Armando Lazzari - Dinner With The Mafia

The first to recover from the shock was Doctor Vick, who already had the pleasure of her acquaintance… and services. “Lola! As impossible as it seems, we had almost forgotten you were here.”

Ben was trying to get the words out, pointing back and forth to Lola and his Uncle Joe, frightened by the idea that this woman was the cause of his uncle's sudden illness.

“Sorry it took me so long to arrive, but I couldn't get one of my annoying contact lens in, so I ended up wearing my glasses. How are you, Joe? Feeling better?”

She sat on the edge of the bed and slyly focused all of the attention on herself, sensuously crossing her legs. “Yes, dear, thank you. I'd like to introduce you to my nephew, Ben. He's the joy and despair of my life. Ben, this lovely lady is Lola.”

Ben stood up respectfully and extended his hand while Joe continued to act his part. “Lola belongs to a committee that takes care of orphaned children. I've promised her that I would give a generous donation. I'm so sorry about what's happened, here.”

The explanation for the woman's presence calmed Ben's nerves considerably and filled him with pride for his uncle's philanthropy.

Lola started laying the flattery on thick, demonstrating her exceptional acting abilities. “Oh, Joe! How can you even think of anything besides your own health at a time like this? See what a generous man he is? Always thinking of others first. People like you are unique and rare! That's exactly why I absolutely have to take care of you. From what I can tell, your nephew is as special as you are. Please! Try to find a compromise between his wants and desires and yours.”

Then she stood and moved slowly toward Joe, looking lovingly into his eyes and taking his hand the way Ben had a few moments before. But this time, that same gesture had a different impact. “Joe, take my proposal into consideration. The clinic that I have in mind is truly exceptional! You'll see, and you won't regret it.”

Lola's persuasive voice, accompanied by a mischievous glint in her eye, was unmistakable. The old man understood what she was really referring to before she even had the chance to delicately scratch the palm of his hand with her finger. He had to force himself to control his sudden state of excitement.

“I think… I think that you all may be right. I let myself get carried away in all the panic without thinking about the consequences. Just so long as it's clear that I won't be treated like a dying man. That means for the entire time I'm in the clinic, no one comes to visit me. No one. Ever!”

Esposito and Doctor Vick exchanged a fleeting look and had to turn around to stifle a guffaw. Only Ben in his blissful innocence, though a little concerned about his uncle's abrupt turnaround, felt relief that he would soon be safe under the doctors' watchful eyes.

Lola composed herself and adopted a sweet and innocent air of chastity that was quite in contrast with her vixen-like demeanor. “I'll take him personally to my friend's clinic and make sure that he gets all the attention he deserves,” she said.

Convincing Joe to comply with her kindness, Lola had certainly played her role well, drawing Ben's physical, as well as personal attention. So Joe decided it was the perfect time to set his trap for his nephew.

“Thank you, my dear. And I know exactly how I'm going to pay you back for everything. I'm only sorry that I won't be present at the dinner that I wanted to give in your honor. However, I'm sure that my cousin, Carmine and my nephew, Ben will be more than happy to take my place,” said Joe.

Carmine intervened resolutely before Ben had the chance to say anything, embracing him in a tight hug. “You can count on us! We'd be more than happy to host such an enchanting lady. Isn't that right, Ben?”

He nodded, even if he still wasn't clear on everything that happened.

Only after everyone except Esposito had left, could Joe take stock of the evening and enjoy his cigar, left to rest at the window ledge, in peace.

“In the end, I'd say it went really well and I have to admit that Lola was good. I have no doubt that she'll find a way to make that idiot of my nephew fall for her. You made a damned good choice there.”

Esposito never had a shadow of a doubt about that. “I'd say that you'll have a pleasant stay… in the clinic.”

“Damn right. I think I'll stay for a couple of weeks. It's been a long time since I've had a decent vacation. And I can see you there, dying to ask. So here's your answer: no, you can't come with me.”

Apartment on Broadway at the corner of 95 thStreet; across the street from the Peter Norton Symphony Space

Don Pasquale Lucchesi, who succeeded his father, Don Salvatore, in the management of the Family's affairs, stood sipping a seven year old brandy, staring out the window at the frenetic life out on the streets.

His attractive secretary, the young Agustina Kyra, besides being an excellent associate, impeccable and reliable, was in the possession of a special “attribute” that any man would define as the finest buttocks to be admired by the human eye.

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