by Dena Blake
She pushed out of her chair and went into the house. Tomorrow was going to be a big day. First off, she would call her regular to apologize again and offer to pay her cleaning bill. She couldn’t afford to lose her business, no matter how much of a bitch she was.
Chapter Two
The mountains of Marin County were brown from lack of water. There had been only a smidgen of rain this summer. Izzy was thankful to have the beach in her backyard. She put all of her nagging thoughts of yesterday behind her as she soaked up the beautiful view on her drive to work.
Summer was almost over, but surf camp was still in full session. Camp ran from nine to four daily until mid-September. Black wetsuits filled with kids as young as six dotted the shore, eager to learn how to tame the choppy waves of the Pacific. The sight brought back good memories for Izzy. She’d learned to surf on this very beach when she was a child, and to this day, she still kept the friendships she’d made with many of her surf buddies.
The cars were sparse at this time of the morning. Whatever traffic there was on Highway One had already gone, except for a sporadic group of motorcycles. Izzy loved not having to commute into San Francisco. She didn’t care too much for the city and absolutely hated traffic. She’d had enough of that when she was in culinary school. The forty-five-minute trip downtown she drove five days a week had lost her close to two hours a day in traffic, easy.
Now her morning commute to the restaurant lasted only about thirty minutes. That included the detour to her parents’ house in Mill Valley. She was living the dream and only wished she could find someone with whom to share it.
She pulled up in front of her parents’ house and collected the daily paper from the driveway as she stepped onto the porch. She gave the door a light tap and let herself in. Bella was sitting at the kitchen table still in her housecoat waiting for her, as usual. She’d made the coffee and already had a cup in front of her.
“Hey, Momma.” Izzy bent down and kissed her on the cheek. “How are you feeling today?”
Bella patted her on the hip as she responded. “Today is a good day, I think.”
“Well, that’s good to hear, Momma.” She dropped the paper on the table in front of her. “What are you in the mood for this morning?”
“Pancakes.”
Izzy grinned at her mother. It was a good day if Bella wanted pancakes. “Plain or blueberry?”
“Blueberry, but only half the amount this time. You got carried away with them last time.”
“The doctor said they’re good for you.”
“I know, but I want to taste the pancake too.”
Izzy grinned. Bella knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to tell her. She fixed them both a plate of pancakes and ate with her mother. They talked about the weather, politics, and the pope.
Bella really liked this new one. He seemed to understand more about the people than others had in the past. Izzy wasn’t a religious woman any longer, but on this subject, she agreed with her mother. It had taken far too long to choose a pontiff who had compassion for every human being.
Izzy cleaned up the dishes and sat back down to finish her coffee.
“Your sister tells me you gave someone their whole meal free last night.”
“Yes, I did, Momma.”
“You did this because?” Bella lifted a brow while waiting for Izzy to answer.
“I spilled a plate of pasta in her lap.” She didn’t mention that Angie had words with the customer also.
“I see. Have you called her to apologize?”
“Not yet. I’ll do that this morning.”
Bella reached over and patted her hand. “Good girl.” She smiled and sipped her coffee.
Customers were business, and Izzy knew how to keep them happy. Even when they were really unhappy, she could usually turn the situation around. Typically, all it took was a sincere apology and a free dessert. But this particular one might be a little more difficult.
“Your youngest daughter can be a challenge to work with. She doesn’t want to be there.”
“She’ll settle down. I remember a time not long ago when you were just like her. Wild in your ways, never agreeing with anyone.”
Izzy laughed. “Then I realized how much I need you.”
Bella’s lips tipped up. “Angie will realize that about you someday.”
“This is different, Momma. She’s not a cook. She likes technology.”
“You mean computers?”
“More than just computers. She wants to change the world. She probably will. She’s so much smarter than I ever was at her age.”
Bella’s brow furrowed. “Not smarter, dear. Just different.”
“I’m going to cut back her hours at the restaurant so she can focus on her college courses.”
“If you think that will help her.”
“I do.” Izzy took the last swig of her coffee and put her cup in the dishwasher. “I love you, Momma. See you tomorrow.” She kissed her on the cheek.
“I love you too, sweetheart.” Izzy turned to the door and Bella said, “Don’t forget to pick up the cleaning bill for that customer.” Izzy smiled at her mother’s persistence. Even though Izzy had taken over the restaurant years ago, Bella still never failed to remind her of what to do.
“Don’t worry, Momma. I’ll take care of it.”
Izzy drove the short distance to the market to buy some fresh fish and meat for the specials. On tonight’s menu, she would offer a small roast pork chop with garlic-mashed potatoes as well as prawn fettuccine with marinara.
She drove to the restaurant thinking about how she would apologize to Mel Thomas. She fully expected to get another earful when she did and needed to be prepared to respond without becoming angry. After all, even though it was an accident, it was her fault that she had stained her dress. She couldn’t deny that.
