Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 06:14:04 +1000 From: max dowling Subject: Impossible Love 32 Impossible Love 32 Maxieplus It was a big night I have never seen so many people and teenagers in one place. Angelo's birthday party was a very fine affair, we dressed in our suits and the ladies sparkled in their gowns. I had no idea which young lady was his current girlfriend but Tommaso stole the show in a black dinner suit, he looked magnificent. The biggest problem I had was he had Cal hanging off him when he walked in, what the hell is happening with that. The other shock was his gorgeous father who looked the spitting image of Tommaso didn't look happy at all. I said my hello's to Cal on the way through to our table but I didn't ask him what was up. Gino looked superb in his dark blue suit and Anna glowed as her baby bump, I think, annoyed her, she was rubbing it constantly. "The baby is awake and kicking Antonio, she has some discomfort," Gino said. I was sitting next to nan and she was watching Anna, then she got up and went to get a tonic from the kitchen, some herbal tea will settle it down and Anna was so grateful to her she even managed a few dances and her belly got patted for good luck from the ladies. "I have no idea why he is here and with Tommaso Gianni, I didn't even know they knew each other except at the café when he gets his coffee." "I will find out baby, but it looks like trouble by the way Tommaso's father is acting. Everyone is noticing his bad mood Antonio." "Maybe Angelo knows, I'll be back." "Don't be too long I worry about you." I kissed him and gran took Lukas who wanted to walk and play. She will take him to the playroom after we eat. Angelo looked a million dollars, not a hair out of place and he was sporting a small smile when I sat with him. "No, not tonight Antonio, but I can come by later and we can dance under the moon if you like." "Silly boy, you have at least a dozen beautiful women vying for your attention I doubt whether I will get a look in." I laughed. "You won't Antonio, your husband is watching and I don't want a black eye on my birthday anyway." He laughed. "Now can you take a walk with me for a minute there's something I want to ask you about?" "We can talk freely here Antonio, everyone has noticed and is watching." I shut my gaping mouth then he continued. "He invited himself and has already insulted Tommaso's mama, his father is ready to shift his ass out the door, sit back and watch the show, Antonio." "He invited himself why would he do that?" "He knows Tommaso from the gay club, he's been chasing him for weeks and he found out about this party at the café and turned up. He has been friendly with Tommaso at the café and wants to bed him badly I think. He told Tommaso's mum she was too fat for her dress so he will be removed. Not by you, not by your family but by Tommaso's papa. " He was smiling broadly. "Okay, as long as there no involvement by Tommaso that's what I was worried about." "Why Antonio?" "He has a reputation for fucking young men and using them up for a week or so, then he dumps them and brags about them all over the club." "I see so he's a man-slut then." "Exactly Angelo, I don't want to see Tommaso hurt that's all." "He won't be Antonio, I have plans for him and so does his father." "Tell me." "I will tell you this Antonio, can you look at the table next to theirs?" "Yes, what am I looking at?" "The very angry young man in the black dinner suit and bow tie." "He's a bloody spunk Angelo who does he belong to?" "The Ferraina family Antonio, their son Maximillian or Maxie as he likes to be called, he is a school friend of Tommaso's and has been in love with him all his life, but he's too shy to make a move. The family made tonight special so they can get to know each other better in public. Because you are all here and will be dancing together both families are taking the opportunity to push them together. They don't like it that Tommaso goes to the gay club." He started laughing. "Italians always doing business I think Angelo." I smiled and what a beautiful couple they will make. "Don't worry about Tommaso Antonio, he has loved Max all his life also I know this because he used to cry at my house all the time, he is also very shy but watches Tommaso like a hawk." "Okay, then we had better get to work then." The band struck up and I thanked Angelo and went back to have a word with my husband, just for one night he can have a long leash, he was going to help me but he wasn't happy about it. To try and fend off a big argument we both walked over to our targets and I talked to Mr. Ferraina then Maxie. Gianni did the same with Tommaso's father who looked a little shocked. We then asked the boys to have a dance with us. Gianni got a filthy look from Cal and I took Max's hand as he blushed his way onto the dance floor. We danced near each other and the boys kept