Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2021 05:26:44 +1000 From: Max Dowling Subject: Impossible Love 39 Impossible Love 39 Maxieplus I dressed in jeans and top today, I didn't know what to expect when I got there but it's better to be well dressed rather than in shorts and a tank top. Gianni had his black jeans on with his white shirt with braces, I guess that's what their casual wear is like. Adamo was much the same as me but he looked adorable because he had tied a blue scarf around his head. Roberto was forced to go to work and do all the clients he has been ignoring these past few weeks. It will only be us three that go to the Gypsy village, so as they started walking I took the easy road and a golf cart with Lukas most of the way. I picked up a couple of spunky good looking Gypsies on the way. When we got there the welcome party was in full swing and overwhelming and Gianni presented Menowin with a case of his best wine, my baby was taken by his wife and disappeared amongst a throng of colorful women. Glasses were produced and we all sat at a large picnic table, one of many that were dotted around the camp. It wasn't what I expected it was quite modern. There was a big toilet and shower block and the Gypsy caravans weren't the old horse-drawn ones they were campervans, caravans and motorhomes. Menowin and his family had a big shiny bus they lived in. Adamo said he lived in it with them, that was his home for nineteen years. There were power boards and washing lines everywhere it was like a holiday village, no wonder they loved it here. Menowin was telling us they stayed for four months then the next caravan will come so they are only here once a year for those months. They can stay longer but it gets a little crowded. I asked them if the Cartasso winery did all this he said that the Gypsy did, they still own this valley and they look after their own, the problem was that the winery owned the surrounding land and at any given moment Sabine could have cut off the access roads. After a lot of wine saluting, I could hear someone on a flute, but it wasn't Carlos this time it was an old gypsy man and I wondered if he was the one that taught him to play. A certain calmness came over me and I held Gianni's hand because he felt it too. Small twigs and brightly colored ribbons were placed in front of us, maybe ten or more. Adamo said they were good luck charms from his people so I looked at every one of them and smiled, simple things to make but powerful magic he said. Just what I needed now I'm loaded up with lucky charms. "Some gifts for our brothers, this is Meena she will tell your fortunes." A very good looking young woman sat with us and told our fortune with her cards, boy if she is correct I am in for a torrid time with my man that reading was red hot. His was much the same then she shook something at me I think she has just removed that bloody curse that keeps following me around, and after the reading, I felt much better. We ate some local food which was quite nice, the bread was freshly baked and Gianni talked to his uncles about their history, he was getting into it so I went to find my boy. He was being fed a banana and was as happy as Larry being attended to by his other family, the little kids helped as they were playing with him also. After a while Adamo showed me where he slept, not a cramped spot at all but a decent bedroom in the big bus, they mainly lived outdoors and moved with the weather as it got cooler they moved north to another camping ground, always on the move always happy. I was stepping off the bus when I saw him, a man in an overcoat was running around the back of a bright caravan, Basilio, fuck me why is he here. I walked back to Gianni and sat then whispered. "Your fathers here I just saw him, we had better go." Menowin heard me and stood up to look. "He is in the north he can't be here, he is banned from these grounds." "I just saw a glimpse, but I am sure it was him." "Go look, hurry now we don't want him here to spoil our peace." The five men rushed off to search and as they went they spread the word around. Menowin produced a gun. "What's that for?" "In case he's armed Antonio, we don't take chances with mad people." "We had better go, come on Gianni." He stood up and grabbed Adamo's arm then the tirade of abuse started. A nearby caravan door opened where he was hiding and he stepped out and walked towards Gianni and me screaming his abusive acid tongue everywhere, and once again he wanted his money. Menowin circled behind him and the men stood behind Menowin, they were about to pounce on him when Lukas started waddling over to us, he got past the Gypsy king but he was trapped by Basilio, with his big leather boots he kicked my son so hard he flew back onto the grass. "Get away from me you filthy bastard," I screamed and ran