Chapter 22 - ELI ASKS ABOUT MAFIA
At twelve, Eli heard schoolmates call me a Mafia boss.
He came home amused.
“Are you?”
“No.”
“Were we?”
“Some relatives in older generations were involved in organized crime.”
“Like movies?”
“Less music.”
He laughed.
Then asked about the capos who had been standing with me the day Conrad frightened him.
“They’re not capos legally or professionally.”
“Why call them that?”
“Old habit.”
“Bad habit?”
“Sometimes.”
Then:
“Did old Mafia stuff make Conrad do the rod thing?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“Adults convinced themselves family territory mattered more than a child feeling safe.”
He thought.
“So pride.”
May you like
“Yes.”
Closer than Mafia.
