League of Her Own

by Faith O'Shea

  “A good partnership, a woman who makes me smile when she enters a room, a companion who I can discuss things with, someone who keeps me grounded.”

  When he heard his own words, he blinked. He hadn’t mentioned one thing that had once been important: a woman to cook for him, keep his bed warm, be pliant and willing. Instead, he’d described what he’d found with Fifi. With a lot of bonus points to add to it: a fine mind, interesting conversation, a passion all her own.

  Reluctantly, as if giving something away, he asked, “Would you have married her if she wanted to work?”

  His father’s eyes grew wide. “What would that have changed?”

  “Let’s be honest, Papi. She devoted her life to you.”

  There was that endearing smile again. It appeared whenever Livia was mentioned. Then it was gone as he considered the question.

  “You think so? I think she did the work that most fulfilled her. That was raising a family and catering to my needs. It made me a lucky man, but if she had come to it without passion, what good would it have done any of us?”

  Rique thought about that and had to agree. His mother found joy in the simple everyday tasks that consumed her life.

  His father added, “She’s been faithful to herself, Enrique, which makes her a pleasure to be with.”

  Faithful to herself.

  Livia did what made her happy and in doing so, brought happiness to everyone else. Was that the key?

  He didn’t have time to answer his own question. They’d pulled into the drive-way of his parents’ home. It wasn’t the one he’d grown up in. They’d moved a couple of times over the years, to better and safer neighborhoods. As soon as Felicia had graduated high school, they sold the house in Sousa and were now living outside of Rio. It’s where the action was but it had been too late for him to take advantage of what it offered. He was already living in the States by then. When he noticed his mother and sisters waiting for him by the door, it was as if he belonged here. He embraced them all, glad to be where he was loved.

  Even as the sun was going down, the weather was still warm, the windows open letting the fresh air float through the house. Nothing like the weather he’d left, but there was something to a cold night, snow coming down, and a fire burning in the grate. Romance could burn as brightly and with as much heat.

  Stop thinking about Fifi.

  He was beginning to get aggravated that everything led back to her. Even his dreams during the short nap he’d taken earlier had been filled with her.

  What was she doing? How long had she stayed with her sister? He knew she had one, that her name was Siobhan and that she was a math teacher, but that was the extent of it. No, he knew she had kids. Fifi had mentioned bringing Hoover to visit because they liked dogs. Which led him to assume she was married. Were the sisters close? Did they look alike? His curiosity was growing. He wanted to know more.

  He cleared his mind of the fog and remembered Fifi had an interview tomorrow. Would she get the job? Would she think to call him and let him know? Maybe he should check in with her one more time, let her know he was here.

  And remind her again of why you’ve come?

  He closed his eyes and let the voices of his family penetrate his consciousness.

  He took a sip of the wine his mother had poured for him, let the fruity taste satisfy the growing hunger. They asked him about the team, and he answered all questions but then he turned it around so they could catch him up on all their news. Leia and fiancé were in the process of opening a bed and breakfast on Long Island, just miles outside the five boroughs. She’d be cook and Tom Marano would be bottle washer. He’d been working as a home inspector when Leia had met him, but he wanted more, wanted to create a family business where they could live, work and raise a family. Tom had found them a rambling old Victorian built in the 1850’s with ten bedrooms and eight baths on over two acres of land. They were renovating it and bringing it into the twenty-first century one room at a time with an end goal of holding weddings on the sculptured grounds they expected their brother Jaco to design. Felicia was excited about her new adventure in New Mexico. She’d grown bored with the dinosaur fossils discovered in Brazil and was looking for a new experience in another fertile area where the big boys had lived and breathed millions of years ago.

  They were all happy, living their passions and he hoped he could raise a family that produced the same results.

  He rose from the chair and announced, “I think I will cook for us tonight, Mama. Is that all right?”

  “When did my son discover the joys of cooking?”

  “I have cooked for myself before, when in need, but only recently have I found enjoyment in it. I made your stroganoff and it came out very well, I must say. It made me feel proud.”

  That Fifi had liked it made it that much better.

  He swore under his breath. There she was again, claiming territory in his head. He had to find a way to ban her from his thoughts. He had too much riding on this trip to be anchored by a woman who didn’t want to be part of his life. She’d proven that by ignoring him.

  His mother had followed him into the kitchen.

  “I have fish, calamari and prawns out for moqueca baina. Are you up for that? I can be your assistant.”

  His taste buds woke up. His mother’s fish stew was one of his favorites, with a coconut base for broth.

  Leia laughed. “I have to watch this. I didn’t know you could boil water. Maybe if your baseball career doesn’t work out, I can hire you to cook for the Marano Inn.”

  “I’m making sure my career is solid but thanks for the offer.”

  Felicia grabbed a front-row seat at the kitchen table. “We’ll provide commentary as you go.”

  Leia asked, “I don’t get it. Why all of a sudden? You fall in love with a woman who can’t cook?”

  He stilled before shrugging the comment off. She was way off base. He hadn’t fallen in love yet. He was waiting until he met his wife to do that. He was getting out the pots he’d need at his mother’s direction and in answer to Leia’s question, forced out a chuckle. “Like that would happen.”

