especially your broken leg. Wouldn't want to expose it to the elements."
"Yeah. We don't want my leg to catch the sniffles." Nick joked.
"Oh, Nick." Stefania laughed a little and shook her head before giving him a peck on the lips, "Now, you stay here and I'll go see what is taking Jarrod so long to bring you your sandwich that I made special."
"He probably ate it." Nick replied.
"And how do you know?" Stefania asked.
"I know Jarrod and I know he likes food." Nick told her.
"That sounds like my sister Allegra. Well, if that's the case, I'll make you another sandwich and bring it to you. Be right back." Stefania walked over to the door and opened it, "And don't you dare move while I'm gone."
"I won't. I promise." Nick told her.
"Good and-Wait a minute. Are you crossing your fingers?" Stefania raised an eyebrow.
"No." Nick shook his head.
"Good." Stefania said before shutting the door and going downstairs.
Knock, knock at the door.
"Come in." Nick said.
"Hi, Nick." Audra came in and shut the door, "I just wanted to check on you. Is everything okay?"
"Well, I'm all tucked in and elevating my leg." Nick replied.
"I see that, but I wasn't referring to your leg. I was referring to you and Stefania. It sounded like you both were arguing." Audra sat on Nick's bed.
"Nah, we weren't arguing. We were having a conversation. A serious one that only couples have and let's just leave it at that." Nick leaned against his pillow.
Audra opened her mouth to say something only to be cut off.
"Audra, had you married Chotaro Kubota or if you were still with Carl Wheeler and you had one of those private conversations with either of them, the rest of us would mind our own. We don't poke our noses into other's affairs, so never you mind. Besides, nobody likes a buttinsky." Nick firmly told her.
"Nick, I wasn't trying to be a buttinsky. I just wanted to make sure things between you and Stefania were okay. You know how much I hate it when couples fight." Audra stood up from the bed and walked over to the door.
"Well, in that case, I understand completely and appreciate your concern, Audra. Also too, I know how much you hate it when couples fight, because whenever mother and father would argue, you'd be the first one in tears." Nick nodded.
"That was when I was little." Audra blushed.
"You call 12 years old little?" Nick chuckled.
Audra lightly laughed before leaving Nick's room and heading down the stairs.
"Hi, Audra." Stefania was coming up the stairs with the sandwich she made for Nick.
"Hi, Stefania. Is everything alright?" Audra asked.
"Yes." Stefania nodded.
"Stefania, I don't mean to be a meddler, but my woman's intuition is telling me otherwise." Audra folded her arms.
"What do you mean?" Stefania asked.
"You say you're alright, but I can tell that there is something on your mind. Something you'd feel more comfortable telling another woman than you would a man." Audra told her.
"It shows, huh?" Stefania sighed.
"Like snow on a mountain top." Audra nodded.
"Well, you're right. I do have something on my mind and would you mind if I took a few minutes of your time to talk about it with you? Woman to woman." Stefania moved a piece of her hair to the side.
"If I minded, I wouldn't have even suggested it." Audra smiled.
"Alrighty then. Let me get this sandwich to Nick then we can have the talk." Stefania replied.
"Absolutely. I'll be waiting out in the garden." Audra said before continuing to go down the stairs.
Stefania nodded and continued her way up the stairs.
*Back in the study with Paulie and Jarrod*
"So, this Judge Hagerty, is he reliable?" Paulie asked.
"One of the best circuit judges there are, Paulie. All we need to do is inform Fred then he and I will dig through the office and once we find everything we need to find, I'll have my secretary, Miss Violet Pascucci, send a wire to Judge Hagerty informing him of the case and once he gets the wire, I'll take everything I gathered and we'll go from there. If my gut instinct is correct, he just might reopen the case, subpoena the perpetrators, and a trial may start." Jarrod told him.
"You really think he will reopen it?" Paulie sounded hopeful.
"I'm sure he will, because he is known to reopen and try cases that don't seem quite right. However, I cannot promise anything." Jarrod held his hand up.
"I understand completely, Jarrod. I hope we can try the case, but even if it doesn't see the light of day, at least you tried." Paulie nodded, "At least, you cared enough to try."
"That's all any of us can do in this life, Paulie. That being said, if the case does get tried, you, Carmine, and Serafina are going to have to testify. That unfortunately means reliving the whole thing all over again." Jarrod replied.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that possibility. Well, I'm willing to testify. I'll have to speak with Serafina and Carmine. Heck, I'll even bring them here and have you tell them." Paulie stood up from his chair.
"That's a good idea, but how do you know Carmine will agree to any of it?" Jarrod asked.
