The Italian Massacre: Secret of the Bastard Children (part 2)

The sign read Joe & Frank's, as it crashed to the ground, causing a fiery explosion. Big Drew's work was done.

"Little brother, join me for one last drink before bed", Clayton insisted.

Big Drew lowered his head in disgust. The last person he wanted to be around right now was his big brother.

"No more tonight. Time to go home, Clay", Big Drew replied.

As the smells of burning wood and freshly decaying human filled his nostrils, Big Drew sobered up. What was important at this time was his family. He turned to take the fifteen minute walk home, leaving Clayton where he stood.

Mary Louise was home, bags packed as the children sat calmly on the sofa while their mother finished stuffing suitcases in a frenzy. She paused for a moment to kneel down, only to discover a locket Big Drew had given her the night he proposed. They were only 16-year old runaways simply looking to avoid the parental guidance that ruined the lives of their siblings. The chain the locket was tied to was an anniversary gift given to her many years later. Fifteen to be exact.

Why was the locket at the foot of her closet and not placed on a chain around her neck? It never occurred to Mary Louise that the locket had been lost. She was use to the heavy gold sticking to the top of her bossom. Ah! The first night Giuseppe Joe DeFatta invited himself inside her home. How could she forget? The uninvited guest came after she paid a visit to the Italian store in the central part of town. She needed tomatoes and Big Drew's grocery store just ran out. She didn't want to disturb him with such petty requests but she knew if he had knowledge of her wanting to go to the opposing store, Big Drew would be furious. She kept her activity quiet.

Her peers always slandered the reputation of the store, stating that it was "dirty", "unkept", and "hostile". Mary Louise thought otherwise. She felt Joe & Frank's provided somewhat of a rural ambience. On the contrary the cupboards were clean and the freshly knit blankets and scarves smelled fresh. No objections from her.

Joe was quite the gentleman, introducing himself to the wife of Big Drew Servier when she entered the store. The act alone made Joe very ballsy. He was aware of who she was, for he had noticed her during the Pecan Festival last Spring. She didn't notice him...at least that is what Joe thought. She, in fact, had noticed Joe but she was a married woman and a married woman should not entertain the company of a single man, without being accompanied by her husband. The night of the unexpected visit would change all of that...