looking at each other, I guess they don't know how gay-friendly this crowd is. They were as red as an apple but they managed a very sexy dance. "Why are we doing this Antonio?" He knows my name probably from Angelo. "Because we are here to help you Maxie, look around no one is staring they all accept us and there's no need to be frightened of family or friends." "I hate that guy for turning up." "He's not good for your dear Tommaso that's why we are helping, otherwise his papa will cause a scene." "I thought it was odd, we were looking forward to having drinks together." "You are not only going to have drinks, you are going to dance together when my husband is finished with him." "He might not ask me." "Then ask him you idiot, he likes you a lot, don't you see that?" "Sometimes, but sometimes he's so far away I can't reach him." "He's far away because he's in love with you, and he doesn't know how to tell you." "Really?" Tears we have tears, and when I looked over so did Tommaso. It was time to party and when the next song played we swapped partners, it was done casually like, but they almost fell into each other's arms. From nowhere there was shouting and yelling then clapping and two embarrassed boys danced as the crowd accepted their get-together. I looked over and Tommaso's papa was slapping Max's papa's hand he had the biggest smile on his face and Cal was brooding and going a slight pink color. "Thank you my husband you did very well." "God Antonio, he has the hots for Max so badly I could feel his dick through the fabric." "That good was it?" "Oooh yes Antonio, can you get the hots too?" "I think I can accommodate that for you." I didn't need to be asked I was already hard from dancing with Maxie. We left the boys to have the next three dances and sat back at the table, gran was asked to dance and Grandad had returned from his card game with his mates and Stavros. "I have a problem, Antonio." "Yes grandad how can I help?" "You want to change your name?" I didn't react god knows how he knows but I didn't react. "I want us to be a family not only in love but in name, and I am sorry Nono I would have loved to have kept my Papa's name, but I have a plan that I think might help." "What is it?" "I will hyphenate it so I keep both names." "That sounds good to me Antonio, but I would prefer you take Gianni's name and we won't discuss it any further." "What?" "I have now got bragging rights that my grandson is a Cartasso, watch Stavros top that." He giggled to himself. "What is it with you two Nono, you're like a couple of school kids." "We are great friends from school as you know Antonio, he took it too far when he bought the market, so I am now competing in other ways. The Cartasso name in my family is a mighty big plus for your Nona and me, we are proud to be involved." "Well, they are just a normal family Nono like us." "No they are not Antonio, they have links to the Mafia so now Stavros is a little worried I will get him back from stealing the market from under me." "You were going to buy the market?" "Yes, Antonio but he found out and bought it." "I didn't know grandad, I'm sorry he did that to you." "We need not be sorry about it Antonio, but would you do me a small courtesy?" "Yes, anything." "When you marry Gianni can you get him to lean on Stavros and make him sell the market to him, for me please do that?" "What? he won't do it." "He will for you as a wedding present, and he has enormous wealth he can offer Stavros a big profit." I don't know these people anymore, the Mafia thing is all in the boy's and Sabine's heads, speaking of which she and Nina, who both look a million dollars tonight haven't stopped dancing since they got here, and the boys are having a ball with them. All eyes were on Sabine when she walked in and they still are, she's a magnificent woman and demands attention everywhere she goes. "Gianni, grandad wants you to offer Stavros an obscene amount for the market as a wedding present for me." "I know Antonio, we are in negotiations please leave this to the man of the house." He poured himself another drink while he watched the boys dance. "It's up for sale?" "Yes Antonio, as I said we are in negotiations." "Then why does grandad want him to offer an obscene amount of money to sell then?' "Probably because he's a silent partner in the business Antonio, they can't hide that from me, not the man of the house." He was loving this. I looked over at grandad he had a grin on his face as big as the Atlantic ocean, that old bugger he was using me for a better offer. "Right, how much is it, and how close is your gang from here, we will burn it to the ground tonight and get it cheap." "Now you're thinking like a Cartasso Antonio I am very pleased." He puffed his chest out. "When are you hungry Antonio?" "Now, I am hungry for your Mafia dick." "Come with me we will check the child out then eat." I laughed to myself