You meet Ben

You and Melanie get up and do a quick cool down. Everything was back to normal once more and the pair of you spoke and joked in an easy manner. As you approach the kitchen you can hear voices.

"Awww...Ma! I don't wan't to do this."

"You do dis mah buoy. You do dis for your mudda."

"Maybe I can be one of those tough looking guys in the suits."

"No! You a good buoy!"

You enter to see Mama Raeni and a tall young black man standing by the stove, you were guessing he was approaching 20. He had on black slacks and a nicely pressed white collared shirt. This must be Mama Raeni's employment challenged son.

Before they have a chance to say anything you greet him. "You must be Ben. It's good to finally meet you." You reach your hand out. He shakes it, his palms are a bit sweaty. "Sorry about the karate pajamas. I just went a few rounds with the champ."

Melanie giggles.

He stands up tall. "Good to meet you too Mr. Calabrese." He says politely.

Mama Raeni begins preparing your smoothies, Melanie began pitching in without being asked! Things were changing around here. You notice Ben checking out Melanie despite trying hard to not be noticed.

Mama smiles at you. "You say bring 'im round for some work. I was tinkin, since you got no maid now..." He grimaces and rolls his eyes.

"You want to be a housekeeper?" You ask.

He gives his mom an embarrassed glance, she gives him "the serious mom look" in return. This was a good kid, you could already tell just by the way he interacted with his mom.

He looks back at you. "Well...if you have anything else I could be doing instead..." He says hopefully.

Mama Raeni interjects. "'e'll be real good wit da cleanin. 'e do da laundry at 'ome. 'e's a good buoy Vinsant. Real smart, good wid da soccah, real 'ard workah. 'e's not a rough buoy...'e never like no trouble."

Mama Raeni was understandably worried about her son being recruited into the mob. She probably felt confident Vincent wouldn't bring Ben into that side of things since all of the other men were white. But she was trying to drive the point home just in case.

Melanie joins in. "You're good at soccer?"

Ben turns to her. "Um...yeah, I guess." Watching him closely you can't help but notice his eyes running over your 'daughter' before darting away. Melanie, standing there all sweaty in her thick white gi, seems oblivious to his attraction to her. A spark of what can only be called fatherly concern kindles within you.

"That's cool. My greatgrandpa played some soccer back in Italy. He played for Milan, isn't that right Daddy?"

"Uh...let's not bore him with family history." You motion Ben to follow you. "Let's talk on the deck."

Mama Raeni gives her boy a look conveying 'Don't screw this up!'

You head out through the sliding glass door and take a seat by the pool. Ben reluctantly takes a seat beside you, awkwardly trying to stay upright and respectful in the tilted back lounging chair.

"Listen Ben. Housekeeping sucks. You know it, I know it. But it gets your foot in the door."

He is quiet for a time. "Yeah, I know." Disappointment woven into his words. "I'll do a good job."

"I'm sure you will. The thing is...the nice thing about housekeeping is that you'll always be handy. I might need you for the odd job here and there." You study his reaction.

"Uh...you see sir...my Mom, she doesn't want..." He looks nervously towards the kitchen.

"No, no. Nothing to do with my business. More like personal errands." You look around the estate. "This place is like a little village, word gets around quick. Sometimes I need some things done that I don't even want my boys knowing about...do you follow me?"

"Ohhh, yeah. I get you." His face brightens a bit.

You sit up and turn to sit sideways on the deck chair. "If you're good and, more importantly, quiet about these errands you'll get some bonuses here and there. Under the table mind you, cash in hand one might say."

"Yeah...yeah. I can do that Mr Calabrese. You can trust me. I'll be quiet, I won't even tell Mom." He is nodding enthusiastically.

"Good. When you work in a house like this discretion is the most important qualification. I should also warn you, some of my boys have some...old fashioned attitudes about things."

"Yeah. Mom warned me. Don't worry, I'll ignore that stuff."

"Good. If it gets too bad let me know. The job comes with a room if you want it."

"I get to...live here?" He says, not quite believing as he looks around the luxurious estate.

"Yeah, there's a whole servant section of the house. Caitlin used to live there but she's moved. Your Mom rarely uses her room. And the couple of other staff prefer to live off the estate. You'd pretty much have it to yourself." You inform him.

Time to put the cherry on top. "Follow me." You get up. He follows you through the house as you grab a smoking jacket from your study and your keys. As you go you tell him a bit about the different rooms and such. He listens attentively, nodding his understanding at everything you say. Along the way you tell him "The basement...just stay out of the basement."

You eventually lead him out to the garage. "You see. You have to keep the house clean. It keeps the missus happy and that keeps me happy. But what I really care about..." You turn on the lights. "...is that you keep these babies looking and running good."

He lets out a low long whistle. "Do I...do I get to drive these?"

"From time to time. Trips to the garage, stuff like that. You do have your licence?"

"Oh yeah. Yes sir!"

You chuckle. "Okay, enough of that sir stuff. It sounds like we have a deal?"

"Yes s....Yes Mr. Calabrese." You shake his hand.

"Good, you can start immediately. I'll track down Caitlin to give you a thorough run through of your duties."

You head back to the kitchen. Mama Raeni is overjoyed to hear about the arrangement. You take some time to enjoy your smoothie and visit with Mama, Mel, and Ben.