The kitchen was already clean and Carlos was doing food prep when Izzy arrived. Tony had the sauce started, and the first lasagna of the day was in the oven. Once everything was set for the day’s business, she would slip into the office and place the call she was dreading. She had mixed emotions about Mel. There were times when Izzy found her to be very likeable, but when she was unhappy, she could be a mega-bitch.
*
Mel was running late for lunch with her mother. She’d planned to get out early but had gotten hung up at the office, as usual. It was her mother’s turn to choose, and she’d selected her favorite restaurant on the pier in Tiburon. This was the only day this week she could break away to see her. Tomorrow Mel was doing a lunch presentation on email and Internet safety at the senior center, and she usually used her Friday lunch hour to catch up on work. Mel had stopped to drop off her dress at the cleaners on the way. She wasn’t counting on getting it back without the stain.
Mel knew when she arrived her mother would already be seated outside on the deck enjoying the sun. Cecilia Collins was always punctual. She wouldn’t fuss about Mel’s tardiness, and that’s why she hated to be late.
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Mel slid down into the chair adjacent to Cecilia. “I had to stop at the cleaners on my way over.”
“It’s the middle of the week. Don’t you usually do that on Friday?”
“It was unavoidable. I had a plateful of pasta dropped in my lap last night.”
Her mother chuckled. “That must have been a sight.”
“It’s not funny. I was livid.” She unfolded her napkin and slipped it onto her lap.
“Of course it is, dear. Stop being so pretentious. I didn’t raise you that way.”
Mel could see a twinge of disappointment in her mother’s eyes and felt it deep in her gut. Her mother had taught her to always be compassionate and to remain aware of other people’s feelings. Growing up, she’d always hated it when some of the girls in her group had made the less-fortunate girls within it feel different, like they were unworthy in some way of having the same things the rich girls had.
“I guess it was a little funny.” Mel let he
r lips slide into a smile. “The look on the chef’s face was hysterical.” Surprise and horror all jumbled together.
“I’m sure it was an accident. Was it at the Italian place you like so well?”
“Yes. She comped the whole meal.” Her voice wisped up slightly.
“You do throw quite a bit of business their way, don’t you?”
“I do, but even though I love the food, I think I’m going to steer clear of it for a few weeks. It was very embarrassing.”
“That may be difficult, dear. I planned a nice little birthday party for you there this weekend.”
“Mom, I told you I don’t want a party. Jack and I are planning to spend the weekend together.”
“Well, it’s already paid for. So you’ll just have to start your weekend after the party Saturday.” Cecilia arched an eyebrow. “Since when are you and Jack getting along?”
“I’m giving it one last shot.”
“How many times is this?”
“Mom, let it go.” She blew out a heavy breath. “I know you don’t like the way he treats me.” Mel opened her menu and gave it her full attention.
“Never mind that I don’t like it. You shouldn’t like the way he treats you.”
Mel could feel her mother’s eyes bearing down on her as she scanned the menu.
“Look at you. Beautiful. Successful. You’ve done that all on your own. My God, Mellie, you’re a grown woman. You don’t need to please anyone but yourself. Jack hasn’t worried about anyone but himself for quite some time.”
Mel ignored her mother’s comments. She didn’t need to be reminded of her husband’s roaming eye. She’d gotten enough of that last night at the restaurant every time the cute little waitress came to the table. She’d felt like she was back in high school when her beautiful best friend had enticed her first serious boyfriend away.
After that painful experience, Mel had promised herself she would never become close friends with any woman again. She’d only broken that promise once in college. That was another story altogether and hadn’t worked out the way she’d planned either.
Mel glanced up when the waiter brought two drinks and put one in front of each of them. “I ordered you an iced tea,” her mother said.
“Are you ladies ready to order?” the waiter asked.
Mel spoke up, thankful for the interruption. “Yes. What are the specials today?”
The waiter rattled them off, describing each one in delectable detail while also offering his opinion on which was the tastiest. Mel decided against them all and ordered a Cobb salad. Cecilia opted for the same, as well as a small cup of tomato basil soup.
“You know what you need to do, Mellie,” her mother said, gazing out onto the water.
Mel was silent, contemplating her next question. “What’s the difference between my situation and yours? Why did you stay with Dad?”
Cecilia’s gaze snapped back to Mel. “That was different. I had you and your brother to raise.”
“But you might have been happier with someone else.”
“Maybe so, dear. But where would I have gone? You and Michael would never have had the education and opportunities you received growing up if I had left.”
The waiter delivered their salads, and that was the end of the conversation. Mel knew her mother was right; she wasn’t happy. She hadn’t been for a long time. The thought of leaving Jack had crossed her mind more than once over the years, and the thought of not having him around didn’t really upset her anymore. But the thought of being alone for the rest of her life terrified her.
The salad was delicious, yet so large Mel left half of hers uneaten, as did her mother. She apologized to her for being disrespectful, questioning her as she had. Cecilia had done what she thought best for her family, and it was probably at her own expense.
