Love on the Back Burner

by Barbara Oliverio

  “But Elliott! I don’t know whether to be excited or sad! I’m thrilled that you have a great opportunity, but … you’re my buddy, my pal … now, going to Phoenix will really be a downer!” I stuck out my lip.

  “Well, the women always miss me when I’m gone from their lives, you know.” He affected a pose.

  “Stop it, conceited!” I hugged him. Then my head drooped again.

  “Hey, hey, Ali, what now? Natalie’s still going, right?”

  “Yes, that’s true, and I’m so grateful for that. But worse than that, I’ll be moving away from Keira, and we have been closer than sisters for an eternity.”

  “Come on, Ali, with her job, she travels more and more for longer and longer. Besides, you guys don’t live together anymore. It’s not like you aren’t just as close as you always have been emotionally—you’re just not in each other’s pockets 24-7.”

  He had a point. Just look at the past couple of months. She had been in San Francisco for what’s probably been the most traumatic time in my life, and we hadn’t missed a beat. And though I hadn’t been able to reach her yet today, I knew she’d call me the minute she got my phone message. No, it didn’t matter where the two of us lived, we were forever going to be best friends.

  “You’re right, you’re right.” I picked up his hand between the two of mine. “I can’t believe you got this awesome opportunity just at the right time. How did you meet this guy?”

  He shuffled uncomfortably.

  “Come on. What did you do? You didn’t hook him up with one of your ex-floozies or something, did you, and this is his way of paying you back?” I grinned.

  “Well, he just came to play hoops with a buddy of mine.”

  I became suspicious. Elliott’s basketball buddies were more the type that were bartenders than owners of high-tech companies.

  “What buddy?”

  “Um.”

  My eyes widened. “It was a friend of Cam’s, wasn’t it? Cam hooked you up with this job!”

  “Well, sort of, but—”

  “Elliott! Not only did you become best buddies with that jerk and drag him around with you to our get-togethers like a … a … security blanket, you let him fix you up with a sweet new job!” I tilted my head.

  “Omigosh! It wasn’t an accident either! HE knew the company was being bought, so he played matchmaker to protect you just in case your head was on the chopping block! Nice. Really nice. Isn’t that a conflict of interest or something?”

  Elliott grabbed my waving hands in his.

  “Calm down, Alexandria! Stop saying things that aren’t true—and that are slanderous to boot. Don’t you think I thought of that? Sheesh, you must think I’m an idiot if I would put myself in a position like that. No. Cam brought Davis to play with us one day, and after the game we all talked over beers. A couple of days later, I saw that a job was posted in his company and thought about calling him about the posting. Cam had nothing to do with it. To be honest with you, I probably would be going there even if there wasn’t a buyout.”

  “Oh.”

  “‘Oh’ is right. You know I haven’t been happy for a long time, and seriously, how much could my career grow at our company? This buyout was just the push I needed.”

  I sighed. He was right. Elliott was too talented to be stuck in our small company for long. He needed to follow his career path. As a matter of fact, I envied his ability to know what he wanted and the ability to go after it.

  “I dunno, Elliott. I guess it just rankles me that the person in any way responsible for your good fortune is that … that … creep.”

  “You mean the creep you were kissing in the conference room today?”

  “That was an accident.” I waved him off.

  “Like the accidental lip-lock you two were in at Natalie’s wedding? You sure are accident-prone.”

  “Elliott, I know he’s your ‘bestest buddy,’ but—”

  “But what, Ali? I seem to recall that he has been nothing but nice to you the whole time he’s been here.”

  “But he was dishonest.”

  “No. He was here under nondisclosure. He couldn’t tell us the truth about what his position was. Besides, I believe it was Cam who was your sous chef last weekend and made your catering gig a success.”

  “If you’re implying that I couldn’t have been successful without him, you can just leave right now.”

  “No, all I’m saying is that when you needed someone to step up to the plate and help you, he was right there, even though you had been super snarky to him up to that point.”

