Luciano

A father-daughter thing

Chalky stared at the man in front of him, he reluctantly shook his hand slowly gripping his hand, he wanted to see how strong this f*cker was.

"Well, it's nice meetin' you Mr. Luciano, now if ya would allow me to have lunch with my daughter". Chalky's southern accented voice cut out dismissively. He was born and raised in the south but moved to Atlantic City when he was in his twenties. However, his accent was still thick and stood out to the northern one. Charles looked at Chalky with a grin on his face.

"Of course". Charles said nodding his head softly, he turned towards Maybelle.

"It was nice meeting and next time be careful with that water huh". He said winking at her before tipping his hat Chalky and than leaving. Maybelle blushed at Charles, she was grateful for her dark complexion, her father wouldn't notice that she had a crush on the man. She was happy to find out his last name, that's another thing she found out about him. Luciano, that means his Italian she thought to herself, that would explain his charming nature Italian men are known for their charming swagger.

"What the hell was that". Her thoughts were interrupted by her father's voice.

"He was just helping me, daddy I was choking on the water". Maybelle tried to avoid her father's eyes as she lied. She was not used to lying to her parents.

"Is that all". Chalky asked not quite believing his daughter. Her refusal to look him in the eye meant something was off. His daughter was not a great liar. He continued to stare at her being very much aware that his gaze was making her uncomfortable.

"Yes, daddy that's all. Why don't we order our lunch, I am starving". She answered quickly trying to avoid the topic. Chalky looked at his daughter nodding slowly, he would handle this later at home, for now, he wanted to enjoy lunch with his baby girl. He picked up the menu and squinted his eyes trying to read the gibberish written on it.

"Why don't ya order for me, ya know I ain't good with these things". He said lightly throwing the menu on the table.

"Of course daddy". Maybelle smiled at her father. She was aware that he was illiterate and could not read the menu. Despite his wealth, power and success, Albert White had never been given the privilege to attend school. From a young age, he had to help his father support the family besides that he was the grandson of runaway slaves so education was out of the question for him. Despite him not being the most book smart person, Maybelle was proud of her father, he was a great provider and family man.

She signaled for the waiter to come the when he complied she ordered the food for them and the waiter left.

"So how's school". Chalky asked his daughter, he always put an emphasis on education to his children especially his son. He put them in the best schools money could buy. He wanted them to have the life he never had.

"It's been going great. I got an A-plus for my French test recently and my English teacher says I am an excellent poet. She says I could be the Shakespeare of poetry.

"Ya still on that stupid poetry nonsense". Her father's annoyed voice cut out. Maybelle resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead released a soft sigh.

"Daddy please can you not start with this, not now". She said softly, this had been a reoccurring battle between them. She wanted to be a poet, that was her passion. Her father saw it as stupid, he wanted her to be a teacher before she settled down and married a wealthy fella from a respected family.

"Okay, okay. I'll let this go". He spoke holding up his hands in defeat. Chalky looked at his daughter, she looked hurt. He sighed.

"What happened with us baby girl we was so close when you was growing up". He said softly, he was hurt about the relationship between him and his daughter. They were so close when she was a child, they did everything together now in the past year or so all they did was fight and they were slowly drifting apart. This broke his heart he couldn't figure out what went wrong.

"I guess I grew up and I'm no longer the daughter you wanted" She choked out trying not to cry. All she ever wanted was to make her father proud but it seemed like all she did was disappoint him. She wasn't like her brother Lester who was perfect at everything he did, her father often bragged about how great his son was. Sometimes she wished she was a boy, so her father could be proud of her.

"Ya know I love you right?. I ain't perfect but I trys to be a good father to ya and siblings. Ya always be my baby girl no matter how old ya are". He said looking at his daughter with a soft loving gaze.

"I love you too daddy". She answered with a smile on her face. Chalky smiled.

"Now finish up so we can go watch them movies at the cinema". He spoke trying to lighten up the mood.

"Unfortunately, I promised to help mother at the church today". She answered sighing softly.

"I'm pretty sure that Jesus is gonna forgive if miss one day of church. If he don't I'll make him". Chalky joked and his daughter laughed softly nodding her head before they continued eating.

Charles sat next to his friend Meyer opposite them Maranzano was seated he was unsure of what was going on.

"Mr. Luciano you must be asking yourself what is going on here yes?". Maranzano asked the visibly confused young man. Charles nodded.

"Well Mr. Maranzano, Mr. White and myself have made a deal, a great deal at that". This time Meyer spoke. Charles turned to his friend and motioned for him to continue.

"We'll make a deal with Masseria give him three percent of the heroin trade in Atlantic City". Charles was surprised.

"What's the catch". He knew it wouldn't be that simple, they were up to something. Meyer and Maranzano looked at each other knowingly.

"Chalky's men will rob every shipment Masseria brings in". Meyer continued. Charles smiled.

"So he's gonna lose more than he makes. In his mind, he will think he got he great deal unaware we will sell his shipment, while he gets only three percent". Charles speculated and the two men nodded smiling coyly.

"I knew you were smart". Maranzano said smiling at Charles.

The three shared drinks and continued to go over their plans. Charles couldn't wait to go back to New York and inform Joe about this new 'deal'. The imbecile would believe him, he finally had one over that fat f*ck and that brought him joy.