I'M NOT YOUR MOTHER!

After a day's work from his once familiar hometown, Prizzi; Dante had found himself on the run from his monsters to the somber and cultural view of Corleone. With his weary eyes he surveyed his new environment. The town itself looked as though it organically rose from the earth, its stone houses boast a patchwork of unbaked ochres and faded terracotta, spread with the dark greens of ancient olive trees.

Even from his standpoint, Dante could sense the town's vibrant pulse, the life of its busy market square where locals gathered, their voices mixing into a melodic cacophony that filled Dante's ears, replacing the reverberating thud of his heart he had grown almost accustomed to over the past hours.

Although his heart was still pounding from the flight and fear of the tragic incident he experienced last night, he somehow found comfort with the sight of Corleone. It was a place out of time, rugged yet enduring, like the spirit of the town itself. Here, Dante hoped to find a moment's peace, perhaps even a silver of redemption, as the darkness of his past and the warmth of the blazing sun enveloped him, whispering of old sorrows and hopeful beginnings.

Dante scanned his surroundings, relieved to see no one who would recognize him as the son of Suarez Di Salvo, or worse still in a haste to join him with his parents. His parents. He will never be able to see them again, not even a body to bury eventually. He did not even get the slightest chance to say goodbye. How could he have known that the Pasta alla Norma he shared with his parents will be their last, or that would be the last bedtime tale his mother will read to him? Now, he was cast into this cold and cruel world with no one.

Growing up, Dante could not recall visits from any relative, it had always just been him and his parents, the last of their family lines. Now, he is all alone with no one to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on, no one to assure him that he could survive this - A young orphan at the tender age of eight.

The weight of his loss pressed heavily on Dante as he struggles to fight the tears welling up his eyelids. With hunger gnawing at his stomach, he couldn't tell if the tears he struggled with were from the ache of missing his parents or the desperate twinge of emptiness in his belly. His journey to Corleone had been devoid of danger as much as anything edible to eat. But, now surrounded by the blending scent of local dishes, he realized just how hungry he was.

Dante realized he had nothing on him that could afford even the smallest of meal. His worn and stained nightwear lacked even a pocket he could search for loose change. Left with no other choice, he decided to bid his chances and resort to beg for his next meal - no matter how little.

Spotting a middle-aged woman selling the enticing and popular Sicilian specialty, arancina, Dante hoped that she'll be compassionate enough to help a homeless little boy. Approaching her with folded hands and a desperate expression, he greets her politely, "Bon Jornu, Signora. Could you please help a poor child with something to eat. Just one arancina please".

Without even letting Dante take another step closer, the middle-aged woman shooed Dante away with a cloth from her side.

"Vattinni!" She scolds as she continues with her not so fluent English. "You with those little rascals come here pretending to beg, and then steal from me? Out of here!"

"No Signora" Dante pleads, withdrawing slowly but still trying to convince her. "I'm not one of them Signora! I come in peace and just need a little something to fill my empty belly. Please Signora!" Dante adds, tears welling up his eyes.

Still reluctant the woman continues chasing him away. "Get away from here! I'm not your mother! Go meet your mother to fill your empty stomach. Vattinni!!"

Hearing those words, Dante raced out of the market, tears streaming down his face. He bumped into different strangers in the busy marketplace, running like he was been chased. In a way, he was – by the stark reality that he had no mother to run to when he was hungry, that he would never have the luxury of enjoying common yet happy meals with his parents anymore. He ran away from overshadowing thoughts that said his life was about to take a whole new turn – one were he would have to struggle to eat, to have a roof over his head, to survive, and he will have to do it all alone.

Sweating profusely, his heart panting, Dante ran as fast as his legs could carry hoping against hope that he could run back into time and change everything. Back to the days when he accompanied his mum to the market and she would always buy him as much arancinas as she could afford. Back to the days when his father would always stand by the door side with open arms, ready to embrace him after each day spent at the workshop. Back to the days when he would always wake up to the sounds of his parent's hearty laughter – a time where he had everything he could ever ask for, and away from the harsh realities that await him now.

After a long run and tired of crying, Dante finally found solace as the sun hid behind the horizon, casting shadows in the lonely alley where he settled. As he sat on the floor exhausted, he surveyed his lonely surroundings that exhibited a palpable sense of danger. At this point, Dante no longer cared, he felt ready to join his parents, though he was scared to do that on a hungry stomach. He had heard tales that those who died hungry struggled to transition into the afterlife, and he believed his parents did after the meal they shared together. Dante could not bear the thought of leaving this world only to find himself unable to reunite with his parents.

As he tasted the saltiness of his tears, Dante swallowed hard, praying fervently in his heart to the Virgin Mary that she comes to his aid and provide his last meal. Like a miracle, he found a bowl containing what looked like the answer to his prayer just right opposite him. Standing up to get a closer look, he finds round balls of arancinas sitting pretty on the bowl.

Immediately, Dante falls on his knees, managing a smile as he thanked the Virgin Mary.

"Oh, blessed be the virgin Mary, holy mother of God. Thank you so much for hearing your son's prayers. Thank you!"

Hurriedly sitting on the floor, Dante grabs the plate, takes up one of the arancina balls and throws into his mouth, munching eagerly. As he choked on a mouthful, he notices a small jug of water nearby. Drinking from it, he thinks to himself that this could only be divine intervention.

"I see you're enjoying yourself young lad?" A voice calls out from behind Dante. Dante gladly nods, but pauses, wondering if the Virgin Mary herself was talking to him. Turning to the direction the voice came from, a heavy blow lands on his head. As he blacks out, Dante ponders on the offense he could have possibly committed against the Virgin Mary.