Falcon's Revenge (eBook)

Chapter Five

Carlo and Carmen Capitelli, a married couple, worked seven days a week in Alfonso’s store. Carmen attended to chores in the kitchen and sometimes came down to the store to keep the place clean since she did not have to be in contact with people, which kept her from learning English. She was a good worker and maintained the place of work like a dancing hall. When it came to cooking, she had memorized her mother’s pie recipes, making lunch and dinner with an aromatic flavor which caused people in the store to often comment on the delicious smell, stating, “Who is cooking?” Carlo, on the other hand started to learn the language faster, paying close attention when people spoke to him. Customers were amazed with how Carlo managed his work, without fully understanding but carrying out whatever he was asked to do.

When the Capitelli’s arrived years ago, there was a man sitting on a chair that had not been noticed by them at that time, however, over the passing years, became an important part of their lives. That man was Robert Wilson, who owned a lot of land and often propositioned people that visited him. One afternoon, a man walked in the store. He did not look well, wearing torn clothes. He was a curious sight for the comers and goers and approached Alfonso and asked him, “Do you know anyone who sells land? I don’t have any money now and my only guaranty is my word and hard work.” The landowner overheard the man and approached him like an angel from heaven. He asked him what his name was. “My name is Robert Green,” he responded while looking at the well-dressed man somewhat interested in his name but having no idea of this man’s ownership of land at all. “We are namesakes, my name is Robert Wilson. And I overheard that you are looking for land to build a house and start business.” “Yes sir”, responded Mr. Green, “But I don’t have any money. Like I said to Mr. Alfonso, the only thing I have is my word and my hard work.” He was still in shock, thinking what will come after his only remote possibilities. But it was Mr. Wilson, the landowner who said to him, “Today is a lucky day for you for I am ready to make business with you, but I need to know what kind of business you intend to start.” “I want to start raising chickens, I heard there is a big demand for restaurants and stores with refrigerators to sell them already clean, ready to cook,” said Mr. Green.

“All you tell me sounds good, but you need money or credit?” said Mr. Wilson. Alfonso heard all the conversation between the two Roberts and said “I will also join the team. Mr. Green has credit in my store.” “You two guys came from heaven. I want to tell you guys that I am married and have a teenage daughter. We came to this town with all our belongings, a bag with some clothes and some pots and pans, besides my horse, which needed care and I left it at the ironworks. The first day we came here, we did not know what to do or where to go and sat on the front steps of a house. A lady in a widow asked us to come in and that’s where we are staying now.” “I will let you own some land that you will pay with a mortgage if you agree. Tomorrow I will have all documents signed and you can start in your project right away.”

Alfonso opened a credit line in his name as well. These things don’t happen too often, but occasionally do, in this case, helping a very poor guy with all the tools. Mr. Green could not understand why but could not control his emotions with tears coming down his face. “My wife and I will start working as soon as you have all documents drawn up,” said Robert Green still astonished, rubbing his hands together with his eyes closed, afraid that he had a dream. He was very happy and said to Alfonso, and Mr. Wilson, “I will see you tomorrow morning,” approaching them both and shaking hands. “Now, I am running out to tell my wife the good news,” with a shining face full of hope. As soon as he came out of the store, Frank was across the street with his hands down and closed.

When Mr. Green arrived in town, his horse was limping, and he saw the open space at the ironworks and a man shoeing a horse. “I am in the right place,” he thought to himself, holding the horse’s reins and said to his animals, “You will not suffer anymore,” and then entered Frank’s shop. He saw a bear like man attending a horse, somewhat hesitating before saying anything and approached the man carefully as he was opening the horse’s mouth. Frank was working and saying in a low tone voice, “He is ten years old, having still good teeth.” He was right in his initial assumption and Frank looked at him up and down, making himself easy prey, that he could easily be preyed upon without any retaliation.