"I'm very good at convincing him or at least, I hope I am." Paulie shrugged.
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Jarrod sighed, "Now, while we know the story of your father, we need to know the story of Santo. The full story. That being said, if you'd rather talk about it another time, I understand."
"Thank you, Jarrod." Paulie smiled a little.
"No problem, Paulie." Jarrod stood up from his chair and walked over to Paulie.
"You have no idea how much this means to me and what it'll mean to my family knowing you care enough to get something started. Of course, there are no guarantees of anything, but that'll be okay, too, because at least, you showed interest. However, I do want to delve into Santo's story, but I want to wait for a little while. Not too long, of course, but just until I can recover from telling about my papa's murder. I can never delve into their stories at the same time." Paulie took a deep breath.
"I understand completely, Paulie. Whenever you're ready, you can come over here and come into the study or if I'm out and about and we bump into each other, we'll go somewhere private and discuss it. Of course, I would love it if Carmine showed up." Jarrod said.
"I'll try and get him to show up." Paulie replied.
"Well, let's let him heal up first then go from there. Okay?" Jarrod suggested.
"Deal." Paulie nodded before opening the door, "I best get home and tell Carmine what we discussed so far. Besides, he'll be wondering where I am and I've taken up too much of your time anyways."
"Oh, nothing of the sort, Paulie. I did say I had a plan and so far, I'd say that it is in the beginning stage." Jarrod smiled.
"I'm glad to hear it. Well, I'll be off." Paulie walked to the main foyer and towards the front door only to stop, turn around, and extend his hand, "Thank you, Jarrod."
"You're welcome, Paulie." Jarrod shook his hand, "Take care and like I said, when you're ready, I'll be all ears."
Paulie smiled and nodded before leaving. Jarrod took a deep breath and turned to go back into the study.
"Jarrod?" Victoria walked over to Jarrod.
"Yes, mother?" Jarrod turned to his mother.
"Was that Paulie who was just here?" Victoria asked.
"Yes. We discussed the beginning stage of my plan right after he told me the story of Frank Halloran not doing anything after Emilio's murder and what happened that led up to it." Jarrod sat down on a nearby chair.
"Everything alright?" Victoria placed a hand on her son's shoulder.
"Yes except that Emilio Mangano may have been the Italian version of father." Jarrod told her.
"Why do you say that?" Victoria asked.
"He was very protective of his family and those he cared about just like father was. He died trying to protect Stefania's cousin Serafina from the likes of Sturgis, Clevenger, Reardon, and McIntosh & paid the ultimate price. Fred would've handled it all differently." Jarrod stared at nothing in particular.
"No question. Now, you said that your plan is in the beginning stage, right? What does that mean exactly?" Victoria was curious.
"How about we discuss it over that dinner I previously promised to take you to on mother's day before I got called to that case in San Francisco and was gone for a while?" Jarrod grabbed his hat and coat.
"I would love that, Jarrod, but why tonight?" Victoria gave him a quizzical look.
"I've been wanting to do it for a while, but a lot of things have happened as of recent and I figured now is as good a time as ever." Jarrod kissed her on the forehead.
"Well, it sounds good, son. I'll go get my good shawl and then, I'll be ready." Victoria walked up the stairs.
"Alrighty and mother?" Jarrod nodded.
"Yes?" Victoria stopped and turned around.
"Happy belated Mother's Day." Jarrod smiled.
"Thank you, sweetheart." Victoria smiled and continued her way up the stairs.
(Now)
Jarrod stood around, a satisfied look on his face. He was very proud of the beginning stages to the plan he had promised to reveal to Paulie. Of course, what added to him being proud of it was that Paulie was willing to listen and once he did listen, the latter was more than grateful. Now, if only Carmine would swallow his pride and be the same way.
*Jarrod's POV*
'I hope Paulie can convince Carmine to show up and hear me out or at the very least, convince him that I plan to do something in order to right a wrong that was done to them and their whole family.'
I remember Paulie's confidence when he said that he was "real good at convincing Carmine", get a smile, and nod.
'Paulie's got this in the bag. He's got this and well, so do I. Not to brag, of course.'
I laugh a little after briefly remembering father's reaction every time I said I had a way with handling things followed by a look of confidence.
