Big Bangs, Prohibition, and a Sugar Daddy

Gangster Meeting

As the next week came up, I found myself busy. I was administering shots of opium in subsequently lower doses to Phillip. Helping him ease off the opium. I taught Clara, Sara, and Rita the basics in reading and writing. I managed the household finances. My new clothing and jewelry came on Tuesday. Boxes and boxes of them. All nicely packed.

There were more clothes than I could pack into my closet, more lingerie than I have room in my dresser. I realized that I did not have a jewelry box. The few rings, necklaces, and earrings I did have I kept in my top drawer of my dresser. Luke provided me with a lovely box I'm told was made in Paris. Lovely oak, inlaid with ivory.

Some of the dresses had the low waist that was becoming popular, but most were not. All of the dresses fell to mid-calf. Shoes with high heels which came in neutral black, white, beige, and matched some of the dresses and were blue, red, and green.

That day was spent sorting, hanging, and ironing the clothes. Placing the jewelry carefully in the box. Which had a lock and key. My shoes I placed in rows in my closet. I had not realized I had ordered so many clothes. Ingrid who had come to make sure I had no problems with the dresses informed me that Luke had ordered many of the clothes for me.

I had to place some of the clothes in the closet of the room next to me, which was an unused guest room.

Wednesday I noticed the Luke's colleagues arrive. I retreated to my room so that Luke wouldn't be annoyed with me. I watched from my window as the snake oil salesman arrived in a brown Buick with his two henchmen. The other oily figure in the black suit arrived in his black Benz. He arrived with another man dressed in a black suit. Last to arrive in their green Model T. was Bobby O'Brian and Thane.

I waited until they had time to go to the office, before I left my room. I walked down the stairs as Henry was coming up. "I've been sent to fetch you."

I was surprised when Henry led me to the office. I calmly walked through the room and sat in the chair at the typewriter desk behind Luke's larger desk. I had given Luke a questioning look as I came in.

Once I had taken my seat Luke began to address the others. "This is Ellen Cross. She is my new secretary. She will be attending our meetings, to take notes, type letters, bring us coffee, and other minor duties."

"Ellen." Luke gestured the snake oil man. "Antonio Mellinici. The man in the black suit is Marco Ventrosa, you know Bobby O'Brian, the other man is John Thane."

Antonio gave me a hostile look. He stood up, I thought possibly to shake my hand. Instead, he pulled out a five dollar bill and shoved it into my blouse.

"Go take a hike." Antonio turned to face Luke. Who had stood up from his seat at the desk. Turning to Antonio as Antonio turned from me. "We don't need this skirt at our private meetings, Mason. I don't care who you are having nookie with, but this quiff doesn't need to be here."

Bobby spoke next. "Watch your mouth, Andy. I know this girl, she's smart, loyal, and beside that nice to look at."

Thane turned in his chair to look over at us. "If Luke says she's okay, that's enough for me."

"I didn't ask you, spade." Antonio's derogatory comment caused Thane to jump to his feet.

"Enough. Antonio, shut up." Marco gave Antonio a single glance. "Sit down, stop insulting people. Ellen will be useful at our meetings. I assume she can be trusted or Luke wouldn't have her here."

Marco had a soft, almost feminine voice. Not like Luke's charming deep voice, his commanding voice, or those few times that Luke had used his scary voice. Yet, it had a similar effect on Antonio. He shut up, sat down. Not before I slipped Antonio's fiver into his vest.