towards my boy but that maniac was fast he pulled out the biggest knife and lunged at me but all I could hear was Lukas's screams. I saw Adamo now had him in his arms so I dodged the knife and held Basilio at arm's length, by his overcoat. "You are the filthy gutter rat Basilio you filthy dirty sad excuse for a man, how dare you lay your filthy hands on my son, how dare you lay a hand on Sabine and how dare you do the same to your son's mother." "They were all sluts that had to appease me. I was a king they should not refuse me. And that viper woman he calls mama is nothing but a dirty slut that opened her legs to anyone and everyone." "She was sixteen, you raped her relentlessly at that lake you held her captive for hours, you are a mad man you need to be put in a mental institution for what you did to that poor woman." I was screaming, Lukas was worse and Gianni ran past me, he grabbed the gun off Menowin, and I screamed so loud it even frightened me "Gianni No!" It was too late Basilio slumped to the ground, with a gunshot wound to his head, it spewed his brains out onto the grass. I vomited as I turned to my son. I grabbed him and started checking him out some of the women helped me strip him to make sure there were no broken bones. We had to get him to a hospital as soon as possible he was terrified. One of the ladies placed a small drop of some potion into his lips and he immediately calmed down. "Antonio, is he okay?" "Oh Gianni, I don't know, we have to call an ambulance he may have internal injuries." "It will be quicker in the car," Menowin said. So we found a car and packed ourselves into it to drive to the hospital. "I'm sorry Gianni, I am sorry." "Think of our son Antonio but not yourself." I was still holding Lukas he was calm. "What did she give him Menowin?" "A herbal pain killer, it won't last long but enough to take the edge of his ordeal." The hospital loomed in the distance and I panicked, Gianni had shot his father dead he must be feeling so bad inside. It wasn't his fault everyone saw the knife Basilio had. God can I stand another round of this mess, the mess Basilio has made of my family. "We will take it from here Mr. Cartasso, get the boy ready for an x-ray and a scan nurse." "Right away doctor." Our boy was taken from us and he was so small in the doctor's arms I started crying because I should be the one holding him. In another room, I could see all sorts of machines and I wondered if they were modern enough for my boy. "What do we do now?" Gianni asked Menowin. "Nothing, it is all taken care of, we wait to see if the boy is damaged then we deal with the other later on." "I will go to jail." Gianni lowered his head and I lifted it. "Over my dead body," I said. He grabbed me and kept saying he was sorry he was so sorry. I answered he had nothing to be sorry for, his father was insane. "That is what the police will be told, we have many eyes that will back it up, he took his own life Gianni remember that, he took his own life." I understood what Menowin was saying and the Gypsy will clean up this mess because they loved Gianni very much. We all sat in a private room and waited for Lukas's outcome, Adamo was in tears still and I held his hand and said. "I am sorry about your uncle, but someone had to stop him." "I am more worried about Lukas Antonio, I don't worry about an uncle that never was," "Tell me Antonio I have to know what he did to mama." "Oh God Gianni I can't tell you that, it's too painful." "Tell me or I will beat it out of you, so help me God." He was now so angry, so I told them all what Basilio had done to Sabine, it was gut-wrenching to tell and I hoped she would forgive me. Gianni cried for his mama, Menowin stared at me with his mouth open. "If we had only known Antonio, he would have disappeared long ago. The gypsy has to find forgiveness from her, how can we help?" "It's okay now. I started her on a different journey of self-worth at the lake last week when she told me everything. The poor woman has been living in terror all her adult life. The only saving grace was, she saved Gianni, she cried when she spoke of him as a little boy and how her thoughts were not for herself they were always for Gianni." "So that's what happened on the lake." "Yes baby, I had to get her to tell me so the next time she tells someone it would be easier. She was destroyed when your mama married your papa she couldn't say anything to anyone. She carried the gun to scare him, she could never use it but he didn't know that, so he stayed away." "I have to talk with her Antonio." "You do have to talk with her, but can we see to our baby first?" "Of course, and I know I am upset at your words so I will leave it until I calm down a little." "Everyone not a word." He looked at his cousin who nodded his understanding. The doctor came in and told us Lukas had no