The End of the Beginning

GIOVANNI’S POV |FIVE YEARS LATER| "Papa, move faster! We're going to be late!" I looked down at the small whirlwind tugging on my hand. My six-year-old son, Dante, who had apparently inherited both his mother's impatience and my intensity. "Dante, slow down. The beach isn't going anywhere." "But Mama said we have to leave at nine and it's…" He squinted at his watch. “… almost nine!" "It's eight-fifteen," I corrected, crouching down to his level. "We have plenty of time. Now, remember what we talked about? How men of the De Santis family conduct themselves?" He bobbed his head. "With dignity and purpose." "Exactly. So no running around like-" "Like a wild animal," he finished, reciting the words he had heard a hundred times. "I know, Papa. But can we at least walk with purpose to the car?" I couldn't help but smile. "Nice try. But first, we need to make sure your mother is ready." "Mama's always ready.” He pointed out. “You're the one who takes forever." "I do not take…" I stopped, real