He tosses back the rest of his Amaretto like a shot and puts the glass down on the coffee table. Leaning forward, he puts his elbows on his knees and takes a deep breath.
“No, I will tell you someday, but not right now. Can I ask for you to trust me when I say I’m okay and you just don’t need to know all this right now?”
“Alright…” I say, feeling sad that again I’ve made him unhappy somehow. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“No, no, no…” he says softly. “Stop. No need for you to be sorry, it’s perfectly fine for you to ask me anything. Just some stuff I might not be able to answer at this time.”
He reaches a hand over and grabs my arm and pulls me to him. “Do you trust me? Gracie?”
I look him in the eyes. “I want to…”
He exhales through his nose, then coaxes my chin upward. “I won’t lie to you, not ever. Will you believe me? Please?”
I take in a deep breath, feeling as though I’m on the edge of a very high ledge, being asked to let go of my lifeline. I let out the breath I have been holding and look at him. “Okaaay… I’ll trust you, Sal.”
“Good. I want you to believe it.”
He draws me into him and kisses me as we slowly fall back in the sofa, his mouth is sealed over mine. His hands rub up the sides if my ribs and around my back.
Suddenly his hands still and he lifts his head. He looks right into my eyes as if he is searching for something.
“Gracie, if I fall for you, are you going to break my heart?”
I suck in a breath. “I could ask you the same question.”
He smiles at my comment. “I think we have a lot of trust issues to work on. I know your heart is broken, Gracie. I want to help you heal, teach you to trust again. We will take it one day at a time.”
He gets up and pulls me to me feet. “I’m gonna go now, before this goes too fast. Besides, you have a phone call to make in half an hour.”
We said our goodnights at the door after another nuclear kiss.
I watch him pull out of my driveway, then I let Toby have a quick sniff and pee before we head upstairs to get ready for bed. After slipping into my jammies and climbing into bed I send Maggie a text.
READY?
And right on cue, my cell phone rings.
CHAPTER 8
“I miss you, Mags! I got lot’s going on but how is your world?”
“Oh, crazy–wonderful,” she says. “Kids and Mike keep me busy and for now, knock on wood, there is no drama. Two teenage girls Gracie, creates too much drama. I don’t remember us having all this drama at their age–did we?
I laugh because a quick replay of some maddening situations runs across my mind.
“You know, I think we did, Mags, but every generation has their own, I think.”
She sighed. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. Then we grow up and have adult drama. Speaking of adult drama - what’s going on with dick head?”
“Really? You want to go there already?” I let out a sigh and fill her in on Richard’s latest outburst with me.
Maggie bursts into laughter. “Good! I hope it’s killing him. And still yelling at you I see. Same old, same old there. I guess some shit never changes.”
“No,” I reply. “Oh, and to top it off I went on a date tonight and we ran into Richard and Camille. What a downer that was!”
“Okay..What? Wait a minute, Gracie. Just when were you going to tell me you are dating someone? How dare you not fill me in? Who is he? How long have you be seeing him? Come on, spill now!”
“Okay, okay! Geezz, don’t get your panties in a bunch!” I tell her about my first date in way too long. “Long story short, his name is Salvatore Petroni. Antonio’s son.”
“You’re kidding!” she cut in. “I thought he lived in Napa California?”
“No, no. That’s Joe. This is his other son, Sal. Until a few weeks ago, he was career military. Special stuff that I don’t know much about. But, this is why I wanted to catch up with you.
“Listen Maggie, when Sal and I first met it was like deja vue. I felt like I knew him and he said the same about me. We have been spending some time together, but here’s the really weird thing. I had a dream about him but it felt like more than a dream. I can’t explain it but that dream haunted me the whole next day. Even now when I think about it my stomach turns.”
“Tell me about it,” she prompts.
She doesn’t interrupt me even once, but when I’m done, I hear her let out a breath.
