by Donna Fasano
“Joe,” said the oldest brother, Lon, opening the discussion, “where did you get the cockamamie idea that we’re all unhappy? Trust me, buddy, you couldn’t be more wrong.”
Glancing from face to face, Joe saw all his brothers wearing identical silly grins and nodding in unison. Platitudes would have rung false. Spontaneous truth didn’t.
“You guys are happy! I can’t figure it out. I’ve always thought married life was a prison and you guys were the prisoners.”
“That makes our wives the jailers. You can’t have a very good impression of the girls we’ve married,” said Dave, the second oldest brother after Lon. “In fact, Pat’s been trying to tell me you have no respect for her, but I put her off all the time. I keep telling her she’s wrong about you.”
Andrew, his middle brother, married to Joe’s least liked sister-in-law, Mary, piped up and added, “All the wives want a better relationship with you, but you’re so sour all the time, they’ve decided to back off and give up. I don’t blame them, as the last time you were at our house, Mary was furious at your attitude and the way you treated her friend.”
“With a name like Mary you’d think she’d be a soft-hearted, devout creature, but that sure as hell isn’t so. I’m sorry, Andrew, but Mary scares the hell outta me.” Joe made a comical expression.
“Granted, she’s a bit of a ball-breaker, incorrigible. Okay…at times harsh, but a more loving softie you’ll ever meet when we’re alone with the world closed out. Until I came along, her life was wretched, so I’ve made allowances. She’s changing, Joe. Once the baby’s here, she’ll realize she’s safe in our family, and things will be even better.”
“Granted, she seems different when she’s with the folks, but when I get stuck alone with her, it’s like she’s another person altogether. And you, Charlie, your Teri has made life hell for you with her gambling problem. How do you handle it the way you do? I’ve never once seen you lose it.”
Charlie’s jade-green eyes, identical to Joe’s, changed from listening to furious in the space of a few moments. He was the family’s philosopher, the gentle soul of the group, but even he had his limits. Now, borderline hostile, he snarled, “I’d level anyone else who had the audacity to discuss my wife like you’ve just done. But, little brother, I’m holding back, because Mom asked me to, and because you, my lad, are one mixed up chump. Teri’s so-called problem stopped the minute she realized that nothing she could do would turn me off. I love her, and as soon as she felt secure with me, she didn’t need the addiction. Counselors helped also, and now that the twins are here, she’s been happier than ever. I’m telling you this so you understand, Joe, no-one’s perfect. We all have to work through things.”
Fortuitously aware he’d overstepped the line, Joe defused the moment with a dorky grin. “I’m sorry, man. For a while I thought Angelina had a similar problem, and it was enough to send me running in the opposite direction. Luckily, I found out it wasn’t so. But I’ve always wanted to tell you that if there was anything I could do to help, some treatments I know about that might prove useful, don’t hesitate to have Teri come to see me.”
Grudgingly, Charlie answered. “Don’t suppose I could afford you, bro.”
“Hey, man, there’s a special family discount. No charge!”
The jocularity from when they’d first arrived at the pub was revived, and another round was called for.
Lon spoke up again. “So… is it finally getting through that thick scull of yours that we’re all happily married men? Is there anything else about our lives bothering you?”
Deciding to go all out, Joe asked another question that had bothered him. “Okay! What about you, Lon? You and Carmen are always having spats.”
“Spats?” Lon looked shocked at first and then he grinned. “It’s teasing, Joe. Aren’t you listening? We hardly ever fight seriously, and we never go to bed mad at one another. Mostly, we get along great, and spend a lot of time laughing together. Sure we have our moments like everyone does, but think how boring life would be if we agreed all the time? Quick assumptions and conjectures don’t always add up to the truth, Joe. You have to pay attention to people.”
“I’m beginning to see that. I’m a self-centered idiot,” was all he could answer.
As the beer continued to flow, so did the camaraderie. Each brother told stories of the loving relationships they shared with their spouses, how they’d met, fell in love and the dreams they had for the future. For the first time since he could remember, Joe felt thoroughly a part of the group, and not an outsider. He even told his own saga about how Angelina had been there to save his backside not once, not twice, but three times.
