Friends in High Places

by Toni DeMaio

  But going back wasn’t possible now and it looked as if I’d have to get used to his cold silence and knowing I’d wounded him deeply. And if that weren’t horrible enough, my heart ached for Tori.

  More than anything I wanted to tell her she’s mine, but with Gino so against me, how could I make his life harder by revealing the truth to her before he was comfortable with it. For the time being I’d decided to just let things be for a while. When the holidays were over I’d have to insist Gino meet with me to discuss what to do next. I prayed that would go better than I expected it would.

  I ran into the market, shopped quickly, and then drove back up the mountain. As I turned up Mom’s long driveway, I was glad to see Lilly and her family had already arrived. It was hard to stay sad when the house was so alive with friends and family, and I was glad when Lilly and I found ourselves alone in the kitchen while Liz and Frannie and Mom and the men were busy organizing games for the kids out in the front room.

  “Screw him if he can’t handle the truth,” Lilly said, mashing the potatoes with a vengeance. “I’m shocked at him for being so ungrateful to you.”

  “Ungrateful?” I asked, confused.

  “You gave her life, Kat,” Lilly said, “Now hand me that big bowl over there.”

  “But I also misled him in an unforgivable way. Gino’s the type of man who needs to know everything as it's happening, especially when it comes to his kids.”

  “But don’t forget she’s your kid too. He’s going to have to get over himself and realize you’ll both need to agree on a plan to co-parent her. At the very least you deserve his respect and the opportunity to earn her love. Actually, I’m pretty sure she already loves you.”

  Lilly always knew how to make me feel better. “I think you’re right, Lilly,” I said, “And I couldn’t love her more. I loved her even before I knew she was mine. And I’ve come to love Anthony too.”

  “I know you have,” Lilly said, wiping her hands on her apron and giving me a hug. “So try not to worry about this any more today. Tom says Gino looks like it’s the end of the world for him and I take that to be a very positive sign.”

  I laughed, “How so?”

  “Duh! He’s in love with you, Kat. He bought you a big-ass engagement ring and asked you to marry him! So he’s pissed off right now, but he’s still crazy about you. Emotions like that don’t change on a dime. That’s not even possible. He’s Italian! His emotions run high and hot; you know that better than I do. Let him cool off for a few days and I know you can fix this.”

  She handed me a glass of wine. “Have a drink and relax and get into the Christmas spirit. You don’t want to ruin tonight for your mom. I have a feeling this is going to be a night she’ll remember for the rest of her life.”

  We each sipped our wine and I nodded knowing she was right. “My new almost –brother, told me Brian Sr. is going to propose to Mom tonight and I can’t let anything ruin that.”

  “And, as it turns out, you might be seeing Gino later this evening.”

  “How?”

  “That same little bird spilled the beans to me, too, and he said he’s planning on joining us for the proposal later on after the feast of the five fishes at Mama Maria’s. So of course he’s bringing Lisa and her kids and neither one of us can imagine Tori and Anthony not wanting to be here, too. So it turns out your wonderful new brother is going to insist Gino and the kids come along for the ride and to wish your mom a merry Christmas and to thank her for all she’s done for their family. At least that’s his plan.”

  I shivered, afraid to hope. “That would be incredible.”

  ***

  Mom’s Christmas Eve Buffet was everyone’s favorite event of the year. We all sat down to a spread that rivaled any other year. From Shrimp to Roast Beef to the many side dishes and tempting desserts, I had to admit, my mom could throw a party like no one else in town.

  Daisy and Little T. were jumping out of their skin, too excited to eat much of anything as they knew tonight was the night Santa would come, and before that, they would be allowed to open the presents Mom and I had for them under the tree.

  I’d just about given up on Gino and the kids joining us, as it was nearly nine o’clock and when Brian Jr. finally called his dad to assure him that he and Lisa and her kids were on their way; he hadn’t mentioned a thing about Gino and his kids coming too.

