She shook her head, dislodging the lace scarf many of the Italian girls wore on Sundays. She released his hand, unpinned it, and placed it on her lap. “I do not know where he is but my twin brothers Fredo and Frankie saw to his safety. He betrayed those bad men. I fear for his life now.”
“I spoke to your aunt earlier. I suppose it was before you went to get your mother. She did not tell me this, but she did tell me your brother had seen the error of his ways.” He sat quietly a moment and allowed her to regain her composure.
“I am concerned about his safety. I also fear you will hate me.” Her voice came out almost inaudible, like the squeal of a mouse.
“Oh, no, Sofia.” He knelt on the floor before her chair. “This is not your fault. Were you there when my father was shot? Did you send your brother to that padrone?”
She slowly shook her head.
“Well, then. See? You had nothing to do with this.”
“But…it is mia famiglia. That is the same as if I were there.”
“No it isn’t.” The look on her face told him she didn’t believe it. If anyone in her family was guilty, she was too—that was how Italians saw things. All together no matter what. He held her hand, still on his knees. “Sweet Sofia. Listen to me. I felt the same way. I thought I had to do something to bring justice for my father. To honor his memory. I thought I had to rescue my uncle from the power of drink. I thought I had to…” He couldn’t say it. He still felt compelled to succeed in the occupation his father believed he was gifted in. Perhaps he had been too driven. But the feeling that he must press on would not go away. “I mean, I took on the problems of my family and now I know…” He let out a nervous chuckle. “You see, I have enough of my own to deal with. We each make our own decisions and mistakes. It’s all a part of the journey God has us on in this life. We can’t carry our family members’ burdens, as much as we’d like to. It’s their cross to bear and there is value in bearing it. We should not take that away.”
She smiled and the whole room seemed to brighten. “You are so kind, Antonio.”
“Would you like to tell me the rest?”
“I do not know much more. Joey was there, working for the padrone. They searched your father’s pockets and found no money. There was a crowd, something…uh, a political rally going on when it happened, something about anarchists. Your father was pushed into a crowd and shot, but not before they heard him say his son will never be like them. He is a musician at St. Anthony’s and one day they all will know his name.”
“He said that?” Antonio’s voice cracked, surprising him. He hadn’t meant to show emotion while she was telling such a difficult tale.
“He loved you, Antonio.”
He stood. “And I loved him.”
“I am sorry my aunt did not tell you this. We do not speak of family matters. She thought she would betray Joey if she did.”
So that was where the messages had come from, Antonio realized. The nun probably thought that by sending him secret clues she would not openly oppose her nephew. That was how the Mulberry women were heard in their culture, by circumventing the Old World order of things. Unnecessary, he thought, but it was their way.
“Since you are telling me this, you do not think like she does.”
“No.”
Her look softened and so did his heart. He would never hold this against her. “We cannot change what has happened. But what money?”
“I am afraid Joey knows the answer but he is gone. I was hoping you knew something that might free him from exile, something the police can use.”
“I am sorry I do not. You tell the story to Sergeant McNulty tomorrow and perhaps the police can take care of the matter. You should get home to your mother now.”
She frowned. “Not yet. I upset her and I want her to get better before I come home.”
“So back to Hawkins House?”
“Sì.”
“I will see you home.”
She stood, smoothing her long fingers down her skirts. “You should go see about your dog.”
“Uh, yes. Why don’t you come with me?”
Before they headed out the door she stopped him. “Do not forget your note.”
He glanced at the paper on Mac’s desk. He recognized the handwriting as Paderewski’s. He stuffed it in his pocket and escorted Sofia outside.
Chapter 34
“Oh heavens, what’s happened?” Mrs. Hawkins ushered Sofia down the hall while Antonio shut the door.
“Don’t leave that dog outside,” she said over her shoulder. She waved her arm. “Bring him in too.”
