Page 30 of Sal Gabrini: Man on Fire

“Home studying for some debate he’s got tomorrow. Unlike your ass, he reads books.”

“I read books too. I’m no nerd like him, I’m more of a jock, but I read too.”

“Just answer my wife’s question, smartass. Where’s everybody?”

“Mom’s upstairs,” Marie said. “Daddy hadn’t gotten home yet.”

Reno frowned. “Whatta you mean he’s not home yet? Are you shitting me? We got a plane to catch!”

“Call him, Reno,” Trina said as she began heading upstairs. “And watch your language around those children.”

“You don’t tell me what to do,” Reno responded.

“Ah fuck you,” Trina said, forgetting to watch her own language.

“Fuck you!” Reno shot back, forgetting too.

“Fuck you!” Trina said again, getting in the last word. And then they had a mini screaming match.

Lucky and Marie, suppressing laughs, looked at each other. Bonnie-and-Clyde-bat-shit-crazy just like they said.

When Trina made it upstairs to Sal and Gemma’s private wing, she found Gemma in the master bedroom with wine in her hand and seated in a chair with her feet propped up on the ottoman. And like her son and daughter, she was totally preoccupied with her cell phone too.

“Who in the world are you texting that excitedly?” asked Trina as she walked in.

“Hey, Tree. I’m just responding to some silly jokes Mason sent me.”

Trina found that odd. “He’s sending you jokes now?” She sat on the edge of the bed.

Gemma caught the irony in Trina’s voice and looked up at her. “He’s an old friend in addition to being my client. Why can’t I text him?” When Trina continued to look at her, she tossed her cell phone onto her dressing table. “Okay, satisfied?”

“Me, satisfied?” Trina asked. “It’s not about me. But you know how Sal feels about that man. I don’t see where you need to be responding to his jokes.”

“He’s my client.”

“Hewasyour client. That case is over, Miss Lawyer. You got him off of that murder rap.”

“Of which he’s eternally grateful and just sends me silly jokes sometimes. That’s all that’s about.”

“And he’s also throwing a dinner party in your honor tonight that we’re flying all the way to Hollywood to attend. Don’t forget that.”

Gemma smiled and shook her head. “I still can’t believe he’s doing all of this. And did you see that guest list I texted you? I mean A-list movie stars galore!”

Trina smiled. “I have to admit I’m looking forward to hobnobbing with some of those names. I mean, some of them are my favorites!”

“Mine too!”

“Even Reno said he wants to meet Robert De Niro,” said Trina.

“He and Sal act just like his character acts in some of those old gangster movies, don’t they?” Gemma asked with a laugh.

“Yeah, they do,” said Trina. “But I told him he can meet De Niro and Sylvester Stallone and all those other old-ass Italians all he wants, but just give me Idris Elba and I’m happy!”

“Idris old too,” said Gemma.

“Not like them!” said Trina, and she and Gemma laughed. But when the laughter died down, Gemma exhaled.

She remembered when that verdict was read and Mason was found not guilty, and how the courtroom erupted with applause and Mason jumped up, grabbed Gemma up, and gave her the hug of hugs.

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