Friends in High Places

by Toni DeMaio

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  ANGEL

  Things were moving fast in Mountainhome tonight; much faster than I’d expected. I was concerned real trouble might be brewing over at Lisa and Mario’s house.

  Mario didn’t strike me as the type of man to take an unexpected, snatched-out-of-his-control change in plans lightly. I decided to zip over there to see how he was handling the fact that Tori had outsmarted him and delayed his ‘little party.’

  I was right. Mario sat in front of the T.V. in the living room, drinking way too many beers and snarling angrily at the big screen. Empty beer bottles littered the floor around his recliner, and it looked as if his only dinner had been a bag of greasy chips, which was also empty and lying crumpled at his feet.

  Otherwise, the house was spotless, and I did a quick pass through to be sure he was alone there. He was all by himself, and by the look of things he was mad as hell, and I mean hell.

  The movie on the big screen was loud and offensive: the kind I’d never liked, with foul language and violence. It was exactly what I’d expect of him.

  I slipped in closer and tapped into his twisted thoughts, but could only stay there for a few seconds. This dude was seriously sick. It was worse than I thought and I knew I’d have to kick into high gear in order to save the kids from his anger and violence when he finally did get them alone. I’m not going to tell you what he was planning to do to all four of the Rossi kids. I refuse to give his evil power by voicing it.

  There was no doubt in my mind I could, and would, stop him in his tracks and see him exposed as the dangerous lost soul he had become. Then I took a few deep breaths and looked deeper into his soul, into his past, and suddenly knew why the evil had grown in his heart starting so many years before.

  A lack of love and gross mistreatment, sometimes horrific, in childhood had damaged him and a deep resentment had grown over the years into a seething hatred toward all women.

  Now a dangerous man, he harbored a hatred he tried hard to conceal with his natural charm. Even considering his past, no terrible life experience gave him the excuse to turn into a monster. Others with similar experiences had chosen a different path.

  It’s a terrible thing to grow up without love, but by exercising his right to free choice he could have turned toward the light and sought help to control his dark impulses, resulting in a shift in the course of his life back toward a positive and loving path. He could have chosen to work to become the man Lisa needed to believe he had the potential to be as a husband and step-father. The sad truth is that when he turned away from her love, he sank deeper into his sickness.

  I couldn’t be certain if he intended to act on those dark impulses tonight, or if he would run out of steam from all the alcohol he’d had to drink and just clear away the evidence of his heavy drinking and stumble off to bed before Lisa got home from work. There was no predicting what he’d do at this point. Obviously, he was too upset to try to make his wife happy by stopping in at the restaurant and having an intimate meal with her. He was just too far gone to care anymore.

  He felt so powerful and justified in his anger so I couldn’t resist raising some mischief in order to send him a warning, “Watch your step, Mario, or I will cause you to pay a very high price,” I whispered near his ear.

  He shuddered and looked around, then went back to concentrating on his movie.

  There were two large ceramic angels on the mantle below T.V. Impulsively, I ran and snatched them both up and then, holding them out in front of me, I walked steadily toward him.

  “What the Hell?” he sputtered, leaping over the arm of the recliner and darting behind the chair, as if the chair could save him from the invisible threat advancing on him.

  Still, invisible, I ran toward him in a rush as he screamed like a little girl; then dropped down to the rug behind the chair just as I dropped both angels onto the seat of the recliner. They bounced once and clanked together before coming to a rest in the center of the seat. I stood them up and left them facing each other so he’d really be scared when he peered around the recliner and saw them waiting there.

  He was breathing hard now and I checked to see if he’d wet himself and sealed his fate with Lisa. Peeing on the carpet wouldn’t go over well with her, and I almost wished I could will him to do it. At least I had scared him nearly to death and I was hopeful he was neutralized for the rest of the evening.

  I leaned down and whispered again, even closer to his ear, “Try and explain that away in your tiny, twisted mind, Mario. Leave the kids alone or else suffer the consequences and remember; I’ll be back and you’ll never see me coming.”

