“Papa, papa, you came early. Did you see me score the winning goal?” Anthony approached, his young voice high pitched and excited.
“I did and I am real proud of you.” Johnny studied him.
Anthony’s astonishing green eyes were vivid, sparkling in his oval face, highlighted by his dark brows and hair. He paused, seeming awkward.
Johnny reached out, extending his hand. “Come over here, you.”
The child came willingly. Ignoring the kid and dirt smell of him, Johnny pulled him close for a quick embrace. He marveled at how tiny and light he felt. He hugged him and kissed him affectionately on both cheeks. First one then the other, holding him at arms length to study him. “That’s the way us Italians do it and you’re a Gallo, my son. Never forget it.”
“No, Papa, I won’t.” The little boy promised, sitting down beside him on the bench.
“Some of my friends are Italian too. My best friends are Roddy, he’s English, and Fred, who is German, but we were all born in America. Then there’s Tony, Jonathan and Timothy.”
“You’ve sure popular.” And a chatterbox too. Johnny was amused by the changes in the boy. A sickly babe, Anthony had been fussy, and unusually quiet and timid; nothing at all like the spirited, passionate woman who’d birthed him. Later, as a toddler he’d been unnervingly reticent. Johnny had often thought it ironic, even scary for he’d been eerily born more adult than child, too solemn and too well behaved. But, today with his school uniform spotted with dirt and grass stains, his cheeks flushed with spots of color from his exertions, his russet brown hair mussed, he looked like a normal kid, like a child should look; happy, radiant, healthy—his.
“So what are you six now, kid?”
With a gleam in his eye, Anthony held out ten tiny, grubby wiggling fingers. He grinned at the question sure his visitor already knew the right answer.
Johnny ruffled his already mussed hair making him giggle. “Okay, so I see you’re a comedian now too. Don’t lie to your papa, boy. I know you’re only six.”
“And a half,” he said indignant, his little eyebrows furrowed, his chin tilted in what Johnny recognized instantly as a very familiar set. Geez, the kid might not look like Hannah, but he sure had her chin and possibly her stubborn streak. God help him. God help the world.
“You’re taller too, Mr. six and a half,” Johnny teased.
He giggled. “Father Smith said I growed three whole inches. There’s a room in the rectory where he makes us stand and he takes a ruler and marks it right on the wall and—“
“Anthony, I got somethin’ to say that’s important. I know I ain’t always here for ya and you know why I can’t be, don’t you?”
“Because you are a busy man with lots of businesses to take care of, because you’re never hardly home?”
“That’s right, but if you’re ever unhappy here, or lonely.”
“I’m never lonely, papa. I miss you, but lots of my friends have busy papas and some of them never visit as often as you do.”
“But, if anyone ever picks on you Anthony, or you ever feel sad, I want you to tell me. Promise me you’ll tell me, okay Anthony?”
Anthony looking solemn promised.
Johnny fidgeted. “They treat ya good here? You like livin’ here?”
Anthony’s long lashes were downcast. “Oh yes, Papa, but I don’t like Father Kennedy. He’s old, grouchy and he smells. Once he hit me with the paddle and made me sit in front of the class for being bad, but I love the nuns, well, not sister Macaffey, or Sister Jones, or Sister Peters, but most of them, especially Mother and my friends, Roddy, Fred, Tony—”
“But, do you ever wish ya had a real family with brothers and sisters?”
Looking up, Anthony shuffled on the bench. His little face puckered with worry. “Would I have to leave here?”
“No, not if you don’t want to.”
“Good, I don’t want to,” sighed Anthony, his relief obvious. “ ’Ceptin’ for vacation or when I go places with you. Is it okay if I go home with Roddy for Easter?”
“We’ll see,” said Johnny, relieved. It was as he’d hoped and thought. The kid liked his life, his environment. He didn’t miss having what he had never had. Family. Who the hell needed all those annoying relatives around anyways?