When Sofia sat, the dog lay at her feet. She felt spent. It had been a long, emotionally drenching day. Antonio sat next to her on the sofa but kept a respectable distance. She longed to fall into his arms. He was the only one she drew comfort from today. Wouldn’t Mamma be surprised at that, since he was of northern Italian descent. Joey had an Irish girlfriend Mamma knew nothing about. It would take patience to convince her, once she was feeling better, that people are worthy no matter where they came from. In this country, the past was the past and easily left behind. Although Mamma hadn’t been able to cope with her past, what happened to Sofia’s twin, she would have to learn. Soon. She must.
Sofia smiled up at Mrs. Hawkins. How kind and motherly she had been. A substitute when she so desperately needed one.
Leena and Etti wandered in to join them for tea. Two shy girls from a part of Europe Sofia knew nothing about. She enjoyed the stories of their homeland, a place often snowy, they had said, where everyone wore fur and reindeer were as common as dogs. She would have never met these women on Mulberry Street. She thought about Annie’s library upstairs where even more worlds were beginning to open to her as she learned to read in English. It was good, if she had to be separated from la famiglia, to have come to Hawkins House.
She reached down to pet the dog and noticed how well Antonio filled that formerly cold space next to her. She would certainly go home soon, but these people had become important to her. She ended up needing their companionship more than she had first imagined she would. Could this have been God answering her prayers after all? Perhaps Hawkins House was not the solution to everything, but she had asked for belonging, for understanding, for a place of warmth again. She had wanted that with Mamma, the way it had been. Perhaps God answered the cry of her heart in this place instead.
“You say your dog Luigi was lost?” Mrs. Hawkins asked, accepting tea from Minnie.
Sofia realized she had not been listening to the conversation. Luigi perked up when his name was mentioned.
“I’ve got a bone in the kitchen,” Minnie said. “All right if he comes down with me?”
“Sure.” Antonio whistled and made an away gesture with his hand and the faithful dog trotted off with the housekeeper.
Mrs. Hawkins returned to her inquiry. “I wonder why he came to the mission? Wise dog, none-the-less. And very well disciplined.” Mrs. Hawkins took a bite of one of the pastries Minnie brought and wiped powdery sugar on her napkin.
Sofia glanced to Antonio, wondering what he would say. Would he share his family matters with someone he hardly knew? True, things were more relaxed here, and these were good people, but he was still a guest.
He dipped his chin, seemingly not bothered by the question. “My uncle, I’m afraid, battles an addiction to strong drink. Has most of my adult life.”
Sofia saw recognition light in the sisters’ faces. They hadn’t spoken of their parents but Sofia guessed the drinking sickness had had some affect on their family as well.
“Oh, love, I am so sorry. The demon drink has control over so many.” The sad admission brought Mrs. Hawkins to tears, as many things did. The woman wanted to help people. Always offering whatever she could, and when nothing she had could remedy things, Mrs. Hawkins became wholly overwrought.
“It has consumed so many, even in this country,” Leena finally added. “I help many a sick man at the hospital, I am afraid.”
<
br /> “Vaar Maslov was one,” Etti whispered. “Our grandfather. Very sad. He died too young.”
“Oh, I am sorry, lovies.” Mrs. Hawkins wiped her nose and blinked away tears.
“My condolences, as well,” Antonio said. “It is very hard, sometimes impossible, for family members to do anything to help.”
Sofia smiled at the two girls. “I shall light a candle for him at mass.”
They thanked her and then relaxed back into their chairs as if the tea they drank was the most soothing sympathy of all.
Antonio addressed Mrs. Hawkins. “They look after my uncle at the mission. I try to get him to stay with me but I’m not successful very often.”
Sofia coughed, not comfortable with the sharing of family matters. Perhaps Antonio felt pressured by The Hawk and that should not be. She whispered. “You do not have to—”
“It’s fine, Sofia. I don’t mind Mrs. Hawkins and the Maslov sisters knowing. There is no reason to hide it. I am not ashamed of him, although I do pity him.”
Mrs. Hawkins patted the air with her free hand. “Well, I am pleased he is getting help, son. There are many charitable Christian men and women acting as the Lord’s hands and feet in this city. And God knows they are needed. Did your dog go there because of him?”