  My back was to the door when it finally opened and before I could turn Tori had rushed into the room and was hugging me so hard, we nearly both fell over.

  “Merry Christmas, Kat!” she shouted. She looked so happy this night instantly transformed like magic into the best Christmas Eve of my life.

  I hugged her hard, then stepped back to see her outfit. She was dressed in an adorable green velvet and lace dress and she also wore a bright red Santa hat, the twin of the one her cousin Gia wore as she and her mom and Brian Jr. and the little boys all filed into the room, bringing a burst of chilly air along with them.

  It was wonderful to see them all, but I couldn’t help hoping the door would open once more and that Gino would appear. “Where’s your dad?” I asked.

  “He’s parking the car, Kat,” Brian Jr. said before Tori could answer, winking at me, “He’ll be right in.”

  My heart was hammering in my ears as I turned toward the tinkle of the bell on mom’s front door announcing my wish had been granted. Gino stepped inside and our eyes locked immediately. “Hi, Gino,” I said, moving toward him as if he were a magnet. “Let me take your coat.”

  “I’m not staying long,” he said shortly, removing it, but folding it over his arm. “I just wanted to stop by to wish your mom a merry Christmas and to see how she’s feeling.”

  “Oh, okay,” I said feeling tears sting my eyes just as if he’d slapped my face, “Well, we’re glad you were able to stop by.”

  “No problem,” he said, moving past me and toward Mom and Brian Sr.

  Lilly caught my eye, and gestured for me to follow her into the dining room. As soon as we were around the corner she grabbed my arms to steady me. “Pull it together,” she whispered. “If he wants to act like an ass, then so be it. But don’t you let him see you sweat. Make him wonder a little, he deserves it.”

  I nodded at her and brushed the tears away gathering my wits enough to face him again. I slipped back into the room in time to see Gino put his coat back on and walk toward the door. “It’s been great seeing everybody,” he said, “But duty calls at home. Tonight is a big night and Santa might need my help putting things together.”

  Everyone laughed; then called their goodbyes out to him, but before he had made it all the way outside to the porch, Tori flew into action pulling him back into the hallway. “Don’t go yet, Daddy,” she said, “I need to tell you something and I need to tell you right now.”

  Gino looked surprised, but he closed the door behind him and shrugged out of his coat. “Okay, Sweetie, I can stay a few minutes more.”

  “Good,” Tori said, pushing him toward the dining room. “Come with us, Kat,” she added, with a determination that left no doubt in my mind; the three of us were going to have a private talk right there and then.

  Lilly flashed a triumphant smile at me and as we passed her she leaned in close to me and whispered, “A take charge girl; like mother like daughter.”

  I grinned back at her, feeling more hopeful by the second.

  Tori nudged Gino through the dining room and into the kitchen before stopping to take a breath. “Now sit down, the both of you. There’s something crazy I have to tell you and I can’t wait another minute.”

  “Sure, Honey,” I said, sitting in the chair beside Gino. Tori, suddenly nervous, chose to stand. She fiddled with her hands and stared down at her feet as if gathering her thoughts. Then she raised her head and stared directly into my eyes. “I know I’m your

  daughter.”

  I gasped, while Gino slumped forward in his chair, his head in his hands.

  “But how?” Gino and I bo
th asked at the same time.

  “Well, this is the crazy part,” Tori continued, “I had this dream the other night where I went to the playground again where I meet with Angel. But this time I recognized it as the playground Mommy used to take me to when I was little. And Angel was there, too, like always, but this time Mommy was with her and they told me they’re friends in Heaven now. And the reason they came to visit me in my dream was to tell me that Kat is my birth mother.”

  Gino shook his head in disbelief. “This can’t be true,” he said, “Kat did you tell her without me?”

  “No, I swear!” I said, “I wouldn’t do that. I figured we’d wait until after the holidays.”

  “Okay,” Gino said slowly studying my face, “I believe you…So Tori, why did Angel and Mommy come to tell you this now?”

