“Good evening, my little chef. How are you?” She smiled and play punched me on my arm.
“I’ve put away the apron and switched to girlfriend mode, thank you.” She let me in and showed me to the living room where her parents were chatting and having a drink.
“Papa, Mama, this is Joe.” Ella was next to me with a bright smile on her face.
Her father stood up from his chair and came over to shake my hand.
“Welcome, Joe. We’ve heard a lot about you from our Ella, young man.” I shook his hand. He seemed a friendly sort. Ella’s mother was almost as beautiful as her daughter.
“Welcome, Joe,” she said. “Please sit.”
“It’s a pleasure meeting you both. Ella says only good things about you.”
Her mother smiled at me as she gave Ella a wink.
“Can I get you a drink, Joe?” her father asked. “Whiskey okay?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Ella tells us you were schooled in England, Joe. That must have been quite an adventure.” Her mother smiled as she spoke.
“Yes, Joe. Tell us about England,” her father said as he handed me my drink.
“It’s very different to home. I enjoyed the cultural experience, and the schools were excellent. But truth be told, I missed Palermo and my family too much. I’m glad to be back.”
After some chitchat, Ella’s mother called us to lunch. The table was covered in a spread fit for royalty. I sat down next to Ella and held her hand.
“Help yourself, Joe. There’s plenty.”
On advice from Ella, I’d arrived hungry, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Halfway through lunch, her father turned to me and asked, “What do your parents do, Joe?”
“They own several businesses, actually.”
“Which ones? I’m in finance, I might know them. What did you say your surname was?”
“Coli, sir. My father is Antonio Coli.”
Ella’s father put down his fork and turned visibly pale. He looked at me with an expression that I couldn’t make out. Then, he rose from his seat at the table, pushed back his plate, and said to me, “Joe, I think it’s best if you leave now.”
He wasn’t joking. I could tell. Ella’s mother got up suddenly and said to her husband, “Darling, what are you doing?”
Ella was pale. She looked from her father to her mother to me. “Papa, what is happening?”
“Leave my house, please, Joe,” he said again. “The mafia is not welcome here.”
“Mafia? Papa, what are you talking about?” Ella had tears in her eyes. She looked at her mother, pleadingly.
“Mama, please. What is Papa talking about?” She turned to me “Joe? What’s he talking about?”
“I’m sorry, Ella. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I pushed my plate back, thanked Ella’s mother for a delicious meal, and left the room.
“You will not talk to my daughter again. Stay away from her, Joe Coli.” Her father glowered at me. It was time to leave.
ELEANORA
My legs were lame, and I couldn’t move. I watched as Joe left the dining room, and I heard the front door close behind him. What the fuck just happened?
“Papa! What were you thinking? I love Joe. What did you do?”
“I’m sorry, my girl, but there’s no way I’ll allow my only daughter to date a mobster. Do you even know who this man is?”
“Yes, he’s Joe and I love him. He is the kindest man I’ve ever met. I don’t care who his family is!”
“You will not see him again, Ella. I forbid it.”
“Forbid it! I’m a grown woman, Papa. I’ll date whomever I please.”
“Leave us please, Ella. I want to talk to your father.” My mother took my arm and gently walked me from the room
On wobbly legs, I obeyed. Why hadn’t Joe told me who his family was? Was he ashamed? He was so gentle and kind. How could he be the son of a mafia boss? I had to talk to him. I needed to see him, but I had no idea how I’d find him.
I called Bria as soon as I got to my room.
“Bria!” I cried into the phone. For a few moments, I couldn’t speak.
“Ella? What’s going on? Are you okay? What’s happened?”
“Oh, Bria, it’s a fucking disaster.” I cried harder.
“Are you at home?”
“Yes.” I choked.
“Don’t you move a muscle. I’ll be right over.” She put down the phone.
Soon after, my bedroom door flew open, and Bria came over and put her arms around me.
“Oh, Bria” I cried.
“Tell me what’s going on Ella. You’re scaring the shit out of me.”
“My father chased Joe out of the house tonight. He’s forbidden me from seeing him again.”
“What the fuck? Why would he do that?”
“Joe’s surname is Coli,” I said through my tears.
“And? What’s the problem?”
“The mob Colis.”
“Oh, shit. That’s not good.” She let go of me.
“I don’t care if his parents are vicious assassins, Bria! I love him. He’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”
“Don’t cry, Ella. We’re gonna fix this.”
“How?” I asked. “I don’t even know where to find him.”
“I’m calling Fabio. He’ll know what to do. Dry your eyes and come with me.”
We left the house after Bria had called Fabio. We met him at Bria’s apartment.
“What the hell is going on, girls? You sounded hysterical on the phone. Are you guys okay?” Fabio came over and put his arms around Bria.
“Honey, we need to find Joe. It’s very important. I’ll tell you what it’s about later. Do you know where he is?” Bria took my hand as she spoke to Fabio.
“I know where he goes when he’s upset. Jump in the car with me. We’ll find him.” Fabio opened the door for me while Bria got into the passenger seat.
“Are you okay, Ella?”