  Livia said in a quiet voice, “That wouldn’t be the end of the world. She might have other talents, more important things to create.”

  Felicia added, “There are two skills Rique is looking for. One is performed in the kitchen, one in the—”

  Livia’s tone was firm, “None of that talk. Your brother will choose wisely, I’m sure of it.”

  Felicia’s eyes widened. “And what, may I ask, do you base that opinion on?”

  She ruffled his hair. “He is a good boy and we’ve taught him what’s important.”

  He met his mother’s soft brown eyes. Was she looking for confirmation that she was right? He wanted to give it to her, but he was confused and couldn’t admit it.

  She turned away to put an apron on and instructed, “Take the fish out and coat it with garlic and lime juice, then refrigerate it.”

  When he’d completed that step, he began sautéing the onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, and scallions he’d chopped up, seasoning them as he went with salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes.

  His sisters laughed at his efforts, jabbed him when he didn’t know how to complete his mother’s directions, made fun of him after he’d put an apron around his waist, discussed who’d best serve as wife material.

  Leia informed him, “When Mama and I were at the market this morning, we bumped into Giovanna and she asked about you. She said she’d been waiting anxiously for you to get home. Thinks you might be here to offer her a ring. I sure as hell hope you don’t.”

  He layered the vegetables, fish, calamari and prawns in the pan and added the coconut milk.

  More out of curiosity than anything, knowing he wouldn’t be doing any such thing, he asked, “Why not?”

  “Let’s just say she doesn’t pine. If you’re not around, she’d make it a point to find someone who was.”

  Felicia was munching on a carrot from a
tray her mother had filled with crudités. “And where you’re on the road as much as you’re home, that might cause the end of any marriage. You are going into it for life, aren’t you?”

  “Of course I am.”

  His mother was the one to ask, “Then why are you in such a hurry? I think you should take your time with something this important.”

  “I’m not in a hurry. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time.”

  Leia chortled, “Haven’t exactly acted like it.”

  He knew what she meant. He’d been attracted to women the way bees were attracted to honey and enjoyed their sweet nectar when the mood struck.

  He leaned against the counter as the broth and ingredients bubbled in the pan, the wooden spoon in his hand. “I am ready to be serious about life. No more frittering away my time on useless activities. I need my head in the game and a wife will help me settle down.”

  Livia flashed her eyes at him. It was rare that anyone saw her fiery temper, but it was spitting in his direction. “Is that what this is about? Izabella said something to that effect, but I didn’t believe her. Is that what you think a wife is for?”

  He didn’t expect her anger or his role as the target. In his defense, he asserted, “Look at Reid. He needed Izabella to tame him.”

  “He needed Izabella because he loved her.” She cupped his face in her hands and repeated it, face-to-face, eye-to-eye. “He needed her because he loved her.” Dropping her hands to her sides, she shook her head, her disappointment in him obvious. “It was only when Reid admitted he did, allowed your sister to love him in return, that he was able to meet life head on, and do the things he needed to do, to win. You are the only one who can tame your appetites.”

  Leia said snidely, “I bet you think all women are the same. That one will suffice as well as another.” She gave their mother a twisted smile. “What were you saying about trusting him with this?” Turning back to address him, she added, “I think, if that’s the case, you might as well let Mama arrange a marriage for you. She’ll know what to look for in your perfect mate.”

  He bristled even though recently he’d thought exactly that.

  Felicia asked, “Mama, what kind of woman do you think would be right for Rique?”

  Livia wiped her hands on her apron, having just finished washing one of the pots her son had used.

  He didn’t face her but listened in rapt attention. “She would need to be humble. And unpretentious.” He could hear the smile in her voice when she said, “Your brother has ego and flash covered.”

  Leia giggled. “So far so good. What else?”

  “She would need to be kind, smart, and have a life of her own. If she was too needy, she wouldn’t like the life he leads. Izabella’s work keeps her occupied while Reid is traveling, and it works for them. She would also need to be independent. For the same reason. If children come, she will raise them alone for nine months out of the year. She needs to be willing to sacrifice parts of her life for his, which means she can’t be selfish.”

  Felicia laughed, took another bite of the carrot. “That pretty much leaves everyone you know here in Brazil out of the running.”

  His sister was right. It did. So, what the hell was he doing here? He looked around and knew it had more to do with what was in this room than who he’d find outside of it.

  It didn’t stop him from hitting the clubs, and his old haunts, after dinner.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Enrique went right to the front of the line, some groans among those waiting, accompanying him. He spoke softly to the bouncer and exchanged some money and was given immediate access to the glittery night club. He’d lived close to the city while attending his first two years of college and he’d spent many an evening here flirting, dancing, and seducing, many a beautiful woman. Most of the friends he was meeting here tonight were from his college days. It was funny how there was an outcry about a college admissions scandal in America right now. Here, it was the way of doing business and most of his peers had been accepted based on how much their parents could afford in bribes. There were a couple who’d taken advantage of the arrangement and were doing quite well. Others preferred partying the night away or gaming and had dropped out, flunked out, or been asked to leave on principle.

