Sally Boy (4 page)

“Then why do I have to go?”

“It’s that father of yours!” Mama said
disgustedly. “He’s making us send you to America to live with
him.”

“Please, don’t make me go. I want to stay
here with you and Papa,” the boy pleaded as he wiped his tears.

“Please understand, my prince. We have no
choice.” Mama lovingly stroked his hair.

With the agility of a cat, the boy leaped
out of the chair and raced out of the room screaming, “You can’t
make me go!”

Collapsing into a chair next to her husband,
Mama removed a handkerchief from under her sleeve. After wiping her
tears, Mama gently blew her nose. “How can he go to America, Papa?
He’s only nine-years-old. He doesn’t even speak English. His
father, that no good bum, he’s with the Black Hand. All he cares
about is chasing women and gambling. He doesn’t care about the boy.
Now, after all this time, he wants to be a father. He’s only doing
this to spite us.”

“I knew the day that snake slithered into
our lives to pick up our precious Marie for their first date that
he was no good. He didn’t bring her any flowers or candy. He just
wanted to go. No talking, no sitting, nothing. I should have ended
it then! The night she came home and told us that they wanted to
get married, I should have sent her away to live with my brother in
Piazza. That rotten bum didn’t even have enough respect to come to
me and ask for my permission to marry my only daughter. I let Marie
marry him against my better judgment because I wanted her to be
happy. And this is what I get for trying to be an understanding
father.”

“We could never have prevented Marie from
marrying him.” Mama gazed adoringly into her husband’s eyes. “She
was deeply in love and nothing was going to keep her from being
with him. I remember her wedding day like it was yesterday, Papa.
Marie was so beautiful. She couldn’t have stopped smiling even if
she wanted to. Don’t blame yourself, Papa. If Marie had never
married, we wouldn’t have Salvatore.”

“I know, Mama. But after Marie died, I
didn’t think I could go on. I didn’t want to live. No father should
outlive his only child. But having Salvatore here was...was like a
part of Marie lived on in him. And now that bastard wants to take
him, too.” Bursting into tears, Cogassi placed his hands over his
face.

“Please don’t cry, Papa.” Rising to her
feet, Mama gently pulled her husband’s hands away from his face.
“We must try to think of some way to keep Salvatore here.”

“We have done all we can, Mama. The rest is
in God’s hands. If we do not send Salvatore to America, Scalise
said he will come here himself and get him. You read the letter. He
said if he has to come here he will make us pay dearly for his
inconvenience. I believe him!”

“Why did you take the letter, Papa? You
should have refused it. Sent it back to wherever it came from.”

“That sneaky bastard sent it certified mail,
in an envelope from a lawyer’s office in New York. If I had thought
it was from him, I never would have signed for it.”

“Maybe we can just ignore the letter, Papa.
Pretend we never got it. What could he do to us that would be worse
than taking our only grandson, our little prince?”

“We have no choice, Mama! Scalise’s a killer
and a thief. How can we stand up to him? Even if we try to hide
Salvatore, that animal still has many friends here. Only God knows
what they would do to us for refusing to honor Scalise’s request.
Even our own friends would turn their backs on us out of fear. He
probably has people watching us right now.”

“I can’t believe this is happening, Papa.
How is Salvatore going to make such a journey alone? He’s just a
little boy.”

“Many of our people have traveled to America
alone.” Cogassi removed a handkerchief from his back pocket and
wiped his eyes. “Some of them much younger then Salvatore, but I’ll
see to it that someone responsible on the boat will watch after our
grandson for us. If I can’t find anyone that I trust, then I’ll
demand that the captain himself look after him. And I won’t take no
for an answer! That is the best I can do, Mama.”

“I know, Papa. I always knew the day would
come when Salvatore would leave us. I just never believed it would
be so soon. We were lucky to have him as long as we did. Marie did
a wonderful job raising him.”

As he stared out the window into the
distance, tears welled up in Cogassi’s eyes. Mama held the Rosary
around her neck in one hand and crossed herself with the other.