Antonio looked toward the hall, obviously wondering how they were getting along in the kitchen. “Nicco wasn’t there when I picked Lu up. And truly, my dog never really liked my uncle.”
“Oh?” Mrs. Hawkins picked up her teacup, which appeared oddly tiny in her large hand. “I assumed that was the reason your dog appeared at the mission. He had a long walk from Mulberry, where you said you lost him. He is a smart wee thing, now isn’t he?”
Antonio pulled at his collar. “I hadn’t thought of him seeking out my uncle, Mrs. Hawkins. Perhaps you are correct.”
Annie Adams knocked at the edge of the pocket door and then came into the parlor. “Minnie was in the kitchen and let me in back there,” she explained. “There is a phone call for Mr. Baggio.”
“Me?” He stood. “Why would anyone ask for me at your home?”
She smiled. “The operator knows I take calls for Hawkins House. ‘Tis someone at St. Anthony’s shelter for men. He explained that you were there earlier and said you were stopping by here.” Annie popped into the parlor and helped herself to a powdery cookie.
Antonio excused himself and Annie led him out.
“Oh, dear,” Mrs. Hawkins said. “I wonder what the trouble could be. I hope his uncle is all right.”
Sofia hoped so too. She didn’t know how he could cope with one more difficulty tonight.
Several minutes later he returned, crossed the floral rug to say good-bye, and whistled softly for his dog. “We appreciate your hospitality, Mrs. Hawkins, Miss Falcone.” He nodded at the sisters. “Ladies.” He put a hand on Mrs. Hawkins’s chair. “We will not impose on you any longer. It is getting late.”
Mrs. Hawkins wiggled up from her fluffy seat. “Not at all, love. Is everything all right?”
“Oh, right as rain. My uncle returned to the shelter and refused to believe that Luigi was all right until he talked personally with me. So the attendant made the call.”
“How very kind of them, love.”
Sofia saw him to the door.
“Thank you for sharing about…your uncle. It was none of our business, but I am happy to hear that he has people to help him.”
“Thank you for inviting me in, Sofia. Mrs. Hawkins runs a fine establishment. The Sunday dinner here is delightful, but an informal gathering for tea reveals the true character of a place. I am happy to see that you are well taken care of.”
“I am. It is…temporary.” She pronounced the word like a question, not knowing if she’d chosen the appropriate expression, but he nodded as though he understood. “I will go home as soon as my mother is well.”
They stood alone at the front door with Luigi at their feet. Mrs. Hawkins and the others had gone to their respective rooms to retire. He had said everything was fine with his uncle, but she felt an uneasiness between them. She spoke at the floorboards. “Are you sure you are all right? I mean, has this phone call disturbed you?”
He lifted her chin. She stared into his eyes and instead of annoyance she saw gentleness. He nudged her chin a bit more and placed his lips on hers. When they parted, he said, “Now everything will be in order.”
He and Luigi slipped out into the inky night. How incredible that one day brought her from bleakness to joy due to the spark of one long, lingering kiss. Knowing that God was indeed seeing to her requests—but in his own way—she went to her bed full of dreams of what might lie ahead.
***
Before she could clock in at the factory, a floor boy summoned her to Mr. Richmond’s office. She had not settled matters with him yet. What would Antonio think of her if he knew how her boss had handled her? She breathed easier when she saw the policeman named Owen. She had momentarily forgotten he was coming. Instead of his uniform, he wore a plain navy suit. He removed a bowler hat from his lap before he stood to greet her.“Miss Falcone,” Mr. Richmond said in his most authoritarian voice, “this man says you have a personal matter to discuss. Come in and shut the door.”
The palms of her hands were wet with worry. Joey was gone. The twins worked sporadically. Gabriella brought in only eggs and a few coins the neighbor gave her for minding her children, and Papà had lost time at work due to meeting with Mamma’s doctors at Ward’s Island. Sofia could not lose her job. Her family needed her. This planned meeting was a mistake, but it was too late to fix it.