'Oh, I can hear father now and see the look on his face. Every time I had a look of confidence and said: "Let me handle this. I have my ways.", he would say: "Oh, Jarrod, flattery isn't always going to work and neither is charm or tha-you're doing that look again! Before I even say it, you're already sporting that smug look! I don't believe it." and as I sat there with my determined look or smug look which one of us you'd talk to first, he would give the look of disapproval and say: "Enough with the smug. If you think you're going to charm me into getting you something, you're not. Just like you're not going to charm just anybody. After all, you may find it hard to believe, but not everybody will take kindly to your charms or your good loo-well, your looks." to which mother would say: "Thomas Barkley, must you cast doubt in our son? He knows how to handle things and make negotiations in a civil way, mind you." to which father would go: "Why am I always Thomas Barkley whenever these things come up and who says I'm casting doubt? Plus, I can be civil, too!" to which mother would give him a look that said otherwise. Ahhhh, good times!'
I nod.
'Yup. Good times and wonderful memories. I'd give anything to have those moments with father back. I sure would.'
I hear mother's bedroom door shut and see her coming down the stairs.
*Outside of Jarrod's mind*
"I'm ready, Jarrod." Victoria came down the stairs.
"Well, your chariot awai-" Jarrod was cut off.
Victoria walked over to the front door, opened it, and walked out to the porch.
"Ahhhh, mother. You didn't me finish what father usually said." Jarrod sounded a bit whiny as he followed his mother and shut the door.
Just as Heath and Eugene entered the main foyer, they stopped in their tracks when they could hear Victoria saying: "I'm sorry, Jarrod." and Jarrod could be faintly heard saying: "And I was really getting good at saying it in my own charming way, too. I mean-Oh lord. Now, I'm sounding like Nick!".
Eugene and Heath exchanged glances and tried to stifle the laughter that was threatening to come out. That would all change when an upstairs window opened and Nick was heard saying: "I heard that!".
*Outside in the garden*
Audra and Stefania were sitting out in the beautiful garden, enjoying everything around them and chit chatting. The two ladies had been laughing at the faintly heard banter between Jarrod and Victoria & Nick saying: "I heard that!". Once everything died down, Stefania's smile from the laughter quickly disappeared and went back to the one she sported earlier; the look of uneasiness. Seeing this, Audra's tone shifted to a serious one.
"Stefania?" Audra spoke up.
"Yes?" Stefania asked.
"You feel like talking about what's on your mind? The only reason I am asking now is, because you were laughing then once it all stopped, you look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, again." Audra gently told her.
"I guess there's no time like the present." Stefania sighed, "Audra...I'm...frightened."
"I know how you-" Audra was cut off.
Stefania, knowing what Audra was about to say, shook her head "No" as a response.
"Okay, maybe I don't know the full extent of how you feel, but I do know what it is like for a guy to get fresh in a scary way. In fact, years ago, my family was hosting my birthday party. A lot of our friends and neighbors came. Everything went so beautifully until one of the guests, Evan Miles to be exact, got aggressive towards and...forced himself...onto me." Audra shuddered as the moment started playing out in her mind.
"I'm so sorry that happened, Audra. I'm awfully sorry." Stefania's eyes filled with sympathy.
"So am I, because that attack led to Heath defending my honor followed by the Miles family wanting to end the friendship with my family and lastly, Evan's death. I still blame myself for what happened." Audra sighed, "I mean Evan had his problems and well, for a long time, I had really liked him. I had feelings for him, but he was just too conflicted that it would've ended in disaster had we gotten together and even though I was repelled by him due to his problems, I was also too blinded by romantic feelings. Too blinded by romantic feelings to just simply bypass Evan. It was very conflicting to say the least. I blame myself, because I feel as though as I led him on. That I sort of teased him and because of that, he attacked me twice. Once in our gazebo and the last time in the barn. The last time led to his death and well, I have felt for a long time that if it wasn't for me, Evan Miles would still be alive."
"Don't I know that feeling all too well? Audra, it sounds as though this Evan guy was beyond redemption and beyond help. You're probably not the first one he attacked." Stefania placed a comforting hand on Audra's wrist.
"No, I'm not. Jarrod found out some very incriminating things about Evan. Very incriminating and disturbing, so it is safe to say that he was beyond any kind of help and redemption." Audra shook her head, "However, that's not to say that I don't have great sympathy for him and his family, because I do. His mother knew he was troubled, but his father was in denial the whole time. His father felt that sending him away and buying his way out of problems plus making every excuse imaginable would save him, but it didn't. It did more harm than good. It led to more trouble and...death. Poor Evan."
"That is sad, Audra. Sad in so many ways, but unfortunately, death was probably the only escape Evan had. I take it he was killed in self defense." Stefania shook her head.
"He was, but I didn't do it. Mother did. You see, Evan attacked me in the barn and started to strangle the life out of me. Mother saw what was going on and tried to stop Evan without death being the result, but he continued the relentless attack. Of course, it went from being an attack by a man who couldn't control himself to a life or death situation and knowing she had to act fast, mother grabbed a rifle and shot Evan, killing him instantly. Wally still defended him afterwards and wanted a trial, but after Jarrod came up with the incriminating and disturbing evidence plus Jenny acknowledging that their son was very troubled and that a trial would not bring him back, Wally ultimately changed his mind." Audra told her.