* * * * *

It was a warm spring day and the Palermo
harbor teemed with activity as seafaring vessels navigated the
waterways and channels of the busy port, churning up the gorgeous
blue-green Mediterranean Sea. Tan, sweaty, well-built fishermen
attentively checked to ensure that their rigging was secure before
unloading their bountiful catches. Merchants and old women haggled
with the fish-mongers for the best prices. Cargo transports were
loaded by young stevedores eager to finish their day’s work. Large
shipments of the valuable translucent oil from pressed olives,
along with barrels of the region’s red and white foot-stomped
fermented grapes, were readied for transport. Travelers hurried to
their assigned departure locations while others searched for
arriving family and friends. The sun was bright in the late
afternoon sky, and its rays danced on the surface of the water.

Carrying her grandson’s small suitcase in
one hand, Mama held Salvatore’s hand firmly in her other for fear
he would bolt. As they made their way to their designated dock, the
boy purposely dragged his feet in hopes that the passenger ship
would sail without him. Mama almost had to pull him along.
“Salvatore, come along, dear. We don’t want to be late. Did you
have a good time yesterday at your going away party?”

“Yes, Mama.”

“Did you like all the new clothes we bought
you? And the presents your friends gave you?”

“Yes, Mama.” Hesitating briefly, Salvatore
cried out, “I don’t want to go to America. I’m afraid.”

“Salvatore, you have nothing to be afraid
of,” Cogassi stated confidently, as he yet again checked the same
pocket to ensure he had his grandson’s paperwork, passport, and his
ticket for passage. “In fact, we are blessed that Signore Zeoli and
his family will be traveling on the same boat as you. His trip to
America completely slipped my mind with all the excitement from the
letter. We’re very fortunate that the Zeoli’s are visiting
relatives in New York and have consented to watch over you.
Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, Papa.”

“You’ve known Signore Zeoli and his family
since you were a baby. You like him?”

“Yes, Papa.”

“You trust your Papa to make sure that
you’ll be looked after? Don’t you?”

“Yes, Papa.”

“Good! Then there’s nothing to be afraid of.
I’ve known Signore Zeoli my entire life and as far as I’m
concerned, you couldn’t be in better hands.” Cogassi gently cupped
his grandson’s chin in his sizable hand. “Salvatore, make sure you
listen carefully to what Signore Zeoli has to say to you. I’ve had
to entrust my good friend with concerns that I wanted to instruct
you on myself. Things I didn’t have a chance to properly teach you
because of lack of time. Understand?”

Salvatore nodded slowly. “I had a bad dream
last night. If I go to America something bad will happen to me.
I’ll die. I know it!”

Mama stopped abruptly. “Do not say such
things! Nothing bad is going to happen to you, my love. You will
like living in America. It’s a glorious place. You’ll make new
friends and see great things. Oh, I almost forgot! I have one more
gift for you, my prince. We wanted to give it to you right before
you got on the boat.”

Reaching into her coat pocket, Mama pulled
out a small box and carefully opened it. “Papa and I got you this
beautiful crucifix.” Mama removed the solid gold rope necklace from
the box and easily slid the heavy chain over her grandson’s
head.

“Mama, it’s much too big for me,” Salvatore
noted looking down at the chain.

Mama smiled. “We know. We bought it like
that so you would be able to wear it now and when you’re all grown
up. Father Gagliano blessed it himself. He said as long as you wore
it, the Heavenly Father would protect you and ease your fears.
Promise me you’ll never take it off.”

“I promise.”

“Do you like it?” Mama asked softly.

“I love it. Thank you.” Salvatore looked up
at his grandfather. “Thank you, Papa.”

Cogassi smiled warmly. “You’re welcome.”

“Don’t forget your promise, Salvatore.”

“I won’t, Mama.”

“And promise me you’ll never forget your
mother or...or your Mama and Papa.”

“I’ll never forget my mother, or you and
Papa. I swear.”

“I know you won’t.” Mama gently kissed her
grandson’s cheek.

“Please don’t make me go, Mama. What if I
get sick? Who will take care of me?”

“Salvatore, that is enough,” Cogassi
scolded, fighting back his own tears. “Please do not make this any
harder on us than it is. This is the most difficult thing we have
ever had to do. We wired your father and told him you were coming.
Now stop crying and be a man.”

“I don’t want to be a man. I want to stay
here with you and Mama.”

“You’re already a man, my love.” Mama hugged
her grandson. “You’re brave, kind, caring, honest, and respectful
to others. These are all the qualities a man should have. And you
have them all. Don’t ever change, my little prince.”

“I won’t,” Salvatore swore, hugging back as
if never wanting to let go.

