Studies have shown that people convince themselves that they're acting rationally when making major decisions--where to go to college, what to major in, who to kiss or not kiss--when they're really acting on unconscious impulses. (Megan McCafferty)

Senior was only ever involved in small time business now and as Penny started to wrap her mind around their business she began to wonder why he was so respected, feared even, but yet so apprehensive.

One night she went for a walk. She walked the length of the meadow that stretched out in front of their home. She walked to the edge were the looming forest barricaded her path.

A figure moved in the shadows and she took a step back with a frightened hand on her oversized stomach.

“Hello,” said Senior, taking a step forward.

She exhaled and relaxed.

“Did I scare you?”

She just smiled.

“Penny,” he said carefully, “you are a smart girl and I know you love my son.”

“I do,” she nodded.

“I know you’d do anything for him and that may be your undoing.” Senior took a long draw of his cigar and exhaled a stream of musky smoke.

“What do you mean?”

“I never expected to be a man with children. That changes things. That compromises your judgement and gives you something to lose.”

“I think Tommy already has something to lose.”

“You mean you?”

Penny nodded.

“Of course,” Senior nodded. “But about this baby, you need to protect him or her. I’ve trained my boys to care about their work and protect themselves and I’m afraid, I’m afraid Tommy obeys me and compromises this child’s life or he doesn’t and compromises the mission. I know to you it sounds simple: the child, protect the child, but if he compromises a mission he compromises his brothers: my children.” Senior inhaled another drag from his cigar. “Penny, I think it shows real commitment to this family when you stepped up and offered to participate in this job but you have to understand this isn’t going to play out as smoothly as Vincent lays it out. It’s going to be dangerous. Things are going to go wrong. You have to be prepared.”

“I’m not sure what you’re asking me to do.”

“I’m going to be in jail, Tommy’s going to be in jail, Rider is going to stay in California, Tommy is going to be pre-occupied with you and the pending baby, and then there’s Vincent. You have to protect yourself and Tommy needs his head wholeheartedly in this. We’re all at our weakest for this.” Senior hushed his voice, “Vincent has been like a son to me but since the war he’s different. He’s crazier and wilder. You can never trust someone whose next move you can’t predict. Ricky embedded him in this family and without Ricky, he’s just floating here and maybe I’m wrong, hell, I’ve been wrong before but Penny I want you to make sure you are not Tommy’s undoing, just in case.”

“You don’t want me to go?”

“No, I do. You will help. But Vincent wants you there, that worries me and I can’t figure out why. Maybe I’m a crazy old man, paranoid after too many mistakes. Don’t tell any of the boys I told you any of this. I don’t want them to doubt Vincent. They need to trust him, but while I’m away I need one rational person to be conscious of him.”

Penny nodded.