"Wow. I'm so so sorry you all went through that and that Evan was beyond help and redemption. It is so sad when somebody is troubled and their parents don't deal with them the right way and stop the troubling behavior in its tracks before it gets worse. It is not only sad, it's avoidable, but to each their own, I suppose." Stefania had sympathy in her face.
"I suppose." Audra said.
"I take it that all he did was attack you, right?" Stefania asked.
"Yes. He would've done worse had Heath not stopped him the first time." Audra nodded.
"Well, at least you don't have to live with that hanging over your head plus the shame." Stefania replied.
"What do you mean?" Audra asked.
"Audra, you know what I mean. Evan ONLY attacked you. He didn't r*pe you. He didn't rip your clothes off and r*pe you." Stefania shuddered after saying the word "r*pe".
"I know he didn't, but it was still just as scary to experience and wrong of him to do, Stefania." Audra replied.
"I know. I'm not saying it wasn't. I'm just saying that while you had that terrifying experience, you at least escaped having your clothes torn off and being r*ped plus the possibility of carrying the child of the man who r*ped you. You got lucky and escaped. I didn't. Also too, you weren't in a relationship with somebody when it happened to you. I am and-and-" Stefania stopped and shook her head.
"And what? Stefania, you're with Nick. There's nothing to be-" Audra paused and started to put two and two together, "Is that why you're frightened?"
"As ashamed as I am to say it, but...yes. That is why I am frightened." Stefania looked down at the ground.
"Stefania, you need not to be frightened. Nick cares about you a lot and-" Audra was cut off, again.
"I know he cares about me...for right now at least." Stefania shrugged, "I do not know if he will still feel the same way once I start showing signs of being expectant."
"Oh, Stefania. Don't be silly. Nick cares about you a lot and-" Audra was cut off, for the umpteenth time.
"How can you be so sure, Audra? I mean Nick is saying the right things and seems to care for me, but that's only, because I still look pretty. Once my belly starts to grow, I'll be fat and ugly. Fat...ugly...and unlovable! I won't be the pretty girl Nick likes! I won't be pretty like the girls he was with prior to me." Stefania shook her head and stood up.
"Stefania, what do you mean by that?" Audra also stood up.
"I won't be as beautiful as Hester Converse or Layle Johnson or Melanie Deland or Belle Bleeck or Michelle De Lacaise to name a few of the women of Nick's past." Stefania paced back and forth, "Maybe your uncle Leonard was right."
"What?" Audra asked.
"Maybe I don't belong here. Maybe I'm not right for Nick let alone worthy of him. Maybe a rich beautiful girl is right for him." Stefania's voice sounded like it was starting to crack, "It's a shame, because I have love in my heart. I may not be rich or pretty, but I have love!"
"Oh, Stefania. You don't mean any of that and you know none of that is true." Audra tried to sound reassuring.
"Do I, Audra? Do I?" Stefania faced away from Audra.
"Stefania, first off, when we all said you are more than welcome in our home, we meant it. Secondly, Leonard was very wrong and has no say here. Lastly, I know my brother Nick very well and I can vouch for him. I know he cares about you more than you realize and when you start showing signs of being expectant, he'll still care about you. He's not like other men who are shallow and care about outer appearances or society status. No. Nick cares about and loves a woman for who she is and what she has to offer from within." Audra pointed at her heart, "Nothing else really matters. The only thing he looks for in return is for the woman to echo his feelings and sentiments. Not looks or society status."
*Meanwhile, at the Mangano household*
Paulie had arrived home and just walked through the front door when footsteps and voices could be heard. Knowing who the voices belonged to, he let out a sigh and prepared himself.
"Paulie! Paulie! Stefania!" Carmine angrily limped into the room.
"Papà, per favore stai calmo. Dovresti riposare! (Dad, please be calm. You should be resting!)" another voice said.
"Sì, sì, sì. Allegra, toglimi le mani di dosso! (Yeah, yeah, yeah. Allegra, take your hands off me!)" Carmine barked.
"Ehi, Carm, sii gentile con lei. Non c'è bisogno di grugnire con chiunque entri in contatto con te. (Hey, Carm, go easy on her. No need to grunt at everybody who comes into contact with you.)" Paulie held up his hand in a "calm down" gesture.
"Lasciami andare il braccio, Allegra. (Let go of my arm, Allegra.)" Carmine ignored Paulie.