Glancing up through the crowd, Cogassi
recognized his old friend standing exactly where they had agreed to
meet. “There’s Signore Zeoli. Come along now, Mama.”

“Thank you again for your kindness, old
friend.” Cogassi greeted Zeoli with a firm handshake.

“No need to thank me, Dominick. Salvatore is
a good boy. I’m very glad to help,” Zeoli replied graciously.

“Hello, Signore Zeoli,” Salvatore said,
subdued.

A retired businessman, Signore Zeoli was
very well-respected in the community. He was up in years, with a
slight build, graying hair, a handsome face, and strong arms. Zeoli
greeted the boy with a friendly smile. “Hello, Salvatore. We don’t
have much time before the ship departs, so I’ll let your
grandparents say their ‘good-byes’ to you in private. I’ll be at
the top of the gangplank waiting for you. I’ll be standing right
there with the rest of my family.” Pointing out his family, Zeoli
waved to them, and they waved back. “Okay?”

“Yes, Signore Zeoli.”

“Dominick, I’ll see you and Antoinette in
four weeks.” Zeoli shook Cogassi’s hand once more.

“Thank you, again.” Cogassi smiled.

Throwing her arms around Zeoli, Mama gave
him a big hug. “Tell Helen I said ‘Hello,’ and wish everyone well.
Have a good trip, Vincenzo.”

“Thank you, Antoinette. We will.” Zeoli made
his way up onto the ship and joined his family at the railing.

The boat sounded its horn with three quick
blasts, signaling all passengers to board. “You must get on the
ship now, Salvatore.” Cogassi kissed his grandson’s cheek. “I love
you with all my heart. You have brought me much joy, and you have
given me a reason to live since your mother passed...” Cogassi
burst into tears. He quickly turned his back so the boy couldn’t
see him weep. Reaching into his pocket, Cogassi drew his
handkerchief and wiped his eyes.

“Here my love.” Mama tried to distract
Salvatore by handing him his little suitcase. “Don’t forget I’ve
packed the picture of all of us together in front of the church.”
Suddenly, Mama’s voice grew urgent. “Listen to me carefully,
Salvatore. Treasure it! Keep the photo near you at all times. That
way we will always be with you and can watch over you. I promise
you that no harm will ever come to you as long as your mother and
your Mama and Papa are with you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mama.”

“Remember, we love you more than anything
else in the world.” Squeezing Salvatore again, Mama kissed his
cheek, and then hesitantly nudged him toward the gangplank. “Have a
good trip, my Prince. Be a good boy. Mind the Zeoli’s. And don’t
forget to write us as soon as you get to America.”

“Yes, Mama.”

Feeling as if his feet were in quicksand,
Salvatore slogged his way up the gangplank. As he made his way up
onto the ship, he was nearly trampled by the other passenger’s
exuberance as they joyfully hurried past him. Finally, making it to
the top, Salvatore hesitantly stepped onto the deck. Shuffling
several more feet, he ultimately settled next to Zeoli.

Showing great empathy for the little boy
whose eyes now overflowed with tears, Zeoli implored
compassionately, “Do not be sad, Salvatore. I’ve been to America
many times. You will come to love it. I’m sure you can come back
and visit as often as you like. Be a good boy and wave ‘good-bye’
to your grandparents.”

Salvatore managed a wave. The ship sounded
its horn for the final time and the gangplank was drawn up. As the
last link to his home was removed, Salvatore’s heart began to race
until it pounded in his chest. The stark reality of leaving the
only home he had ever known transformed his melancholy to terror.
Feeling as if his world were crumbling around him, the boy tossed
his suitcase onto the deck and lunged for the railing. With the
dexterity of a spider monkey, Salvatore climbed the iron rail
screaming at the top of his lungs, “I don’t want to leave! I want
to stay here with you! Mama! Papa!”

Zeoli reacted quickly, latching onto
Salvatore’s midsection by wrapping his arms around him just before
he could get over the rail. Though using all of his strength, Zeoli
found it difficult to stop him from jumping into the water.

As the ship began to drift away from the
dock, Salvatore’s cries grew louder, “I don’t want to go! Mama!
Papa! Please! I’ll be good! I promise!” His frantic pleas were
muffled by the heartfelt cries and joyous shouts of good-byes being
exchanged between the passengers and their families.