by Zoey Kane
Curvy Soul, You can never go wrong with lasagna, and this proves to be exceedingly and undeniably mouthwatering. My fiancée has already rushed to the market to buy ingredients. Looks like dinner is on you tonight ;)
—J. McCarthy
Fiancée, huh? Greta was going to be disappointed.
“What’s for dessert?” Gia asked.
“You.” Spinning her around, Tony picked her up and set her on the island counter, where he proceeded to place butterfly kisses on her face, then forgoing the sweet gesture to ravage her lips.
He left her wanting more when he went to go open the freezer. Gia’s eyes widened at how packed it was of plastic containers, each ready to serve a different gelato flavor.
“I confess I may have an addiction, G,” he said, not embarrassed one bit.
“It’s okay. We’ll work through this together.” She hopped down from the counter. “And when I mean work on it, I really meant we’re going to devour them all. Starting with...” She selected a slim container. Inside was a thick light pink creaminess with hot pink swirls.
“Raspberry ripple buttermilk,” Tony informed her. “Are we going to be bad and have dessert before dinner?” He waggled his eyebrows, opening the utensil drawer. Gia snickered and took out more containers.
“Petey! Get comfortable, bud. It’s gonna be a long night.”
On the couch, Gia unfolded her body from around Tony, who was submerged in a snore-inducing slumber. She yawned, and her bones creaked from unhinging the kinks. Not an unpleasant feeling. Snuggling up with Tony was a beautiful thing. His illuminated TV screen was the only light provided in his house. She noted the silently rolling credits and the empty gelato.
After all the drama that followed John Burke’s murder, including Adam being the police’s finest catch, a stay-at-home dinner and a movie was the best therapy she could’ve ever wanted.
Apparently, the last few days had caught up to them, leaving just enough energy to munch on snacks before crashing.
Jade and Petey snored in sync, their hind legs twitching in the air.
“Mmm... you okay?” Tony stirred beside her.
“Yeah, it’s getting late.” She started to say she should be getting home, but her words were swallowed by more yawning. She scooted to the edge of the couch and remained there. Her legs refused to do no more.
“Stay here.”
“I guess I can,” She looked to Petey. “He’s already down for the count. It’ll be wrong to disturb him.”
“Then it’s settled.” Tony wrapped a thick arm around her waist, pulling her close again, burying his face in her neck.
Epilogue
On his nightstand, Tony’s alarm clock read 12:05 a.m. He scrubbed a hand over his face. Why was he awake? His bedroom was perfectly cloaked in warm darkness to soundly sleep. He stretched his lax limbs, and realized he was having trouble sleeping because he was thinking of G. She was sound asleep in the guest bedroom, something she insisted on because of being raised under Sherry Rizzo, a devout Catholic.
Shutting his eyes, he willed sleep to return. Less than thirty seconds later, they popped back open. A signal, maybe, from his subconscious that something else was the matter?
Yes, something was wrong. He heard something. A chill prickled his spine.
He stilled, listening. Lifting up, he inclined his head to hear if it was the dogs on the first floor.
Nothing, except coming up the stairs, he heard the familiar soft padded steps of Jade. His eyes were now adjusted and could see her stick her muzzle between the cracks of the door, creaking it open. Behind her, Petey followed to stand by Tony's side of the bed.
If Petey was awake, then something was definitely wrong. More so since he wouldn’t look at Tony, and instead faced the blackened hallway. Tony glanced at Jade. The red glow of his clock brightened her onyx coat of fur. Her muscles were tense and flexing.
Petey let out a low growl.
Tony peeled back the covers and soundlessly pulled on the pair of jeans lying on the floor. Jade, miming Petey, hunched her back and growled. What could they hear that escaped human ears? Tony picked up Petey and set him on the bed.
“Jade,” he whispered to her. “Up.” He patted the mattress. She did as ordered, but continued to look at the open doorway.
No way was an intruder in his home. His security system would’ve immediately tripped. He picked up the system’s control tablet on the nightstand.
His hand itched to unhook the .45 caliber handgun that was attached underneath the wooden stand.
He swiped the screen, keyed in the password, then hit the main control panel. The system’s diagnosis showed all windows and doors were locked. He clicked the feature, including the homeowner’s vehicles. His truck and motorcycle were also untouched. Next, he scrolled to the perimeter sensors. Staked six inches into the ground were motion sensors around his property’s entire perimeter, plus a few extras placed by the front, rear, and garage doors. Living in West Emily where everyone’s favorite hobby was breaking and entering left him what others called “paranoid.”
He categorized it as being prepared.
The sensors were set to go off when anything over a hundred and twenty pounds crossed it. Anything under, such as small animals, a stray 119-pound dog, or a suspiciously lost three-year-old child would go unnoticed. That’s when the multiple cameras recording every molecule will show their presence.
Nothing made the sensors blink red, but Tony’s gut flipped when a yellow warning flashed next to the sensor that was positioned near the backyard fence on the left side of the house. The sensor was trying to read if the object nearby was a threat. Within seconds, the warning went away, then the senor two feet next to it blinked yellow.
