Page 15 of Time Served in New York
“She’s gonna show Bug and then they’re gonna get busy while she wears her shoes,” Paula said knowingly. “Probably gonna use some of that pretty underwear we found earlier too.”
Maylee scoffed as she rolled her eyes. “Sweetheart, I’m always wearing exquisite lingerie.”
“The rest of the guys are lucky we put on pants everyday, and then there’s Bug who knowsallof Victoria’s secrets,” I teased.
“I wear pants all the time!” Paula argued.
“Cookie Monster pajamas are not pants,” Blue argued.
“Says the woman who has sweatpants featuring the Rugrats characters,” Paula argued. “At least I wear a bra . . . sometimes.”
Frankie let the women argue about their clothing choices and plopped down beside me. “They’re like drunk children.”
“I know, right?” I said as I tried to focus on her face. “Damn kids.”
“You’re as drunk as I am, and you know it.”
“Maybe.”
Frankie and I watched as Matalie got on the floor with the other women as Maylee walked back into the dressing area. Bernadette appeared and walked toward us with a smile. “Both dresses will be put away so Santa won’t see them.”
“I should let him see it so my brother will have to buy me another one,” Frankie said bitterly.
“You’ve already got two!” I argued. “Who has two dresses?”
“One is for the ceremony, and the other is for the reception. They're both beyond compare, but my wedding dress is more ornate and . . . bigger. You saw it. It’s got its own zip code, and there’s enough material there to make curtains for every window in my house. It’s ridiculous and so not me at all.”
“Can I ask a personal question?” Frankie looked at me and shrugged. “It’s obvious that you’re not into this huge wedding thing. Why are you going through with it and costing your brother . . .”
“And Paula’s brothers, her son, Stamp’s kids . . .” Frankie interrupted.
I tilted my head in confusion. “Why are they paying for your wedding?”
“My brothers want to see me get married, of course, but the wedding represents something even bigger than justmyfuture,” Frankie explained. “It’s the future of the four families together. My wedding is the perfect venue for them to prove they’re happily working together instead of going for each other’s throats.”
“Is that normal?”
“For them to be in the same room?” Paula had moved closer to us while the other women laughed on the floor, and she explained, “Stamp killed my uncle after he gunned down Stamp’s dad and sister.”
“That’snormal, or at least it has been in the past. The four families are working together now, and my wedding is the perfect way to showcase that. All of the different factions will be in attendance along with the other major families from up and down the coast who are becoming allies with the new Italian group.”
“How many undercover feds do you think will find their way in?” Paula asked.
“My guess is at least 20,” Bernadette chimed in.
“How do the older generations feel about the new direction your brothers and the kids are taking things?” I asked.
Paula shrugged. “You know what Zach and my brothers did to secure his spot. Stamp’s boys and Frankie’s brothers helped with that too.”
“The ones that are still around didn’t have a choice in the matter,” Frankie explained. “In some instances, their names are the only thing keeping them alive.”
“Their names?”
Bernadette nodded. “Most everyone knows all of the family members by sight. Well, the men at least. Other times, it’s all in the name.”
“People are afraid of others because of their name?” I asked. “I’ve read about shit like that, but I seriously thought it was strictly fiction.”
A different saleswoman walked into the room with another bucket of champagne and a tray of fruits and cheeses. I recognized her as the snotty woman who had said something snarky to Matalie earlier. I knew Paula was up to something when she winked at me and said, “It’s been a while since I’ve done it but watch this.”
