Forgive me Father: Mea Culpa
Synopsis: The conclusion to ‘Scarlet Sins’, Father Esposito is getting on in years and is close to death. The Family has another confessor they implement to ‘take care’ of their business. Bruno feels terrible guilt and tells his employer his fear.
Chapter 1—Constant Hellish Nightmares
It had always been the same since the murder of Caroline’s rapist. Despite all that trauma, she had become an exquisite mother and the child had turned out to be a tour-de-force for the Russo family. In fact, he had become the Russo’s next Capo. His name was Raul and when it came to ‘street justice’, he knew no mercy. Just like his grandfather, though, he could be trusted implicitly and had nothing but respect for Bruno Esposito.
‘Bruno…Bruno ! Wake up, Tesoro…’, Bruno’s wife, Melanie said, sweetly, holding onto his arm.
‘Did I have another nightmare ?’, he asked, running his fingers through his now grizzled hair. His face was wizened and his eyesight tricked him into seeing blood on his palms. He shrieked.
‘It’s not real, darling. It’s your mind again.’, she said, curling up and cuddling next to him. She had no idea what the nightmares had been about since Bruno wouldn’t tell her anything about what he had done. The nightmares had been constant and Bruno was getting weaker with age although he was perfectly healthy.
‘I just get the sense I’m going to hell the minute I breathe my last breath, cara.’, he said, trying not to become too emotional.
‘But why, Brunito ? You’re a pillar of the community. Everyone comes to you to confess and you deliver them…’, she said, gently. She held his hands tenderly in hers and kissed them. Her soft lips made him melt momentarily. He knew that his moments were few and wanted to prepare Melanie for his last rights and unction.
‘If you think I’m going to come unglued when you go to God, you don’t know me, dear.’, she said, chuckling.
‘Yes, you say that now…’, Bruno said, his voice shaking. Her eyes sparkled with a steadfast faith that he wished he could’ve had at that moment.
‘Don’t fret. I’ll be perfectly fine. The Espositos are strong !’, she reassured him. Bruno was pleased she was so resilient in her faith, but he had to make certain he would be forgiven. Even if he heard it from Caroline and his former employer, Chazz.
Chapter 2—The New Consult
Though Raul was the one ‘taking care of business’ for the Russos, their new Consult was installed in the church with all the backing and the expertise being a Padre entailed.
‘I came as soon as I was able. I might not be as quick or agile as I once was, but I’m here.’, Bruno said, catching his breath. Immediately, Chazz brought his old friend and weapon into his arms.
‘Still like a horse though ! You don’t need us ! You don’t even need Umberto.’, he laughed, heartily. He offered a tall glass of Chianti as if it were old times. Bruno gladly drank with his old mafia friend and looked at Caroline, remarried, a large family under her wings, the picture of Underground royalty.
‘I didn’t want to pry. I can feel myself slipping away. Even Melanie knows. I didn’t give her any details of my past. She doesn’t need to be informed of my sins…’, Bruno said. Again, the priest felt himself break down into shoulder shaking sobs. It had been years since he wept. The only time he had cried like this was after he killed a man for the first time. He could feel all those souls hovering around him and their blood dripping from his palms. No matter how much he wanted to wash the crimson stains out, they would return. He could scrub as hard as he could, but the coppery stench of death remained on him.
‘I’m going to die, Chazz. I’m over 100 now. Please, I need this deliverance. I need to be redeemed.’, Bruno begged.
‘You are a Saint compared to others, Bruno. You know this. You were always such an incredible vessel. I owe you.’, he said. Caroline walked up to him and kissed his forehead.
‘If it will give you peace, Umberto will listen to you and absolve you.’, she said.
‘Oh, thank you. Yes. I need this. The nightmares will finally end.’, Bruno said, wiping his eyes. Chazz handed him a silk handerchief that he allowed him to keep once Bruno had blown his nose and dried the tears from his eyes. It was all he had ever longed for. He should’ve done it earlier in his life to avoid the fear and the guilt, but the business of life kept him from ever addressing the problem.
Chapter 3—Umberto Delivers Bruno
Bruno confessed to every murder he had committed while under the employ of the Russos. Each murmuring made his heart feel lighter. The guilt steadily slipped away, and he said too many Hail Marys and Our Fathers for forgiveness. He blinked and looked at his hands. He smelled them and nearly teared up at the fact that the metallic smell was completely gone. His heart felt content, but he had a sense that today would be his last day on earth. He wanted to spend it with his favorite people, being the Russos, and his own family. He only spent a short amount of the day with those who had known him best, but he came back home with Umberto lingering not far behind. It would be Father Umberto that would give him last rights and it would be the Espositos that said their final farewells to their father and friend.
Epilogue
It was as most last right rituals are, lots of tears, plenty of laughter, but no regrets in the room. It was a man of 120 plus years who had finally let go of what had consumed him. Melanie would never know the entirety of what Bruno had done, and as he had so eloquently stated, she had no need of ever knowing. To her, he was always an angel and forever would be. The Espositos would believe this truth for so long as they lived. Umberto told them if they ever needed anyone to talk to, however, they were welcome. Even the Russos allowed them their protection, which, they gladly accepted even though they didn’t understand what that entailed. They wouldn’t have to be affiliated with the Life, but they would be forever behind Its Sword and its Shield. No one would ever cut them down. Only Death itself could do that.
The End
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