broken bones but he has bruised ribs they will hurt him for a while they had given him pain relief. A stressed Sabine rushed into the room ahead of the boys and Roberto, Adamo went straight into his arms and started sobbing. It had frightened him and Sabine was asking too many questions. I left to go and see if I could sit with my son, the boys were asking me questions but I closed the door behind me with no explanations. A nurse was attending to Lukas's nappy and when he saw me he smiled and wanted up into my arms. "Papa." "He will be sore for a while but we have him on pain control Mr. Cartasso, he will do well in a few days." I hugged her, then thanked her, the relief was overwhelming and I sat down to hug him close. I didn't want to hold him standing up because I felt like that brick in my stomach was going to burst at any moment. There are so many people I had to thank, the lady who gave him the herbal numbing liquid for a start, the doctor, nurses, and of course Menowin and his people. I held onto Lukas gently and he was hitting my head and saying. "Papa, papa," I then crashed and cried my eyes out. A hand rested on my shoulder and a young man whispered in my ear. "It's time to go home my love." I felt drunk when I was woken up but thank God everyone had left except Sabine. "I sent them home and will talk to them soon, I need to talk to my Gianni first." She said. "Good, I have no excuse for saying what I did only that he was being very rude to a dear friend and I wanted to give it back." "So he's dead Antonio?" "Yes, I am certain he's very dead my friend, he will never come back, you are free." She let out a long breath and Gianni drove us back to our little cottage by the front gate. Lukas was sleeping it had been a big day for him, so I placed him on the loungeroom floor with plenty of pillows so I could watch him. I then opened the wine and we three sat out by the small pool. Sabine started with the rape she came clean on all fronts except the inheritance and her baby, he wept for her as she held him, and with many gasps, for breath, he said he was sorry for treating her so ungratefully. She was Sabine Cartasso a very classy woman in business but at this moment she was a little girl and asked Gianni to hold her close for a moment she then whispered in Italian into his ear, his eyes were wide when she finished. "I remember mama I remember." "I will always love you no matter what you do, I will always care for you, and I will always hold your gentle heart because I love you so," Gianni repeated to her. His head must be spinning and the wine is doing a great job on me because I opened another one. Sabine now has to tell the boys, she cannot cover this up any longer. I rang them and they were on our doorstep within minutes, they were so worried about Gianni Lukas and Sabine, and of course me. I handed out the wines, I was being the waiter today and Sabine started again, it will be easier each time she tells the story. Gianni found me on the lounge room floor with a sleeping baby so he got down and molded into my back. "We have a new life now Antonio, and I promise you I will always love you for what you bring into our marriage, thank you." "Your welcome baby, please just don't go banging on and on about being the man of the house will ya?" "But I am Antonio, and I will show you why I am tonight. We sleep with our son and I promise I will stay awake all night and chase his nightmares away." I looked over my shoulder and kissed him. "And who chases yours away Gianni?" He didn't answer me. The boys were very upset it showed on their lost faces, they couldn't believe anyone could treat their mama like that, it was around eight that night when the local police knocked on the door. Gianni answered it and I heard a lot of Italian being spoken so couldn't understand it. He came back to us all and said. "They were just confirming he shot himself." `'Are they taking it any further?" I asked. "No Antonio, I think they understood more than they say to me it was just a confirmation that what I saw was correct." "Good." "What can we do mama?" Leon was upset. "Nothing my loves just be yourselves, you have been a wonderful joy in my life and that will never change, so just be yourselves. I will work this out myself but now you all know I feel a lot better more in control thanks to Antonio and all my beautiful boys." She smiled, Carlos dropped his shorts and jumped in the pool. Leon told him he was being rude. "Leon I am just being myself like mama said, we cannot change what has happened but we can change how we treat the future and I want the future to be a wonderful experience, for us and mama." Very smart boy and when Sabine got off the lounger I grabbed her and dragged her in, then the party started. She jumped on my back and nearly drowned me but I got her back by splashing her