by Sienna Mynx
"He introduced himself," Giovanni said. “I wouldn’t say we’ve met.”
"Nasty son-of-a-bitch. Got most in this town scared of his shadow. Can't stand him personally. He wasn't invited. I want you to know that. My son Clyde Jr. is a good man; he knows Mirabella doesn't want to see him. Cutter got family that belongs to the church. That's probably how he knew about it."
"Want me to escort him out?" Lorenzo asked.
Clyde shook his head. "No need. He's all bark now a days. No bite. Besides. We know who you are," Clyde said.
"Who are we?" Giovanni asked.
"Reporters have been through this town after Mia came back from the dead. They were camped out here at the church. I guess they figured in a small town like this Sunday morning is the best place to catch everyone in town. They told us you were criminals in Italy. Said you were some kind of Mafia guy. That kidnapped Mia. Wasn't until she came out and did that press conference did we learn it wasn't true. That she was with you because she wanted to be. Cutter knows who you are." Clyde spat another brown stream of tobacco.
"I'm not in the Mafia," Giovanni said.
Clyde chuckled but didn't say anything further. “And I’m not a farmer. Seen them fellas come through town looking for the farm yesterday. Them fella’s was definitely Mafia men.”
Giovanni glanced over to his wife. Minnie approached her. Mirabella was by the kids. They were having some kind of race where they hopped around in potato sacks. Eve struggled and fell. She got up from the ground and jumped to the finish line. Mirabella cheered them on.
"We are so glad she has come home. Mia thinks we don't need or want her here. It's not true. When we thought she had died, it broke our hearts. So many of us grieved. It's time for us to heal."
"Heal from what?" Lorenzo asked. “Why does she stay away?”
“It’s not for discussion,” Giovanni said. “She has her reasons so leave it alone.”
Lorenzo frowned but nodded he would obey. Clyde glanced over to Lorenzo and Giovanni. He looked to be gauging his words. Then he finally spoke. "It's time for us to heal from the past. Excuse me."
Clyde got up and walked out from under the tent. Giovanni let Gianni ease off his knee and go over to Lorenzo who shared his canned drink with him.
"What is going on here? What's in the past?" Lorenzo asked. “I saw you two at the grave. Is she okay?”
“She’s fine.”
"What about this Cutter? I don't like his attitude, Gio. Let me have a word with him."
"No. I promised Bella we would be polite. Cutter hasn't crossed a line," Giovanni said. “If he does, we’ll drag him back over it.”
"Non problemo," Lorenzo said and tickled Gianni.
***
"Whew! Girl, it's hot out here." Marietta said and fanned herself.
Mirabella smiled. "Yes, it is."
"Look at Evie. Is that Minnie’s granddaughter with her?"
Mirabella shielded the sun from her eyes. She smiled at her daughter. Eve had made a friend. The girls were the same in height and age. They ran off to the next game, which would involve water balloons.
"Eve needs to play with more kids her age. Look at her," Mirabella said. “She is in love with her cousins. There are so many.”
"Yeah, I agree. Can we stand under a tree? Seriously. I'm getting eaten alive out here!" Marietta swatted at the tiny bugs buzzing around her face. Mirabella walked over to the tree and Marietta followed. Gino was under the tent being fed by some lady while he sat on her lap. She kept kissing him. The family seemed to adore the boys the most. Gino was a star.
"I spoke to Minnie. She invited us to her house this afternoon."
"Really? Why?" Mirabella asked.
“What do you mean why? To talk. About everything. She said it was time we got it all out on the table." Marietta answered.
“Cancel it. We just got here. Maybe in a few days. Right now I think it should be family time, just us,” Mirabella said.
“Huh?”
“I tried to talk to you last night. Now you want to do it? With Minnie?" she asked.
"Minnie says you think this town blames you for something. That it's the opposite. These people want to protect you."
"And you believe her?" Mirabella asked.
"I don't know what to believe. I know you’re in pain. I saw you at that gravesite. It must have been hard. And it's all so weird. Damn it, Mira, tell me what is going on."