  Whatever. It didn’t change the fact that he made me so mad!

  “Whatever, Elliott.” I didn’t want to go down this path. “Look, I have to get to the airport in the morning. Can you do me a solid and give me a ride so I don’t have to leave my little car parked for who knows how long? We can talk about your new job on the way.”

  “My chariot will await you.” He stood and gave an exaggerated bow. “But, Ali, a piece of advice.”

  I was in no mood for brotherly advice. I opened my mouth, but he cut me off.

  “Fix your hair and makeup and change before you go. You look awful!”

  Oh. Right.

  I was in somewhat of a calmer mood when I spoke with Keira later that night. But even though my earlier message had been vague, she knew immediately that something was up.

  “You look awful, Alexandria.”

  The wonders of Skype. I resolved to go back to the days of only calling her on the phone. Maybe a corded one.

  “Thanks. And it’s nice to see you, too?”

  “Sorry, but honey you do have a mirror there, right? You’ve seen yourself?”

  “Keira, I know you’re trying to be funny, but stop and let me tell you what’s up.”

  I attempted to enlighten her on the events of the day, including the buyout, the possible Phoenix move, Elliott’s and Natalie’s choices, with many cross-references and jumbled sentences—and I hadn’t even gotten to the blowup between Cam and me in the conference room before she broke in.

  “Slow down, Alex. You are going to hyperventilate in a minute. And you are moving so fast that you’re just a blur on the screen. One thing at a time. Okay, so first, the company got bought out.”

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t roll your eyes at me, missy. I can see you, remember?”

  I crossed my arms, pursed my lips, and leaned back.

  “But you’re NOT being laid off?”

  “No, Keir.” I began again patiently and managed to tell the story.

  “Wow,” she said. “If this were in a Lifetime movie, I wouldn’t believe it.”

  “I know, right?”

  “So what are you going to do? Because I know that Phoenix is one of your FAVorite places in the world.”

  Keira’s sarcasm was not lost on me.

  “I don’t know. Natalie’s going because, well, she’s got Sam and the whole ‘we’re together and will be happy wherever we are’ thing.”

  “True love. Don’t you hate it?” Keira smiled.

  I smiled back. We both knew that Natalie and Sam were making the right decision for them.

  “And Elliott … well, what a great opportunity for him to get this new job here, so he’s staying.”

  “True.”

  “And Felicia. Pfft. I don’t really care one way or another what Felicia does.”

  “Ali, you shouldn’t really care one way or another what ANYONE else does. You need to do what is best for YOU.”

  “You’re right. You’re right.” I gnawed on my lip. “But at least if I go there, I’ll HAVE a job. You know how hard it was to FIND a job here.”

  “But you found one. Besides, maybe this is the universe telling you it’s time to do something else.”

  “What?” I looked at her, puzzled, then the lightbulb went on. “No, Keira, I know you’re going to bring up being a chef, but it’s a little late to switch gears, don’t you think?”

  “All I know is
that Grandma Moses began painting when she was over eighty.”

  “Fine, then I’ll switch careers when I’m eighty. But for now, I think I need to do what I went to school to do.”

  Keira sighed and shook her head. “I don’t know. I think you are being a little too stubborn on this because you only IMAGINE your dad would think you’ve failed. But if that’s what’s bothering you, you’re borrowing trouble because you haven’t even talked to him about it. Besides, you HAVE succeeded in that area, like when you cooked for the wedding. By the way—”

  I could tell exactly where she was going from the way she said “by the way,” so I tried to head her off, but was unsuccessful.

  “Don’t try to change subjects, Alexandria. Where does Mr. Emerald Eyes fit in to all of this?”

  “Oh, Keira, that’s the worst part.” And all the waterworks that I had managed to hold back came gushing forth. I told her about Cam’s relationship with Castle, his nonrelationship with Ava, the redhaired goddess, and the encounter in the conference room.

  “Wow.”

  “Wow?” I sobbed. “All you got is wow?”