face continuously, it never ceased to amaze me how she always looked so pretty even when she was looking like a drowned rat. It ended up being a happy night for everyone but I still had my eye on Gianni, he will crash at some stage and I don't want him to hold everything in, I want him to talk about it. The boys apologized to me because they were sleeping with mama tonight, I told them I wasn't inviting them anyway, Carlos winked at me he's clever that boy. I made sure Adamo was okay and he said all he needed was a good night's sleep with his man so I kissed him goodnight and placed Lukas in our bed. Gianni was a little put out because he couldn't hold me but he accepted that Lukas may need us during the night. We talked for about an hour about the shooting and he had no regrets at all and he wanted to close the book on his father for good. "He shouldn't have talked about my mama's like that, he made me so mad." His eyes dropped. "I was that little boy for a long time Antonio, I treated mama so badly but when you came along you healed me and I became a man. I will make it up to mama but for now, it is just my little family under this roof and I think everyone is safer now than they were yesterday." "Yes we are Gianni, and like Carlos said we will look forward to a better happier future." "What do I do about papa's funeral I don't want to go." "Then don't, get with Menowin and tell him straight that you have no concern for your father anymore they should do what they have to do but do not to include you." "I will Antonio and anyway we have to go on our honeymoon to Roma soon I am hoping to ask mama to come with us." "Yes you do that, but keep in mind she is still hurting inside don't push her." "Yes Antonio, maybe I will wait for her to come to me." "Good thinking baby, now can we get some sleep?" "Yes I suppose so, but I will miss you." "I will miss you too." He got out of bed and moved in behind me I cuddled Lukas Gianni cuddled me. I didn't want to get up but Lukas's nappy was wet poor little fella, so I got up and when I moved Gianni grabbed me and said. "Where do you think you're going, there is no hole in the wall here?" I giggled. "It's not my idea baby it's Lukas he's very wet." He checked to see if I was lying, I smiled and said. "Okay then, I won't be a moment." I grabbed my boy making sure I didn't touch his bad side and went to change him. He was bruised down his left side so the first thing I did when I relieved him of his nappy was to give him his pain killer, then I rubbed some ointment onto his bruising. Gianni was behind me his arms went around me and his dick was between my legs, he was happy. We played with our son for a while then I wiped him down and we went to find coffee. He didn't want to stay on the pillows he wanted to talk to Rosa who was here today. "Gianni, can you talk to Rosa and find out if she's happy with the new job?" "Sure." He started talking to her casually as she made toast. I took Lukas outside with the coffee and wasn't shocked when I saw it, by the pool was a stack of Gypsy good luck charms. I had left the ones the ladies gave me behind yesterday but the stack has grown, it made me happy to have so much good fortune and I am guessing Sabine has much the same on her doorstep today. "She's very happy Antonio, I did ask her to join us in Melbourne at some stage but she said she couldn't let mama and papa down, but she is excited and grateful." I looked into the kitchen and Rosa blew me a kiss. "When did this arrive?" "During the night we must go and see Menowin sometime to thank him for all his help too." "Yes we will try and do that today, are we eating here or at the house?" "The house baby, I want to see how the boys went." "Okay, I will tell Rosa." "Are the others up yet?" "No Antonio, they are making love I heard them." He giggled and blushed. "Are you all right with them moving in here Gianni?" "Yes baby, I am very happy with Roberto and Adamo being lovers. I like Roberto he has thought that maybe he keeps his mouth shut about me that why we were never close. In his way, he was also protecting me from town gossip I read him all wrong." "He's a very trustworthy young man Gianni, I will think about setting him up with more business when we get back." "He doesn't want to be rushed off his feet he wants to be with Adamo." "He can do some work for us maybe I will think about it?" "Of course he can and he can maybe help mama and the Gypsy with business here too." He laughed. I suspected Sabine was giving Roberto work regardless of what Gianni thinks. Lukas has finished his milk and he looked at me and said." "Nona?" Then he laughed. "Yes baby, we go to Nona's place now." I banged on the door and asked the boys if they wanted to come, they said they will catch up. We dressed and hopped in the golf cart, Gianni drove us there, and yes