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fiction
Blood of My Blood
by Maria Francesca LoDico
EXCERPT
FADE IN: EXT. DELLA ROCCA BACKYARD—DAY
A fence encloses the immense backyard of a two-story brick house. Parsley, oregano and mint border the vegetable garden. Butterflies flutter around pale green zucchini, their wings whir against orange-yellow blossoms. Droplets of juice slide down the cheeks of vine-ripened tomatoes. Pregnant aubergines rest against the parched soil. Basil sleeps in a large barrel-pot next to the rosemary bush.
The water in a frog-shaped pool glistens. Toys are strewn all over the yard.
A grapevine in full bloom takes up a sizable chunk of the yard. It is the only shaded area, its floor covered in terracotta tiles on which the overhead vine-leaves are reflected. Birds chirp, bees hover.
Close-up, in profile, of GINO DELLA ROCCA (18) sitting under the vine on a plastic chair that seems too small to contain his frame. He wears black tuxedo pants, an undershirt and suspenders. His hair is slicked back. His jaw is set in rigid tension.
He takes long drags from his cigarette as he studies the motif on the brownish-red tiles. The contours of the leaves stir and shift in the breeze. He breathes heavily, through coarse nose hairs, the muscles flexing around his bare shoulders.
The shadow of a tall figure with waist-length hair interrupts the pattern on the floor. His sister, TERESA (15), is barefoot, in a dusty-rose satin slip with spaghetti straps. She stands in front of Gino with their niece, SOFIA (20 months), in her arms. The child's weight pulls down the slip so that it strains against Teresa's small breasts. Sofia wears a dress with ruffled underwear, her plump thighs kicking against Teresa's belly. One of her little hands is clenched around a lipstick tube. With the other, she tries to stuff Teresa's hair into her mouth.
SOFIA
Tio!
Gino unclamps Sofia's hand and Teresa's hair springs loose.
TERESA
You're not dressed yet?
GINO
Almost.
Sofia pops her thumb into her mouth.
GINO
What's that?
TERESA
What?
GINO
On your face.
TERESA
Nothing.
GINO
Nice nothing.
Gino takes the lipstick from Sofia and unscrews the cap to reveal a cherry-red bar.
TERESA
You like it?
GINO
You don't need it.
TERESA
There's a lot of things I don't need, Gi.
Sofia rests her head against Teresa's shoulder.
GINO (to Sofia, cooing)
Already tired?
He rubs Sofia's foot. His face softens. A voice from the distance calls to them.
WOMAN'S VOICE
We're going to be late!
Gino frowns.
TERESA (looking over her shoulder towards the house)
I have to get dressed.
GINO
You're not dressed yet?
TERESA
Almost.
GINO
Only almost?
Teresa leans over Gino, bending slightly into him, her nipples peeping out from behind the slip.
TERESA
Take her, Gi.
She drops Sofia into his arms.
A moment of stillness. Gino and Teresa stare at each other, their faces inches apart: Same dark eyes, olive complexion, thick black hair.
Gino's face tenses just as Teresa's hair falls loosely over all three, enveloping them.
INT. RECEPTION HALL—NIGHT
The DELLA ROCCA FAMILY celebrates the wedding of PAULIE (24) and ROSALIE (22). They all dance a fast-paced Sicilian tarantella. A banner over the table of honour spells out the names of the bride and groom. Underneath, a smaller pendant with Congratulations Teresa is flanked by a graduation hat, rolled diploma and music notes.
On stage JOHNNY RANDAZZO (37) jumps into the air and taps his hips with a tambourine. Red, green and white ribbons are attached to its grooves.
JOHNNY
Olé cavalliero!
On the dance floor, Gino and Teresa whirl round and round. Teresa dances wildly, her hair loose, her body abandoned to the music. Gino tries to control the dance, his eyes focused on Teresa as he leads her.
JOHNNY
Andiammo ragazzi! (singing in a Sicilian dialect) Oooh-la-la, mi volgio marita, ooh-la-la, u pisc' e baccala!
Gino reels in Teresa. She ducks under his arm. They do-si-do. She spins around. Her hair whips him across the face. He looks both wounded and ecstatic. He catches her at the waist, holds her there.
JOHNNY
Clap your hands, clap your hands. Famme stu ballu, alla boogie-oogie-woogie.
