The family

  SOMEWHERE FAR IN NEW MEXICO

  (INAUDIBLE CHATTERING)

  

  THE DON’s POV

  

  “In this meeting today, we are going to talk about the fate of our family. The family we built from scratch. We can not let it fall like this”

  

  One of the family members, Thiago, blurted out. While I stared at them from my high table.

  

  “Don Corleone. I would like to say that this is a trivial matter and should not be given so much attention. It is simple. We pass on the family to the next candidate, and he will do the job”

  

  “Shut your mouth! I see he has bought you too, right?”

  

  Another person screamed and they all began to raise their voices at each other.

  

  “That is enough! That is enough!”

  

  They all kept quiet immediately and Immediately I stood up. They all did too, and bowed their heads.

  

  “Showing respect is not only by bowing down your heads to me, but also by giving me some accords and regards. I am right here, and y’all can not act like adults. And to you, Silva, this is not a trivial matter and should not be sweepers under the rugs”

  

  I sat down back and they all did.

  

  “Tattalia, what do you think about all of these?”

  

  I asked my right-hand man, and he stood up calmly.

  

  “The only rightful owner of the spot ‘The Don’ is Axell Leonardo, and I trust him with my life with the lives of the family. That is my opinion, Don Corleone”

  

  “I am sorry, assistant Corleonne, but Axell foolishly left his position as the Don when he lost his family. He is weak and I fear he can not handle pressure”

  

  “Pressure? Losing his parents is mere pressure to you? What if you lost your family would you still stand tall? Of course, not. So, do not cast the child away”

  

  They kept on arguing amongst themselves while I was picking some points. The truth is they all made sense. Axell was wrong for leaving his responsibilities and running away. Once you are a Mafia, you can easily opt out, but once you have gotten to the level of a Don then that is it for life. You have a huge responsibility tied to your neck. You have a whole family to lead 

  

  If he could run away when he lost his parents then he would do it again. But I also had my doubts about passing the family on to Paolo Rafael. He doesn't handle things with his brains, but with his head, and he would make lots of mistakes that way.

  

  I am Don Corleone one of the Godfathers. I can not pass a family down to someone I wasn't sure of. 

  

  “Don Corleone. I would also like to add that, a post or position can never be passed to another person when the rightful owner is still alive and healthy. We all know that”

  

  “That is true. Except Leonardo’s son dies then his position remains with him forever”

  

  “Leonardo was one of the godfathers and a sensible one at that. I am sure if he was here today he would always go with the law and truth”

  

  “And I still stand with the fact that Leonardo was killed. Someone wiped off his entire family, and we all know it, but we keep denying it. Axell left without saying a word, which should at least mean sowmyhomh to us, right?”

  

  They all kept airing their opinions while I just stared with my ears wide open. 

  

  “Are you trying to bring false claims? We are not here to solve a murder mystery. We are here to look for a way forward for the family members”

  

  “Then what? If what Fernando said is true then we need to find out who killed a Godfather, right?”

  

  They all settled down and then looked at me. 

  

  Leonardo was my very good friend, but he never mentioned that anyone was trying to kill him. And who would be so brave to kill a godfather? I doubt anyone would dare. So the claims were not okay even for me. 

  

  “So, we will have a vote. Not right now, but soon. We will have another meeting a week from today about the future of the next Don. We will vote. Is everyone fine with that?”

  

  I asked and they all nodded their heads.

  

  “Good, good. It will be either Axell or Paolo. And whoever pulls the most votes will be the next Don without arguments, Agreed?”

  

  They all nodded again, and I permitted everyone to leave. 

  

  “Can I say something before everyone leaves, please?”

  

  My right-hand man stood up and raised his hand. 

  

  “Of course, please, go on”

  

  “What if Axell wins? Then what happens next? How do we get him? Or does he attain his position and how are we sure he would not run from it again?”

  

  “I guess if the majority wants Axell in then they see good potential from him, and all we can do is to make sure we bring him back to serve his purpose. That is what his father would want to”

  

  They applauded and then we all walked outside the dungeon. 

  

  Silva walked to me, then he stretched forth his hand to accept mine. I shook him and he kissed the back of my palm. Which is normal among mafias towards godfathers.

  

  “Bye, Silva. Hoping to see you in a week. Think carefully about who you want to lead the family. Open your heart and think deeply, okay?”

  

  I patted his shoulder then I walked away with a smile. 

  

  SILVA’s POV

  

  All these old men don't know how to make a simple decision. I took my phone out of my pocket and then I called my very good friend. I waited as the phone rang and I stared into the sky. 

  

  “I have been waiting for your call, my friend. How did the meeting go?”

  

  “Easy, now, man. There is going to be a vote to determine who should take the crown”