“What was your best sexual experience?”
“I don’t know.… Let me think. I can tell you one thing: you were there.”
“You were there for me, too. Remember the night we were married?” Tony glanced at her. “Driving up the New Jersey Turnpike.”
Lilly moved closer, putting her hand on his chest. “Is this a hint?”
He pushed her hand down. “I was too young to appreciate it.”
She unbuttoned his shirt and kissed his belly while she unsnapped his jeans and fumbled with his zipper.
She whispered, “Don’t speed up.” And she leaned down to him.
“I’ll go 62 even when I’m going ninety.”
She gave him fellatio, at first teasing, then excruciatingly slow, then with a fervor that made him cry out. He held her to his chest as he drove, and she rebuttoned his shirt.
She whispered, “We were so desperately young.”
“We were plain desperate.”
Lilly asked, “Can I drive awhile now?”
“Sure, Belle. Try to keep it around sixty. Cops love to ticket Vettes.”
He pulled over, fastened his pants, and they switched places. Tony fell asleep within minutes. Lilly remembered fondly that sex always put him to sleep.
She drove into Allegheny State Park, checked in, and selected a site. She opened the trunk, removed the tent, and cleared a spot, but she didn’t erect the tent. Instead, she opened the passenger door and called Tony’s name softly.
“Hi, Angel Face. Are we here?”
“We’re at Allegheny. Let’s set up and try to call Jane. It’s about thirty minutes from here.”
“Lil, I’ll set up. You find a phone.”
Lilly returned a short time later. “I tried Jane, no answer; then Issy’s mother, no answer. Then I tried Issy, but Gary answered and I hung up. I bought food.”
“Lil, we’ll walk for a while and then try to phone again. We’ll get through to them,” Tony said, understanding her frustration.
Lilly nodded in resigned agreement.
As they walked, Tony told her about changes in his family. “Lydia got married right after you left. She had a son and is expecting another. Nick and Karen got divorced right around the time the boy was born.”
“How did Joe get the store?”
“It was the Langellas’. Rafiel inherited it.”
“Aha, an ulterior motive to nuptial bliss,” Lilly kidded.
“I always thought maybe Joe was lost after Nunzio died. Rafiel is so meek. Joe bullies her.”
Lilly said in surprise, “Joe? He was always …”
“Bullied by Nunzio? Well, the tables are turned now.”
“Why did Karen and Nick divorce?”
“Why does anyone? Nick was working too much overtime. He was probably taking the job home with him. Karen went back to school. She was a supervisor. Nick stayed a detective. Since then, he’s become a super detective. It has a title, but what it means is that he consults in cases all over the region. They got divorced out of lack of being married. It hit Nick hard afterward, in waves like it hit me.”
“I understand. I think I never want to get married again, because I never want to go through a divorce again.”
“That’s a pessimistic attitude.”
“Perhaps, but …,” Lilly trailed off.
“But what?”
“I don’t mean to sound like a martyr, but nothing has ever worked out for me. I have no faith in relationships. I’ve been alone too many Christmases. I always thought I’d have babies, but I guess not. Look at that! It’s a hawk.”
Tony watched the hawk make a slow sweeping circle in the sky. “Lil, there’s something different about you. You used to be more bubbly and catty and teasing. Now, there is a sadness about you.”
“You’ve aged well. You’ve retained the roguishness that makes you so attractive.”
“You’re still attractive. You are beautiful. It’s your aura that’s changed.”
“Aura? Did you really say aura?”
“Yes.” Tony felt foolish. “I lived in California, remember?”
“Someone else said it to me … that I have a sad aura. I can’t think who said it. Maybe it’s my fault.” Lilly muttered the last part to herself.
“What’s your fault?”
“Nothing. Never mind … It’s stupid,” Lilly stammered, walking faster.
“What’s stupid?” Tony persisted.
“Nothing. It’s really nothing,” Lilly answered. She changed the subject. “You said your cousin Lydia was married. Tell me about her.”
