The Betrayal

Prologue

Chicago, Illinois, 1996

Carla

"Billy, I need your car keys."  I went into my elder son's room, where he and his brother were playing some videogame. "And you, Scott, stop playing that stupid thing and get ready, I will need your help with the shopping."

"C'mon, ma, can't you take yours? I told Shauna I'd give her a ride, we were going to have dinner!" 

"No, I can't . It's at the garage, being fixed. And when I ask you for something, you do it!"

"But it's my car! You can't..."

"Potresti fare come si ti dice, per una volta? (***)  Give me the keys!" I extended my hand, my impatience growing. Reluctantly, he gave me the keys, and kept complaining as I walked out of his room.

*******

Billy

"I just don't see the day I'll go to college, man.  I'm fed up, why the f**k does Ma need my car right now?...What are you laughing at, Scott?" I couldn't but feel annoyed at my brother's unsupportive attitude.

"You and ma, you're so similar. You took all the Italian blood, didn't you?" My younger brother couldn't hide his amusement at the situation.

"It ain't funny! And she had no right to take my car. She knew I wanted to show it to Shauna."

"It's not that terrible, big bro. Just one day delayed, that's all.  There's no point in fighting, after all she was going to take it one way or another."

"Well, she could go shopping tomorrow, and I would go with her if she wanted.  It wasn't so urgent, she always goes shopping on Saturdays after all. "

 I switched the game off and started getting dressed. If I had to go walking, I had to go out as soon as possible.

*****

Scott

After a while, my Ma came back to Billy's room, and insisted she wanted me to go with her, to take the groceries home and all that. However, she didn't do such a great shopping, but even if I didn't understand why had she said she needed the car, I said nothing.  When my ma was in such a bad mood, wisest thing was to stay unnoticed. 

Surprisingly, she offered to drop me at Pam's place, and I finally had dinner with her, her mom and elder brother. They said they would take me back home, after that. 

"Remember your curfew is at ten, okay? Not ten thirty." Her voice sounded stern and angry, unusually angry.

"I know, Ma." I waved goodbye, but my mother started the car without waiting.

As it always happened when I was with Pam, I didn't even realize what time it was, and when I came back home, it was ten thirty. Ma was in the kitchen, smoking, and she got up the moment I opened the door.

"What were you thinking, Scott? I told you to be here at ten, remember?"

"C'mon, ma, it's only half an hour, it's not that terrible!"

"It's you disobeying once more, and my patience is ending. You and your brother don't respect me as you should, but this is over. From now on, things will change in this house. And now, go to bed."

"Ma, what...?".

"Scott, shut up and do what I tell you, for the very first time in your life!"

I was about to say something, but an angry look from my mother told me it was better not to do it. Silently, I went to my room and got in bed, and took one of the books I had to read for school.

A bit later, when I was about to put the lights off and go to sleep, my father came in my room, and sat on my bed. He looked tired, and had bags under his eyes. 

"Hey, your mother told me about her argument with Billy."

"What the hell's going on with her? She was kinda mad about nothing." I left the book aside, and turned to my left, my elbow resting on the pillow.

"I know, but just be patient with her, will you?  Things haven't been easy lately."

"Guess I'll manage to. But I still think she was pretty unfair. There was no need to hurry, and after all she didn't do such a great shopping."

"I'll talk to her too, don't worry." 

"Dad...is everything okay between you and Ma? You're always arguing, for this or that."

"Yeah, yeah. There's nothing to worry about. Good night, Scott." He tried to sound convincing, but his voice was tired.

He left, and I stayed awake for a while, with the lights off. Whatever my father said, I had an unsettling feeling our lives were about to have an unexpected turn. 

Jerry

I arrived home much later than expected, after a long, exhausting day at the precinct. I left my keys and my coat by the main door, and went to the kitchen, where Carla was washing the dishes.

"Hey, how was your day? Sorry I'm late, but we had an important clue in one of the cases we're investigating, and..."

I leaned in to kiss her, but Carla interrupted me. She stared angrily at me ,and  she placed  violently one of the plates over the counter.

"You've missed nothing, there's no difference between one day and another one in here. But maybe if you spent more time at home, you could watch better your children. I can't deal with them anymore, Jerry."

"What happened, Carla? I don't think it is that bad."

"Your eldest. I had to borrow his car, and...You didn't hear him, he...Sono stuffa!" (*)

"C'mon, honey, it's his car and he's been working the whole summer to afford it. Give him a break, will you?"

"So, you're on his side as usual, right? I'm fed up of always being the bad cop here and the only one who makes rules. What's the point anyway, if you always let them do whatever they want?"

"You're being unfair, Carla. Think about it, Billy only got the car two days ago and he was excited with the idea of showing it to Shauna."

"Well, he'll have time for that, and I needed the car. Mine is being arranged, and I had to go doing the shopping for the whole week. After all, taking care of you all is the only thing I'm supposed to do, isn't it? And that's much more important than showing the car to his girl."

"Okay, I'll talk to him tomorrow if that's what you want, but I keep thinking he's right."

"As usual. You're too soft to them, Jerry. Lasciami in pace tutti tre." (**)

******

(*) Sono Stuffa= I'm fed up.

(**) Lasciami in pace tutti tre = Leave me alone, you three 

(***) Potresti fare come si te dice, per una volta = Can you do as told, for once in your life?