on the way to the playroom, gran and Alice were overseeing the kids for a while and we deemed it safe for him to be walking around and went to eat. As I walked past the younger boy's tables both fathers stood up and thanked me with a big hug. I smiled and leaned over to say something to Tommaso's mama. "You are the belle of the ball tonight, your frock is stunning." I kissed her cheek, she gushed and she did look nice. I think Cal has gone home because the boys were having a drink together and blushing like crazy. I winked at them when I passed with my husband-to-be. We checked on the boy he was having a ball with the other kids, so we left him to it. I eventually ran into Cal he was standing at the bar, he passed me a shot and said. "I guess I lucked out again Ant, have this with me and I will be off." "They have been in love with each other for ages Cal don't feel left out just a little unlucky, you were not to know my friend." He smiled, I saluted him and skulled the shot of Vodka. "I will be seeing you then have a good night." He waved and went home, or to the club, whatever, thank god. "Antonio, what are you having?" Gianni said when I caught up with him. "Just some Lasagne and salad baby." "Okay, we will eat the same." Oh my, that husband-to-be is starting to control me I think, better put a stop to that quick smart. We ate then danced, then we had more wine and I noticed the young boys having more dances and maybe a cuddle or two. I was very happy for them and when Angelo made his speech behind the biggest cake I have ever seen, he congratulated his two mates for making his night even more special. I got a mention for doing the flowers but I insisted it was my lady's night to be congratulated, so I grabbed the microphone and thanked them for being so awesome, as I swayed to and fro. Gianni had to drag me away and he made me sit at the table with him and drink water, I was having too much fun and the boys were back to their games again. "We better not burn the market down Gianni, it is a national treasure after all. I think it has been listed." "It has Antonio, but we can still fool with the insides and make more shops, mama wants to put her gowns in it too." "What shop does she own Gianni?" "A dress shop Antonio, I don't know but maybe she had big designer labels in it." "I will investigate more baby." I slumped into his lap. I was almost carried home, I had to go when I started opening Angelo's presents for him. I wanted to see what he got. The boys did a real stunner on me tonight even my son thought I was funny but my husband didn't think I was funny when I spewed all over his nice suit pants and shoes, I couldn't get to the gutter so I let it all hang out on the footpath. I was thrown on the bed and they disappeared on me after wiping my face with a cool cloth. In the morning Carlos welcomed me back with his gorgeous ass in my face again, one of his balls had slipped through so I licked it gently. I headed straight for the bathroom after I was nudged by Gianni and let fly again. I will have to have a serious talk with the boys today, what they are doing is too dangerous and I feel as sick as a dog. "Are you okay Antonio?" Gianni popped his head in the bathroom, I had sat down on the bathtub to stop my head from exploding. "I will be, give me a minute." "Okay, I will get Lukas ready." I sat there and pondered what had happened to me so quickly and I was ashamed because I remember my gran giving me filthy looks. I had sobered up a little but still can't remember most of it. "Gianni please get the boys out of bed you need to take me to the hospital." "What Antonio, what is the matter?" "I think I am reacting there's something seriously wrong with me." "I will ring an ambulance." "No don't bother them, just get me to a doctor, my doctor is just up the road." I went to spew again but nothing was coming out just plenty of bile and blood. He got the boys up and I told them to look after Lukas while we were away, they were very concerned for me and wanted to come but I told them to stay at home all I needed was some pills. As luck would have it I got to see my doctor and he rushed through a blood test particularly on my liver and the percentage of alcohol in my system. I told him the story and how I thought it was more than the wine they were giving me I realized when I was on the toilet that they could be giving me pure alcohol that's why I was getting drunk easily. "The results will be back tomorrow morning in the meantime don't touch a drink Antonio if what you say is true it was a very dangerous thing for them to do to you, you may have an assault case." "No, I won't go that far I'm sure they don't know what damage they are doing it's just fun to them, they are men, but boys at heart." "Okay I will let you call it this time but if there's a next time. I will have to report it." "Thank you, now can I have something to