Reverse Metamorphosis book one of the Irrevocable Change trilogy

by R. E. Schobernd

  “We’ll change the dressing this morning before you leave. I can see there’s been some drainage during the night; I’ll take a good look at the wound and the sutures when the bandage is off. I managed to remove all of the bullet fragments and the bone fragments. It’s going to be several months before this heals completely, but it should heal in time. There’ll be a depression left where the section of rib is missing. Would you like to try to eat some breakfast before you leave?”

  “Yes, thank you. I’ll eat what ever your wife fixes. What time is it?”

  “It’s a quarter past seven.”

  “In the morning?”

  “Yes, it’s morning.”

  He had gotten to Doc and Judi’s at just past noon and had been patched up three hours later. So he had slept well over fifteen hours. And he hadn’t eaten for almost twenty four hours.

  Gingerly, Clay got out of Doc’s car three hours later and entered his house with help. There were eleven messages waiting on the answering machine. Gladys had called once to ask a question about an account and Anna had called three times, telling him to call her ASAP. His mother and Lizzy had each called once when they heard about the shooting. The others were from friends of Tony and Joey, probably just wanting to talk about the shooting to learn what had happened. He phoned Anna first. She wanted to hire him to kill the bastard who had shot Tony; it took her a minute to accept the news when he announced the man was already dead and cremated. She admitted she should have known what he was up to. Tony’s visitation was set for Friday and Saturday evenings starting at six, and the funeral was scheduled for two the following Sunday afternoon. He’d have all day Thursday and half of Friday to stay in bed and rest.

  Next he returned Lizzie’s call, and then called Margaret. She expressed her condolences, but he thought he detected gloating and relief in her voice.

  Dr. Joutras had offered to change the bandage as required if the wound started bleeding and every other day if it didn’t. After undressing he determined the wound wasn’t bleeding anymore than he would expect, popped two pain pills, and went to bed.

  Clay endured the following four days; endured the pain of losing Tony’s council and friendship, and endured the pain earned while dispatching Tony’s killer. Standing erect at the visitations and during the funeral was the worst physical pain; but the emotional pain far outweighed the rib. He knew the physical pain would eventually ease, but the pain caused by the loss of Tony was, and would continue to be permanent.

  Following the burial service Anna invited family members and close friends to the house for dinner. The church’s Women’s Auxiliary and many of her and Tony’s friends had brought food to the house and there was enough home cooking to feed half of Chicago. Clay listened to stories about Tony, told by people who had been close to the family for years and knew him and Anna intimately. Adrianna and Marshall were both there, with the baby, along with John and Meredith.

  After all of the guest except Clay and Anna’s children and mates had left, the six of them gathered in the library, weary from the day’s stressful events. At ten thirty Marshall said he was beat and was ready to retire for the night. Adrianna declined to go with him and stayed behind. When Marshall had been gone for about ten minutes John asked Clay to leave so the family could have a personal conference with Anna. Immediately Anna waved Clay to stay seated, “Clay is a close friend and confidant of mine and there is no need for him to leave. Anything you have to say can be said in front of him. John then brought up the issue of Anna’s finances.

  “Mother, I assume he left you well off financially so you’ll be well provided for?

  “If by, HE, you meant your father, yes I am financially secure.”

  “Good, I’m pleased he provided well for you. Now we can all get on with our lives and live without the burden and guilt of the family business hanging over us.”

  Anna hesitated slightly before questioning John, “Explain what you mean by that statement.” Adrianna, Meredith and Clay sat quietly and waited, warned by the ominous strength in Anna’s tone of voice.

  “I mean,” John spoke softly, measuring his words carefully, “We now can all put the association with thugs, and the accusations of violence and murder behind us and learn to live normal lives, without the shame and notoriety the family business forced us to bear.”

  “So you have decided your father was the sole person responsible for our livelihood all of your life. That he alone caused the burden of guilt and shame you have so nobly borne for so long?”

  John proceeded cautiously, “Of course, Mother. He was the gang leader, and he would have dragged Jimmy into the same lifestyle had Jimmy not been killed. And as for the guilt and shame, surely you will not try to defend and justify a criminal enterprise which breaks every law and code of human morality and ethics. If it weren’t for you I would have abandoned my father years ago. ”

  Adrianna cut in, but with some apprehension, “I, think we should all go to bed now.”

  “No, we will not go to bed now, none of us.” Anna seized complete control and continued to address the group, sending pointed stares to all, but then focusing on John in particular. “This is the business my father created, and I, being his daughter, inherited with Tony. I don’t recall you being so offended by our dirty money that it ever prevented you from whining until you received your share. It dressed you, paid tuition to a fine Ivy League college, bought new cars, sent you to Europe on summer breaks, paid all of your personal expenses and financed your wedding and honeymoon. When the education our dirty money provided landed you a prestigious job you began to point a finger at your father and berate your heritage. Somehow you have exempted me from your loathing for our business. Well, it will undoubtedly surprise all of you to learn I am continuing our, Criminal Enterprise as you so eloquently described it. I have already taken control of all of the operations and will now run the business myself.”

