Carlita blinked rapidly, trying to digest the news of her eldest son’s announcement.
“I thought you would be happy.” Brittney’s lip trembled and she looked as if she was going to start crying.
“I…we are.” Carlita quickly recovered and patted her daughter-in-law’s arm. “It is a surprise. I had no idea, but I’m thrilled.” She turned to Mercedes. “Right Mercedes?”
“Right.” Mercedes cleared her throat. “Congratulations. Welcome to the family. I’m only sorry we weren’t invited to the wedding.” She gave her brother a pointed stare.
“Oh.” Brittney pressed a hand to her chest. “Vinnie popped the question unexpectedly. I thought we would have a longer engagement, but he and Daddy got to talking and we decided to head down to Daddy’s casino in Atlantic City to tie the knot.”
“Atlantic City casino?” Carlita asked.
Brittney nodded. “Yes, we got married at Treasure Cove Casino, the casino that Daddy owns. He’s making Vinnie the operations manager. Vinnie starts his new job right after we leave here. We’ll be living in a penthouse apartment on the top floor and I’ve already started renovations.”
Brittney rattled on about the casino, about Vinnie’s new position, about the wedding; how she was glad that she wouldn’t be too far from her parents and they were so excited Vinnie was a part of the family now.
When Brittney said the word “family,” the warning bells rang in Carlita’s head. She held up a hand. “Brittney, do I know your father? Is he from the Queens area?”
“Oh, I’m sure you do, Mrs. Garlucci, I mean ‘Mom.’” She smiled hesitantly. “I hope it’s okay if I call you Mom.”
Carlita nodded. “Yes, Brittney. Now that you’re a part of our family.” She shot her son a sharp glance and he lowered his eyes.
“My last name is, I mean was Castellini.”
Carlita stared blankly at her daughter-in-law. “The only Castellinis I know are Vito and Francesca.”
Brittney’s head bobbed up and down. “Those are my parents.”
“They’re…”
Vinnie quickly cut in, realizing what his mother was about to say. “They’re great in-laws and we’ll all get reacquainted soon.”
“How soon?” Mercedes shot back.
Brittney answered. “Daddy is wrapping up a business transaction in Queens and then he and maybe Ma are heading here for a few days. Like one big happy family.” She clasped her hands together, looking pleased as punch.
Carlita’s head began to spin and she grabbed hold of Vinnie’s car to steady herself. All of her hard work to get her family, her children away from the family had been in vain. Her eldest son not only refused to leave, he literally brought them to her doorstep. She stared at Brittney in disbelief.
“Are you okay Ma?” Mercedes touched her mother’s arm.
“I’m a little dizzy,” Carlita admitted. “I think I need to sit down.”
“Me too,” Brittney said. “It’s hard to stand for too long in these shoes, although I just love them and own several pairs.” She twisted her foot to show off the pink shoes. “They’re Manolo Blahniks. They cost several hundred dollars and are worth every penny.”
She turned her attention to Mercedes. “Vinnie told me that there’s a shopping center out near the highway and he thought maybe you would have time to take me shoe shopping.”
“Of course,” Mercedes smiled politely and turned to her brother. “Bro, I think you should grab your luggage so we can go upstairs, before Ma passes out right here in the alley.”
“Right.” Vinnie turned his attention to his mother. “You want me to help you upstairs first? You do look kinda pale.”
“What about me?” Brittney pouted. “I could fall and break my neck on this loose gravel.”
“I’ll be all right son. The initial shock, I mean, surprise is starting to wear off. You help Brittney, and Mercedes and I will grab your luggage.”
“Oh, I don’t think so.” Vinnie popped the trunk and then lifted the lid.
Mercedes gasped as she gazed inside. Every square inch was crammed full of luggage…large pieces, small pieces. There was even a hatbox.
“It’s gonna take a coupla trips,” Vinnie said.
“Don’t forget about the suitcases in the back seat,” Brittney said.
Carlita’s eyes widened as she peered into the back seat of the car. It was stacked seat-to-ceiling with even more luggage. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to fit these in our apartment.”
“I kinda figured,” Vinnie said. “I was thinkin’ maybe I could rent-a-bed from one of those rental places and put it in the empty apartment, if it’s still empty.”
“It’s still vacant. My new tenant isn’t moving in until February first.”
“Perfect,” Vinnie beamed as he offered his arm to his wife. “We can head inside and I’ll come back for the luggage.”
“You and what army?” Mercedes joked.
“Very funny, Mercedes,” Vinnie frowned.
The group began making their way down the alley to the back of the apartment.
Carlita caught a glimpse of a movement in the window of the building across the hall, Elvira’s window.
She shifted her gaze, certain Elvira or one of her minions was watching them. Carlita opened the building’s door and stepped to the side. “You should say ‘hi’ to your brother before going upstairs. You can introduce him to…”
Carlita’s words caught in her throat. She swallowed hard and forced them out. “…introduce Tony to your new wife.”
Mercedes led the way into the back of the pawnshop. Inside were several customers, along with Tony and Josh, one of the pawnshop employees.
Tony was in the front of the store, assisting a customer with his back to them.
“Oh, a jewelry case,” Brittney made a beeline for the jewelry and Vinnie followed behind, leaving Carlita and Mercedes alone.
“I’m shocked,” Mercedes said bluntly.
“You’re shocked? I thought I was going to hit the ground,” Carlita hissed under her breath. “Vinnie up and married the mob boss’ daughter and not just any mob boss’ daughter, but the godfather.