He took a lot of ribbing from the boys and it felt so damn good.
Chapter 59
“My prime rib was phenomenal,” Lee announced, as Coralee reached for his proffered hand to help her from the truck.
“The smoked salmon penne was to die for,” she argued, mostly for the sake of getting his goat. Catching sight of Johnnie and Angelina as they approached, she coaxed them into the on-going battle escalating between her and Lee since they’d left the restaurant. “Johnnie, tell this big lug the salmon penne is the house specialty and was superb.”
“The penne was superb,” Johnnie said, playing along. “In fact, I’m so full, I probably won’t be able to move, let alone dance tonight,” he teased.
“Hey! You love to dance, John-boy. No way you could sit and watch the crowd without getting up and showing off.” Angelina hadn’t caught the twinkle in his eye.
“I don’t know, honey. But that penne was filling.” He faced Coralee with a grin.
“Like hell you say. You’ll dance, boyo. You promised,” Coralee scoffed.
Then she caught Johnnie’s wink and thought again what an enjoyable fellow he was. It broke her heart that the only woman he’d ever loved had left him a widower.
Following a week of Ange’s morose face, Coralee had determined she’d had about had all she could handle of misery and heartache. Each day that there was no word from Joe, Angelina’s vibrant glow had diminished a little more, until by the week’s end, she was back to being the dejected creature they all hoped had disappeared for good. She’d even refused invitations from Sam Black. But as far as everyone was concerned, that was a good thing.
So, Coralee and Johnnie came up with the idea for this night of fun. Anything was worth the effort to get Angelina out of her slump, and to have her smiling again.
Coralee, pulling out the big guns to talk Angelina into coming with them, shared her delicious secret and it turned the tide in their favor. The fact that Lee had proposed the night before had made celebrating mandatory. They were going to buy the engagement ring the next day and didn’t want to say anything to anyone else until then, but Coralee couldn’t keep it from Angie a moment longer.
“Coralee, I’m so very happy for you. How wonderful! Your eyes have sparkled all day and now I know why.”
“Lee wanted me to promise not to say anything until we got the ring but I wouldn’t. How could I keep this from you? I knew damn well it would be impossible.”
“I’m glad. Of course we have to go and have a good time. I promise not to let on that you told me.” Angie hugged her and Coralee sensed her friend fighting to get her emotions under control before she let her go.
“Could I ask for two huge favors?”
“Granted.”
“You didn’t let me tell you what they were?” Coralee had laughed.
“Doesn’t matter. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
“Okay but don’t blame me when you see the maid of honor dress I have picked out for you to wear.”
Angie had blanched. “Uh… maybe I spoke too fast.”
“Ha! Gotcha. Will you stand up with me?”
Another hug and this time Angie clutched hard. “Yes, of course. I’d be honored. And what’s the second favor?”
“Could we hold the ceremony in your Grandmother’s gardens? I love her ro
ses and it would be so special for me to have my wedding there.”
“Absolutely! It’s a brilliant idea.”
~*~
The happy group, merrily squabbling and bickering all the way into the nightclub, passed under the neon-lighted sign and crowded into the vestibule.
As they passed, all waved at the pretty blonde behind the register who was serving tonight at the long wooden bar. Reflected from the mirrored wall behind, hundreds of stemware glasses hung in overhead racks and fancy bottles, colored by an array of fine liquors, were displayed for the patrons.
Bar stools were scattered. Empty ones were pushed under the overhang, and the full ones supported the customers while they visited or slouched, drinking alone. Others, more recently vacated, blocked the path to comfortable booths on the far side near the dance floor.
Music flowed from speakers on a pre-set stage where instruments were organized, sitting ready, waiting for a band to perform.
The overwhelming smell of beer filtered throughout and reinforced that they were in a pub. The low lighting, tinkling of glasses and laughter from the happy crowd produced a feel-good atmosphere.