  “Mommy said it was because Kat had just found out about it. She knew in her

  heart that I was her daughter but she didn’t want to sound crazy by telling you that so she and Lilly came up with an idea of how to get proof first and it came back on the day of the big snow when Anthony and I got snowed in over at Aunt Lisa’s and you and Kat had your date. Well, Kat had just gotten the D.N.A. results that day and that night she planned to tell you. She couldn’t have said anything to you without proof.”

  “You’d just found out that day?” he asked, turning toward me with the beginnings of hope in his eyes.

  “Yes. I’d only known for certain a few hours myself, Gino. I’m sorry I did such a bad job of explaining all of that. And Tori’s right. I did know it in my heart before I had

  the proof. And even though I wanted to tell you of my suspicions, I wanted to wait until I could back it up with the truth. But this dream you had, Tori…it’s incredible.”

  “Yes, incredible is the right word,”Gino said, brushing tears of his own from his dark, sensitive eyes, “Tori you actually saw your mother and spoke to her?”

  Tori grinned and nodded. “Yes. And Mommy said she wants us all to love Kat, even you, Daddy. She said that since she can’t raise me, she wants Kat to do it with you

  because she knows how much Kat wants to be my mommy and how much she loves you and Anthony, too…She said she’s grateful to her and you should be too.”

  Tears were slowly tracing a path down Gino’s cheeks. “She’s right…” he said, hanging his head. “I’m an idiot.”

  “No, you’re not, Daddy. You’re just stubborn. Mommy says that’s your only fault.”

  “She always said that,” Gino said, looking as if he’d seen a ghost…or a Heavenly messenger, “How could you know that?”

  Tori laughed. “I just told you, Daddy. Mommy and Angel, who looks out for me, came to see me in my dream. That’s what Mommy said to tell you so you’d believe me.”

  Then Gino was smiling. “She knew I’d believe you if you told me that. No one else knew that.”

  I could barely see what happened next. My tears had blinded me, and then Gino pulled me and Tori into a three way hug and in that instant all of my dreams came true and I knew Lilly had been right all along. Gino did still love me and now nothing could break our bond. There were no more secrets waiting to threaten what we had together.

  We must have looked like a bunch of crazies because the three of us were hugging and crying and laughing all at the same time and then Mom was standing in the open doorway laughing with us. “It looks like everybody is on the same page in here…finally!” she said. “Can I get a hug from my granddaughter?” she asked, as happy tears slid down her cheeks as well.

  Tori broke away and flew into her arms while Gino and I just stared at each other. “But how did you know, Mom?” I asked as Gino began to shake his head and laugh even harder.

  “Do you really have to ask?” he said, grinning at me with nothing but love, the kind that’s deep and true, and shining only for me now and forever…from the depths of his heart and soul.

  “You know the answer to that Kat!” Mom said, “I’ve always told you it’s good to have friends in high places.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  ANGEL

  Spring in The Pocono Mountains is an unforgettable experience, and this perfect day in June was no exception. The stone pavilion at Promised Land State Park was fragrant with vibrant flower arrangements tied with huge satin bows to each of the massive stone columns supporting the tile roof. An altar had been created and decorated with huge creations of lilacs and blue hydrangeas and I realized Kat had never looked lovelier than she did today walking toward us.

  Love had transformed her into a spectacular beauty, so much so that if we’d both been together on that T.V. show today, I believe she would have been the winner. Her long, clinging ivory lace dress accentuated her curves and the baby’s breath arranged among the curls cascading down her back was just the right touch. I couldn’t have been more proud of her and how far she had come in opening her heart to the power of love. Tall and confident; owning every bit of who she is today, Kat had decided not to hide her light and her joy under a veil.

  “Your little sister looks absolutely gorgeous,” Gram whispered in my ear. We stood undetected by all of the other wedding guests, watching my dad escort Kat down the hill and across the grass toward Gino who stood waiting for his bride at the altar; his back to the shimmering blue of the lake, the massive mountains rising far into the distance. He was glowing like every girl’s dream of that special man who would be her last and forever love.

