Take the Lead

by Shelley Shepard Gray

“Kind of. I mean, I guess if would be good since I’ll be seeing everyone at the wedding and all.”

  “What’s bad about it?” Her voice softened. “Are you worried that he’s getting too serious too fast?”

  “Not exactly. I’m uh, worried about eating a meal with them.”

  Her eyes widened. “Do they not eat meat either? Geez. What’s this world coming to?”

  “They eat meat, Kimber. It’s just that, um, I don’t really have company manners, you know?”

  Kimber stared at her blankly. “No.”

  “Matt’s a doctor. So is his brother. His parents have money.”

  “And?”

  Even though she knew was sounding a little crazy, she continued. “And, I don’t know, what if they put out a bunch of forks and spoons? I’m not going to know which one to use!” And then they’ll know that she shouldn’t have anything to do with him.

  “You know that you’re a cop, right?”

  “I haven’t forgotten.”

  Kimber stirred her iced coffee with a look of distaste before looking directly at Traci again. “I’m trying to tell you that you have a pretty incredible job. Traci, you are tougher than most people I’ve ever met. And I’ve met a lot of people.”

  “I might be tougher than Griffin.” She winked.

  “Honey, your big toe is tougher than pretty boy Griffin. What I’m trying to say is that you have nothing to be ashamed of. I went with you to target practice, remember? You are a good shot. A really good shot.”

  Being able to kill someone from fifty paces isn’t exactly a point in my favor, Kimber. Especially if I pick up the wrong fork or say something completely uncouth to his mother.”

  “Uncouth?” Kimber laughed. “Where you get these words, I don’t know. But seriously, all you need is some practice. That’s all.”

  “By Sunday?”

  “We’ll practice at home. You’ve got me; Jennifer, who’s eaten with all sorts of fancy chefs; and Shannon, whose mother practically made her go to charm school. We’ve got this.”

  “Thanks.” Traci smiled at her, though she was now secretly cringing inside. She had a feeling that this upcoming lesson was going to give her a run for her money. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “Why do you always get those iced coffees? You never drink more than a couple of sips.”

  “I don’t like them all that much but I get tired of drinking water.” She leaned back. “One day I’m going to get a new job and do something else.”

  “Like what? Do you know?”

  “Nope. Maybe use my mind for a change? That would be nice.” She shrugged. “All I do know is that whatever I do, no one is going to care about how much I weigh. And it’s going to be great.”

  CHAPTER 21

  “On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined.”

  —Lord Byron

  Matt looked around at his family. They were all—by his estimation, at least— looking far too relaxed about the arrival of their upcoming dinner guest. Anthony and his fiancée Marie were looking at travel magazines, Vanny was playing on her phone, and his dad looked half-asleep.

  Even his mother looked a bit on the sluggish side. She was on the couch cuddling Lady M, her prize Persian who nobody else liked. When he entered the room, she looked up at him and smiled. Then looked at him more closely.

  “Matteo, what’s wrong?”

  “Mama, what’s wrong is that Traci is coming over here in fifteen minutes.”

  “I know that. We’re having manicotti, remember?”

  “But the table isn’t completely set.”

  Vanny looked up from her phone. “And this is a problem because . . .”

  “Because she’s a guest.”

  Marie and Bennie walked to the dining room. “We’ll finish up,” Bennie called out. “All it’s missing is water glasses and napkins.”

  “Thanks,” Matt said. “I don’t want Traci to think we forgot about her coming over.”

  “Why would we do that?” Vanny asked. “It’s all you’ve been talking about for the last week.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Sorry, but it is,” Anthony said. “You’ve brought up this cop’s visit every time we’ve seen you.”

  “See, that’s what I’m talking about. Don’t call her that.”

  Their father opened his eyes. “Don’t call who what?”

  “Don’t call Traci a cop, Dad.”

  He blinked. “But that’s what she is. Isn’t she?” Before Matt could answer, he turned to his mother. “Teresa, I thought she was a policewoman.”

  Still petting that cat, his mother murmured, “She is, Bruno. I’m certain of that.”

  “But we’re not supposed to call her a policewoman, I don’t think Daddy,” Vanny said.

  “How come?”

  “It’s sexist.”

  “Really? But didn’t there used to be a tv show called Police Woman?”

  “Yeah . . . back in the dark ages. Now you need to say police officer, Daddy,” Vanessa said. “Or, I suppose you could call her a cop.”

  “Not according to Matt here,” his dad said.

  Matt interrupted. “Oh, for heaven’s sakes. Everyone, just call her Traci.”

  After arranging Lady M on the couch, his mother walked to his side and curved a hand around his cheek. “Matteo, you are getting yourself too worked up. Don’t worry so much. Everything will be fine.”

  “No one is going to ask her to dance,” Marie said with a small smile. “At least not yet.”

  “But I do want to ask her about those lessons,” Anthony said.

  “Don’t. Don’t ask her about those lessons. Or about being a police officer.” He snapped his fingers. “Or about her childhood or family.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because she doesn’t have a family.”

  His father got to his feet. “Teresa, I thought you told me that her sister was teaching her to dance.”

  “I did!”