“Lydia married Paul DiCenzo. They live in New Jersey. They have a good kid, Dominick. I took care of him one day last winter. Paul’s father had a heart attack. Lydia took him to Karen’s, but she wasn’t home. Then Lydia came to Nick’s. Pops and I were going to a Knicks game. I gave the ticket to Nick and took Dom to see Peter Pan. He loved it, and Tinker Bell reminded me of you. You even look like her.”
“Tinker Bell? I remember reading Peter Pan to Brian, Francine, and Kelly. Wait a second, didn’t Tink rat on them? Didn’t she tell Captain Hook where the cave was?”
“But she saved the day. Besides, she had what you have.”
“I’ll have to think about that. Do you see Lydia often?”
“No. I played basketball with Paul at Greeley. Nick doesn’t see them often. Suzie wouldn’t see Nick for a while after the divorce. Nick is really excited about Suzie’s plans to move into Della Robbia Central.”
“Is Tommy with Karen?”
“Tommy died right before Nick and Karen divorced. He was out of hand. He was bigger than Nick and incontinent. He had lost his speech. He developed pneumonia.”
“When is Frank moving to Della Robbia Central?”
“Hey, brothers forever, you know?” Tony said affectionately.
They walked back towards their campsite, gathering kindling on the way.
Tony mused, “I’m going to have to learn to appreciate Debbie. I’m thinking of hiring Frank for the company when we get going. I don’t know what he’ll be doing yet, but I’ll think of something for him. Lilly, why don’t you call Colleen?”
“No … No.”
“Perhaps you wouldn’t be alone so many Christmases if you didn’t shut people out.”
Lilly dropped the kindling where the fire would be. “Ouch,” she said.
“Did you drop one on your foot?”
“No, you dropped one on my aura,” Lilly answered.
“Lil, show me Jamestown. We’ll call your friends again. Then we’ll come back and light the fire and look at the sky,” Tony said as he laid the fire.
She didn’t answer, so he looked into her distressed face.
Tony stood up and touched her cheek. “I’ve known you a long time. I understand why you keep people away from you, but it must get lonely behind your moat.”
Lilly felt her throat tighten and feared she would cry. She walked to the picnic table and drank water to stall for time to collect herself.
She finally said, “Let’s get going. Jane’s a secretary. She will be getting out of work soon. I’m beginning to think all of Jamestown is out of town.”
Lilly nervously directed Tony to Jamestown. Once inside the city, she regained some confidence. They easily found Jane’s address. Henry answered the door and looked expectantly at Tony.
“Hello, Henry,” Lilly said, capturing his attention
“Yes,” he answered, trying to place Lilly. His expression softened, and he added, “Come on inside Lilly.”
They followed Henry through a small foyer into a living room. He called to his wife.
“Who is it?” Jane called from out of sight.
“A blast from the past,” Henry answered and then sat down to resume watching a baseball game.
Jane came out of a bedroom, stopped, and put a hand on either side of her belly. She said, “Lilly?”
“Jane, you’re pregnant!”
“You noticed? I’m due in fou
r and a half weeks.” They hugged as Jane said, “Lilly, I don’t believe it. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
“I saw Carly …” Lilly started.
“She told you about Dizzy Issy,” Jane finished.
“Have you seen Issy lately? Carly hasn’t seen her since Christmas.”
“I saw her last Saturday. I won’t go there on weekdays when Gary might be around. Issy won’t go out either.”
“I need to see her.”
“We can go tonight,” Jane answered.
“Call first,” Henry interjected.
“Henry went to school with Gary in Frewsburg,” Jane explained.
Tony sat with Henry to watch the baseball game.
“Tony, I’m sorry,” Lilly said. “Tony, this is Jane and Henry.”
Tony nodded to Jane and said, “Pirates?” to Henry.
“Are you a Pirate fan?”
“Yankees. I don’t watch minor league ball,” Tony said to stir Henry up.
Henry looked at Tony and said, “Yankees,” in disgust. “Do you think the Yankees will get over their egos soon enough to get out of the basement?”
“You mean to win the series two years in a row? Probably. How bad are the Pirates losing?”
“Not much. Steinbrenner going to stick to buying players, not politicians?” Henry asked.