“Gracie,” she says, “maybe it was some kind of premonition. You’ve been through a bad deal – hell, you’ve been through a rough few years. If you have any more dreams try to stay calm and focused. Maybe something is trying to tell you something!
“So, tell me, how does he kiss? Did you have sex yet? What does he look like? Text me a picture!”
“Oh, you’re impossible, Maggie.”
“I know, that’s why you love me!”
I fill her in on Sal’s kisses, our plans to take it slow and build on a good friendship. She tells me to have fun, just like Celine did.
“Will do my best.” “Remember what your mom used to tell us?” Maggie asks softly. “Always keep them on their toes girls, make them wonder about you!”
We both broke into laughter remembering my mother’s helpful tips on dating when we were teens.
“Yes, I remember. I miss my parents, Mags. Some days I could really use their help.”
“I know, sweetie,” she says. “I miss your parents too, they were the best!”
“Okay, Mags I’m hanging up before I start crying - I’m sick of crying. Good night, kiss the girls and punch Mike in the arm for me!”
“You bet, Gracie. Hey, keep me filled in and oh, a picture please! Don’t forget.”
“Shut up, Maggie. Go to bed!”
Giggling, she says, “Sleep well my friend. Love you.”
* * *
Toby and I wake in the morning to the moans of the wind whipping around the mansion. Every now and then it howled, making Toby cock his head to one side, then the other. He looked so comical I started my day with a giggle.
Getting up to check the weather outside I open the balcony door, only to have the wind rip it out of my hands. “Holy crap” I gasp. Nice way to bring in October first, over cast and windy. Looks like fall at least.
Sal is waiting by my lanai door when Toby and I come out for our morning walk on the beach. “Good morning, Princess and Toby!” he says with a big, toothy smile.
“Morning! You been waiting long or are you stalking me now?” I look at him and bat my eyelashes.
“Cute,” he says. “Hey Toby, how’s the big boy?” he reaches out to pat Toby on the head. Toby snorts and takes off ahead of us. “Is your dog ever going to like me?”
I shrug. “Maybe he’s jealous.”
As we walk onto the beach, Sal takes my hand. “I want your cell number. I forgot to ask for it last night.”
I realize I don’t have his either, so we key in each other’s numbers. I’m listed under Princess. Shaking my head, I smile. “Really?”
He laughs. “What? That’s who you are to me.”
I laugh. “Yeah, well, you’re Crazy to me - but that’s not how I put you in my phone.”
He stops and tugs at my wrist just hard enough that I stumble into him. He catches me with a kiss.
“Now, that’s a proper good morning,” he says. “Did you talk with your friend last night?”
“As a matter of fact I did!” I miss Maggie, I love when we catch up, we make each other laugh, its like free therapy!”
“Good! He says, I like you a little more frisky.”
I laugh and push him away and continue walking, the wind whipping the sand at us so hard it stings. I can see some surfers off in the distance, loving the waves.
He takes my hand again, that small gesture makes me float. I wondered if he notices.
“So tell me something. After the divorce, are you going to use your m
aiden name or keep the Boumont? And while I’m asking, what was your maiden name?”
I take a deep breath and ponder for a moment. “Hmmm… well,” I begin, “I haven’t thought much about it. It’s probably easier to keep Boumont. I won’t have to change things like my license and passport and all that stuff. Also, as much as I hate it, the name can open some doors. That’s always helpful.”
“Yeah, I suppose,” he mumbles.
“My maiden name is D’Anella.”
“Gracie Anna D’Anella?” It sounds like a song lyric when he says it. “That’s a beautiful name. It fits you because you are beautiful, inside and out.”
He makes me feel so special Even the way he says my name makes me feel special. Tucked close together in the sand, we sit and watch the waves roll in and laugh at Toby running away as each one crashes just off the sandbar.
“Poor baby can’t swim. I thought it was the waves that threw him off, but I tried to get him in the pool, and he’s not having any of it. I’m lucky I get him in the shower to bathe him.”