  “I was talking about her new sister,” Matt said.

  “She can’t be that new if she’s teaching dance classes,” Anthony said. “Can she?”

  Just as he was about to argue that point, the doorbell rang. “She’s here. Where’s Bennie?” Before anyone had time to reply, he glared at the lot of them. “Now, everyone, behave,” he added as he opened the door.

  And, there was Traci, wearing black slacks, a silky looking top with a geometric pattern on it, and black patent leather heels. Her hair was down around her shoulders, and she had silver hoops in her ears.

  “You have on earrings,” he said.

  She touched one of them lightly. “You’re right. I do.” She smiled nervously. “Is that okay?”

  “Yes.” The laughing he heard behind him brought him out of his daze. “I’m sorry. Won’t you please come in?”

  Traci stepped into the entryway and then looked behind him, her eyes widening.

  Because standing right there was his whole family. Practically in a receiving line. All of them were grinning.

  Matt frowned. For a guy who had graduated at the top of his class, inviting her over had been a really stupid idea.

  “If I apologize in advance for all of them, will you still go out with me again?”

  Her eyes widened. “Uh, sure?”

  And, he’d done it again. So far, he’d made it clear that they were just friends. That they were only taking dancing lessons for his brother. That it wasn’t personal. But with one plaintive question, he’d completely pushed that out of the water.

  He swallowed. “What I meant to say was will you not hold this evening against me?”

  Before she could answer, his parents approached like gleeful puppies spying new friends.

  “Traci Lucky!” his father
boomed. “We’re so honored you could join us tonight. “I’m Bruno, and this is my wife, Teresa.” He held out a hand.

  Traci blinked, then smiled up at him. “It’s nice to meet you. I haven’t heard a thing about either of you, so I hope you’ll talk a lot.”

  His mother frowned in his direction. “Matteo, are you embarrassed by us?”

  At the moment, yes. “Of course not, Mama.”

  “He’s a handful,” Teresa said as she shook Traci’s hand. “He always has been, I’m afraid.”

  “I bet.”

  Just as he walked to Traci’s side, his mother slipped a hand around her elbow and guided her to his siblings.

  “Everyone, as you heard, this is Traci Lucky.” Then she started pointing down the line, just like that was a normal thing to do. “Now, this is Anthony. And that is Marie, his fiancée. Marie is from Baltimore. Have you ever been there?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  She brightened. “I haven’t either! Now, next to Marie is Vanny. That’s short for Vanessa. She doesn’t have a boyfriend right now, so if you know of any nice men who have jobs, let us know.”

  Vanny winced. “Mama.”

  “I’m sorry, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Next to Vanny is Bennie, which I know sounds like a boy’s name, but it’s short for Bernadette.”

  “Which is why I go by Bennie,” his sister said. “And before my mother tells you, I’m married to Stephan, who is home tonight. I also happen to be pregnant, which no doubt makes you a little bit uncomfortable, seeing as its kind of personal information, but I’d rather tell you than have my mother do the honors.”

  His mother shrugged. “Bennie here is a financial consultant.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Traci said.

  His mother sighed. “Finally, do you see the empty spot between Vanny and Bennie?”

  “Pretend you do,” Matt said. “It will go easier for you.”

  “Ah, yes?”

  “That is for Ramon, my youngest.”

  “Where is he?”

  “Serving in the navy. He’s an officer,” his dad supplied.

  “Yes. We’re very proud,” his mother said as she gave the sign of the cross.

  Traci turned to Matt, stricken. “Was he killed in action?”

  “No, we just pretend he’s in danger whenever we speak of him,” Vanny said under her voice. “Now, Mama, that’s everyone, yes?”

  His mother looked around the room before smiling broadly. “Ah, I knew I forgot someone. It’s Lady M.”

  Traci scanned the area. “I’m sorry, where is she?”

  Mama picked up her feline. As usual, Lady M looked pissed to be disturbed. “Here she is. Do you like cats, Traci Lucky?”

  “Um, sure. I mean, they’re okay.”

  His mother paused. “Pardon me?”

  Traci looked taken aback but then quickly gathered herself. “I’m sorry, Teresa. “I mean, yes, I do like cats. Very much.”

  “Good,” she replied. “That’s very good.”

  “Now that the cat has been introduced, may we all please go to the dining room?” Bennie asked. “I’m starving.”

  For a moment, their mother looked like she was going to correct Bennie’s poor manners, but then she pointedly looked at her stomach. “Oh. Of course.” She turned and started walking.

  Traci leaned toward Matt. “What do we do now?”

  His father answered that one. “Now, Traci Lucky, we eat.”

  CHAPTER 22

  “We’re fools whether or not we dance,

  so we might as well dance.”

  —Japanese Proverb

  Traci assumed dinners like this went on every night in every family all over the world. But supper at the Rossi house wasn’t like anything she’d ever experienced before.

  As she sat down to the pure white tablecloth covered in raised white embroidery, she felt like she’d walked into a scene from The Godfather—but without all the murders and swearing.

  The family seemed steeped in tradition and love, and they all crammed around the table that would have comfortably seated six but held the eight of them just fine.

  Kind of.