  He squealed and shuddered and I was reasonably certain he was able to sense my threats on some level. I’d accomplished what I’d set out to do so I decided to sail off to Mama Maria’s to check up on Lisa and to get a sense of how invested she actually was in her marriage to this secret pedophile.

  ***

  If Mama Maria’s was busy at lunch I’d say it was out of control insane during dinner and then got steadily more chaotic afterward. Drink orders were flying in and out of the bar, along with a steady stream of meatball, sausage and pepper, as well as chicken parmesan sandwiches, while the blues/rock band, The Misfits, jammed on to the delight of a huge crowd.

  The dance floor was so crowded, the couples were barely moving, but everyone was having the time of their lives, and Mama Maria was radiant with love for everyone, playing gracious hostess to most of the town and receiving expert help from her lovely daughter, Lisa, who co-managed the place with her.

  Lisa, her dark, hair swept to one side curled over her shoulder and then on down her back and past her shoulder blades, was dressed in a bouncy short black and white striped dress smartly paired with black strappy stilettos. Always pretty, she looked incredible tonight as she moved with ease through the restaurant making certain all of their guests were kept well-fed, happy and with a fresh drink in hand.

  I could feel the intense energy of my sister Kat’s friend, Brian Potter Jr. coming at her from across the room. He was easy to recognize from high school sports. He was in Kat’s class and I hadn’t remembered him ever having an interest in any other girl in town but Lisa Rossi, so it was no surprise to me he was following her every move with his eyes, and barely even pretending to listen to the music.

  I knew Kat was worried he was falling for her, but I had to laugh when I saw the adoration in his eyes as he looked longingly at Lisa. Kat didn’t have a thing to worry about. It looked like Lisa Rossi was still the only girl for him, whether he consciously knew it yet or not.

  Lisa caught Brian’s eye from across the room as she finished a conversation with Franny and Lilly and their husbands Mark and Tom, so she smiled and waved to him.

  He jumped up immediately and gestured for her to join him, holding one of the two Coors Lights he had just ordered from his waiter, obviously hoping Lisa would stop by his table.

  “Hey, Brian,” Lisa said affectionately, accepting the beer and taking a long sip. “You remembered my favorite!” she said, “Mind if I sit for a minute?”

  “I was hoping you would,” he beamed, pulling a chair out for her.

  “Thanks! So, tell me, Bri, how are things going for you? Gia can’t stop raving about what a great coach you are and I need to thank you for encouraging both Gia and Tori to start laying the foundation for possible soccer scholarships in a few years. Neither girl was very interested in sports until you came, so in my book you rock as a coach.”

  He smiled shyly at her. “I’m just doing my job, Lisa, and I love those kids, they’re great girls. I was just over at Mr. Donovan’s place to drop off some KFC so they wouldn’t have to cook tonight. Did you hear what happened to Kat, today?”

  “I did, from Isabella, who was pretty worried about her. She’s a sweet kid, but sometimes she’s a little dramatic. Anyway, Gino tells me Kat is fine now. I guess my brother had the same idea you did because he just got back from dropping dinner off over there, to
o.”

  “I know; I saw him. He’s doing okay, huh? Going out with Isabella tonight; she’s a looker.”

  Lisa shrugged. “Yeah, she’s beautiful, but it takes more than looks to impress my brother. Gino’s very picky; always was, and I’ve been worried about him for a while now. What he needs is a nice down-to-earth woman close to his age to be not only a good wife to him but a mom to his kids.”

  “I love those kids like they’re my own. It tears my heart out to see them missing their mom so bad.” She shook her head and sighed. “It was a sin she died so young.”

  “A terrible sin,” Brian said, glancing down at his beer. “Losing the love of your life is the worst thing that can happen to a man, I know.” Then he realized what he’d said and turned bright pink.

  Lisa nodded, ignoring the hidden meaning in what he’d said, “It’s just as bad when a woman loses her husband, trust me on that one.”