Sal’s eyebrows draw together. “I thought all dogs can swim?”
“Oh no. Some just never get the hang of it. In Toby’s case, he has a fear of it, he won’t go near it. When I go in the ocean he barks and whines at me until I come out. He’s afraid even for me!”
Sal takes my hand in his. “Do you miss working with dogs?”
I nod. “I’ll tell you something-they are nicer than most humans.”
We laugh, kiss and play with Toby until we spot Antonio out on his deck. He’s waving his hands, then holds up a mug and points at it.
“Pop’s up, he must have made coffee. Come on let’s go, you ready?” Sal asked as he helped me up from the sand and brushed it off my butt. He whistled at Toby and we all started back to get some breakfast with Antonio and begin our day.
* * *
Miles south on the beach, at the massive high rise condominium The Boumont, Camille James sat at a big dining room table eating breakfast, with her cell phone in her hand. She shared the penthouse suite with Richard who of course owned the building. She was delighted to have a small staff to care for the two-story home which had every amenity including a private infinity pool.
She was in the midst of a text conversation when Richard came in for breakfast.
“Camille, who could you already be talking to so early in the morning?”
“Oh, just a girlfriend, darling. Just girl talk is all.”
Richard picked up the newspaper and Rosa came quickly in to pour him some coffee.
“Breakfast today, Mr. Richard?” Rosa asked in her Cuban accent.
“Just some whole wheat toast and fruit will be fine.” Richard replied evenly.
Camille resisted a smile. Good old Richard. No good mornings, or thank yous or pleases for him. Pleasantries were not a necessity in his world unless it was around business.
She put down her phone and looked at him.
“So, how do you feel about bumping into Gracie last night?”
Richard took a sip of coffee and snapped down a corner of the paper to look in Camille’s direction.
“I feel fine, why? She was drunk and acting characteristically juvenile, giggling like a schoolgirl on a date. She should behave more properly when in public. She still carries my name. She should be more…respectful.”
“Oh Richard, that was no date, those two are a couple. So she was a little tipsy. It’s called fun, Richard.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “What do you mean they’re a couple?”
Camille put down her coffee. “You couldn’t tell? That guy Sal was holding her like he was protecting her. I suspect they’ve known each other for a good while.”
“It’s possible,” Richard pondered. “He is Antonio’s son. She spends a lot of time over there.”
Camille cleared her throat, changing the subject. “How are things going in accounting? Did Gracie’s attorney get what he needed?”
Rosa came in with Richard’s toast; he waited till she was gone to answer.
“Mostly yes, but I was told of some accounting mistakes. Some monies are missing. Not too big of a deal - I’m sure it’s just human error. Don’t worry Camille, it’s not your concern.” He went back to his paper and his breakfast.
Camille sat staring across the table at the paper, relieved and angered at the same time. Her mind raced. How she hated it every time Richard told her things were not her concern. But how she loved the good life and penthouse living.
She picked up her phone and continued with her text conversation.
* * *
With a tender kiss and a quick hug, Sal is off to an early appointment and I’m just finishing cleaning up our breakfast mess in Antonio’s kitchen. I turn from the sink and almost end up in Tony’s lap.
“Oh Tony,” I gasp, clutching my chest, “I didn’t see you!”
“Caro,” he says, “come-a-sit. I want to talk with you.”
I follow him into the living room and face him. His expression is so serious, my heart skips a beat. “Everything okay?”
“You and-a my son, is he treating you good?”
I smile. “Yes, he treats me very nice. Sal has been the perfect gentlemen.”
“Good,” he says with a nod. “Because I will kill-a-him if he is not!”
I break into laughter and assure Antonio that his son and I are taking it one day at a time.
“That’s-a-good idea. You are both broken, maybe it’s a good thing you two found-a-each other. I wasn’t too happy about it at first, but both of you have changed. Tell me mio caro, have you been sleeping better?”
“Yes I have, although, I did have an intense dream.” I tell Antonio all about the dream and he looks concerned.