“You stupid, ignorant, son-of-a-bitch. What the fuck do you know of horses,” said Frank loudly, scaring to death poor Robert, hearing so many insults. “Back up!” said Frank again. “What the fuck you want?” Robert Green did not know what to do, urinating in his pants. He had been exposed to a lot of bad through his poor life, but never had been insulted for no reason at all. “Sir,” asked Robert to the menacing man, who kept his arms down closing his fists. Robert, although scared to death, could not help but glimpse to outside the shop, noticing rampant trees and undergrowth, a small tree and a big German Shepperd hanging down with his legs tight crying once in a while. Robert could not hold and while knowing that retaliation from Frank would come, asked him “Why is this dog hanging down like that?” While walking towards the poor animal in pain.

Then raised his head and watched a beautiful falcon in a taller tree. Frank ran out after Robert with the intention to strike him when he happened also to observe the falcon and forgot everything about Robert and seemingly the devil in him, and instead concentrated his attention on the falcon, uttering, “You again, you keep watching all I do. I hate you; I hate you,” Frank repeated while bending down and picking up stones and throwing them at the bird.

The beautiful falcon ignored all the curses and stones thrown at him, flying from branch to branch, mocking the evil man. Frank did not give up and ran upstairs to his apartment and grabbed a shotgun and rushed downstairs, positioning himself to shoot the bird which was already gone. Frank was disappointed that the falcon did not go anywhere and positioned itself among the leaves, out of Frank’s sight. “He is gone, I should have killed him like I did to his brew many years ago, but it cannot be the same bird, it has been more than twenty years.” Frank settled down, bringing the dog off the tree where he had been hanging and said to Robert in a low, non-aggressive tone, “What do you want to do with your horse?”

“Well,” said Robert, shocked while observing a metamorphosis right in front of his eyes. “My horse is limping, and I think he needs a new shoe in his right front leg.” “Let me see,” said Frank in a friendly manner. “Also, I am staying in town, and I need to find my horse lodging for the night,” said Robert, talking to a sensible man. “I know your name and know where you are staying. You and your family are at the widow’s home. Is that right?” said Frank. “I do not have any money, but I promise you that in about a week I will be able to pay you in full,” said Robert confident in himself and shook hands with Frank and left full of joy.

A week later, Robert Green was still handling things but did not start his business yet, and of course, had no money and forgot the promises he had made. He was inside Alfonso’s store, signing documents and getting ready to work on the parcel of land and begin the building of a cabin. He and his wife had been visiting the spot which was magnificent with a nice pond full of fish. After all matters were taken care of, he came out of the store and saw Frank across the street appearing aggressive with his hands clenched down with tight fists. Frank was talking to himself saying, “I had given this man a week to pay me, but he has not but instead keeps walking up and down the town with a happy face, almost mocking me.”

Robert started to walk across the street to meet Frank, knowing the man’s brutality, but like the first time, took a chance he soon regretted. Frank did not wait for Robert to get closer to him, and instead, like a speeding bullet, pushed him, knocking Robert down. Frank looked at him on the floor, and thought job well done. And without remorse, started to walk away from the scene, however Carlo, who had watched all what happened and ran out the store, and stopped before Frank, aggressively attempting to punch Frank who avoided them with quick movements. Frank then tried to grab Carlo, however he got away from him, but Frank did not give up, launching punches in the air at everything. These actions were watched by Alfonso, the store owner, who then ran up to the scene of fight, asking Frank to calm but Frank seemed to be out of control continually throwing punches at Carlo but missing every time.

Alfonso said loudly, “Frank, stop and go home.” Which he did, lowering his head and with small steps walked toward his house. Alfonso had the tools to control Frank’s aggressiveness. In every day, life, the voice heard the most and respected as well are charisma and worth, and Alfonso carried them both. Alfonso pointed at Carlo and said to him, “You go back to the store, you left the store unattended with customers waiting. Besides, you know it is not our policy.”

Carlo turned around and hurried to the store, where he had become in a short time Alfonso’s mans of confidence. When the two men stopped fighting, abandoning the ring,...