City of Red | Part 1

Chapter 3 | Alone and Surrounded

1967, One Year Later

The door opened and Linda Scarlatti hugged Sammy's neck. "It's good to see you, Sam. Everyone's here, come in."

"Thanks. Smells good, what is it?"

"Meat loaf."

"I can't wait." Sammy entered Wally and Linda's home, handing them a bottle of wine then hugged his mother. "Hey mama."

Vera kissed Sammy on his cheeks then looked intently into his eyes. "Why are you too busy to visit your mama?"

Sammy looked dejected. "I'll do better about that."

Vera smiled. "Go say hello to your father." The eighty-five year old matriarch of the Scarlatti family walked to her seat at the dinner table and sat down.

"Hey, old man." Sammy grinned.

"I told ya I would pop ya if you ever called me that again." Vinnie's gravelly voice hid his humor under years of smoking and vocal cord damage attributed to the slash across his neck.

Sammy held up his hands. "Alright, sorry, dad."

"Sit down and eat." Vinnie replied. "Linda's been yappin about that damn meat loaf all day."

"Vincent, language." Vera said.

Vinnie looked at Sammy and shrugged.

Everyone got seated then Wally emerged from the kitchen carrying the meat loaf on a silver tray surrounded by a pile of crinkle cut French fries.

"French fries? That's great!" Sammy smiled.

"I know it's weird for a fancy dinner but it's one of my cravings." Linda rubbed her swollen belly. "That's why I have this jar of mayonnaise. For a dip."

"I was wondering about the mayo." Vera smiled. "Don't be embarrassed, dear. When I was pregnant with your husband, I had to have a bowl of sweet pickles by my bedside."

Vinnie added, "I remember those late night drives to get those damn pickles."

Once Wally was finished setting the food on the table, mashed potatoes with gravy on the side, green beans, and black eyed peas, he sat down and they all held hands while Linda said grace.

"Bless us, O Lord, for these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord, Amen."

Everyone performed the sign of the cross over their hearts and dug in. It was a long while before anyone spoke but finally, the silence was ended by the ladies.

"The food is wonderful." Vera said.

"I'm partial to the fries." Sammy said.

"They're frozen." Wally replied.

"I'm a simple man." Sammy tossed one in his mouth.

"Thank you, mama." Linda smiled. "Wally told me about the meat loaf you would make for him when he was a child so I tried my best to replicate it."

"I'd say you nailed it, my dear." Vera sipped some wine and said, "so tell me, when can I expect to hold my grandchild?"

"Doctor Roche gives me another month and half."

"Oh, how wonderful!" Vera clapped. "This goes without saying but you won't have to worry about a thing. While you're at the hospital bringing that child into our lives, I'll make sure your home stays clean and ready for your return."

"You are so kind, mama."

Vinnie laughed, "she's got you fooled, then."

Vera swatted her husband with her napkin and said, "ah hush, you."