  I could remember back to grade school when Kat first had that hopeless crush on Gino. When I’d teased her back then, I had no clue they would eventually find each other and fall deeply in love.

  I hoped Kat could feel dad’s presence beside her as they walked together toward the destiny she had helped to create with the power of her girlish daydreams because she deserved to know who proud we were of her and how much she was loved and honored by her entire family on this special day.

  We’d just watched Tori and Gia being escorted down the hill by their little brothers in cute matching tuxedos. Both girls sparkled in the bridesmaid dresses they’d designed themselves and my mom had sewn for them in a beautiful silk swirling fabric of purple and turquoise, the colors all three of the brides had agreed upon. Of course Daisy and Little T. were included too, as flower girl and ring bearer for this huge event.

  And yes, I said three brides because Lisa and Mom were also walking down that hill today to join with their husbands-to-be, Brian Jr. and Sr. Lisa was gorgeous in her lavender strapless chiffon and sequined full-skirted gown. Her thick, dark hair arranged in a crown of curls on top of her head; she carried a small bouquet of peonies several of which were tucked into the back of her up-do. She looked joyful, if a bit shy and intimidated by the size of the crowd, but she kept her eyes on Brian Jr.’s smiling face as she walked toward him and I watched her gain confidence with each step. He was and always has been her rock.

  Uncle John slipped me a hankie and squeezed my hand when Mom walked past us. She looked ten years younger, having dropped a few pounds in anticipation of .bathing suit time on their cruise honeymoon, by doubling up on her water work-outs. She’d never looked better and her silk organza dress in a soft turquoise set off her pretty auburn curls. As always, she wore a pair of statement earrings. And today they were crystal angel wings, studded with purple gems.

  That’s when I lost it and Uncle John had to hold me for a minute until I pulled myself together. You see she was also carrying two long stemmed white roses with aqua ribbons streaming from them and I knew one of the flowers was meant for me. As she passed where we stood, she shivered, then turned and looked right at us. I had no doubt she could actually see us because her smile grew even brighter, “I’m so glad you’re all here,” she whispered, then continued on her way toward handsome Brian Sr. who looked every inch the double of the actor James Brolin as he eagerly waited for the start of their happy future together.

  Dad had remained standing by the altar. When they reached the end of the aisle he s
tepped up beside Brian Sr., wanting to symbolically give Mom’s hand to her new husband in a marriage he was completely in favor of. We could see the love Dad felt and would always feel for Mom, his eyes shone for her as he leaned forward and kissed her cheek and then put his hand over their clasped hands, adding his silent blessing before coming back down the aisle to join us.

  The pavilion was packed with friends and well-wishers along with loyal patrons of Mama Maria’s Restaurant who were standing in the back with us while more sat in lawn chairs on the grass behind us. The whole town had fallen in love with the story of how our families had triumphed over a near-tragedy and gone on to celebrate this occasion of love. A triple wedding was definitely front page news around these parts.

  Gino’s family was well represented by a huge gathering of close relatives. Mama

  Maria stood proudly in the front aisle on their side of the pavilion clutching the hands of her daughters Carmella and Sophia while all three of them cried happy tears and carried on as if this were the last act of a Puccini opera.

  Isabella stood in the second row beside her fiancé, Luigi, who had finally come to his senses and shown up here to claim his true love and secure a permanent gig with The Metropolitan Opera. It would be easy enough for Isabella to find her dream job as a musical therapist in the big city. She was a good person who deserved happiness as much as anyone else.

  Our side of the pavilion boasted Lilly and her brood, along with Frannie and Liz and that gang; and of course all of Kat and Mom’s friends who filled every other seat arranged in rows on the stone floor. And I wasn’t surprised to see every one of Mom’s water work-out buddies there as well.

  The Potters, and there were a lot of them, blended in well with this bunch and I knew that would please Mom a lot. She always wanted a big family.