*

Chapter 31: Epilogue

            Salerno Enterprises did not go under.  Not only did Angelina keep the business afloat, she also made shrewd investments.  She found other markets for the olive oil, making the boycott by the stores in New York ineffective.  When she was ready to retire, she turned over her position of CEO to Dolly.  By that time, Dolly knew all the inner workings of Salerno Enterprises, and had some of her own innovations to contribute.  Angelina went to live in Florida where she still resides with her three obnoxious Yorkshire terriers, Mimi, Fifi, and Lulu. 

            Cousin Alberto was released from prison.  His sentence was reduced by five years for cooperative behavior.  I saw him only once after that, at a restaurant.  He did not appear to be a broken man, but he was definitely damaged.  There was none of the old bravado.  His dyed dark brown hair had gray peeking out along the part line.  His smile startled me; he had false teeth!  I guess the prison diet wasn’t that healthy, or maybe he offended a prisoner with a big fist.

            Neither Debo nor Dolly ever married.  Dolly lived with Jason for many years.  He died of a heart attack two years ago.  Debo finally wearied of police work in the City.  Now she teaches classes at the New York Police Academy.  The four of us, Dolly, Debo, Angelina, and I, get together twice every year, once at Christmastime in Florida, and again at Easter in New York City.  I never did tell them about Father’s ghostly visits.  At first I was too ashamed of my own role that caused his appearances, and then too much time went by to bring it up.  When this memoir is published, we’re going to have plenty to talk about!

            And Father?  He never appeared to me again, but Dolly, who lives in our old apartment, swears that when she’s taking a shower, she hears him singing arias in the kitchen.