  The lights pulsed overhead, the music challenging the woofers to sweat. It wasn’t a conducive atmosphere to talk but they weren’t usually here to sit and shoot the shit. Tonight had been the exception. He’d come for one specific purpose. He’d have to table it for now. He noticed a hand waving high above the crowd, heard his name, and slithered through the crowd toward the table.

  The air was stuffy and the scents of sweat and pot, did little to improve it.

  “You made it. I wasn’t sure you were going to. You’re usually the first one to arrive.”

  His friend Alfonso was standing and reached out to shake his hand. They’d been in touch over the last month, making arrangements for the night of his return.

  “It’s good to have our leader back.”

  That remark made him cringe.

  “I was here just here for the holidays.”

  He’d gotten caught up in the revelry of downtime, after a season of burnout and disappointment, and had spent very little time with his parents, more time here and other dance clubs. He was seeing it all with new eyes tonight.

  Johanna, another of the women he’d dated once had come over to kiss his cheeks, placing the third on his lips. It tasted like lipstick, and he found no sweetness there. It didn’t set off any kinds of bells and whistles that should come with all those exploding neurons. He noticed for the first time that she looked old, or maybe there was just a lack of life sparkling in her eyes.

  “Are you going to dance, amável?”

  She didn’t hear him say no. He had to yell to be heard, and he all but screamed in her ear, “Thanks but I’m not in the mood.”

  He noticed everyone’s head swivel to stare at him like he had three heads. He was always in the mood for dancing. But not tonight. He didn’t want any body molded to his, not when erotic thoughts of Fifi pressed close were still frittering away at the back of his mind. He could have danced the night away with her, almost wished they had. His mood darkened. He’d never get the opportunity to hold her again.

  Johanna was glowering at him. It shouldn’t have come as a shock that she could turn it off and on at will. Her mood shifts were erratic, and he’d do well to stay out of her path.

  He claimed a vacant seat, next to Eduarda. She had classic features, long light brown hair, and dark eyes that could captivate a thousand ships. Her mouth was a pout of generous lips, and if he were looking for beauty alone, she would have qualified. He knew it was only the tip of a very cold iceberg. He’d been in a couple of classes with her freshman year and she sat filing her nails the whole time the lecturer was speaking. She had no use for academics, no original thought in her head, either. She was rich, or at least her parents were, and was well taken care of. She didn’t need to exert any more energy than was necessary to live. And she didn’t. She’d need someone by her side to screw in a light bulb. He’d definitely be able to afford a live-in maid, but he wanted someone feisty, who’d insist on doing things for herself. Pedrina was the only one left of his college friends whom he’d originally considered, until he remembered she loved extreme sports. Needed her adrenaline rush like most needed breath. He didn’t want to live with someone so restless with life.

  He got up from the table to peruse the room, the inane chatter all about fashion and unflattering gossip annoying. One of the skimpily clad waitresses rubbed against him on her way to deliver drinks, flashed eyes at him that spoke to hunger and desire. He passed and headed for the bar. From there he observed the comings and goings of the patrons, waited for someone to catch his eye. That had been easy once. He’d been looking for a night, a brief and shallow exchange of bodies, and there were endless candidates. Tonight, he was looking for a woman who could hold his interest
for a lifetime. Would he find her by looks alone? He was sure he could not. With each woman who walked by, he measured her for beauty, grace, stature, facial expressions, smiles, stride and bearing. They were all beautiful in their way. Long hair, short, bobbed, updo’s, make-up flawless, dresses flowing, clinging, to the knee, to the thigh, bodies dressed for show. There were so many to choose from but who would be the perfect fit?

  Thoughts of his mother came in a rush. Nights when he’d sat in her room with her as she perused her closet for something to wear to some dinner engagement, charity event, or bank function.

  I need something perfect, Enrique. To make your father proud.

  She’d push hangar after hangar to the side, inspecting each dress for suitability, pulling one out, perhaps a cocktail dress in mauve, to return it to its place, before moving on to a gown with a golden hue. Shaking her head, she’d put it back and begin again. That’s what this exercise felt like. He was going through the closet, looking for the perfect choice. His mother always found it. No matter what she wore, she looked beautiful. It wasn’t in the clothes or the looks or the stature. It was in the heart, something he’d never uncover from this stool.

  He clinked the ice in his glass, all that was left of his first drink of the night. He threw his glass back and took some of the crushed shards into his mouth, needing to moisten his parched throat. Sweat was trickling down his back from the body heat that had taken over the room. A woman sitting at the curve of the bar was adjusting her cleavage, communicating it was his for the taking. He glanced away, tossed back the last of his ice, and stood. This wasn’t him anymore. This is not where he wanted to be, and it was certainly not the place he’d find a wife.

  Not even bothering to say good-bye to his friends, he paid his tab and went out into the sultry night. There were thousands of stars overhead and he took a moment to appreciate them. It gave Johana just enough time to come running after him.

  “Where are you going, meu amor?”

  “Home.”

  She twined her arms around him, brought her face close enough that all he’d have to do was move a muscle and their lips would touch.