settle my tummy?" "Yes of course and a shot of vitamins. I want you to try and flush it out so drink plenty of water today." "I will doc, and thank you." Gianni was beside himself when I arrived back in the waiting room I told him I had a shot and had a prescription to get filled. Gran was there when I got home she was worried about me and wanted to see for herself how I was. I told her I was feeling a little better but felt like I could sleep the day away I was so tired. I looked at the boys and they were white, they didn't say anything they didn't have to, because they knew they had somehow caused it. "Has Lukas eaten?" "Yes Antonio, he ate it all up and now he's resting again." I looked at gran and I looked at Gianni and said. "I am sorry but this has to be said." "Whatever it was you were giving me last night you had better leave on the counter so the doctor can analyze it." "It was nothing Antonio, honest," Carlos said. "Nothing, okay it was nothing so the doctor's suggestion I lay assault charges is wrong then." They went even whiter and Carlos started crying "We were just having some fun Antonio just a little extra alcohol that's all, it's harmless." "Yes Carlos, just a little bit that may have destroyed my liver and gut and sent me into a full-on stroke that I would never recover from, that's why I count drinks so this sort of thing doesn't happen." "Antonio, is there something I can do?" Poor gran, she was open-mouthed and just as shocked as Gianni was. "No gran I'm sorry about last night the last thing I wanted to do was to bring disgrace my family," I was still staring at the boys, my tears had started and I couldn't stop them. "I am going back to bed gran, I apologize again, and if you want to take Lukas for the afternoon you can, we will pick him up later." I kissed her and went into the bedroom closing the door behind me, then I wept into my pillow, I felt like shit. Why have they destroyed a beautiful friendship just for a few laughs at my expense? Or have they something else in mind. I couldn't fathom their reasoning maybe they gave me too much last night maybe they lost count but I know it will take me a long time before I trust them again. For Gianni's sake, I will be nice but I will never trust them. After I slept for two hours I felt the bed move beside me and Gianni took me in his arms and kissed me. "Do you feel any better beloved?" He used his father's words on me and I froze. "Yes, all I needed was some more sleep I feel settled again sorry." "That's okay Antonio, they were being naughty again but it was so funny to see you so drunk." The air was sucked out of the room, he's no better than them, and he knows what they have been doing. "Get out," I said. "What, Antonio, I want to stay here with you." "Get out and don't come back." He lifted himself on his elbow and stared at me. I broke, never before have I ever been so angry, I broke and I broke hard. "Get the fuck out of this bedroom, out of the flat and out of my life, and don't fucking come back. Just a joke was it, just something funny was it? well, I don't feel very funny anymore Gianni so piss off and don't come back." He wouldn't move so I threw the bedclothes back and pulled up my shorts, throwing on a tank top and runners I headed for the door. "Antonio where are you going, let me come with you." "Fuck off Gianni I mean it, don't be here when I get back." I slammed the door and ran down the stairs, tears were streaming down my face, this is not my fault, he is the one that should apologize and the boys should too. I ran past Alice she was outside her front fence talking to someone. "Antonio, hey hang on I want to ......" I didn't hear the rest of her message I was too upset and angry to listen, so I ran faster, up an alleyway and through the back streets. I wanted to see Lukas and I needed his innocent cuddles. I stopped running just short of grans place so I could catch my breath then I walked slowly to her front door, she never locks it and I have told her on many occasions to do it, but she said no one would want to harm her or grandad and the neighbors sit by their windows all day so they see everything that goes on in the street. "Antonio, how are you feeling now?" She kissed both my cheeks. "All right gran, can I stay the night?" "Of course you can, but don't you think your husband will wonder what you are doing, you had better call him he rings five times already." "No I won't be calling him and if he rings again tell him I've gone to Africa for a holiday." I grabbed Lukas and started cuddling him, gran stood there open-mouthed, so I placed a hand on her shoulder and said. "I'm not going to Africa I'm staying here." "I'll get you something to eat you haven't eaten all day Antonio, it's not good for you to ignore your food." "Okay gran whatever you think is best." I sat with grandad and bounced Lukas on my lap, he was happy to see me I think