“Some-a-times, caro, dreams are a way the mind and soul heal. Tell me, do you still take the pills to help-a-you sleep?”
“No, I made a promise to Sal I wouldn’t use them anymore.”
“I don’t know if-a-my son tell you, but he no sleep so good either. But he has been doing better too, he is not so short tempered, he seems calmer, I think-a-because of you, Gracie.”
I feel my face getting red but I can’t keep a smile from my face. My heart is full with emotion. “Thanks, Tony, I think we are helping each other, but, Sal doesn’t tell me much about his life, and he wants so much for me to trust him. And, I do to a point. I hope he can trust me enough to let me in.”
“My Son has seen a lot Gracie, I think-a-something happen to him and he needs time, he don’t talk-a-to me either. I ask him and he just say nothing. He will get there and I can-a-see my son adores you. How can he not mio caro”
I get to my feet. “Okay, okay. I’m blushing and you’re going to make me cry. I’ve got places to be and kids to cheer up! Want to go with me?”
“Si, yes!” Antonio replies. I come! We can use-a-my van.”
“Great,” I answer. “I’m going to go home and get ready, Toby and I will be back here in say an hour or less?”
“I’ll be ready!”
* * *
Antonio’s van is equipped for his wheelchair and all the gears are up by the steering wheel so he can maneuver the van all with his hands. I learned to drive it a while back just in case he needs to get somewhere but doesn’t feel up to driving.
We arrive at the nursing home first and parade Toby up and down the halls, saying hello to some of the staff. We pop into a few rooms so the patients can pet Toby or toss a ball to play fetch.
Some of the residents even have treats for him and Toby also knows where they hide the human treats, too. On more then one occasion Toby has found cookies, candies, even a cigarette or two.
About two hours later, we go across town and into the City of Jacksonville to the children’s hospital.
“This is the best,” I say to Antonio as we come through the automatic doors into the lobby area. “I love watching these kids light up when Toby comes in.”
“Yes it is, Gracie, yes it is. You go on ahead, I�
��m gonna go get-a-some balloons in the gift shop. I meet-a-you upstairs.”
When Toby and I get up to the fifth and begin our walk down the hall to the game room, the doctors and nurses call out to us.
“Where you guys been?”
“We thought maybe you weren’t coming today…”
I laugh and wave as Toby leads the way, trotting down the hall like he owns the place. When we get to the game room, an older doctor on the floor is watching the excitement. “I don’t know who is more excited, the kids or Toby. It’s a nice thing you do here for them, Mrs. Boumont,” he says.
Again I cringe at being referred to as Mrs. Boumont. “Gracie, please call me Gracie,” I insist.
“Hi, kids! How is everyone today?” I ask in the cheeriest voice I have.
“Fine,” they answer collectively.
I look around and many are not fine. They’ve got scars and shunts. Some have no hair or run about in special wheelchairs. But they always have big smiles. Some visits, they tell me what procedure they just had done and how brave they were. Some days I have to try really hard not to cry.
“CIAO BAMBINO’S!” Antonio calls in his big Santa Clause booming voice.
“How’s-a-everyone today?” The kids all go running to him as if he really is Santa! They share their same stories with Antonio as he hands out the balloons. He talks to some of the kids that, like Antonio, are in wheelchairs, too. I notice a tear or two in his eyes as well.
For a couple of hours we talk, color, play games and do tricks with Toby. But they tire easily and we can’t outstay our welcome. We wish the kids healthy blessings and say our good-bye’s.
* * *
“I’ll drop-a-you at your front door so you and Toby don’t get wet,” Antonio says. “The weather is getting nasty.”
“Really, it’s not so bad. A little wind and rain, that’s all. Thanks Tony, for coming with us and driving. The kids love you!”
“Oh I love-a-to go, it makes me feel good.”
He pulls in my driveway. “Okay caro right to-a-your front door.”
A Soul Mate's Promise Page 8