Holding Anthony’s tiny hand in his, Johnny listened to him chatter as he walked him back to the school. He left him with a hug and a firm promise to visit the following week as planned. Johnny felt good, vindicated. The kid wasn’t sad. In fact, as far as he could see, Anthony was happy and thriving just like Gabrielle had said. Hannah was wrong, worrying for nothing. She hadn’t wanted the kid so why should she care. So what if he hadn’t told her he’d kept him. Telling her would have only upset her. As far as he was concerned, she owed him an apology for not trusting him to take care of things.
20 CHAPTER TWENTY
Jimmy stopped the car when he spotted Josie standing on the street corner, shivering. “What’re you doing down here by the warehouse?”
“Waitin’ for the bus, that’s what,” she snapped.
“Hop in, I’ll give you a ride home.”
She got in and they rode in silence for several minutes.
“Where’s Hannah?”
“You shoulda seen what the boss did to her.” He was troubled ever since he’d seen Hannah outside trying to dig a grave with a spoon, her eyes red from crying. He couldn’t help himself and spouted like a broken pipe. “Gallo slapped her around and killed her pet bird.”
Josie looked wary. “She tell you all dat?”
Jimmy shook his head. “Not at first, she wouldn’t even look at me, but I refused to leave. I insisted on helping her dig. That’s when I finally saw her face. She admitted they had a fight. It made me so mad. I lost all the respect I ever had for him.”
“Killin’ a bird ain’t a crime even if it’s mean. What dey fight about?”
Jimmy shrugged. “I don’t know, but seeing her hurt just about killed me, Jo. Especially when she cried.”
Clucking her tongue, Josie looked away. “What goes on between ’em ain’t our business. Ain’t no good comes of gettin’ between that pair.”
“Well, if he ever lays a hand on her again, I’ll make him pay.”
“You,” Josie snorted. “Dat man will crush you like a bug. She ain’t ever complained about him beatin’ her before. Maybe it a one time thing, dat happens, ya know. Lovers quarrel.”
Jimmy snarled. “If ya ask me, things ain’t kosher between ’em. Turk says the boss has been grumpy as hell, slept at the warehouse a few nights too. And Hannah’s not herself, sad and drinkin’ far too much. I hope she gets smart and dumps him. If she does, you can bet I’d treat her right.”
“Don’t you be gettin’ crazy ideas like dat, boy.” Josie swatted at him.
He ducked. “Turk said the same thing, but, like I told him, I’d do anything for Hannah.”
“That man doesn’t even have the decency to face me himself,” Hannah slammed the telephone down so hard it clattered. She lit a cigarette with shaky hands. “First, he’s away three days and then he comes home expecting forgiveness. I didn’t forgive him, but he did promise to be here for my show tomorrow night. Now Charlie just called to say Johnny can’t make it. He had to go out of town until Monday on business.”
Hannah was wearing a light green sea foam silk robe with princess sleeves and ermine trim. Jimmy supposed she had nothing much on underneath from the way it settled on her curves. Just the idea of her naked made him dizzy. The sight of her was always a feast for the senses. He worshipped her. And spitting mad she flashed enough fire to boil a fella alive.
She tamped the cigarette out and went into her bedroom. “He’s driving me crazy, playing games. He promised to be more available, that we’d go out tonight. I know it’s terrible to say, but I can’t stand this anymore.”
Jimmy paced outside the bedroom door. He understood and fanned the flames. He couldn’t help it, he loved her. “He doesn’t deserve
you and that’s a fact.” He stood in the doorway watching her. “Why do you keep puttin’ up with him?”
She knew Jimmy was referring to the night Johnny had hit her and killed her bird. He couldn’t seem to let it go. She had decided she had no choice but to try to get past it. After all, she had a lot of time invested in Johnny, their lives were intertwined and she wasn’t prepared to start over somewhere else, with someone else. Besides, she loved him. “Maybe Johnny’s my comeuppance for wantin’ more than I should, but, truth to tell, I hated being ordinary and he seemed the answer to a prayer. Most of the time, he’s good to me. He’s been my knight in shining armor and I don’t regret a lot of what I’ve done, having what I have, but it comes with a price. Maybe I bring out the worst in the men I love?”
“It ain’t you, it’s him.”