  John jumped out of his chair before Anna finished and stood in shocked disbelief, “You don’t mean it; you can’t mean it. What in the world are you thinking, to continue in this loathsome business when you have money to retire and live away from the stench of it?”

  “You still don’t get it, do you John? I have run this business from our bed since your father was eighteen years old. I directed every major move he made; it was I who made all of the important decisions and fed them to Tony as his own; I told him who to impress and who to get rid of. It was I who took over when he was shot and hospitalized, and saw to it he regained control when he recovered. I understand the business and politics of the gang hierarchy better than he ever could. He was excellent at the operations end; reading and reacting to happenings on the street, but it was I who directed the success of the business. And now I intend to take visible control and run the business as I’ve always known I could.”

  John stood with his mouth open and his fist clenched. Meredith rose and moved to stand beside him; not knowing what else to do. Finally he replied in a soft monotone, “You’re right, I did misjudge you. I assumed you were simply loyal to your husband, or intimidated by him. I never guessed you had more than a minor role in any of it.” John took Meredith’s hand before addressing Anna, “Good bye Mother, I don’t want ever to see you again. Please don’t attempt to contact either of us. I disown you and want nothing more to do with you.” Looking at the others he said, “Good night. We’ll pack our belonging and find a hotel for the remainder of the night.”

  As John and Meredith walked to the stairs Adrianna made a move to address them but was stopped by a wave of Anna’s hand. “Let them go Adrianna, this has been building for years and has finally come to a head. Stay out of it. You can continue to have a relationship with them if you choose, just don’t include me or attempt to provide me with news of what they are doing. He has made his choice and I'm done with him.”

  “Clay,” Anna changed the conversation, “I would like to speak to you in the morning. I’ll call you around ten and arrange to meet. You have been a
loyal and trusted friend and advisor to Tony, and I would like to continue the arrangement, with a few minor changes.”

  “Tomorrow and early next week isn’t good for me. I can meet with you, say next Friday at ten.”

  Anna acknowledged her acceptance of the date and time, rose and excused herself to go upstairs, leaving Clay and Adrianna alone in the living room.

  Adrianna turned on the couch and spoke to him, “I should have known this would happen when I first heard my father was dead. Never did I consciously think about her assuming control, but since she has, it doesn’t surprise me.”

  “I feel the same way. Even today I didn’t take time to think about what would happen with Tony gone.”

  “It’s ironic, but I actually had the same thoughts as John; Mother would arrange for another family to take over for a large sum of money and retire to Florida.”

  Clay slid closer to Adrianna, “How are you?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “A fine is what you pay in traffic court. Not good. And how is it with Marshall Sr.?”

  “The same. He’s a good husband; loyal, dependable and trust worthy.”

  “And boring. He sounds like a little boy scout. I talked to him earlier and almost fell asleep standing up.” Changing the subject, Clay asked, “How’s Anthony Marshal?”

  “He’s fine, a perfect baby; sleeps soundly, plays happily and is just a joy to be with.”

  “I know, I held him for a while this evening. Your uncle Ted said he looks like me.”

  Very softly Adrianna replied, “Yes, he does. I’ve noticed it too.”

  “I’m getting a vasectomy, so we won’t have a problem in the future.”

  “Clay,” She turned on the cushion to face him and stared wide eyed, “I told you we are through. You made your choice and it’s over.”

  “NO! It’s not over. We’ll continue meeting or I’ll show Marshall dated pictures of us having sex. Even he'll notice they coincide with the time you conceived our baby.”

  “Clay, please don’t do this, not to me or our child.”

  “And then even Marshall will notice how the baby he thinks is his looks more like me than him.” Clay attempted to rise and discovered he had set in one position too long. After grunting and painfully pushing himself up with both hands he turned to Adrianna. “I’ll call you after Christmas.”

  “I see you’re in pain, what’s wrong?”

  “I was in an accident and broke a rib. When I call be prepared to arrange to get away overnight. And bring little Tony.”

  “No Clay! I won’t do it. I’m not going to cheat on Marshall. Please, drop this now; I do not belong…”

  “Our son belongs to me and you will do as I tell you to, or else.” Clay turned and painfully made his way out to his car.

  Driving home, he wondered how minor the changes Anna had in store for him would be. He had a hunch about what she wanted and was sure he wouldn’t approve. And, more importantly, he hoped his ultimatum to Adrianna would cause her to rekindle their relationship; even if he didn’t have damning intimate pictures of them to produce if she refused.

  But, tonight he just wanted to get home and into bed. He’d deal with Anna and Adrianna later when the physical and emotional pain both subsided.

  The End

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