EARPHONE

Aroldo...

"It is here by I, Aroldo Esposito accept the leadership of being your commander, leader and owner. All who shall fail to follow my orders will be, well, simply killed. You will obey me, for I am your mafiaking." I declared as I faced the men who were seated.

Pulling the knife out from the former leader's neck, I slowly wiped it on his shoulders. "Can someone please take his body and dispose it, my feet are getting tired of standing." I said gently as they all stared in horror.

It's not everyday you see someone take the throne from beneath one's feet, but I did. It was mine in the first place, but dear uncle that shipped me off to the orphanage at a young age and took it. "It's good to be home." I remarked, staring at little Zuse, uncle's son.

He was younger than me by two year's but less manly. "I saved you the trouble of the family business, you're most welcome." He charges at me with anger but I took him down easily.

Gripping his neck tightly, "Now, is that how to greet your cousin Zuse? Remember me?" His eye's bulged out as he gasps for air.

"You enjoyed the life of luxury while I was beaten and starved to death. I just came to take what was rightfully mine, this was my father's throne, but dear uncle decided he wanted it all to himself." I hissed, watching the color of his face change.

"I wish no harm on you dear cousin, the person that caused me harm is dead. Now, if you can ever be so kind in letting me know where uncle took my mother, then I'll spare your life. If not then it's simple, I------bring in the girl." I yelled.

Throwing him to the floor and watching how he crawled over to his pregnant wife was interesting. "You see how lovely she is, we wouldn't want anything happening to her or the child now do we?" I questioned as I gently caressed his wife's hair.

Bending down, I bored my eyes into his, "I don't believe in love or family Zuse. I wouldn't think twice in getting a knife and stabbing your wife's belly." I said, touching her stomach. "My, how big. How far along are you?" Her cries were loud, "Shhhh, shh, sh. We don't want the baby to feel stress. Don't cry."

Pulling her up gently, "Tell Zuse to tell me where my mother is and I'll let you and the baby live. That, you have my word."

Nodding her head quickly, she kneels in front of her husband. I took the moment, pulling out a cigar, lighting it up. "Zuse, please tell him what he needs to know, please Zuse. I can't lose this child, I've already lost two. I can't bare to lose this child as well." She begged.

"I have your word, that you will not harm her or the child?" Zuse shouted.

"You have my word, now. If you'll kindly tell me where your father hid my mother, then your wife will be on her way back to her parents house. Safe and sound." I stated.

I motioned with the tilt of my head for Andrew to take the wife away. Walking over to where he laid on the floor, like a dog. I stared him down, "Mama better be well taken care of or I can guarantee you, that I will make you chop up your wife and unborn child with your bare hands."

His eyes held fear and that's what I needed to see from him. He tried to get but I only kicked him back down. "She's in the west wing of the house", he whispered. "But I must tell you, she...she is not well nor doesn't remember anything."

"What do you mean she doesn't remember?" I asked as I clenched my hand's.

"She seem to have lost her mind after what happen to you and your father. Locking herself in the room, father pitied the state she was in so he let her stay. You were suppose to be dead along with your father, that's what I was told, that's what everyone knew." He said as he stared into my eyes.

The knife was still in my hands, I just took it and stabbed him in his shoulder. Over and over and over again as his screams filled the room. The men that were sitting at the dinner table started to move but my men held them down. "Shoot anyone that moves." I yelled.

I stood up, leaving my dear cousin in agony, screaming in pain. The maids were here, everyone in the household were here. I faced the closest maid and marched over to where she was. "Take me to the west wing, I need to see her." I hissed as I grabbed her arm.

My heart was beating quickly as I took each step towards her. After what seem like forever, we came to a stop. The hallway was dark, cold. I could hear soft whispers from behind the door singing a lullaby. My hand gripped the handle of the door pushing it open, the room was darker than the hallway. The room smelled like flowers after the rain, a figure stood near the window, holding a pillow.

"Fa la ninna, fa la nanna

Nella braccia della mamma

Fa la ninna bel bambin, Fa la nanna bambin bel, Fa la ninna, fa la nanna

Nella braccia della mamma." She sung to the pillow while holding it near.

"Go to sleep, go to sleepy

In the arms of your mother, Go to sleep, lovely child, Go to sleepy, child so lovely, Go to sleep, go to sleepy

In the arms of your mother."

I switched the light on but it didn't seem to be working. I stepped closer to her, trying to get a better look, standing in front of her. She smiled, "Shhh, my child is trying to sleep."

Her skin was pale yellow, her body was disintegrating slowly. The word mama was stuck in my throat as I watched her. "Mama", I choked.

Her eyes laid on me, she moved closer to the dresser that was near her. She seem to function well in moving but was her mind still intact?

The match lit up as she placed it on the candle, the pillow in her hand dropped as she gasped. "Rocardo", she said surprisingly.

"No mama, I am not father. I am Aroldo." Her eyes opened widely as her steps came closer. Her hands ran along my arms, stopping at my shoulders. Her eyes watered as she stared at me before moving her hands to my cheek. "Please tell me I'm not crazy, that you are really my son." She said as her tears fell.

I couldn't take it anymore, dropping to my knees. I held her legs tightly, hugging her. "I am real mama, I've come back for you."

I've haven't cried, since forever but my heart was aching. I learned to cope with my feelings but this time, I couldn't hold back. "I'm sorry mama, so sorry."

Bending down to face me, "You're alive, you're not dead." She said as she held me tightly, crying.

~~~~

One year later......

"Safe trip my love", mama said as she walked down the stairs with me. "Be sure to call me when you arrive and don't stay too long, my heart can't bare to be apart from you." She placed a kiss on my cheek, smiling happily.

"Two days and I'm back mama, Andrew will care for you until I come back." I said as I kissed her forehead.

Entering the car, I look back at her one last time before leaving the estate.