"Non finché non accetti almeno di sederti! (Not until you agree to at least sit down!)" Allegra slightly raised her voice.
"Se alzi ancora una volta la voce, ti strappo la cinghia. (You raise your voice at me once more, I'll take my strap to you.)" Carmine threatened.
Allegra, knowing her father meant every word he just said and clearly not wanting to be on the receiving end of the strap, immediately let his arm go and backed off.
"Meglio così. Se solo tua sorella Stefania fosse così obbediente. (That's better. If only your sister Stefania was that obedient.)" Carmine said before turning his attention (and anger) to Paulie, "Perché ci hai messo così tanto?! Dove eri?! (What took you so long?! Where were you?!)"
"Fratello mio, ho buone notizie. (My brother, I have good news.)" Paulie started.
"Oh no! Ti sposi...di nuovo! (Oh no! You're getting married...again!)" Carmine shook his head, "Questa volta a una donna bianca, scommetto! (This time to a white woman, I bet!)"
"Sposato? Cosa ti ha dato questa idea? No, no, no. Ero al Barkley Ranch. (Married? What gave you that idea? No, no, no. I was at Barkley Ranch.)" Paulie continued.
"Madre di misericordia, hai una relazione con Victoria Barkley, non è vero?! Ecco perché eri lì, non è vero?! Madre di misericordia! (Mother of mercy, you're in a relationship with Victoria Barkley, aren't you?! That's why you were there, isn't it?! Mother of mercy!)" Carmine did a facepalm.
"Carmine, non ho parlato con la signora Barkley. Ho parlato con Jarrod. (Carmine, I didn't speak with Mrs. Barkley. I spoke with Jarrod.)" Paulie folded his arms.
"Ah, davvero, eh? (Oh, you did, huh?)" Carmine asked.
"Sì, l'ho fatto. Gli ho raccontato cosa è successo a papà e lui ha detto che c'è la possibilità che un giudice che conosce possa riaprire e processare il caso. (Yes, I did. I told him about what happened to dad and he said that there's a chance that a judge he knows may reopen and try the case.)" Paulie nodded, "C'è una possibilità di ottenere giustizia. (There's a chance for justice.)"
"Possibilità di giustizia? (Chance for Justice?)" Allegra asked.
"Sì. C'è la possibilità che Clevenger, Sturgis, Reardon e McIntosh vengano ritenuti responsabili dell'omicidio di papà. (Yes. There's a chance that Clevenger, Sturgis, Reardon, and McIntosh will be held accountable for the murder of dad.)" Paulie added.
"Per quanto tutto ciò possa sembrare bello, non hai dimenticato qualcosa?! (As good as all of that sounds, aren't you forgetting something?!)" Carmine folded his arms.
"Carmine, non ti ho ancora parlato di Santo. Tuttavia, il piano di Jarrod riguardo a papà sembra molto molto promettente. (Carmine, I didn't tell about Santo, yet. However, Jarrod's plan in regards to dad sounds very very promising.)" Paulie continued.
"Davvero? (It does?)" Andrea walked into the room.
"Certo che sì, Andrea. Jarrod ha detto che lui e il suo amico, lo sceriffo-(It sure does, Andrea. Jarrod said that he and his friend, the sheriff-)" Paulie was cut off.
"Oh, no, non lo fai! Se pensi che Halloran farà qualcosa, ripensaci e Jarrod ha un piano? Dimenticalo! Chiunque sia amico di Halloran non avrà il tempo del giorno dal sottoscritto! (Oh, no you don't! If you think Halloran is going to do something, think again and Jarrod has a plan? Forget about it! Anybody who is friends with Halloran will not get the time of day from yours truly!)" Carmine shook his head and started to walk out of the room.
"Carmine, come fai a sapere che Jarrod Barkley è amico di Halloran? (Carmine, how do you know Jarrod Barkley is friends with Halloran?)" Andrea walked over to her husband.
"Andrea, la mia cara moglie...(Andrea, my darling wife...)" Carmine stopped, turned to his wife, and gently placed his hand on her cheek, "I loro simili restano uniti come uccelli dello stesso piumaggio. (Their kind stick together just like birds of a feather.)"
"Carmine, tesoro, forse ti sbagli? (Carmine, honey, maybe you're wrong?)" Andrea lightly suggested.
To Be Continued...
Stefania: Audra, how can you be so sure?
Victoria: Jarrod, your plan sounds wonderful. Maybe Carmine just might hear you out.
Nick: What's happening?
Heath: Who's Violet?
Jarrod: Shhhh! Wait for the next chapter!
Andrea: R&R, everybody. Please, R&R .