  “Come on. Wipe your eyes, you look like a raccoon.” She scratched her head. “Yes, wow, because I think you are totally underestimating how much this guy feels for you.”

  “WHAT!”

  “Yes, you dope. He’s done everything but put up a billboard that says ‘I like you, do you like me too?’ and you don’t get it.”

  I blew my nose and shook my head. “No, Keira, I don’t think so. I think you don’t see it from a distance, but if you were here, you’d get it.”

  “I don’t know. Let me ask you this. Is he going to move to Phoenix?”

  “Well, no, because he’s going to run his group here.

  But what does that have to do with it?”

  “If he were moving there, would your decision be harder to make?”

  I stopped. Would I be having this soul-searching decision if I knew the whole company was there, including him? At the thought, my heart skipped the smallest beat.

  “Aha!” Keira crossed her arms and nodded her head. “I recognize that look.”

  “No,” I shook my head stubbornly. “You are SOOO wrong. What you are seeing is the result of me being tired after working so hard and the shock and knowing I have to get up really early to catch my flight.”

  “Hmph.”

  “Keira! Some best friend you are! And by the way, why aren’t you worried about me moving? I would be moving from here. Would YOU miss me?” I became suspicious. She hadn’t said anything about that, had she?

  “I don’t know, Alex.” She looked uncomfortable, then gave me a sidewise glance. “But you didn’t say anything about moving away from ME either, did you, huh? Wouldn’t you miss ME?”

  “Don’t turn this on me!” I couldn’t help it, but I started to cry again.

  “Hey! I didn’t mean to make you cry, honey.” she said. “Ali … stop it! Of course I would miss you, but I just want you to make the best decision for you!”

  I managed to calm down and blew my nose again.

  “I don’t know, Keira, I think I’m just too emotional at the moment. I’m sorry. I know we’re best buddies no matter where we live.”

  “Damn skippy,” she said. “So, buddy, what are you going to do?”

  I took a deep breath and blew my hair out of my eyes. “I don’t know. I think the best thing is for me just to get home tomorrow—dry-eyed—and enjoy my family. Maybe something will come to me.”

  “I think you’re right, honey. Think of this visit as halftime. Things will look better in the third quarter.”

  “I hope you’re right,” I grinned, appreciating her football reference.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “How’s it going, Franco?” I patted the shoulder of the display of Steelers Hall of Famer Franco Harris as I walked through the Pittsburgh airport. The statue captured #32 in his famous pose making the “Immaculate Reception” in the 1972 AFC divisional playoff game. Franco was a favorite in my family not just because of his playing prowess, but also because he was Italian American. I always bid him hello and good-bye when I fly in and out of the airport.

  The plane ride and the familiarity of this airport had given me a bit more peace of mind than I’d had when I prepared to leave Denver. I was sure that this visit was just what I needed to clear my head before I contemplated the move to Phoenix. All I had to concentrate on right now was the party and visiting with my family.

  As I stood at the luggage carousel, I heard, “There she is!” and turned to be greeted by my brother Anthony, his wife, Celia, and the adorable Elisabetta.

  “This is a great surprise! I expected Ma to pick me up!”

  Anthony tilted his head and held his hands in a palms-up gesture. “I had a potential client meeting in the city, and Pop suggested it would be easier for me to come on ahead to the airport. Ma thought it might make a nice drive for Celia and the baby, so here we are.”

  After hugs and kisses with the adults, I kissed the laughing baby over and over before holding her over my head with her tiny face smiling toward mine.

  “Betta! You are just a little sack of potatoes!” I said, using one of Nonna’s favorite phrases for chubby babies.

  “Oof! You’re telling me!” said Celia. “I swear Nonna is already sneaking her bites of pepperoni when I’m not looking.”