She pursed her lips at her vanity mirror, applying her lipstick carefully. “No association is perfect, but I do feel like a yo-yo lately, sad and angry too. Johnny takes me for granted and he shouldn’t have lied. Business this, business that and God forbid I put my work first. Men.”
“We’re not all like that. If I were lucky enough to have a gal like you, I’d never put anything else first.” Jimmy said. She made his day when she threw him a kiss from the mirror.
“Thanks. A gal would be lucky to have a fella like you. And, Jimmy, I do appreciate you listening and keepin’ what I tell you between us.”
Jimmy nodded, turning away, guilty. He hoped Josie never told. Turk, neither.
Hannah picked up her flask and guzzled it. “I know Johnny doesn’t like it, but a little nip helps take the edge off. It blurs the lines between smart, practical and too dumb to contemplate. Lord knows, but I’d like to teach that man a lesson keeping me on edge like this.”
“So, let’s go out.” Jimmy couldn’t believe the words actually came out of his mouth and kept on coming. “How ‘bout I fire up the Lizzie, take you out on the town? Ain’t no law says you have to stay home and pout. The night is young.”
A spark lit her eyes, but quickly faded. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. If Johnny finds out, he’d get mad.”
“I don’t care.”
She sniffed. “But, I do. I don’t need another fight right now.”
Jimmy’s heart swelled. She was so beautiful, so sweet, that anyone should make her feel unhappy bothered him. He was tempted to hug her, but instead just stood, rooted to the spot, needing to say something to make her feel better. “When Gallo hit you, it wasn’t your fault. It ain’t your fault he’s an idiot and don’t appreciate what he’s got. Ain’t no fella worth his salt that hits a dame, or threatens her life. You should do what you want. Screw him. Leave.”
”He’d kill me before he would ever let me go. He says it and he means it.”
“Nah, he’s just talkin’.”
“Oh Jimmy, you’re the best friend a girl ever had.”
He didn’t want to be her best friend, damn it. But, she was looking up at him, her beautiful eyes filled with warmth, maybe even affection and Jimmy felt tongue-tied. Maybe best friend was a start. Maybe if he was patient enough she’d see him as more?
Hannah blew her nose, sniffed. “Thank you for listening to my woes. All of a sudden I’m wondering who I am, what I’m doing and if I really have any choices and I don’t like the answers or the questions.”
He shook his head and smiled. “Heck, you are beautiful, talented, spirited and fun. And, as for what you do, what you’re doing, how many people come to hear you sing and admire you.”
“But sometimes I just feel part and parcel of Johnny’s dreams. There’s always been someone I’ve let influence my life.”
He was puzzled, not really sure what she was saying. “Ain’t nothing wrong with needin’ other people.”
She stood, smiling up at him affectionately, caressing his cheek, kissing it and then ruffling his hair. “You’re a dear, dear friend and I love you.”
She loved him. All he heard was that she loved him. He grinned, his hopes flying.
“I can’t seem to think straight lately. Sometimes I’m not sure of anything anymore, but you always make me feel better. Something soured since I discovered how deceptive Johnny had been. In the past, I rarely questioned him or his actions. I didn’t look too deep. Didn’t want to.”
He wanted to tell her how he felt, stood straighter, got ready to say it, but something else came out. “I want to…if Gallo ain’t doin’ right by you, I don’t care what he says, how he tries to scare you, you want out, I’ll make it happen. The man can’t force you to stay with him. There are laws, places you can go. You ain’t a slave or a possession.”
She said she’d never seriously considered leaving Johnny. “Although, since our fight I have thought about it. I haven’t really forgiven him. Nor do I trust him, our love, or what our future together holds anymore.”
“Do you want to leave him?” Jimmy’s heart leapt.
She sighed. “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.”
“What if he starts treatin’ you like a punchin’ bag again?”
“He won’t, but even if he does, I made my own bed, didn’t I?”
“No, why do you say that?” He was annoyed with her for just accepting.
Her eyebrow rose. “We’re talking about Johnny Gallo here and let’s face it; it ain’t exactly a crime to smack your honey.”
Jimmy snorted. “I’m disappointed you’d think that way.”
