Once Upon A Time From Sicily

It all started on a late evening in the month of July. It was a warm night and I could not sleep, so I stayed up watching the late-night shows on TV. As I got up to get a glass of water, the phone rang. I quickly answered it, as I didn’t want the kids to wake up. As I said, “Hello?” a voice almost whispering answered by asking me, “What do you want more then anything?” I kept quiet as thoughts rushed through my mind. “Who is this?” I asked. And without any delay, he hung up. I went to the kitchen, and as I poured the water into my glass I could not get the phone call out of my mind. What kind of question was that? Who could it be? Since I could not figure it out, I told myself that it was some kind of terrible joke. Finishing my TV show, I went to bed.

The next day I called my job and asked for the day off. I wasn’t feeling well. I think I caught a summer cold from my oldest son, Andrew. Sebastian was already up and watching his morning shows. I told the boys I was staying home and they could too. You cannot imagine how many hugs I got. I consider myself very blessed. I have two wonderful boys, who are my pride and joy. We decided to make it into a family day, staying in our PJ’s all day, and when we got hungry I fixed us a big breakfast of pancakes and eggs! Mmm, mmm, mmm. The rest of the day we lay around and played board games and picked on each other, laughing and screwing around. Suddenly the phone rang. I stared at it like I knew it was him. I picked up the phone and answered, “Hello?” His voice was breaking in and out as if he was using a cell phone, and I could not make out what he was saying. But I knew it was him again. I said one more time, “Hello?” Again he asked, statically and breaking away, “What do you want more then anything?” I was getting frustrated, so I raised my voice and said, “Look you! You better stop this nonsense and say what you’re calling me for!” Yet there was no answer. I hung up abruptly. The kids got up from the carpet and asked, “Who is it mommy?” Visibly shaken up I answered, “I don’t know.” Andrew, the oldest, right away took the attitude of the man of the house. “If the phone rings again I’ll answer it, Mom.” We hugged and went back to playing board games in the living room.

I told the boys what was going on, although I did not want to alarm them. I explained to them that a man with a thick accent kept calling me, asking a question. I wanted them to be aware so that if anyone came to the door or if the phone rang again, they would not let anyone in or give any information out. I keep the boys informed of all things. This way they can be alert and learn to make decisions based on common sense. The rest of the day, we sat around and watched TV, being lazy around the house. All too soon, this wonderful day was over. If there was ever a perfect day with my boys, I would say that this was it. I know the boys are growing up fast. These times are to be treasured by me and believe me, they are. I also know soon they will ask questions about our family, and they will have to know.

The next day we did what we usually do. I got up to go to work, and the boys got up to go to school. I work for three doctors in one office. And there is never a dull moment, I tell you. It’s always very busy at work. I’m the acting supervisor. Our regular supervisor is out sick. Indefinitely. I wonder why? Perhaps it’s the daily stress of dealing with complaints and all sorts of problems, which would overwhelm anyone. But, away you go. On and on, until the end of the day when you tell yourself as you get into your car, “Thank God! The day is finally over!” I got home around 5:00 p.m. Andrew and Sebastian were already home, doing their homework and waiting for me. The first thing that was said to me as soon as I walked in, of course, was, “Hi, Mom. I’m hungry.” I went straight to the kitchen and started supper. I put the soup on the stove so it would begin to cook and went to get the mail. Halfway to the door, the phone rang and reluctantly I picked up the receiver. It was just my mother. We talked for a minute or two and then I told her I had dinner on the stove and that I would call her later. We said our goodbyes and then hung up. As I attempted to pick up the mail again, I heard the soup on the stove boiling over. I hurried back to the kitchen and lowered the fire. Finally I was able to get the mail and look through it. Of course, there were bills and newspaper ads. But there was also a small, white envelope addressed to me, with no stamp and no return address. I thought it was a little odd, but there was a fight about to break out. So I put everything on the table and refereed. Soon after that, dinner was ready so we sat down to eat. While we ate, we talked about our day. This helps us to keep connected to one another.