"We'll go to Minnie's. We'll talk. In a few days. Okay?" Mirabella said. She started to leave, and Marietta grabbed her hand. Mirabella looked at her sister with distrust in her eyes.
"I love you. I would never judge you. Never."
Mirabella smiled. "I know. That’s not it. It’s been over ten years since I’ve been home. And I want us to enjoy it. Me and you."
She let her go. Mirabella walked out to the kids. They were wet from the water balloon fight. Eve ran to her mother and hugged her. She brought her new best friend with her. The girls were so cute. She watched them and felt her own child stir in her womb. She touched her belly.
"You're Mia's sister?" A man spoke.
When she looked behind her, a very handsome dark skinned man stood there. Mirabella nodded and extended her hand. "I'm her sister Marietta."
"You're beautiful," he said and shook her hand.
"Thank you," Mirabella said.
"You married to the big fella. The other one?" the man asked.
Marietta smiled. "Yes."
"Lucky man." The stranger said. "Mia, she quite famous now. I knew her when she wasn't. Time changes things, people. She looks the same to me. Beautiful as ever."
"And who are you?" Marietta asked.
"Name is Cutter. I've lived in Apple Grove the majority of my life."
Marietta took another look at him.
“She tell you about me?”
Marietta frowned.
Cutter chuckled. "Guess she did. Well don't believe everything you hear. Nice meeting you," he said and started off.
"Wait!" she said. But he kept walking toward his men and Lorenzo was now approaching her. Marietta didn't go after him. She watched him and the men head to a large SUV. They got in and drove off.
"What did he say to you?" Lorenzo asked.
"Who? Nothing. Just introduced himself. Said he knew Mira..."
"He's here to make trouble," Lorenzo said. “I’m going to talk to him.”
“Lo! Stop. He’s gone. He didn't do anything," she turned her husband’s face to her. "Forget it. Hey, are you hungry, babe?"
"I had two different women try to feed me," he smiled.
"And?"
"I told them I was waiting for my wife," he chuckled.
"That's right. Let's get something to eat." She eased her arm around his waist. They started toward the buffet tent. Two tables had lines of silver trays with food from the grills or someone's kitchen. Most of it Lorenzo had never tried. She knew what he liked. She got him some pulled pork and barbecue venison. She piled on the macaroni and cheese, the cole slaw, the greens, and turnips. She got him fresh cornbread that was cut in a cast iron skillet. She even put some kind of seafood on his plate. Lorenzo pointed at different foods asking what was in it. He wanted everything. She loved paying attention to him. When she fixed his plate, and they came to the table, Mirabella had already returned with the kids. They were all seated with their cousins, eating. She looked happy and relaxed.
The tension they felt when they first arrived had gone. The gospel music hour had expired. The DJ played popular old school R&B. People laughed and joked with them. Even Giovanni smiled a few times and fell into conversation with someone who came to the table to make sure they were having fun. It was the best of times for them all.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Regret
Apple Grove, Virginia
"Honey, you should have worn more sunscreen. Look at you," Marietta gasped. Lorenzo knocked her hand away. She knew he hated to be mothered by her when he’d been drinking. He was
much too aggressive inebriated. It was the only drawback to watching him toss down beer after beer at the picnic. Still, she was surprised by his reddened state. How was it possible he’d sunburned in Virginia? She and Lorenzo had sailed both the French and Italian Riviera on more than one occasion. Once they fell asleep on deck after too much drinking and raunchy sex. He had a sexy tan afterward. The van hit a bump, and she jostled in her seat. Eve lay with her head on her knees and her feet over on Lorenzo’s lap. Marietta found herself stroking Eve’s head with one hand and touching Lorenzo’s shoulder with the other. The back of his neck, ears and his brow looked inflamed after only a few hours in the sun. “Did you put on sunscreen baby?”
“No,” he groaned.
“What? Why not!”
Lorenzo sighed.
"Never mind. I think I saw an aloe plant growing in a pot on the porch."
"Leave me alone," he said and knocked her hand from his face when she touched him again.
“Mira? Wasn’t there a plant?”
"Yeah, I think so," Mirabella mumbled.