Still laughing and carrying on, the four zigzagged between tables full of customers. A screamy laugh caught their attention and had all four heads swinging to the right just in time to see Joe with a blonde bombshell straddled across his knees. Her short skirt was hiked way up, showing long naked legs with spiked, high-heeled shoes swinging. Her arms were around his neck and she was nuzzling under his left ear. His demeanor was of a man meekly enjoying himself.
Their gasps caught his attention. Startled, he looked up. Then he looked guilty.
~*~
Anguished control set in to enable Angelina to move, nod--even smile. Heart pumping, adrenaline surging, rage flooding her system, she shook her head once and the pride of her Spanish ancestors emanated in her haughty gestures. No one, unless you knew her extremely well, could tell her heart had just been smashed into tiny slivers of pain. Or that her mind was addled. Or that her body shook while her stomach churned and lurched, wanting to expel the excellent penne she’d recently consumed.
Johnnie did know her extremely well, though. He put his arm around her, and nodding to Joe, he guided her to a far booth with Cora and Lee positioning behind, flanking their friend, protectiveness uppermost in their minds.
Chapter 60
To resuscitate the situation was beyond Joe. First of all, the blonde wouldn’t leave him alone. His attempt to throw her off his lap had failed. She clung like a barnacle on a boat’s hull. It was his fault, since he had encouraged her out of loneliness, and a miserable attitude of self-pity. Earlier, he’d finally broken down and called Angelina, just to be told she was out—no doubt with the fancy man he’d seen her with a few days before.
Party Girl draped over his knee, trying hard to rekindle his attention, bit his neck and found his ticklish spot. Unknown to her, he’d already lost interest as soon as she got ripped after the one drink he’d bought her. He’d swear later, she’d used something else when she’d disappeared to the Ladies’ Room. How could an average, ordinary girl turn stupid from one moment to the next without some help from another source? One he felt sure wasn’t legal.
That was another reason why he’d had such little respect for the girls he’d known until Angelina came along. Too many times, seemingly ordinary girls had turned into party animals when on a date.
Thankfully, his catch-up with his brothers had re-set his values and left him with a lot of thinking to do. He just wished he’d come to the conclusion sooner that he needed his little South American Angel in his life, no matter what it took. Why’d he have to wait until tonight?
Anger propelled his resolve and his attempts to disengage finally registered with the vampire miss. Huffy from the rejection, she left him to troll the bar for another possible target who would appreciate her partying philosophy.
Joe stared at the empty table decorated with one solitary beer. What was it that his brother Dave had said the other night? It was about his wife, a poignant remark, which had stayed in Joe’s memory. All of a sudden, he remembered.
“She cured the loneliness I felt even in a roomful of people. From the first time I was in her company, I became one-half of a whole. Now we are Dave and Pat, a couple. It’s an uplifting lifestyle, I always belong and am involved, secure… cherished. I’d never go back to being simply ‘me.' Apart, I was half a man, and with her, I’m a husband, a father—complete. I’m happier than I’ve ever been before.”
At the time, Joe was skeptical about his adored big brother’s ramblings. Now he got it. Hit between the eyes with a sledgehammer of understanding, he grasped the wisdom, the unveiled truth. Sure, idiot, when it’s too late. Remorse hit him hard. Contemptuously, he cussed his cocky attitude, his stupidity. Now faced with this precarious situation, his chances to woo Angelina Serrano were virtually over.
No matter that he was a simpleton whose childish views of life’s real values were skewed; she had the right to hate him. And from the broken look on her face, she did. Mercy was probably impossible.
But worth a try?
Damn right! She was worth anything and everything. If it took pleading, begging, crawling on his knees, he would do it gladly.
Turning to make his way to her booth, he looked up in time to see a display on the dance floor that had him gnashing his teeth. Clenching his fists, he sauntered to the wall and leaned against the brick divider where trailing ivy wound its way around the column. With his arms folded in front of his chest, he crossed one leg over the other, attitude screaming out from every muscled body part.
