Backup

'Alright, mate?'

'Oh, hey, boss! Come in.'

'You need me for something?'

'Nah, not right now. I wanted to have a word with you about something.'

'Oh, okay. What's up?'

'Listen. I've got no reason to doubt you – you know I trust you, so this isn't anything personal. I just gotta warn you... Suzie.'

'Yeah? What about her...?'

'She and I go back a long way. Her operation's pretty valuable to us, and I'd rather we all got on. So I need to make it real clear, Donovan: don't try any funny shit with her.'

'Funny shit? I don't really know what you mean, boss.'

'I mean, don't fucking do anything to hurt her. I heard you got a history. Now I don't give a shit about anyone else, but Suzie – she's off limits. You don't fuck with her. Got it? You're gonna be the model boyfriend, right?'

'Of course I am! I got no intention of doing anything to hurt her. I mean, to tell you the truth, we aren't as serious as she maybe likes to make out... Not like I'm gonna marry her any time soon, or anything like that. '

'Whatever. Serious or not, you're gonna be nothing but nice to her, otherwise we might have problems. Understood?'

'Understood.'

'Good shit. Glad to hear it.'

'...Fuck, I don't know what you heard, but that bitch Nyla really likes to run her mouth, y'know? She's probably been telling everyone all kinds of shit about me. She's got that idiot Cooper wrapped around her little finger.'

'Yeah, well, like you said, he's an idiot, isn't he? Don't bother about him. He's really nothing for us to worry about.'

'Right.'

'I'm glad we got that sorted.'

'Yeah. Uh, boss, I was meaning to ask you for some help. See, it's the mayor, he's got a job for me.'

'Oh really? You've been getting kinda cosy with him, haven't you?'

'Well, it's good for us if we're in his good books.'

'Aye, that's why we've got our arrangement. Go on, what's the job?'

'He wants me to fuck someone up. But I could do with some backup. To be honest, I'm not 100% sure how I'm gonna pull it off.'

'Who is it?'

'Some teenager. Still lives at home, so... I don't know where I can get him.'

'Then you should follow him, see what kind of places he goes.'

'Yeah, about that... I did, and the only place that'd work is his girlfriend's place. She lives alone. But there's one problem.'

'What?'

'...Seems he goes out with Jude Landry.'

'Oh. Well, what's the problem? Suzie doesn't care any more. I don't think she'll object.'

'Then I need backup if I'm gonna do it there. Making it two against one is just stupid.'

'Yeah, I already heard the kid got the better of you. Not a good look, is it, Donovan? Getting your shit kicked in by a teenage girl.'

'It wasn't like that! Bitch just took me by surprise, that's all. I could've crushed her otherwise.'

'Seems like she overpowered you to me. Maybe you need this one as a chance to redeem yourself. Smash the boy's face in, prove teenagers are no match for you. Then you'll look slightly better.'

'I am better, boss! I'll fucking prove it.'

'Good. That's what I wanna hear. Go find someone to be backup, then. Come back to me if you have trouble.'

'I'm going out now! I'll be back later tonight.'

'Going to see lover boy, huh?'

'Sure am. He's going to show me more of the islands' hidden spots.'

'And probably more of his own hidden spots too.'

'Oh, it's not like that yet... Not that I haven't seen all of him anyway. He's just as lax about nudity as I am.'

'It's a good job, really. I think it's one of those areas where you need to be on the same page.'

'Exactly. No prude's gonna put up with Zeus. Still, there's chance yet for you to not be the last one to lose your virginity, if what he's saying is true.'

'Ugh, no, I'll more than welcome that last place. Go screw to your heart's content; I'm done with men.'

'Aww, c'mon Carmella...'

'Go on. I'll deal with it this time.'

'There's nothing to deal with! What's wrong with wanting to stay a virgin?'

'Uh, I'll see you guys later.'

'See you.'

'There's nothing wrong with wanting to stay a virgin. It's this complete rejection of all men that you've been talking about. Thinking we're all shit.'

'Well, I don't mean you, do I? I know you're different! But it's not you I'd be potentially dating!'

'I'm not some unique specimen, though! There's plenty of people like me!'

'Even if there is, it's not worth the risk. Women have a lot to fear, you know. It's not that the only potential risk is a bad date, or something. It's abuse.'

'Women abuse men too, you know.'

'I know, and it's fucked up... but on the whole, men are much more threatening. Misogyny is practically institutionalised, and most people think it's nothing to worry about! You've seen how our abuelos still sided with Dad! Cos they think he did nothing wrong! People just expect a woman to totally submit to her husband and put up with any kind of shit!'

'They're fucking dinosaurs, Carmella. Most people are in the 21st century now.'

'Maybe their extreme interpretation of it is uncommon, but there's insidious sexism that pervades society. In little ways you might not even realise. Why do women end up doing most of the chores, even when both partners work? Why do women have to bear the mental load for running a household? Why do straight women have the lowest rates of sexual satisfaction out of everyone, and often consider “good sex” to mean encounters that didn't cause them physical pain?'

'And so many men go out of their way to remind you at every moment that that's just how they are, and that all men are like that. That they don't care about our feelings when it comes to not treating women like sexual objects, because everything has to cater to pleasing their dick 100% of the time! They even ask doctors to put an extra stitch in their wives' vaginas after they've had a baby to "make them tighter", because even childbirth has to be all about them!'

'I know people like that exist. They're horrible, I'm not denying that-'

'And then you wonder why I'm afraid of men.'

'But look at all the exceptions you know! Me and Zeus, uncle Edward, Logan, Heath, Stanley... They're all nothing like that. I swear, you can meet someone good.'

'But it's too dangerous to risk it... I can't end up with someone like Dad, I just can't.'

'I would never let that happen.'

'Even Mum doesn't dare try to find another man. She says the same as me, that she's done with them.'

'Oh, jeez... Look, she's probably just focusing on us for now. I bet that's it. She doesn't wanna give us any more upheaval after what we've been through. Maybe she needs more time in therapy... and maybe you do too.'

'Yeah... I do. I'm sorry if I offended you. I wasn't trying to imply you're the same.'

'It's fine. I do wish you'd have more faith, but... I get why you're worried. Some of the things you just mentioned are awful. I hate it when men try to lump us all in that same category. Fact is, some people can't stand to be told their behaviour is wrong, so they act like everyone else is just like them, so they can get away with being like that.'

'I just... need more time.'

'It's okay to. What Father did to you was awful. But you'll be okay, and some day, I just know you'll find someone good. And I'll see off any losers, right? We both will. That's what Zeus and I are here for.'

'...Thanks. I appreciate that.'