Chapter 16 - Learning Ordinary
Ordinary life was harder for Alfred than crime.
Crime had rules he understood.
Ordinary life involved pediatric appointments, diapers, bottles, grocery lists, and discovering that babies had no respect for schedules.
At three in the morning, Grace screamed.
Alfred walked through the house carrying her.
“I've negotiated with men more reasonable than you.”
Grace screamed louder.
“That's unnecessary.”
Mina watched from bed, laughing.
“You're arguing with a newborn.”
“She started it.”
But he never handed Grace back unless Mina asked.
He learned how she liked to be held.
He learned which song made her sleep.
He learned that Mina needed rest even when she insisted she was fine.
Most importantly, he learned to stay.
Not three nights a week.
Every night.
Pauly and Sophie visited often.
Sophie adored Grace.
One afternoon Mina watched Alfred sitting on the floor while Sophie built a block castle around him.
The man who had once terrified an entire city was wearing a plastic crown.
Mina took a photograph.
“If that ever becomes public—”
“What?”
“I'll deny everything.”
Sophie placed another crown on Grace.
“Uncle Alfred, you're the king.”
Alfred looked at Mina.
Then at Grace.
“No.”
He removed the crown and placed it on Sophie's head.
“No kings in this family.”
Mina smiled.
That sentence meant more than Sophie could understand.
May you like
The Costello empire had ended.
Something better had begun.
