I argued with the fear in his eyes
that gunpowder ran through our veins, but
he took his hands from mine
and said

‘This is no place for a girl.’

So my brother and my cousins went about the family business
taking contracts with the same solemnity as asking me to pour the afternoon tea

At twenty-two, I found a ring and called it love
when he kissed me with the same Italian lips that promised lilies on our wedding day
(But he only really loved my name he used as intimidation
for getting favors from his favorite politicians)

So just imagine the beautiful (un)surprise
of walking home to midnight wet
with candy kisses and dirty sheets;
vodka moans still heavy in the air long after the metal met
my hand
……and smiled in satisfaction, knowing
the gunshot was the last thing they
ever
heard

Morning found me mourning black with respect for the dead
and face to face with my very own Al Capone
who extended his hand and became my brother again
when he said

‘You’re in.’