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.”
    “Okay, that’s better.”
    “You said we can go outside again.”
    “We are, tranquilo .”
    B lue almond shaped eyes with a hint of hazel opened in astonishment and the boy blurt out, “You tranquilo . M ommy’s fun. If you use a cal -q-later we can go play !”
    Alfonzo’s eyebrow raised in astonishment at the boy’s candid ness. “You’re right, p oppy’s no fun right now but when I finish working we’ll do something fun, okay Sal ?”
    Sal shrugged , “Franky plays cars and videogames with me.”
    Alfonzo frowned at the mention of Franky’s name .
    “Why you making that face?”
    Alfonzo’s face relaxed.
    “ Is that a tat-to o ?”
    “Yes, hijo .”
    “ I want one . ”
    “When you ’re a man you can get one.”
    “I’ m a man. You said so. You said I’m the man of the house when you’re not here.”
    A l fonzo’s lip twitched in amusement. He did say that, di dn’t he? “Yes, that’s what I said but what I meant is you’re to take care of mommy when I’m not home. Be a big boy and do what she tells you.” He tried to explain but hearing the words aloud were confusing even to him.
    “Then you lie d . I’m not a man. ”
    “ I didn’t lie. You’ll be a man soon, right now you’re a big kid .”
    “I’m a lmost a man, s ee, feel my muscle.”
    Alfonzo threw up his hands in exasperation and slid to the floor. He touched the boy’s arm and nodded, “Yeah, I feel your muscles, now feel mine , this is what a man’s feel like .”
    Once h e flexed his bicep Sal’s eyes widened in astonishment at the huge lump protruding from his father’s arm, “It looks like a camel hump. I s aw a camel on TV.”
    “Camel hump, I’ll show you a camel hump.” Sal squealed when Alfonzo began to roll with him across the carpet. They wrestled playfully until Alfonzo allowed Sal to pin him down.
    “I got you p oppy . You were open !” Sal proclaimed victoriously.
    “Uh-uh,” Alfonzo feigned injury and defeat, “ you win. ” The truth was, Alfonzo needed to take a p iss .
    Later, Anita came to collect the boy for lunch and he was able to concentrate once more. He rolled up the blue-prints and placed them in a protective tubing then leaned back in his seat. The building he visited this morning was a surprise gift for his wife ; a headquarters for her charity foundation which awarded scholarships to college bound students who lost a parent or loved one to tragic circumstances. He was proud of her and sought to show his appreciation . Getting the building finished before her birthday in a few months was proving to be a difficult task .
    He sighed, slid forward in the chair to switch on the computer and logged in. The server responded within seconds and he was able to visually see the conference room. The secretary noticed his virtual presence, walked to the screen and greeted him in Italian. “Buon g iorno signore .”
    “Buongiorno, S ignora Conti. Are the reports ready?”
    “Yes, yes.” She answered in heavily accented English.
    “Good.”
    “Everyone will arrive shortly. Is there anything you need of me?”
    An assortment of refreshments and pastries were set on the serving table near the window. A stack of embossed black folders with the company logo were piled on the conference table awaiting distribution. Apparently , he interrupted before she had an opportunity to place each one in front of the empty leather seats. “No, grazie. When everyone arrives please inform me so we can begin.”
    “Yes, of course.”
    He let her return to work and went to have lunch with his son before the meeting commenced . Twenty minutes was enough time to fill his stomach and deal with a sullen group of Italian men.

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CHAPTER FOUR
    It was evening when Selange and Shanda burst through the door carrying several shopping bags followed by a very angry Franky. Their boisterous entrance awakened Alfonzo from where he crashed on the sofa after an afternoon out with his energetic son. Sal slept soundly