Gino ducks under Teresa's arm.
COUSINS
Lower, GiGi, lower!
Gino and Teresa do-si-do.
JOHNNY
Come si dice in America? Boogie-oogie-woogie. Aballamu!
The couples break apart and gather around Teresa, throwing confetti. The groom, Paulie, first cousin to Teresa and Gino, tousles her hair. A cigarette dangles from his lips. His eyes are bloodshot.
PAULIE
Terry superstar!
Gino, Teresa and their two older brothers, ANGELO (28) and MASSIMO (24), form a circle. The men's hands are coarse and yellowed, the nails grey. A scar lines Angelo's chin. All four wear small gold crosses on chains.
ANGELO
Alla famiglia!
MASSIMO
To us!
Family members surround them forming two additional circles, one twirling clockwise, the other counter-clockwise. The outer circles close in on the four siblings. Their bodies are crushed together under a spinning glitter ball.
Teresa laughs as she is pushed into Gino'a arms at the center of the family. He picks her up so that her head is above his. Her hair cascades over both their faces.
INT. RECEPTION HALL/DANCE FLOOR—CONTINUOUS
The lights dim to carousel music. A net attached to the ceiling is cut loose. In SLOW MOTION, red, green and white balloons cascade over the mob.
All heads are upturned. The glitter ball scrolls a kaleidoscope onto their faces and necks as if a film is being projected onto their skin.
Gino is wide-eyed under the spinning glitter ball.
A balloon falls on the cigarette dangling from Paulie's lips. It pops, shattering the stillness of the moment.
YOUNG BOYS scuttle around the legs of the adults and pop the balloons that have fallen to the floor.
Sofia, Angelo's daughter, begins to cry. She tugs at her father's pants.
SOFIA
Pa-pa!
TERESA
Here sweetie.
Teresa picks her up.
SOFIA
Tre-tre.
Gino holds a balloon in front of Sofia. She whacks it, giggling.
The band starts a tango. Couples regroup.
Sofia holds on tightly to a fistful of Teresa's hair.
GINO (pinching Sofia's cheek)
Little cherub. Just like your godmother.
Sofia extends her arms towards Gino.
SOFIA
Tio.
GINO (kissing Sofia's hand)
They're playing our song, tesoro.
He bows. Teresa curtsies. They dance with the baby between them in their arms.
INT. RECEPTION HALL/BAR—MOMENTS LATER
MEN are gathered around the wet-bar. Massimo is out of breath from dancing. Angelo leans against the bar stroking his scar, smoking.
MASSIMO (to the BARTENDER, pointing to Angelo's brandy)
Camilleri!
ANGELO
Regular Travolta.
Massimo plays with a gold pinky ring, twisting it.
MASSIMO
Eh. Gotta live a little after working like a dog all week.
BOTH (clinking glasses)
Salute!
Massimo takes a cigarette from Angelo's pack. They survey the hall and wave at Johnny on the bandstand.
UNCLE LUIGI DELLA ROCCA (66), their father's oldest brother and Paulie's father, approaches them slowly with the help of a cane. He is a small, bald man. He uses his cane with wonderful energy.
Angelo motions Luigi to sit. The old man refuses, simulates a left hook. Angelo ducks.
LUIGI
Look at this guy. What a guy. Shit.
ANGELO
We were just saying. Che bella figura. Very nice.
Luigi nods, motions to Teresa and Gino on the dance floor.
LUIGI (Voice Over)
Beautiful girl. A voice like an angel. An olive oil voice. That's what we used to say about your father. What a voice.
Angelo points to his empty glass.
LUIGI Sure, let's wet our beaks.
Angelo holds three fingers up to the bartender.
Zio Luigi has his arms around Angelo and Massimo. He is several inches shorter. Massimo strokes the top of his bald head.
LUIGI
Max, one of these days. (tugging at Massimo's ponytail) Ah, to be your age. When I was your age. What a beauty. You think you're beautiful? You think you're so beautiful?
Luigi strokes Massimo's cheeks.
LUIGI
When I was your age.
They stare at the glitter ball, the kaleidoscope reflected on their faces.
INT. RECEPTION HALL
Johnny is alone on the stage. He sits on a stool strumming a mandolin.
Gino and Teresa, with Sofia between them, dance the slow. He hums into her ear.