The thing was moving closer to the house.
What the?... He frowned. The system was working on calculating the movement. Still, he doubted his cautious Great Dane and G’s corgi—who would most likely snooze through a tornado—would be on high alert because an overweight raccoon wanted to rummage through his recycling bin.
Tony tapped into the backyard cameras. The screen split into six squares, broadcasting different views of his house’s rear. He zoomed in to where the sensor had picked up the warning—when all the cameras went to static.
“Dammit.” He pressed the Home button to display the general overall status, and to his horror watched each sensor deactivate.
And one by one, every window and door became unlocked. A black box suddenly popped up on the screen. Neon green letters and numbers configuring into unidentifiable words ran within the box at a rapid speed. Tony swore, livid at the malfunction. It had to be a malfunction since the system was running on batteries. A blown transformer wouldn't have zapped the sensors or unlock his entire house.
Or completely shut off the tablet altogether.
He held down the On button for a few beats over and over again until it left a throbbing indent in his thumb. The screen only reflected his shadowed face. Jade whined from behind him. He lightly shushed her.
After wringing the trespassing raccoon’s neck, he’d return to join her.
He had just set the tablet down when it dawned on him that it was even darker in his bedroom. Not because the table no longer exuded any light—the clock’s red glow was absent. He tried the bedside lamp, which proved useless. Heart clamoring against his chest, Tony squinted in between the planks of the blinds on his window and saw that streetlights were on and houses within the cul-de-sac had porch lights on.
Only his power was cut off.
When the backup generator didn’t kick on, the chill surging up his spine stabbed frozen shards into his back. He didn’t hesitate this time to grab the gun.
No raccoon had just dug a mile into the ground to chew a hole in the electric line. A person was looming in the shadows outside and that someone was playing a game that they’d very soon regret.
Both dogs watched him check the chamber for bullets. Simultaneously, their heads snapped to the directi
on of the hall again.
Time to take action. It was only him that could do so. His landline was dead, and his and G’s cell phones were on the coffee table downstairs. His goal was to retrieve his and dial the police while staying on guard.
But first, he needed to get G into his master bedroom, so he could lock her inside a room to protect her.
Gun at the ready, he walked out of the bedroom and stopped at the landing of the stairs, listening for anything. His gut screamed the threat wasn’t going to make a sound but soon reveal itself.
Tony tucked the gun in the waistband at the small of his back and moved quickly. He entered the guest bedroom, underneath his weight as he leaned over to take hold of G. Her eyes fluttered open and smiled at the sight of him.
“Ton—” He pressed a finger to her lips and whispered for her to remain quiet in her ear. Sleep still lagged her, making her comply. He knew that if she was fully awake, a very decisive Gia would demand why he was acting funny. He pulled her to the edge of the bed, then scooped her in his arms.
“What’s going on?” Gia asked. “Oh, did Petey have an accident in the bed?”
If only it were just that, Tony brought her to his room and set her down on his bed. He inched aside the curtain, looking down at the front yard. He heard Gia gasp behind him.
“Why do you have a gun?” Her eyes resembled large dinner plates.
“I have to check something.”
“Check what that involves a gun? Do we need to call the police?” There had been a lot of that happening over the past week.
“That’s the plan, but the landlines are dead. I’m going downstairs to get my cell.”
“The power is out?”
“Just mine.” Tony walked soundlessly to the door. “You need to stay here.”
Without a backward glance, he clicked the door shut behind him. She was left confused and alarmed. Not a good combination, especially in the middle of the night. Jade and Petey watched her pace.
Does he expect me to just sit here in the freaking dark?
Tony made it to the first floor, flipping light switches—which still weren’t working. Floorboards creaked under his footsteps as he crossed into the kitchen. Moonlight eerily glowed across the cream-carpeted flooring in the living room. He went to the patio doors and looked out. Nothing moved and yet he still wasn’t letting his guard down. He picked up his phone from the coffee table. He did the same to Gia's, and it too wasn't coming on.
Dammit. He walked to the foyer. A loud creak had him frozen.
“Psst. Tony? I’m coming down the stairs. Don’t shoot me.” Gia tiptoed to the landing.
“For the love of—” He cursed. “Go back upstairs.”
“And leave you vulnerable? Not happening.”
“What do you think is in my hand, G? A banana? I’m armed. What is that you’re holding?” he demanded.
“Your razor,” she said.
Tony flared his nostrils, mentally counting to ten. “And what do you plan on doing with it? Shave someone to death?”
“Hey, a blade is a blade. I needed a weapon. You have one.” She gestured to his gun.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “G, I swear, I will throw you over my shoulder and bring you back upstairs.”
"You can try, and we'll see if you're standing straight by tomorrow morning—"
Ding! sounded the doorbell. They both looked toward the front door.
“Are you expecting company?” Gia whispered.
“No. Get behind me.” He clicked the safety off his gun.