“I hope so,” Tony conceded. He added, “It would be easier for us fans if he stuck to building ships.”
Jane led the way to the kitchen.
Jane asked, “How long did you stay in Cambodia?”
“Twenty months. I got back the very end of March.”
“Are you living in New York now?”
“For now. We are going to start hiking the Appalachian Trail next week.”
“You two together?” Jane asked. “Did you meet in Cambodia?”
“No,” Lilly said slowly. “Tony is …”
“Della Robbia?” Jane interrupted.
Lilly nodded. “Let’s call Issy.”
Lilly studied the kitchen objectively while Jane dialed. She noticed the emphasis on decoration rather than on the functional work area that made Eileen’s kitchen so inviting. Lilly thought wryly that Jane had not sprouted culinary skills when she sprouted roots. Lilly’s attention was drawn back when Jane spoke into the phone.
“Issy? Is Gary there? Then I’m going to come over, OK? Are you all right? I have a surprise for you.… Never mind. You’ll see soon.”
Jane hung up and asked Lilly, “You’re going to get her to leave him aren’t you?”
“I hope so. She may not want my advice.”
“She’ll listen to you. Gary’s scum. Always was … but you know that. Let’s go. We have a lot of catching up to do,” Jane said, pointing to Tony through the kitchen wall.
Lilly smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “I know.” Then she lowered her voice to a whisper, “Let’s see if he’ll stay and watch the game with Henry.”
Jane and Lilly walked back into the living room.
Jane said, “Henry, Tony and you will stay and watch the game, OK? Lil and I are going to take a run over to Issy’s.”
“Gary’s not there?” Henry asked
“His band is playing. Issy said not to worry.”
Henry said to Lilly, “You know Gary hates you.”
Lilly brushed away the idea with a panache that wasn’t genuine. She said to Tony, “I’ll see you later, pal.”
“Here are my keys,” Tony offered.
“I’ll drive,” Jane said. They walked to the door, and Jane saw the Corvette parked in front of the house. She said to Lilly, “Wow, is that your Vette?”
“It’s his.”
“Get the keys. I have a seven-year-old Nova. I love the look of a Vette, but I’ve never been in one. I was never on a motorcycle before you got one. Corvettes, motorcycles, you two must live life in the fast lane. I’ll never forget the ride when you took me to Little Falls to see Adam’s winery. I thought I’d croak.”
Lilly tried to shush her and hurry Jane through the door, but she knew Tony had heard Jane’s remark.
Issy lived in a run-down multifamily that was a former Victorian home with a large veranda porch. The porch railing was missing many rails, and three colors were visible through the peeling paint on the house’s walls. The wallpaper in the foyer and up the stairs was stained and cracked, but bespoke an earlier elegance.
Issy answered their knock, opening the door only a few inches. “Jane?” She opened the door wider and saw Lilly. “Lilly? Lilly!”
Issy rushed to her.
“Hi, Diz.” Lilly hugged her.
Issy pulled back. “I’m sorry I never wrote you. I always meant to. I live here with Gary Bailey.”
“I’ve heard, Issy. Are you OK?”
Issy didn’t answer but led them to the living room. She sat in a straight-back chair and motioned for Jane and Lilly to sit on the sofa. Lilly thought Issy looked like a criminal being interrogated.
“Issy,” Lilly started. “I saw Carly. She told me Gary was abusive.”
“Oh, he’s not so bad. Carly gets these ideas,” Issy said emotionally.
Lilly could feel Issy’s humiliation and stopped.
Issy breathed for a minute and then said, “Lilly, are you back in Jamestown for good? Are you going to call Adam?”
“I’m here to visit and get my keyboards and books from your parents’ basement.”
Jane said, “Tell her who you’re with.”
Issy guessed, “Adam?”
“No, I live with my ex-husband.”
“You’re joking?’” Issy said. “No wonder you went so crazy when Lonnie pulled that joke on you.”
“Where is Lonnie? Is she still collecting other people’s men?”
“Lonnie’s still around. She works at a car dealership,” Jane said.
