Scene 76

Scene Seventy-six...The Mob
Time: After dark, Monday, September 16, 1946
Place: William's boat and dock
Storyteller: William


"Guess I'll have to do some jail time," I say.

"You most certainly will not! We'll talk to Daddy in the morning."

"He might decide I belong in jail."

"Do you seriously think he would allow the man who saved his daughter's life...and married his other daughter...go to jail? And the entire Rotary Club knowing about it? Ha!"

There's a knock on the door. I peek out the window to see if Vivien is back. Nope. A large man, possibly Italian.

"Betty, I'm going outside for a few minutes. Stay put." I step out.

"Is Vivien Marconi home?" The voice has a Chicago accent.

"No, my wife and I live here."

"I saw her go through that door." He points.

"You must have dozed off, because she left."

"What's her address?"

"I've no idea...just met her yesterday."

"You're covering for her. Where is she?"

"Don't know."

The gangster takes a swing at me. I duck. Hit him in the jaw. He stumbles backward. Off the dock. "Splash."

I throw him a rope. Pull him out. He doesn't say "thank you."

The thug points a gun at my chest and asks again. "Where is she?"

I kick the gun from his hand. It slides across the wood planks and drops into the ocean. "Splash."

"Don't know." I say for the last time.

We stare at each other. He gets the hint to leave. His wet, Italian leather shoes squeak as he walks away.

Betty is at the window.

I pick up Tom. The gibbous moon reminds me it's time for sleep.






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