Gia listened to the command, her palms clammy as she gripped the razor tighter. Tony ever so slightly inched aside the curtain of the slim window panel by the entry.
A figure stood on the porch, cloaked in the darkness.
“I can see your shadow, Tony. Open the door,” the figure—a man—said gruffly.
Was he a neighbor? Tony wasn't sure. Neighbor or a prowler, he was ready to set the record straight. He opened the door, not hiding the fact he carried a gun. The man stepped forward, and the moon illuminated his features. The gun immediately was pointed to the stranger's head.
Tony’s breath hitched sharply as if a torpedo plowed into his chest.
No... it couldn’t be.
“Son, please... put the gun down.”
Tony didn’t move an inch. He was battling with trying to figure out if this was real or not. That and the seething, boiling, anger that bubbled inside his body. He remembered Gia was also here. She dropped the razor, and it hit the floor with a tapping sound.
That sounded real, Tony thought.
But the man who slowly raised his hands, and was stepping closer to him, and who used the word son—just couldn’t be. Tony blamed the wound above his ear. It was the cause of this. Clearly, the internal damage was more extreme then the doctors let on. It was stirring the pot of some messed up dream in his brain.
And making him come face to face with a monster.
“Tony, please,” the man said softly. “I’m going to explain everything. But doing so requires you to lower the gun.” The man who was now just a hair away from pressing his head against the barrel of a gun wanted to explain what exactly?
Tony still couldn’t find his voice.
“I need your help. Both of you.” The man briefly shifted his gaze onto Gia. Tony felt himself expand in size, shielding the woman behind him. He had already come to terms that he was in love with Gia. And he’d do anything to protect her. Especially tearing down the man standing on his porch.
His own father.
And yet, Tony wanted to laugh like a madman. This was all impossible. His damn father was here and currently asking him for help. A clear indication that the scene unfolding in front of him wasn't really happening.
Well... there’s only one way to find out, he mused and decided to go along with his gut, praying that it wasn’t the wrong decision.
Then Tony did what he never imagined doing. The stiff arm holding the .45 lowered, and he moved aside to let the monster into his home.
The end
RECIPES
Friday Night Dinner with Gia & Tony
Gia’s Lasagna Zucchini Boats Ingredients
4 medium zucchini (2 1/2 lbs), sliced into halves through the length
1 cup (8.6 oz) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1 1/4 cups (5 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (2 oz) finely shredded parmesan cheese
8 oz ground beef or ground turkey (lean or not—whatever your preference is fine)
4 tsp olive oil
Divided Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 3/4 cup roasted garlic marinara sauce
1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using a spoon, scoop centers from zucchini while leaving a 1/4-inch rim to create boats. Set them aside. In a mixing bowl stir together ricotta cheese, egg, and 1 1/2 Tbsp of the parsley. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Stir in 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese. Set aside. Heat 2 tsp of the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble beef into the pan, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up beef when stirring, until thoroughly cooked. Stir in marinara sauce and 1 Tbsp of the basil. Remove from heat.
Gia loves this part because by now, her apartment is filled with the aroma of hot marinara
To assemble the boats, brush both sides of zucchini lightly with remaining 2 tsp olive oil and place in two baking pans. Divide cheese mixture among zucchini, spooning about 2 1/2 Tbsp into each, then spread cheese mixture into an even layer.
148 J R Person
Divide the sauce among zucchini, adding a few heaping spoonfuls to each. Cover baking dishes with foil and place in oven side by side and bake in preheated oven 30 minutes.
When done, remove from oven
, sprinkle tops with remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella.
Gia sometimes likes to add a little extra. The cheesier, the better!
Return it to the oven and bake until cheese has melted and zucchini is tender, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle tops with fresh basil and parsley and then serve warm.
Tony’s homemade Raspberry Ripple Buttermilk Gelato
Just a heads up! The prepping time for the gelato is 6 hours! Tony had this yummy dessert pre-made, just in time for dinner
Ingredients
☆Lemon-Buttermilk Gelato:
11/2cups heavy cream, divided 1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp lemon zest
A pinch of salt
2 tbsp limoncello (optional)
☆Raspberry Ripple Sauce:
11/2cups fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp vodka or raspberry liqueur
150 J R Person Directions
▪Preparing the base of the gelato▪
In a small saucepan set over medium-high heat, heat 1 cup cream and sugar until wisps of steam start to rise from the surface. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with the remaining 1⁄2 cup cream. Whisk into the hot cream, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, whisking constantly, or until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Remove from heat and immediately stir in the buttermilk, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and limoncello (if that’s what you’re using).
Transfer the custard into a mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap, resting the wrap directly on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Move to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours.
▪Making the Raspberry Swirl▪ The best part!
In a small saucepan set over medium-high heat, stir together raspberries and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook, occasionally stirring, for about 10 minutes or until the raspberries break down and thicken. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds. Stir in the vodka, then cover and chill until ready to assemble the gelato.