Marietta glanced at her sister. She couldn't see her face, but there was something in her dry tone that felt off. The closer the sisters became, the more sensitivity Marietta felt when it concerned Mirabella’s moods. Today was an emotional rollercoaster on all fronts. Even the kids were exhausted. However, there was a different kind of tension between the Don and Donna. At the end of the festivities, the two smiled and were pleasant to the end with the family. And they spoke to everyone, just not each other.
“I have an idea!” Marietta announced. No one in the van spoke. She glanced back at the kids. Gianni was asleep in his car seat. Gino had his mother’s brush in his hand and played with it as if it were a drumstick.
“Why don’t me and Lorenzo babysit tonight? You and Mirabella can take some time off.”
“What?” Lorenzo sat up from his slouched position.
Marietta grabbed his arm to stop him from protesting. She glanced to Giovanni and Mirabella. Neither answered.
"Look at them. After a good bath, they will be out for the night. Besides, it will be good practice for Lorenzo and me. Right, honey."
“Leave me out of it,” he grumbled.
Marietta rolled her eyes. We can give you two a chance to go out and have some fun. See the town. What do you think?”
Mirabella continued to stare out of the passenger window lost in thought. Giovanni never took his eyes off the road. He seems to know the direction to take them home with very little instruction. “Okay you two lovebirds, consider this a one time gift so don’t get too excited,” Marietta said. “We babysit. You two drop us off and go out and have some fun.”
“Grazie Marietta. We’ll take the offer,” Giovanni said. “Bella and I need the time.”
Mirabella's head swung left, and she looked at her husband. He looked at her once then returned his eyes to the road.
Lorenzo expelled a deep sigh. She rubbed his arm and smiled. “Good. Then it’s settled.”
"I had such a good time," Marietta spoke up. "The best of times. When I was growing up, my friends would have cookouts that I'd go to sometimes. I'd see their families laughing and drinking and be so jealous. I don't know. It was good to meet everybody. I really enjoyed it. That's all I'm saying."
"I did too. I like your family," Lorenzo yawned.
"You do, huh?" Marietta asked.
"Sure," Lorenzo said. "The women can cook. The men know how to play cards. They’re no different than my family. I liked it."
"He thinks he's a spades king now, girl. Did you see him?" Marietta asked. "Over there threatening people in Italian over a card game. Thank God they didn't know what he was saying!"
Mirabella didn’t respond. Neither did Giovanni.
"I learned to play fast. Me and my partner won. Twice," Lorenzo said.
"That's right, baby, you’re the champ," Marietta teased.
***
The van arrived at the farmhouse with the last of the sun vanishing from the sky. Mirabella guessed the time to be around eight or closer to nine. Behind her, Giovanni lifted Gino out of his car seat. Lorenzo cradled Gianni in his arms. He kissed the little toddler on the lips before starting toward the house.
“Mama,” Eve whined and patted her leg.
"Come here sweetheart." Mirabella lifted her four year-old up in her arms. No matter how much she grew, she found she was strong enough to hold her still. Marietta stepped to her side. She thought of the offer to leave the kids and take Giovanni off to have a much needed talk. But one look at her children and her maternal need to comfort and secure them for the night took over. "I don't know; maybe I should put them to bed first. They are so tired."
“What is going on with you and Giovanni?” Marietta said.
“Nothing, we’re both tired. Aren’t you? Today was exhausting.”
“Why don’t you let me and Lorenzo take the kids while you two get away from here for the night? Go find a motel room and order a pizza and buy a pack of beer.”
“What?” Mirabella frowned.
Marietta grabbed her sister by the arm to keep her from walking off. “Whatever it is you’ve been keeping locked up inside of you spilled over today. Don’t deny it. We all saw it when you were at the grave. Take your man somewhere and explain it to him. Then you and me can talk about our family. Do you hear?”
Mirabella glanced to Giovanni. He hadn't said much after her graveside confession. In fact, she was dreading the conversation. What she blurted out must have confused and disappointed him. But if they were truly to hash it out then it would need to be alone. “A motel huh?”
"I saw a few when we were driving around town. Go with him,” Marietta said.
She smiled. “You’d do that for us? For me?”