outside Sabine's front door was a mound of good luck charms. "They have been here also." "I suppose they really can't help her, but with all this luck she surely has a fighting chance." "What is she going to do?" "I think she's going to see a psyche here in the village then she will transfer to Melbourne and continue the sessions. Maybe she has changed her plans now Basilio is gone." "Does anyone else know?" "Only Nina, she has known since that private school they went to." "Okay thank you." "Your welcome." I smiled and kissed him, then Lukas wanted to go inside to see his nanny, I didn't want to tell Gianni he has a brother somewhere I will leave that up to Sabine. She was sitting out the back at the big table on a computer and Lukas was placed on her lap, he was telling her all sorts of things and she was loading him up with her gentle kisses. "Did you sleep well?" "Yes son, after I got rid of the other two munchkins I did sleep better than I have in years." "They must have decided to say here we never saw them." "I threatened them, if they disturbed you both I would cut off their balls." "That will do it every time." I laughed. "You got more on the front porch mama." Gianni was looking at the charms by the pool. "Yes the Gypsy is now looking out for me, it's all thanks to Antonio Gianni, our families are friends again." "I know mama, I don't know what to do for him though, for a thank you." "I believe he likes holes in the wall son, maybe have one installed at your new house." I glared at her but she does come up with some good ideas. My ear was itching so I rubbed some more ointment on it, I kind of like the gypsy look and the gold ring was so nice. I believe it will take a week or so to heal. "Mama do you want to come to Rome with us maybe get out of here for a few days?" "That would be nice son, the boys have a room so I might come, yes I would love that. I can take Antonio shopping at my favorite stores." There goes my honeymoon, I knew the boys would find out and try and crash my party. I may book for Roberto and Adamo also. "Sabine when you book you may as well get a room for Roberto and Adamo also." "They are already going with the boys, and have booked" She laughed. I looked at Gianni he shrugged his shoulders, I guess it's another Italian thing everyone goes on one's honeymoon with them. We did go back to the Gypsy camp but it wasn't until after the funeral, Menowin was very happy that he didn't have to deal with Basilio anymore and he had a small ceremony with Gianni. He was now a true prince, and a green scarf was tied around his neck, and he was given a small medallion to wear. I had many questions that Menowin and his cousins answered truthfully. No Gianni isn't required to travel with them, the only difference he will experience is making decisions on important matters which come up now and then. He maybe should attend the gypsy camps when he is in Italy, but the rest can be done from anywhere. Gianni wore his scarf proudly and we didn't know the significance of the earrings and scarf until we hit Roma. We traveled together, Ramone and Alessio were still holidaying at the beach. I believe he has had several surfs with their newfound friends. I was extremely happy for the two of them and couldn't wait to hear their news when they got back. We booked in, the boys winged they didn't have the room next to ours so the clerk started moving people around. The manager poked his head out of the office to see what all the fuss was, I was watching his face it went from a smile to a very stern one. I guess the boys will have to put up with what they were given. "Good morning Mr. Cartasso, he was almost bowing to Gianni then he looked at the computer and said to the clerk. "Move this booking on the top floor give Mr. Cartasso the presidential suite, and Mrs, Cartasso the Princess suite, the other two bookings will take the other suites on that floor. And thank you for staying with us my prince." He looked at me with a big smile then he frowned. "Oh forgive me I meant Prince's" He bowed again he's Gypsy for sure. We thanked him and he had humbled us with his generosity. The rooms were huge and decorated with top shelf furnishings, Lukas will love his big soft bed and I know by the way Gianni is looking at ours he's going to enjoy it also. We changed and started gathering up our group to start our sightseeing because my plans of staying in the room for all the holiday have now gone out the window. "Why did he give us such a beautiful room Antonio, I hope he's not going to charge us extra." "I doubt whether there will be any charges baby, he is Gypsy, and when he saw your scarf, medallion, and your earing he knew you were a prince." "Really?" "Yes really." "Well I like being a prince now, it's good." "Good because lucky for you I love Prince's" I kissed him then he got the