They left each other on a good note, her mother looking forward to the birthday party she’d organized for Mel on Saturday. She wasn’t quite as thrilled, but her mother had gone out of her way to do something special for her. She would go and put on a good show for her family.
*
When Mel got back to her office, the red light was blinking on her phone. She hit the speakerphone button and dialed her voice mail. The sound of the head chef from Bella’s Trattoria filled her office.
“Good morning, Mrs. Thomas. This is Izzy from Bella’s Trattoria. I just wanted to apologize again for last night. If you’ll bring me the bill, I’d like to pick up the cleaning tab for your dress. I’m here most days, or I can come by your office and get it if you prefer.” There was silence for a moment. “Again, I’m so sorry for everything that happened last night.”
Mel pushed the replay button and listened to the soft, husky voice again. Izzy sounded sincere enough, not a twinge of nervousness in her voice. Mel felt a little ashamed now. She’d been embarrassed and reacted badly last night. She wouldn’t let Izzy pay for the cleaning. Comping the entire meal last night was more than she’d expected and altogether unnecessary. A nice bottle of wine would have sufficed.
She would see the chef again next week at the birthday party her mother had planned for her. It would be uncomfortable at first, but Mel appreciated the apology and wouldn’t take the issue any further.
*
“Hey.” Izzy scowled when she caught Angie hanging around in the kitchen with their brothers, Tony and Gio, who was bragging about a recent date. “I thought you had class tonight.”
“I do. Web design.”
“Are you nervous about it?”
“Are you kidding? I am so looking forward to it.”
Izzy smiled at her sister’s enthusiasm. It was nice seeing her excited about something. “Learn it all. Then maybe you can build a website for this place and bring Bella’s into the twenty-first century.”
“You’ll let me do that?”
“I’ll not only let you. I’ll pay you to do it.”
“Really?” Her eyes grew wide.
Izzy nodded. “Really.”
Angie glanced at the clock on the wall. “I gotta go or I’ll be late. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Okay, learn lots.” Izzy watched her rush out the door.
“What are you doing? Getting her all excited like that.” Their older brother, Tony, pushed the kitchen door open to see if she was gone. “What if she doesn’t get the hang of it?”
“She’s a smart girl, Tony. I have no doubt she’ll do great.” She crossed her arms and leaned back on the counter. “Have you talked to her lately about anything to do with technology?”
“Why would I? I don’t know anything about the subject.”
“Maybe if you did, you’d learn something. Or even better, get a cell phone.”
“What do I need one of those for? I got a phone right here.” He picked up the receiver from the wall phone and dropped it back onto the cradle. “I got one just like it at home. Speaking of phones, did you call Mrs. Thomas and apologize?”
“Yep. Called her first thing when I got here this morning.”
“You think she’ll come back?”
“She’ll be back.”
“Oh yeah? How do you know?”
“Her mother has a birthday party planned for her on Saturday.”
“I guess that’s a good thing. You’ll get a chance to win her over.”
“I just have to keep Angie away from her.”
“You have to admit, she’s pretty uptight.”
“I don’t have to admit anything, Tony. I just have to keep her coming back.” Not only did she bring in a fair amount of business, but she was also very easy on the eyes.
*
Angie joked with her friend, Doug, as she waited in the hallway for the classroom door to open. She was making fun of his Croc flip-flops, and he was critiquing her new home-dyed ombre hair color. She and Doug had been friends since middle school, when they’d ended up in a few classes together. Doug helped Angie get through English, and she did the same for Doug in history class. They both aced comp
uter fundamentals and immediately knew they wanted careers in information technology. They’d decided to go to the College of Marin before moving to a four-year college. It would be cheaper, and they could take all of their classes together.
The teacher’s aide pushed through the waiting students, unlocked the door, and propped it open. “Okay everyone, let’s not leave any empty seats up front. You’re here to learn.”
Angie and Doug took seats in the third row. The instructor came from the back up the middle aisle to the front of the classroom and turned around.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Mel Thomas, and I’ll be one of your instructors for this class. Nancy Dolan will be the other. We’ll switch off teaching every couple of weeks. Also, on occasions, we will both be here teaching the class together.” She leaned back against the desk and crossed her legs. “I own an advertising and public-relations firm called 365 that specializes in web design. Nancy is a very talented designer who works with me.”
“Holy shit.” Angie sank down in her seat, hiding behind the computer monitor on the desk.
“What?” Doug quirked up an eyebrow. “You know her?”
“Yeah. Remember the crazy lady at the restaurant I told you about the other day?”
He nodded.
“That’s her.”
“Holy shit.” He chuckled “This is gonna be so good.” He grinned and returned his attention to the instructor.
“The first thing we’re going to do is go around the room and introduce ourselves. That means, your name, what program you’re in, and why you’re taking this class. Who wants to start?”
Doug threw his hand up, and Angie tried to bat it down.
“Okay.” The instructor pointed to Doug. “Go ahead.”