Catching Lee’s eye, his force of will deadly, he beckoned his partner to come to him.
~*~
“Where do you think you’re going?” Having been privy to the byplay, Coralee grabbed Lee’s arm.
Gently removing her clutching fingers, Lee patted her hand and replied, “Something’s wrong. I want to see if he’s okay.”
“See if he’s okay? You big-hearted, softheaded dolt! What about Angelina?”
“Coralee, back off now. It’ll only take a minute. Then you can use your sharp tongue to strip my skin off if you have to.”
“Me?” Innocent eyes glared their anger at his retreating back. “Honey, you have no idea.” Sarcasm dripped from the tongue under discussion. She turned back to the couple on the dance floor, where Johnnie was performing a miracle.
His laidback, mild mannered personality took nothing away from his pleasing looks. Not a big man like Joe, but in his own way as magnetic, Johnnie was a ladies’ man who turned female heads regularly.
Dressed all in fashionable black with slacks that fit his lithe body, he caught his share of wistful looks. Topped by an open-necked, short-sleeved, black silky shirt, which emphasized his muscular tanned arms, the enticing man looked real good. His head of thick, wavy, longish brown locks might have been his best feature, if it wasn’t for the slumberous, haunted chestnut eyes, albeit lined with smile-crinkles. He was a lady-killer who didn’t care. A challenge to every red-blooded woman within range! And wow, could that guy move!
Coralee and Angelina loved this man with negligible flaws, loved to comfort him with his burden of painful memories, and loved his idiosyncrasies and goofy humor. He was their friend, Johnnie, but they were always cognizant of his pleasing appearance. It was the basis for many teasing comments. To them, he was their John-boy, their supporter, their co-worker and their best friend. So when Angelina, hurting, angry and jealous, turned instinctively for help, he came through like a trooper.
In an instant, the man changed from friend to actor, from co-worker to admirer, from Johnnie to lover, and he did it very, very convincingly.
~*~
Instantly, Joe knew Lee was aware of the jealousy he couldn’t control. He wheeled around, flashing a last glare at the two on the dance floor, and Lee followed Joe to his table exactly as Joe had expected he would. Habits were hard to break.
> Once there, Joe all but collapsed. His cockiness disappeared like the bravado of a vicious attacking dog being tackled by one bigger and meaner. His head lowered—misery apparent—and rested in his big hands.
In desperation, he begged, “Help me, Lee. The blonde was merely a hustler working the room. I wasn’t interested. God, man! You know she meant nothing. Hell, I don’t even know her name.”
“Shit, dude, that doesn’t matter. She was slung over you like moss on a shady rock. My friend, as accustomed as I am to seeing you fend off the ladies, this time you weren’t. You looked like a man enjoying the attention. Joe, you were giggling like a lovesick twit.”
“The bitch tickled me. I’m ticklish as hell. So shoot me! Aw, dammit! You’re right! I’m screwed.” Dejected, he dropped his head onto the table. In a cracked, painfully rasping voice he lashed out at his own stupidity.
“I’m a dumb, foolish bastard.”
Chapter 61
Joe didn’t see the interested face of the woman standing behind him. Lee had waved her and Johnnie over, and she came because she hadn’t known Joe was seated behind the dividing wall. That was, until she heard his voice. Lee’s insistent beckoning, with his finger at his lips, had her tiptoeing closer. Joe, unaware of anything going on around him, was busy spilling his guts.
“Lee, man, I’m so pissed at myself. The blonde meant nothing. A jagged rock to Angelina’s pure gold. I bought her a drink because she seemed as lonely as I felt. I’ve been flailing around with my head screwed on backward since I saw Angelina the other night at the restaurant with that smarmy bastard. I was going nuts imagining her with him. I even called her tonight, to find out she was on a date. Now she’s with Johnnie. For God’s sake, I trusted him. Lee, she belongs to me, and I belong to her. I know it now.” In a voice filled with regret and pain, he spat out savagely, “She’s mine!”