“Sleeping her way through salesmen?” Lilly asked caustically.
“You never forgave her?” Jane asked. “You got even with her on the day you left, and then some.”
“What did happen that day? I told her that her soldier boy was coming. She chose not to believe me.”
“You told her? When?” Issy asked.
“At the party. Her soldier boy called. I spoke with him, and I told her. She thought I was trying to scare her or something.”
“You didn’t have to send him to her room. All hell broke loose,” Jane said sounding annoyed.
“I don’t understand it. Lonnie caused grief not only to me, but you all chose to side with her,” Lilly said in a resigned tone. “I was terrified of her.”
“Lonnie? You’re joking,” Issy said.
“I thought she hated me enough to go to New York and somehow find Tony, seduce him, and bring back something of his to taunt me.”
Issy and Jane shook their heads. Jane said, “That’s crazy.”
Issy asked, “How did you get back with your husband?”
“I was visiting Eileen after I got back from Cambodia. We took a walk in this park near where I grew up. Suddenly he was there. He was at his brother’s wedding. He was wearing an ugly blue tuxedo, but he was so handsome. Then he came to Eileen’s to talk. I went home with him, and I moved in with him. ”
“Are you married again?” Issy asked, caught up in the romance.
“No, but we’ve very friendly. We’re going to hike the Appalachian Trail together starting next week. It will take four months. It’s over two thousand miles, up and down mountains. He’ll decide he can’t go on without me,” Lilly said in mock melodrama. She circled back to the main topic. “Where do you work?”
“No, Gary doesn’t want me to work. He gets upset. I was working at a supermarket. He kept coming in and calling me. They fired me because he got nasty with a manager.”
Lilly and Jane sat quietly, waiting for Issy to continue.
Issy said, “He’s in a band that does country now. He plays in a bar with those mechanical bulls. Everybody wears boots and western shirts.”
&nb
sp; Lilly said, “You must have a lot of fun. We are probably lucky to catch you at home.”
“Gary doesn’t like me to go to bars anymore.”
Lilly said, “Have you seen Carly’s hospital? I used to work there. So did EO.”
“No, I haven’t been to Carlotta’s. Gary said it’s not safe.” Issy said miserably.
Lilly said gently, “Carly wants you to come and visit. She has some money to help you get set up. Your Mom has money too. You could find a job.”
Issy stood and crossed the room.
Lilly followed her. “If you’re not happy, get out. There’s no shame.”
Issy’s emotions contorted her face, and she was unable to answer.
“Issy you don’t need this. You need someone who will love you, and marry you, and give you babies.”
“Gary wants to get married,” Issy said.
“Why? So he can have a legal document to hold over you? How about babies? Do you think Gary would be a loving, gentle, patient father? Please! You can catch a bus to New York.”
“No, it’s too big.”
“Yonkers is a big small town. You could stay with Carly, and she’d help you get a job. There are always nurses and aides looking for a roommate.”
Lilly looked around the sparse furnishings and spotted the radio on a shelf. She walked to it. “Carly told me he shot a radio, but it seemed so absurd.”
“It was playing one of the songs you sang with the band. He shot it. He was lying in bed cleaning his guns …,” Issy said, serious-faced, as though something about the story had trigged some resolve.
Jane stood and gave a thumbs-up behind Issy’s head.
“When should I leave?” Issy looked around.
“Now,” Jane and Issy said in unison.
“It’s eight-thirty, so he’ll be gone until three a. m. I’ll get stuff together.”
“Why is he gone so early?” Lilly asked.
“They’re practicing new songs,” Issy answered.
Lilly was flooded with a premonition of fear. “Let’s go now. Do you have a sleeping bag? You could stay with Tony and me if you can’t get a bus tonight. We’ll go to your Mom’s for money for the bus.”
“Mom’s at her sister’s in Buffalo until tomorrow morning. I want to get some clothes. I have a bag to put them in.”
Lilly whispered, “Be quick.”
Jane said to Lilly, “You’re not staying with us? You’re welcome.”
A Yonkers Kinda Girl Page 40