because he kept slapping my face. "You had a lot of fun last night grandson." "Yes, thanks to my drinks being spiked." "You think the boys were spiking your drinks then?" "I know they were, and it's not the first time." "That would be dangerous Antonio, do you want me to speak with them?" "No thanks Nono I have already spoken to them, and Gianni." "What has Gianni got to do with it?" "He knew they were doing it and he thought it was a great old joke." "I see, so he's not with you?" "No, I didn't invite him I told him not to be there when I get home. I have had enough of the Cartasso family they can go to hell." "They are a good family grandson don't be so hasty." I looked sideways and sorry gramps your about to get a mouthful too. "Yes, I suppose they are, seeing they are interested in buying the market from you and your partner Stavros." He took a deep breath and I said holding my hand up. "Don't, just don't say anything." I waved my hand. I made their home feel uncomfortable so I moved out the back to watch the tomatoes grow and show Lukas the different herbs. He was smelling his fingers and I think he liked the mint because he smiled and tried to get me to smell it too. I felt so heavy inside and I didn't feel sorry for Gianni he deserved the tongue lashing just as much as the boys but I do miss his arms around me. "So what did the doctor say, and when do you get the results?" Gran sat next to me, a biscuit appeared for Lukas and a scone for me. "Thank you Nan he took blood and will have the results in the morning, he thinks maybe alcohol poisoning." "No good Antonio, those naughty boys will hear from me if you can't handle it, you just let me know." "I will Gran, and I am sorry to have dragged you and grandad into it all." "That's what we are here for baby, there's no need for you to be doing everything on your own." "Sometimes I feel like I'm on my own Gran, everyone else knows what's happening in their lives but I don't, and it annoys me greatly." "Well then, you have to worry about yourself and let the others do what they want as long as you're okay that's the main thing." "Your right Nona, I will be more vigilant in the future and less helpful." The phone rang several times and nobody went to answer it because they knew it would be for me. I went into the living room and picked it up. "Hello?" "Antonio, your there I will come." "No you stay right there I won't be home until tomorrow so you're on your own tonight." "But Antonio, I miss you and want to hold you, please can I come and stay with you?" I can't do this, I just can't, whatever curse my gypsy family has placed on me isn't his fault, he doesn't deserve to feel my wrath so I said. "Come over Gran's cooking." "See you soon my beloved." That word is now grating on my nerves I will have to have another talk to him. "He's coming for dinner, do you have enough?" With her hands on her hip's, she was about to reply but I got in first. "I guess by your look that's a yes." So I went back outside again. Lukas was in his playpen getting some fresh air but he wasn't going to stay put he was already halfway over the railing when I got there. "Come on do you want to watch the news with Grandad?" He shook his head from side to side. "No." "Okay then we will just sit here Papa will be here soon." His face lit up. Gianni kissed me and rubbed his hands all over my back, then Lukas wanted some too, he sat down next to me and a scone appeared with another biscuit for Lukas. "Dinner will be on shortly you two talk." "Antonio, I apologize for what I was saying and I want you to listen to me and not shout." "I won't Gianni I'm over it all, I can't stand feeling this way." "The boys were putting small drops of alcohol in your drinks they were doing it to mine also, we had the same Antonio there wasn't enough in it to get you as drunk as you were last night. Please don't feel embarrassed because of it, everyone was really laughing with you, not at you, you made their night." "Well I didn't feel very funny this morning and if the extra drops weren't the catalyst for it then what was?" "Maybe you did have extra drinks maybe you picked up the wrong one, we don't know because we have been discussing it since you left us." "How much is grandad asking for the market?" "Antonio we must discuss this it's not the boy's fault, well it is but not all of it." "Just go outside and tell them to come in I'm not going to bite their heads off." "Thank you Antonio we love you our brother." Two heads poked out of Gran's back door. I waved and said. "Whatever." "So how much are they asking?" "Eight mil Antonio." "How much have you offered them?" "Six baby." "It's worth eight but do you want to take on the market?" "I don't know Antonio, I thought it was a good investment and I will lease it out to some enterprising young men, but I don't have to do that if you don't want me to." "You mean our brothers." He let