One-X

Chapter Two-Visitors.

I quietly walk through my front door at exactly 3:21 PM. My father was sitting in the sitting room with a bottle of whiskey on the in table and a crystal glass half full in his right hand. "Lilli. Come here, now." He orders in his calm but scary voice. I comply instantly.

"Yes sir?" I ask as I stand I front of him with my hands intertwined in front of me and my head down in obediance.

"Like I said this morning we, I, am going to have company. You are to cook the meals. There will be two people accompanying me tonight. Make lasagna, spaghetti, and Wheat Berry Easter Cake
"La Pastiera Napoletana" ( Pastiera Napoletana ) for dessert. Do you understand." He states standing from his seated position and lifting my chin so my eyes are forced to look into his.

"Yes sir." He releases my chin and points to the kitchen,

"Vieni a essa figlia. Non abbiamo tutto il giorno! (Get to it daughter. We don't have all day! )" he shouts in Italian and a shot of fear shoots through my limbs and I bolt to the kitchen throwing my book bag as far up the stairs as possible along the way.

I slip into my mothers old apron and grab the eggs.

§§§§§

I pull both the lasagna and Wheat Berry Easter Cake out of the oven just as a sharp knock sounds at the door. My father, now smartly dressed in his wedding suit, straitens his tie before walking out of the kitchen and into the hall.

"Ciao, benvenuto a casa mia! Per Favore. Follow me nel mio ufficio. La cena sarà servita momentaneamente. ( Hello, welcome to my home! Please. Follow me to my office. Dinner will be served momentarily.)" My fathers dominant voice states as I start to dish out large portions of the perfectly made food, setting the cake aside for when Father and the men have finished their supper.

" Siamo felici di essere qui Mr. Abelli signore. Abbiamo affari da discutere però ... ( We are happy to be here Mr. Abelli sir. We do have business to discuss though...)" A younger male voice chimes in.

" Sì, affari Sir. ( Yes, business Sir.)" A second deeper voice agrees. Father wasn't lying when he said two men. They sounded young but old though. One of the strangers cracked some joke and I listened as their feet carried them away.