Teresa's earring swings against Gino's lips. He stares at the glitter ball. His eyes are glazed. The tonality of Gino's surroundings change from full-colour to sepia tones to black and white.
FANTASY: FRUIT MARKET—DAY
New York's Little Italy, circa 1930s. Gino, dressed in a dashing suit and hat, strolls through the crowded market stalls. The PASSERSBY nod in respect. A VENDOR offers Gino a paper bag full of roasted chestnuts. She bends her forehead to his hands and kisses them.
GINO
Grazie. Mille grazie.
Another VENDOR offers him a blood orange. Gino holds it up to his nose.
GINO
The scent of the old country.
THREE OLD MEN are engrossed in conversation. They form a tight circle, their hands firmly clasped behind their backs, their heads bowed towards each other, tips of their coppolas touching. They stop arguing and turn to Gino. They remove their coppolas in synchronicity, place them against their chests and bow in respect.
OLD MEN
Don Gino.
Gino nod nods in return.
INT. RECEPTION HALL/DANCE FLOOR—CONTINUOUS
Gino stares at the glitter ball mesmerized, the kaleidoscope on his face.
GINO (murmuring)
Grazie.
Teresa looks up at Gino, puzzled. He comes out of his reverie, begins to hum again.
Sofia's mother, ANTOINETTE (27), takes her from Teresa and Gino.
INT. RECEPTION HALL/BAR
Luigi twirls the brandy with his forefinger, licks it. He wipes his forehead with a handkerchief and clears his throat. Angelo and Massimo lean into him offering their ears to his mouth.
LUIGI (his voice hoarse)
Your father … my brother …
His voice breaks. He wipes his forehead again.
LUIGI
I've loved you like you was my own. Ange, I baptized you. Max, I confirmed you. Helped all I could with Gino and Teresa.
ANGELO
Don't.
LUIGI
Like you was my own. And my own, my own son …
His voice trails off. He downs his brandy.
LUIGI
I'm asking you, like you was my own, I'm asking.
ANGELO
No, there's no need, ZiZi. That you even have to ask. No. We'll take care of everything. It's already taken care of.
LUIGI (crying)
My own son. What a shame. You talk to him. You take care of him.
ANGELO
What is this? Crying like a finocchio. That you even have to ask. It's taken care of. He'll come work at the garage. End of story. Are we gypsies that you even have to ask? End of story, ZiZi. End of fucking story.
The three men lean against the bar, the kaleidoscope on their faces.
INT. RECEPTION HALL/DANCE FLOOR
Teresa presses her forehead against Gino's cheek. She squeezes his shoulder. He tightens his grip on her waist and one of the pearl buttons on the bridesmaid dress springs loose. She caresses his palm with her thumb. Their feet, shuffling back and forth, collect confetti and the debris of balloons on the floor.
Gino dips Teresa.
TERESA (laughing)
I'm going to fall.
GINO (dipping her lower)
Hang on.
TERESA
No, Gi!
GINO
Relax. Who's leading who?
TERESA
Stop it, GiGi! You're crazy.
GINO
Blood crazy!
INT. RECEPTION HALL/BAR
LUIGI A small hit he said. Trying to make his bones he said. With credit cards. Fucking credit card fraud. Did you ever hear of such a thing?
MASSIMO
Fuck those gypsies. I'm telling you.
ANGELO
Shylocks. No honour.
MASSIMO
Born in the gutter.
LUIGI
Raised in the gutter.
ANGLEO
A small hit, smaller than Sofia's pinky. Smaller than my girl's pinky.
LUIGI
Trying to make his fucking bones for Frank Argento. Guinea Mafia goombah! Ferret-faced Turk! Vulturine! Fucking credit cards! What is he doing with those people?!
ANGELO
Shhh.
LUIGI
What a shame.
MASSIMO
Shhh.
INT. RECEPTION HALL/DANCE FLOOR
Gino lets go of Teresa's hand to loosen his tie. Her fingers remain suspended in the air. His hand flutters to rejoin hers but Paulie pivots her from behind and scoops her out of Gino's arms. Gino's hand flutters, lost in empty space.
PAULIE (cigarette always on his lips)
I love you. I love you, you kids. Come here.
He grabs them. The bride, Rosalie (23), closes the circle between Gino and Teresa.