“Facts are facts. It happens all the time. And, I know if I ever leave Johnny, he’d come right after me. The world wouldn’t be a big enough place to hide. You don’t know how determined he is, how much he values loyalty. He’d see my leaving as betrayal of the worst kind.” Flustered, she picked at her robe. “Plus, I’d have to leave all my beautiful things, my career and…Johnny handles all the finances. Everything I have is in his name. He even has my bank book with all my savings.” My son. “Lord help me, Jimmy, but I can’t fathom ever starting over or leaving New York.”
“He ain’t God, ya know. I got money, savings and connections too. It can be done.” Jimmy felt fierce, ready to defend Hannah against anyone, even Johnny Gallo. “I ain’t afraid and you don’t have to be neither.” He stepped into the room. “You wouldn’t be alone, I’d stand with you, if uh, that’s what you ever wanted to do. Ya do got choices!” He would make it so.
“I don’t think so.” Pensive, she smiled and tugged at the belt on her robe. “But, thanks for the pep talk.”
She gave him a peck on his cheek, and his lips. Her sweet floral feminine scent hypnotized him, as did the contact. He felt good as a two peckered hound dog when she started away undressing, chattering, seeming happy again. “Hey pally, go fire up that Lizzie. I think it’s a fine idea you had after all. You’re right, the night is young and going out isn’t a crime. Let’s do it. We’ll have ourselves a darn good time. To heck with the rules.”
Jimmy punched a fist in the air. “Good, that’s the spirit. We can toast to choices, having ’em and making ’em.”
The man escorted Josie upstairs and closed the door behind her.
Johnny Gallo watched as she approached his desk. “So, what do you have for me?”
Josie met his flat black stare. “I done tole you Mr. Gallo, I don’t feel right about dis, Hannah was my friend, she—”
“C’mon, that’s crap. Josie.” Johnny snorted, impatient. When he’d learned Josie sold maryjane to her musician friends on the side and had a sickly mother in South Carolina she sent money to, he’d given her an ultimatum and an opportunity. “You’ve already taken enough of my dough to prove you ain’t got much of a conscience where mazuma’s concerned and ya know I wouldn’t let you within an inch of me or Hannah if you were still dealing.” Johnny eased up. He knew when bullying wouldn’t work. “Hey, it’s okay. We’ve got a better deal and you ain’t never told me nothing I don’t already know so far.”
“I just don’t want no trouble, Mr. Gallo, sir.”
“Nothing ya
said got anyone in trouble, right? Trust me, you’re doing Hannah a favor.”
Josie nodded. “I appreciate the job cleanin’ the warehouse for double what I usually get too, but—”.
“I ain’t been nothing but honest with you, Josie. You know I adore Hannah. Surely you can see how much her happiness means to me, the lengths I will go to.”
“Oh, I know that, Mr. Gallo,” she said. “And, I guess I’m flattered you trust me.”
“Good, because I don’t trust Jimmy.” He forced himself to nod and look encouraging.
“Hannah be a good woman. She ain’t doin’ nothin’ wrong.”
“What’s going down with the kid? I don’t like how he’s actin’ lately. Looks at me like I’m Satan. Know anything about that?”
“Oh, just he gots a crush on Miss Hannah bad.”
He cocked his head, his attention on her fixed. “Tell me somethin’ I don’t know.”
She fidgeted. “Well, you know Hannah’s been a mite upset ever since you, uh, two—”
“Quarreled and I killed her bird, yeah, go on.” He didn’t bat an eyelash.
Taking a deep breath, she shook her head. “Dat boys got some kind of silly nonsense in his head Hannah gonna go away with him and leave you.” She claimed Jimmy was harmless, a big kid, someone Hannah would never consider more than a friend.
“Why would he think that?” It was all he could do to keep a tight rein on his temper.
Josie shrugged.
“Did she say who ratted me out and told her about my son?”
“No. Maybe Jimmy but if so, he done mentioned it out of bein’ stupid rather than mean.”
“Yeah, yeah, thanks.” Johnny stood. He counted out two dollars and started to hand it to her. “Here, I know how hard this was for ya.”
The Songbird with Sapphire Eyes Page 25