  “Ah, she’s not fat, she’s healthy.” I hugged her to me. “As if you aren’t monitoring her to make sure she eats properly! And look at this beautiful green-and-yellow outfit—so colorful!” I was grateful that Celia and Anthony did not subscribe to the “all pastel pink” color scheme just because their child was a girl. In fact, her nursery was the envy of many other young families because it was decorated in shades of honeysuckle, blueberry, and lemon, with a decidedly European theme.

  “Well, with a fashionista like you for an aunt, this child has no choice but to turn out to be chic,” said Anthony as he pulled the second of my bags from the carousel when I pointed it out to him. ”Sheesh, speaking of clothes, Ally-Cat, how much did you bring for one weekend? Are you planning to change every hour?”

  I saw Celia give him a shake of the head, so I knew that Ma had let her in on the fact that I might be staying longer. Apparently, Ma had not broadcast this to everyone.

  “Um, I just didn’t know what the weather would be like, I guess,” I lied.

  “Antonio, how about if you go get the car and drive it up to the curb, and we’ll load it there,” said Celia. “That way we won’t have to drag the luggage and the baby too far.”

  I saw the look that passed between them and knew that she had given him the high sign to not question me further. I once again marveled at the level of love they had for one another and the ability they had to have an unspoken conversation.

  “Of course, my love.” He kissed her and kissed the top of Elisabetta’s head.

  “Daddy will be back in a minute, bella mia.” Anthony took off in the same purposeful stride that he shared with my father and Damian. We girls moved to a bench outside to await his return.

  “How are you doing? Do you need something to drink or eat?” Celia asked.

  I laughed. “You really fit into the family very well, Ceil. It’s barely been five minutes and you feel the need to feed.”

  “I picked it up by osmosis I guess,” she smiled. “Although Nonna still holds the land speed record for getting food in people’s mouths in any instance. I swear I think she once made an entire lasagna in the time it took your brother to drive and pick up a pizza.” “Well, you know how some people keep a granola bar in their purse for emergencies? Nonna always keeps—”

  “Bread and pepperoni!” we finished together, laughing.

  “Oh, Celia, it’s good to see you!” I hugged her. “And you too, little princess!” I said to Elisabetta. “Are you ready for your big party?”

  Elisabetta stared up at me with her big blue eyes and reached out to grab my nose. />
  “Oh she’s ready. Now, the rest of the family …” Celia closed her eyes and shook her head. “You would think this was a royal affair.”

  “Ah, well, she’s the princess—la principessa—aren’t you little one? And you know how high that throne sits in an Italian family. Just wait till you have a son!”

  Celia, whose family was a mix of Polish and German, had at first been taken unawares by our boisterous Italian clan. It didn’t take her long to fit in, especially since she was willing to learn the “old ways” in the kitchen with Nonna. When Anthony announced that he was marrying her, she was immediately dubbed IBM: Italian By Marriage.

  “Well, la principessa needs her nap soon, and hopefully she’ll sleep in the car on the way home. Let me take her now if she’s too much.”

  “No, no! I haven’t seen her in so long! Auntie Alex will hold you until we get to the car, won’t she?” I addressed the baby.

  Celia patted Elisabetta on the head. “You know, sitting there on your lap, she looks like she could be yours, with her dark hair and blue eyes.”

  “Well, no surprise there. She has her daddy’s eyes, but I guess your hazel ones are nice, too.” I nudged Celia. She grinned and nudged back. Celia had learned the give-and-take of the family very quickly. She was more than just a sister-in-law, more like an actual sister.

  Anthony pulled up to the curb in their SUV, and we proceeded to load luggage and baby for the trip home.

  “Okay, we’re ready. Do you need something to eat or drink before we get on the road, Alex?” said Anthony.

  Celia and I looked at each other and laughed.

  The 45-minute drive from the airport to our hometown was filled with laughter as Celia and Anthony shared the latest stories of the baby and her antics. Anthony and I added to the merriment with our own recollections from childhood.

  “I most certainly was not the one who chopped off your hair. That was Damian!” insisted Anthony.

  “No, brother mine, it was you, and you hid me behind the door because you thought it would grow back before Ma found me!”