ROSALIE
Always the life of the party my Paulie. (to Paulie) Watch it with that fucking cig, Madonna!
They whirl around several times and Paulie pulls Teresa towards him. Rosalie places Gino's arms in position on her waist.
ROSALIE
You know how it's done, Gi?
GINO
Ya, I know how it's done.
They dance, bump into Paulie and Teresa.
PAULIE (jumping into the air)
Olé cavalliero!
ROSALIE
That's my Paulie.
The two couples dance away from each other. Gino looks after Teresa over Rosalie's head.
EXT. RECEPTION HALL/PARKING LOT—NIGHT
Gino stands on a railing at the end of a windy parking lot on a cliff overlooking the city. He can hear muted music and voices from the reception hall at the other end. CHILDREN run past him playing tag. Gino closes his eyes and extends his arms as if he is about to soar through the sky.
GINO (murmuring)
I am not an animal … I am not …
A hand envelopes his. Gino inhales sharply. He and Teresa balance precariously on the railing.
She lets go of his hand. They lose their balance and jump back.
Gino lights a cigarette. They walk silently through the cars back towards the reception hall. He smiles, skips, taps her shoulder.
GINO
Hey, is that what you want to be? A superstar?
Teresa shrugs.
The music and voices become more audible. Gino and Teresa walk on either side of a parked car. He leans across the hood.
GINO
Superstar, supernova…
Teresa looks at him, holds his gaze, becomes pensive.
GINO
…shooting star, twinkle twinkle…
Teresa's eyes suddenly fill with tears. She turns away and runs towards the hall. Gino catches up to her at the entrance. Family members, mostly men, smoke and chat. Johnny's voice and music can be heard from inside.
Gino grabs Teresa's arm.
JOHNNY (V.O.)
And now for a toast.
Teresa shakes herself loose and runs inside.
INT. RECEPTION HALL—MOMENTS LATER
Paulie is on the stage. The family is gathered in the middle of the dance floor. Children chase balloons in front of the bandstand. Waiters serve champagne.
Gino is at the back of the hall with Sofia in his arms. She plays with the cross on his gold chain swinging it so that Jesus somersaults backwards.
PAULIE (V.O.)
Family, friends. Madonna, so much to celebrate! On behalf of the family, I wanna congratulate Terry, our little Teresina, on this momentous occasion, the high school graduation of our tesorosina, the first of us to graduate WITH HONOURS.
Thunderous applause.
ANGELO (from the crowd)
Graduating from reform school doesn't count?
A burst of laughter.
PAULIE
As you know, she's been awarded this important music scholarship to the university.
Whistles, wild clapping.
MASSIMO
Terry! Number One Graduate!
Paulie waves his arms from side to side.
PAULIE
We are the champions my friend.
The crowd joins him.
Paulie (teary-eyed) Teresa, this one's for your mom and pop. We love you. Here's to you, Teresa. Salute!
Teresa is pushed forward through the crowd. Waiters wheel out a large cake topped by a statuette of a girl in graduation hat and robe. They circle it with sparklers. Teresa cuts the cake.
INT. RECEPTION HALL—CONTINUOUS
Sofia puts the cross into her mouth, bites it. Gino takes it from her and places it under his shirt. She searches under his chin.
SOFIA
Tio. Mio.
She reaches for the cross. Gino holds her fingers still. She pushes against his hand towards the cross.
SOFIA
Tio! Mio!
Gino holds both her hands firmly in place.
GINO (softly)
Sofie.
She looks at him on the verge of tears. She pushes against his hand towards the cross.
SOFIA
Mio!
She kicks her bare legs against his hips.
GINO
Sofia. So-feee-ia.
He rubs her fingers, blows into her face. Her eyelids flutter, teardrops on the lashes.
GINO
Tesoro.
He kisses her fingers, bites them, softly, blows into her face again. Her eyelids flutter, she catches her breath, stops kicking. Her body relaxes into his arms.
SOFIA (pointing to Teresa on the stage)
Tre-tre.
Gino looks at Teresa being led onto the stage by Massimo and Angelo.
INT. RECEPTION HALL—CONTINUOUS
FAMILY
Una cansona!
PAULIE
Give us a song.
MASSIMO
Mia Sicilia! Do Sicilia Mia!