She slowly lowered herself to the cold, wooden chair in front of her boss’s desk. His face was gray. His fingers constantly moving as though he was as nervous as she. “Uh, sì, Mr. Richmond. I have not clocked in yet. I will only need a few moments.”
Mr. Richmond rose and squeezed past them to leave. “Take your time,” he said over his shoulder.
“He seems unsettled about you being here,” Sofia said when she and Owen McNulty were alone.
“I’m afraid he recognizes me from my old beat. I told him there was no problem with the factory, but he didn’t seem to believe me. However…” He pulled out a pad of paper and turned past a used page. “Some of the workers have been more than a little eager to tell me some things about him. Nothing for you to worry about, though.” He cleared his throat and positioned his pencil over the pad. “Now, tell me what you know about Signor Parrella and your brother Joseph.”
***
Later that day, about an hour before quitting time, Claudia returned to the floor. She had her hair drawn up into a bun and instead of a sewer’s apron, she wore a fine shirtwaist and a long wool skirt. Sofia watched her weave among the workers while making notes on a clipboard the way Mr. Richmond normally did. Sofia glanced back to the office. It was dark, seemingly unoccupied. In fact, she hadn’t seen her boss since the policeman left that morning.
“Maria,” she called to her friend. “Claudia is back and she looks as though she has taken Mr. Richmond’s position.”
The nosey man behind them spoke up before her friend could answer. “Oh, she has. Richmond has been behaving inappropriately, I hear, and he has been sacked. Carrying on with some of the girls. I do trust you two were not harmed by him.”
It was a statement meant to probe for information, not given out of concern, Sofia realized. She had not stopped to think that Mr. Richmond might have been molesting others. She bit her lip. She should have spoken up. She crossed herself and offered thanks for the protection God had provided. She would see Father Lucci in confession as soon as she could.
Maria leaned forward away from the man. “Claudia was a victim of Mr. Richmond’s wrath. He knew she cared about the workers and wanted to be promoted. He fired her because he was afraid she would take his job. And now she has been restored. I am happy for her.”
Sofia watched Claudia laughing with one of the workers across the room. She would be a much more be
nevolent supervisor. She had probably been preparing herself all along, not trying to destroy the company as Mr. Richmond had insinuated. Sofia had misjudged the woman, thinking her to be a busybody, when in fact, she had been trying to help the employees.
When she made her way to Sofia’s row, Sofia wondered if she would despise her. Sofia spoke first. “I did not mean to give Mr. Richmond reason to dismiss you, Claudia. I hope you…uh, forgive me, per carità.”
Claudia paused from counting Sofia’s stitched soles. “My girl, you did nothing wrong.”
“But…I told him you were asking questions and speaking about workers’ rights. He wanted me to spy in payment for using his telephone. I did not know anything so I told him only that. I did not know he would fire you for it. He thought you were going to…uh…” She could not think of the English word to tell her friend that Mr. Richmond thought Claudia was about to lead the workers to strike.
“I know, honey.” She put a hand on Sofia’s shoulder. “He thought I was a woman intent on taking his job. No matter what he told you, that was what he truly was afraid of.” She laughed, throwing back her head. “And he was right, wasn’t he? The most amusing thing is, if he had not been such a louse, I would have had to wait for him to retire to get this position. He did it to himself.”
“You…you are not angry with me?”
“Whatever for, honey?” She tapped her pencil on her clipboard. “You are one of my best workers. You know that shoe you designed? I am going to recommend it for production and you will get a bonus.”
“Hurray!” Maria cried out.
Immediately after work Sofia headed to her parents’ tenement building, proud of her work day, but still concerned about Mamma. She would go see Carla Russo, just in case Mamma was not ready to see her yet. She had so many questions. Who should they ask for help? What kind of help did Mamma need? Sofia believed Mamma needed to be coaxed to tell the truth about what happened the day baby Serena died. With that secret out healing would follow. But how was it to be done?
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