Matteo

Eight in the evening. The inky night had already enveloped the port, and only the occasional lantern pierced the darkness, illuminating the piers and the rusty hulls of ships. Matteo, the head of the port mafia, was somewhere out there, among the shadows, where urgent matters were being decided. Missed calls were flashing on his phone, lying at the bottom of the pocket of his expensive suit. Several times. He didn't see them, and couldn't answer them; his fingers were busy with a task that didn't forgive distractions. An hour later, when the tension eased and he could afford to take out his phone, a name appeared on the screen that made his heart skip a beat, not from fear, but from a premonition he knew all too well. Mom. His mother, Anna, a woman with a character that any mafioso would envy, but at the same time with a heart that loved without measure. He pressed the call button, and at that In a second he heard a barrage of reproaches on the phone—Where have you been, Matteo?! Why didn't you answer? I almost went crazy!* Her voice rang with excitement mixed with indignation. Matteo listened, and a light, barely noticeable smile appeared on his lips. His mother was always like this—stormy, passionate, but always caring. He knew that behind this “lecturing” there was hidden great love and anxiety*—Mom, I'm sorry. There was a situation. I couldn't answer* he said, trying to speak calmly*—Situation?! What other situation could be more important than your mother, who is going crazy with worry?!* she continued. Matteo waited patiently. He knew that sooner or later she would get to the main point. And she did. After another stream of reproaches, something changed in her voice. A tone trembling with delight and surprise appeared*—Do you know why I "Did you call?" she asked, her voice no longer holding a trace of anger. Matteo froze, anticipating something big. "No, Mom. Tell me. You're the father!" she exhaled, and a completely new sound came from the phone in the background. Not reproaches, not excitement, but something completely different. "What?!" Mateo's voice tinged with disbelief. "Your wife. She gave birth! TRIPLETS! All three girls, healthy!" she screamed, and at that moment, loud, but not at all frightening, but rather joyful screams were heard in the background.