Teresa sits on a stool. Johnny places a mandolin in her arms. He puts his hands on her shoulders, traces the line of her arms down to her fingers, his entwine with hers. His fingers lead hers to the strings.
JOHNNY
Take 'em home, Terry.
She strums a few chords, her hair covering her face, all expression hidden.
FAMILY
Terry! Terry! Terry!
The YOUNG BOYS strum their fingers against their stomachs as if playing base.
YOUNG BOYS
Terry superstar!
Teresa plays a few chords, taps her feet, sways her body, gains momentum.
PAULIE
Lower, Terry, lower. What are you doing in Napoli?
She speeds up the beat.
PAULIE
Lower, Terry, lower. What're you doing in Calabria?
She stands up, her hair falls away from her face.
TERESA
Lower? Even lower than Bari?
LUIGI
Bah, Bari!
PAULIE
Lower, Terry, lower!
TERESA
I'm gonna have to cross that strait if I wanna go lower.
PAULIE
Cross that strait, get on that boat Terry, swim if you have to, but a little lower please!
TERESA
So you're saying you wanna go home?
LUIGI
Ya, Terry, bring us home. We wanna go home.
TERESA
It's been a while. Give me some direction. So I cross the strait, and then I go … east?
PAULIE
Terry, how could you say such things?
TERESA
West?
LUIGI (putting his hands to his face)
Oh Dio, no!
PAULIE
You make me cry. You're breaking my heart.
ANGELO
Somebody get her a compass!
TERESA
Just a hint. Hum me a few bars, Paulie.
PAULIE (pointing to his heart)
You're killing me, Terry. Right here.
TERESA
Just the first line, Paulie. C'mon.
PAULIE
She's breaking my heart. I'm a broken man.
He falls to his knees in front of the stage.
TERESA
Whistle it, Paulie. Just the first line. Don't tell me you've forgotten it too!
PAULIE
You're breaking my heart.
Paulie whistles the first two lines.
Teresa whistles after him.
TERESA
Are you sure that's it?
The crowd roars.
TERESA
Okay, okay. Let's hear it again, Paulie.
He whistles the first verse. Teresa whistles after him. He whistles the verse again, the rest of the family joins. Teresa sings Sicilia, Mia Sicilia. Johnny joins Teresa with his tambourine, the women and men clap or twirl napkins over their heads. All couple up and begin to dance.
INT. RECEPTION HALL—CONTINUOUS
SOFIA (pointing to Teresa)
Tre-tre.
She sucks her thumb. Gino places a hand behind him against one of the life-sized loudspeakers, resting against the vibrations of Teresa's voice.
Sofia's eyes become heavier, her head wobbling. Gino rocks her, his right thumb caressing her chubby thigh. Sofia's head nestles on his shoulder, her eyelids flutter on the verge of sleep.
Teresa's voice makes Gino quiver. He tenses, his fingers tighten around Sofia's thigh. Her head bobs up, her eyes startled.
GINO
Shh.
Gino gently rubs his thumb against her thigh.
GINO
I'm sorry, tesoro.
Her head falls into the crook of his neck.
GINO
Shhh.
INT. RECEPTIO HALL/BATHROOM—LATER
Gino stares into the mirror facing the urinals. The tonality changes from full-colour to sepia tones to black and white. The sound of mandolins.
FANTASY: OLD WORLD KITCHEN
An OLD WOMAN shrouded in black fills small cups with espresso. She wears a handkerchief on her head and is hunched over. There are gaps between her teeth, bristles on her chin.
Her DAUGHTER breastfeeds a baby. She wears a white linen nightgown.
The sound of distant church bells. A sunny valley full of lush hills is visible through the open door. In the background a sheep herd makes its way down a hill.
Gino sits at the table dressed in peasant garb. He is wearing a coppola. He cocks it to the side just so it brushes against the top of his right eyebrow. Gino's face is transformed, as if all expression and feeling emanate from this one touch. A cigarette dangles jauntily from the left side of his mouth. He runs his fingers along the brim of the coppola, stopping in the middle of the curve.
FANTASY: VINEYARD
Gino sits on his haunches in the middle of a vineyard. He grabs a handful of soil, lets it slip through his fingers.
INT. RECEPTION HALL/BATHROOM—CONTINUOUS
Gino sits on the toilet inside a bathroom stall. He bangs his head softly against the door.
GINO (whispering)
Why, why, why?