  He quickly reached out and touched her hand where it rested on the table. “I’m sorry, Lisa. I know how much you loved Leo. But I hear you’re married again…to what’s his name?”

  Lisa’s hand grew stiff under his and Brian noticed the tension and looked up to study her face.

  “His name is Mario,” she said in a flat voice with a weak smile.

  “What’s wrong, Lisa? You can tell me anything.”

  She snatched her hand back and shook her head. “It’s nothing really, Bri; you know, it’s hard sometimes, especially when you try to blend a family. I believe Mario had good intentions when we got married. It’s been a year now and I just wish he had more patience with my kids. He never had any kids himself so I’m sure he didn’t really know what he was getting himself into.”

  Lisa’s half-smile was sad. I felt her pain, and in that instant I knew she had her own doubts about her new husband, Mario: the man without any living relatives, or so he had told her when he showed up at the restaurant some eighteen months ago to take the weekday chef position. I was glad her mom-radar was at work because then finding out the truth about him wouldn’t be as devastating a shock as it could have been.

  Brian sat up straighter in his chair and looked aggravated. “That sucks! I think your kids are amazing! Gia’s special, bright and very friendly and little Sal’s just about the cutest little kid I’ve ever seen! I don’t know him as well, but I can see he’s smart as a whip, too, and he’s always got a big smile for everybody. What’s with this Mario anyway?”

  Lisa looked down again and tore at her cocktail napkin nervously. “I don’t really get it myself except I guess he thought he’d be able to handle two kids, but sometimes they really get on his nerves. He’s better with Gia, even though I notice she doesn’t really like him much, but he can barely last ten minutes in a room alone with Sal.”

  Brian cleared his throat and shifted in his chair as if he couldn’t say what he really wanted to say. “Then I guess it’s a good thing the kids are spending the night over at Mrs. Donovan’s tonight.”

  She nodded, smiled, “Yeah, I was glad when Gino and the kids started spending time with Kat and her mom. I’ve been hoping something good will develop between them. Like I said, my brother needs a good woman in his life. How about your dad? I heard he and Kat’s mom have really hit it off. Looks like you might be getting a new step-mom and a new sister, too, before much longer.”

  Brian looked stunned. “Uh…Yeah, my dad is acting like a teenager. They do make a great couple and I’m real happy for them. But…I haven’t thought about Kat as… my sister…I guess you’re right, though. That kind of freaks me out. Kat’s special and she’s been a good friend to me since I got back.”

  “That’s good,” Lisa said; then drew back in her chair as she realized that bothered her more than it should. “You know what? You just made me remember what a big warm heart you’ve always had. Makes me wish I could sit here all night and catch up, but I’ve got to circulate. This has been great, though, and thanks again for the beer. Now give me a hug and enjoy the rest of the show. I’ve missed you, Bri.”

  “Yeah, I’ve missed you too, Leese.”

  She stood to leave and Brian got up with her. It seemed natural for the both of them to move into a casual embrace and I wasn’t surprised to see bright lights shoot out from each of their auras as their bodies made contact.

  So when Lisa finally learns the truth about Mario it appears as if Brian Jr. will be ready and waiting to pick up the pieces and that little family will eventually get back on track to a happy life. That is, if he doesn’t get too emotionally involved with Kat in the meantime…

  Free choice was always complicating my efforts to guide Kat and I’m certain Brian’s guide had the same complaint. He was sitting in the chair behind Brian and he waved to me wearily and then shook his head. I told you, this isn’t an easy job.

  ***

  Back at Mom’s place, Kat was throwing away the paper plates and cups, then clearing away the dinner leftovers, and taking them back to the kitchen. The boys were playing magnetic darts on one side of the game room while both girls sat together on the end of the sofa in front of the T.V. Mr. Potter Sr. had already left and Mom was stretched out on her lounger as they all watched one of her recorded Dr. Phil episodes. I could tell from Mom’s rhythmic breathing that she’d just drifted off to sleep.