his breath out and said yes. "There will be at least a million and a half renovations to bring it up to a modern standard." "Yes, I know that Antonio what do you want me to do?" "Stand firm on six and make Stavros stay on to supervise for the first five months." "Okay Antonio, I do love you." "And I love,...CAL!!" I shouted, "CAL? What Antonio?" "Cal, he gave me the drug I'm sure of it, I only had one drink other than wine it was a Vodka shot Cal bought me just before he left when you were looking at the food. It was Cal, he's given me a drug." I seethed as Gianni got up and asked me where he lived. "No, leave it to me Gianni I mean it, if it was him I will fix him right up." Gran called us in and I looked at grandad and said. "He will give you six and no more. Take it or leave it." He got on his phone to call Stavros we all sat at the table and I thanked god that property prices haven't soared for a long time and are due for a big rise. "I am sorry boys I jumped the gun a bit but don't spike my drinks anymore, I beg you." "We are sorry Antonio we didn't think it would affect you so much we love you very much Antonio, we don't want to hurt you.' "I know and I love you too, it was Cal that put something in my drink before he left. He's the real criminal I will wait until the blood tests come back in the morning, then we can watch him squirm when I get the police involved." "Antonio, you have a gang, why the police?" "Because they are bigger than your gang, they are my gang." It took Gianni a minute because he was loading up his plate but he eventually laughed. "We have a deal Gianni Cartasso, can we have a lot of cash please?" "Only if Stavros stays for five months and shows the boys the ropes and his son stays permanently also." They shook hands and Grandad looked at me. "I will make you a good dealer yet my uneducated grandson, you shudda went to college we would have sold for five and a half." He had to have the last say, so I replied. "We would have eventually gone to eight." He nearly fainted. I laughed my head off and Gianni with my brothers laughed with me. "It looks like you two are back at work full time." That wiped the smiles off their faces. Gran's dinner was fit for a king, and Lukas loved her veggie burger immensely, he played with it, threw half of it on the floor and over me, then he ate a teaspoon full, he doesn't know what he's missing out on. I went home with the boys and my man and son. I have to have a talk to him in private about this `beloved' thing but I didn't have the chance. We shared a bottle of wine on the balcony then the boys started whining when I said they had to go home. We all went to bed in our room and I settled in for a good night's sleep, or so I thought. I was still mad with Cal for doing what he did maybe that drug was mean for Tommaso if it's the one I believe it was, some sort of date rape drug, but I will find out in the morning. Gianni tossed and turned and surprisingly the boys were back and they snored as they held each other. I got up and went to the toilet, after a few minutes Gianni came in and I sat on the toilet and opened my mouth. 'What took you so long?" "I had to make sure the kids were asleep." He shoved it in and I sucked wildly at it welcome back baby I missed you. My suspicions were confirmed the next morning I had alcohol in my system but not enough to do much damage. I also had the date rape drug showing up. I thanked the doctor and told the boys they were off the hook, for now. What to do about Cal because if he's doing this to me or some teenager he has to be stopped. Two days later I noticed a sign on his market stall, closed until further notice. I asked around but nobody knew where he was, there were rumors he had taken off to Queensland. It wasn't until I met up with James the hairdresser twink that I knew and he told me. Cal had been bashed up and his leg was broken in the fight. It happened on his way home from the gay club no one has been charged and he couldn't or wouldn't identify the attacker. I talked to the boys at work about it they denied any wrongdoing on their part, so I had to believe them, it wasn't until Maxie called in to see Tommaso I knew, his hand was bandaged he said he had been in a fight and winked at me. When he had a moment he said. "I found out about your drugging, and I know it was meant for Tommaso because Cal offered us both a shot to celebrate the night, so I followed him the next night had a word with him. Leave town or go to jail, he shouldn't have argued with the junior lightweight boxing champion." He winked again and threw up his fists. I told him to hold that thought then I laughed my way out the back to get a bottle of wine, then I sat with him and Tommaso to salute our good fortune. Thank God it wasn't my brothers that were involved and I think Maxie will be good for Tommaso, really good. Donations to Nifty are gratefully accepted