  Each place setting included a china plate, silverware, and a cloth napkin. Crystal glasses perched above the knife and spoon at each place, and bottles of wine rested on the sideboard.

  But what really caught her attention were the serving platters. They were piled high with olives and bread and salad and some kind of filled pasta dish.

  “Boy, there’s a lot of food.” When everyone chuckled, she realized that she’d spoken her thoughts way too loudly. “Sorry. I don’t mean to sound rude.”

  “You’re not being rude at all, Traci. There is a lot of food,” Marie said. “There always is.”

  “My mother likes to cook,” Matt explained. “She likes it a lot.”

  Traci looked up at Mrs. Rossi. “Everything looks wonderful. Thank you again for having me over.”

  “It was Matt’s doing,” Bennie said.

  “But we were happy to have you over and get to know you better, since all we know about you is that you . . .” Mrs. Rossi stopped, looking flummoxed.

  “That I’m a cop?”

  “I didn’t think we were supposed to say that,” Vanny said.

  “I’m sorry, but why not?” Traci looked confused.

  Bruno spoke. “I wanted to call you a policewoman, but that’s only for Angie Dickinson.”

  Traci turned to Matt. “What have you been telling them?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Which is the problem, Traci Lucky,” Anthony said. “We don’t know anything about you. Besides your name, that is.”

  Was that why they kept calling her by her first and last name? “Um, there’s not much to tell.” They were all looking at her the way she looked at people she was interrogating when she knew they were lying. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. I grew up in Cleveland, went to the police academy right after high school, and then served on the Cleveland’s police force for five years. Now, I’m here.”

  “I thought you recently found your sisters,” Mrs. Rossi said.

  “Well, yes. That’s true. My sisters and I were given up by our mother when we were little more than babies. I grew up never knowing about Shannon and Kimber. We have Shannon to thank for getting one of those mail order DNA tests and tracking us down.”

  “What did your parents think when you told them?” Mrs. Rossi asked.

  She put her fork down. “Pardon?”

  “She means your adoptive mother, not your birth mother,” Marie said. “Was she supportive of your desire to get to know your sisters?”

  “Traci doesn’t need to talk about that,” Matt said quickly. “Actually, I don’t think she needs to answer any more personal questions. Let’s eat.” He picked up the dish of olives next to him and placed four on his empty plate.

  Traci watched the black olives roll around on the china, practically taunting her to keep more of her past a secret. But she was done pretending she was something she wasn’t. She was really done attempting to shepherd Gwen while pretending that she had a past to be proud of. “What Matt doesn’t want me to say, I guess, is that I don’t have an adoptive mother.” Just as she was taking a breath, figuring out the best way to tell her sad little story, Teresa spoke again.

  “Oh, honey, she died?”

  “No. I was never adopted. I grew up in foster care and then in a group home.”

  “No one wanted you?” Vanny asked. She slapped a palm over her mouth. “Oh my word. Please forgive me. That just slipped out.”

  Maybe even a year ago, Traci would’ve been hurt. But now? She had to laugh at Vanny’s artlessness. “I promise, there’s nothing to forgive. Just because the truth isn’t pretty, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be told. You’re right. For lack of a bett
er way of putting it, you’re right. No one wanted me.”

  Matt muttered something under his breath that sounded a lot like a string of curse words.

  She peeked at him. His expression was as stoic as she could ever imagine him to be. Around the table, everyone was staring at the full serving dishes.

  “Boy, what a buzzkill, huh?” She smiled. “Would you please pass the manicotti, Mr. Rossi?”

  He picked up the pasta dish, handed it to Anthony, who served himself and Marie, then passed it to her.

  “Thanks. This looks great. I’m so hungry.”

  Mrs. Rossi’s eyes filled with tears. “I feel so terrible for you, honey.” Turning to her husband, she said, “Don’t you wish we would’ve adopted her?”

  “No, because then she couldn’t date Matt.”

  Traci almost choked.

  “Mama, Dad, stop, yeah?” Matt said.

  “He’s right, Mama. You’re making things worse,” Vanny said. “Now pass the salad and bread, too.”

  Little by little, the air in the dining room cleared, dishes were passed, Mr. Rossi said a blessing, and then, at last, everyone started eating.

  “I showed some folks twelve houses today,” Vanny said out of the blue. “And guess what? We went in one place that looked like it had just had a party in it.” Her eyes lit up. “Then we found a pair of teenagers naked in one of the beds.”

  “Vanny, that’s not a suitable topic.”

  “Mama, come on. You can’t say it wasn’t gossip-worthy.”

  “I’m interested,” Marie said. “What did they say when you found them?”

  “Not much. They were passed out.” Eyes shining, she added, “My poor clients looked like they were afraid to touch anything, like there were cooties all over everything or something.”

  “There probably were,” Anthony said.

  “When we got to the car, I called the real estate agent, who called his clients. And guess what?”

  Traci grinned. “What?”

  “The parents were on vacation and their son was watching the house.”

  Traci grinned. “Sounds more like he was having a real good time while his parents were away.”

  Anthony smiled. “Bingo.”

  “I guess you’ve seen that a time or two?”