  But instead of changing to the Disney channel, the girls were staring at the screen intensely, which surprised me at first until I began to listen to the show. The theme of this one was domestic violence, and Dr. Phil’s wife, Robin, was there introducing the new

  cell phone app her foundation, ‘When Georgia Smiled’, was offering to victims of domestic violence.

  The App was disguised as something ordinary, yet when it was activated, a call for help would be sent out to a person, or agency of choice, giving the victim’s location along with a pre-recorded message asking for help. And amazingly, the App immediately would begin to record whatever was going on in the room, which then provided the victim with proof of abuse.

  Tori grabbed Gia’s arm, then leaned in and whispered to her, “Let’s get this app! Then we can nail Uncle Mario and also have proof we aren’t lying about him. This is the answer to our prayers.”

  “But this is meant for grown women. We might get into trouble.” Gia whispered back then began to tremble, clearly afraid to anger her abuser. Since she was the one who had to live with him, I completely understood how she felt.

  Luckily, Tori did too. “Don’t worry. Uncle Mario’s the worse trouble we could ever face and if what he does to you isn’t domestic abuse, I don’t know what is. Think about it, who’s going to get mad at us, Dr. Phil and Robin? I doubt that. I’ll keep you out of it and get the app by pretending I’m a married woman and then make sure I’m there with you next Saturday night. My phone is in Grandma’s name so I’ll just pretend I’m her and I know it’ll work. So don’t even think about it any more, I’ll take care of the whole thing. Gia, Uncle Mario will never bother you again. I promise.”

  My niece is one smart cookie, and I couldn’t be more proud. She’s also making my assignment a lot easier, and I’m grateful to her. It looks like the day is coming soon when I’ll be standing with them, keeping them safe from Mario’s evil for the last time.

  God willing, I’ll bring him down and then everyone involved will begin to heal. I know Gia will do better at healing than I did, mostly because of Tori, and the knowledge she isn’t alone in this nightmare…like I was…

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  TORI

  I had more fun with Kat and Mrs. Donovan than I’ve had since Mommy died. Kat and I showed each other our sketchbooks and then we each sketched the other kids. Kat was better, but she was kind and encouraging and seemed impressed with mine too. We’d had even more fun after that, telling ghost stories by candlelight and eating big bowls of fresh popcorn.

  No one wanted to go up to bed after that, so Kat showed us how to make a tent with blankets draped over the big table in the game room and we made a hu
ge bed of quilts and then we all slept there together. The glow of the fire in the big stone fireplace was so comforting no one had trouble falling asleep.

  Just as I was drifting off I half dreamed my mom was there and that she smoothed my hair back and kissed my cheek…It was either my mom or it might have been Kat.

  It had been a perfect night and I wasn’t thrilled when Dad came to pick us up for church just as we were finishing up the huge breakfast they had made for us, and for the old couple who sat eating together in the dining room. They were really nice but we gave them privacy and all sat together in the kitchen. I love that room so much. It’s bright and huge, and everything is blue and white, even the pots and pans.

  “Something smells amazing in here,” Dad said when he first walked in. We were all laughing and eating and just having the best time and I was sad it was about to be over. It was like all of us kids had just had a little vacation from our real lives and now we were about to face a math test or a trip to the principal’s office. That’s how sad we all looked, knowing our fun sleep-over was really over.

  Mrs. Donovan insisted Dad have coffee, and when she found out he hadn’t eaten yet, she convinced him to have some sausage, a fresh-baked roll, and a cup of berries before she’d let us leave.

  She didn’t have to work that hard to convince him because the food here is as great as it is at Nanna’s restaurant, even if it is American-style. I secretly like American food a lot because it reminds me of Mommy.

  “We’ll probably see you all at church,” Kat said, looking over at Daddy as if she’s shy.

  “Sit with us if you can,” I told her.

  She smiled and nodded but she looked as sad as I was to leave and I felt even worse about having to go back to my real life. Kat was more fun than Dad was most of the time and it was cool how she seemed to really understand me. A lot of the time she reminded me of Angel, but I guess that’s normal since now I know they’re sisters.