Marietta shrugged off the gratitude. “You aren’t having nightmares anymore, right? You aren’t seeing ghosts in every shadow anymore, right? You’re getting stronger and being here is making you stronger. That’s what I see. I think that doctor may be right about this PTSD thing you were telling me about last night. What if all you need is to let go of the past. What if that’s all we both need? I want to help.”
They went to the house and inside. Mirabella was able to put the boys in her bed upstairs and take off their pants and shoes. They wouldn't sleep through the night. Marietta promised to keep her eye on them. Eve was a different story. As soon as they went inside, she perked up. She clung to her father wanting him to take her outside to swing in the open tire hung from a rope on the tree out front. They had to negotiate with her to get out of the house. And they did.
She got inside the van with Giovanni and sighed.
“So where to?” he asked.
She glanced over to him. He stared at her. She saw the questions in his eyes. "Out on Hwy 19 is a Red Roof Inn. On the way is a barbecue place we can grab some takeout."
"Barbecue and a motel?" Giovanni asked.
She nodded. “You up for it?”
He shifted in reverse and backed out on the dirt road. Mirabella braced for whatever the night could bring.
***
“Qauli birre sono--what kind of beers are there?" Lorenzo asked and plopped down into the recliner chair in front of the TV. He picked up the remote and turned on the television.
Marietta ignored the question. If she gave him another beer, he'd be of no help to her. She didn't need an extra kid to put to bed for the night. Eve followed her crying as she walked into the kitchen.
“Volglio la mia mamma--I want my mommy,” Eve said as she wiped her tears. “Volglio la mia mamma!”
Marietta smiled at her sweet niece. She couldn't help it. Eve was so adorable when she pouted, and her long lashed eyes pooled with tears. She just wanted to squeeze and kiss on her.
“It’s okay sweetie. You’re going to stay up and help auntie take care of the twins. And that big baby over there sitting in the chair.”
Eve looked back behind her. “Zio Lorenzo?”
“Yep. H
e needs someone to look after him. Va bene?”
Eve blinked her round blue eyes at her and nodded her agreement. Marietta went to the cabinet and got a glass then rinsed it in the sink. She then got the pitcher out of the fridge and poured the lemonade. “Take this to Zio.”
“Va bene,” Eve said and raised her little hands. Marietta made sure she had a good grip on the glass before turning her to go back into the living room. She could see her from the kitchen. Eve went to her uncle and stopped at the side of his chair. He glanced over at her and smiled.
“Per te, Zio--for you, Uncle!” Eve exclaimed.
Lorenzo accepted the glass, and a made a big production of it. He swept Eve up with his strong arm and brought her on top of the chair with him. The little girl rested her face on his chest and cried again for her mama. Marietta watched them and smiled. Lorenzo gave Eve a sip of the lemonade before he took down several swallows for himself. The scene warmed Marietta's heart. She knew that eventually, it would be their only bambina who was on daddy's lap.
The little baby growing in her womb had robbed her of complete bladder control. Suddenly she had the strongest urge to pee. That was the worst part of her pregnancy was the urgency. She literally peed herself more than once when it became too much. How many bathroom trips was one woman expected to make in an afternoon?
"Be right back,” she said to the two. Lorenzo found cartoons and Eve settled on his lap staring at the television. She bounded up the stairs and hurried into the bathroom. She barely got her panties down before she began to pee. Marietta sat on the toilet and let go a deep sigh of relief. And then she realized there was no toilet paper. “You have got to be kidding me!”
She had to drip dry and then pull up her panties and flushed without wiping. She washed her hands exasperated. There was only one bathroom in the entire house. How the hell could it be out of toilet paper?
Marietta left the bathroom. She went to a hall closet and located the extra towels and rags. No toilet paper. Marietta remembered the laundry room downstairs and decided that was where it must be kept. She started to leave when her corner vision caught a glimpse of another door. She'd missed it on the floor before. It wasn't as large as the bedroom doors. But it was wide enough for a person to pass through. For a minute she stood there staring and contemplating its purpose. Mirabella hadn’t mentioned another room. Where did the door come from? Her curiosity overwhelmed her. And before she knew what she was doing, she was turning the doorknob and pulling it open.