stroller ready for Lukas's tour of the area. Gran had rung and they were in Venice. I told her about Basilio but not the details, she was a little over happy about that for my liking. But she said they have booked a ten-day cruise around the Greek islands and she was excited because she had never been there and certainly has never been on a cruise. It was three days later the photos arrived, her and Alice in the pool her and Federico at the bar, her and grandad at the casino, she was having an absolute ball. I asked her if she was winning she sent me a smiley face and her total of two hundred euros. That will be going into her investment account when she gets home. We strolled around the area and Sabine had a spring in her step she looked a million dollars in a floral day dress, she was into every shop and bought Lukas some very nice things, lucky we could hang the shopping on the stroller otherwise I would be carrying the lot. "Are we having lunch at the hotel or shall we stop at a restaurant?" Leon said. "I think we will dine in the sun if everyone agrees," Sabine said. They all agreed so I walked up to a waiter at an open-air restaurant, he was staring at me and I thought I might be being cruised but no such luck he was staring at my earing, then he looked at Gianni. "Please come to this way sirs," he showed us to the upstairs dining area it was less crowded, and we had an awesome view. "Please sir, can we forego the menu and let the chef send out his best meals for you all?" "That would be just fine," I said. He looked very happy when he scooted off wine was delivered, it was top shelf Cartasso wine with crystal goblets and silver ice buckets. "Wow, this is amazing," Sabine said. "It's Gianni that's doing this." "Thank you son this is a nice surprise." "No mama it's the earing and scarf this is a Gypsy restaurant they love me." He puffed up. He giggled and looked at me. "And Antonio." He laughed again. I hadn't completely forgotten about Adamo and Roberto, They haven't got much money but Adamo is sporting the same sort of earing as us and he had a green scarf also. I was sitting next to Sabine when I whispered my concerns about the new boys, surely there is something they want to buy for each other. I did know they didn't have much money because they had argued about the price of their suite on the way up in the lift. "Leave it to me, Antonio." She whispered. Food, there was so much food I thought I was back at grans house, the table was covered in it. The boys were hungry and tried just about everything I took my two favorites and Gianni's plate was overflowing. I looked at Roberto he was not eating much but when I leaned over I told him it was all paid for and he should eat as much as he wanted, he smiled and filled his plate. Later before we left I saw Sabine give Roberto a card, I am guessing a business card to use on his holiday, he wouldn't take it at first but Gianni put a stop to the argument. "Roberto, take it or I will send Antonio around to boxing your ears." Roberto looked at me and started laughing, well he was a pumped man I suppose I can take him on if I have to. We thanked the waiter and when the chef came out he also had a small earing and he was very happy to serve a prince or three today. We did a museum and a church which I was amazed at because we got in free there also until Leon said that most of the museums and galleries are free throughout Europe, that shrunk my big head a bit. The lovers were looking at jewelry in a very expensive looking shop and Adamo was blushing, another wedding coming up. The whole group followed them in and they were looking at cheaper silver rings they thought they might get engaged. Sabine took over and because she's used to this sort of thing she introduced herself to the sales lady, the Cartasso name is widely known in Italy. The salesgirl got the manager and the boys were made to sit down and pick out their diamond and gold engagement rings. They started complaining but I heard Sabine say. "Don't embarrass your mama in the shops please, it's uncouth." They shut up and chose two beautiful rings, I don't know how much they cost but Roberto handed over his card and the transaction went through. Next was some clothes, and some aftershaves, Sabine was on a shopping spree and the boys were her victims. My boys weren't far away and at every opportunity, they tried to embarrass me, at one stage I had to threaten them when Leon came up behind me and pulled my shorts down around my ankles, I was minding my own business up until then. I had to watch them both from then on. Luckily I had underwear on and Gianni chastised me for being such a perverted man in public. He laughed until we got back to the hotel. Adamo couldn't stop looking at his ring and Roberto kissed him repeatably. Donations are gratefully received by Nifty archives