Bella Fortuna

by Rosanna Chiofalo

  “I’ve been well, thank you. Munich is great. You definitely have to go some time.”

  I nodded my head.

  “How are you?”

  “I’m good. Like I said, my nerves have been on edge a bit.”

  “Valentina, I should probably tell you that I just came from your house.”

  The charade was up. He knew I was on to him. Couldn’t my family ever keep quiet about anything? I felt the color rising in my face.

  “Thank you for the gifts. That was nice of you. But I wish you had signed your name to them. You really did give me a scare.”

  “I’m sorry, Vee. I never meant to do that. Honestly, I thought you would’ve picked up sooner that they were from me. I guess I was wrong.”

  Michael’s attention was diverted by the jingle of the Mister Softee truck, which had just pulled up at the corner. He looked hurt that I hadn’t known he was the source of the gifts.

  “I’ve been so busy at the shop. My memory isn’t as good as it used to be. And I guess I’m surprised that you even remembered all of my favorite things.”

  “Of course I remembered. Why wouldn’t I?”

  I shrugged my shoulders.

  “What’s the matter, Valentina? I can tell something other than the gifts is bothering you.”

  “Do you really need me to spell it out for you?”

  “What?”

  “Why haven’t I heard from you in almost a year? You only sent me that postcard from Germany shortly after you got there, and then that was it. I haven’t even gotten one e-mail from you. I thought we were friends.” I drawled out the last word, shocking myself at how sarcastic I sounded.

  A shadow passed over Michael’s eyes.

  “Come on, Michael. Didn’t you think I’d be wondering why you dropped off the face of the earth?”

  “I’m sorry. You have every right to be mad at me.”

  “I’m not mad. I’m just . . . I don’t know. Disappointed? But maybe I’m overreacting again, the way I overreacted with my family tonight. I know they must’ve told you about the argument we got into.”

  “All they said was that you were very upset about the gifts. They didn’t tell me you got into an argument with them.”

  “Well, it was more one-sided. I was doing most of the yelling.”

  “Sounds like you’ve inherited the infamous Olivia DeLuca temper.” Michael laughed.

  “Please don’t say that!” I was laughing now, too.

  “I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to see that gorgeous smile again !”

  Had I heard him right? He thought my smile was gorgeous?

  “I’m sorry, Michael. I know you were busy in Munich with business school. I shouldn’t have expected you to be constantly e-mailing and staying in touch with me. But it did seem odd.”

  “Stop apologizing. I had a feeling you’d be upset. That’s probably why I sent those gifts and didn’t sign my name to them. Part of me was afraid if you knew they were from me, you might trash them!”

  “So what happened? Why did you stop e-mailing? Is business school that demanding?”

  “It was tough, but not that tough that I couldn’t send you a quick e-mail. I took the easy way out, being so far away. I figured you were busy yourself, graduating from FIT, going to work at Sposa Rosa full time, that you probably wouldn’t even notice much if I suddenly stopped e-mailing you.”

  “You still haven’t answered my question. I’m not going to let you off the hook that easy.” I gave him a stern look.

  “There it is again. Olivia DeLuca is coming through in those eyes!”

  I hit him on the arm. I’d never taken such liberties with him before. I was feeling more daring and confident. Even though it was just a swat of his arm, the contact tied my stomach into knots. I still had it bad for this guy.

  “The truth is, Valentina, I was getting scared. And I took the cowardly road by not e-mailing you anymore.”

  “Getting scared of what?”

  Michael paused. He stared at the street lamps. I followed his gaze. A fine mist was starting to form and the droplets swirling around the street lamp resembled mosquitoes. We were protected from the mist, which was now a more steady rain from Sposa Rosa’s awning.

  “I was getting scared of my feelings. My feelings for you.”

  My heart dropped to my knees—no, make that my feet. I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say, still in too much shock.

  “I’ve liked you for a long time, Valentina. Ever since I saw you at that dance at St. John’s Prep. I almost didn’t even have the nerve to ask you to dance.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, really.”

  “Then why didn’t you ask me out that night? Why did you go off with Tracy and make out with her?”

  “You know about that?”

  “I saw the two of you going at it. Couldn’t you have picked an alley that wasn’t on my street?”

  “I’m an idiot. That’s all I can say. I wasn’t thinking straight. I also didn’t think you’d say yes that night if I asked you out. Plus, I figured your parents wouldn’t be too keen on us dating. I know how strict they were.”

  “Well, you should’ve given it a shot.”

  “I know. I know. I’m giving it a shot now, though. So will you go out with me for ice cream?”

  I waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. It was sadistic of me, but I had to play hard to get. I couldn’t make it easy for him. And part of me was still ticked off that I’d only heard from him once since he went to Munich.

  He looked at me like a puppy that was pleading with his eyes to be petted. Then he sighed and looked away.

  “I guess the answer’s no.”

  His face was flushed. Even when he was upset, he was so handsome.

  “We can have ice cream. I don’t see any harm in that.”

  The tension that had set in his jaw visibly relaxed. He smiled slightly, not wanting to give away how excited he was that I’d agreed to the date.

  “Great. Tomorrow night. I’ll pick you—”

  “I’m busy tomorrow night. How about next week on Saturday?”

  I saw the disappointed look in his face that he’d have to wait a week and a half to go out with me, but he quickly recovered.

  “Okay. Next Saturday is good. I’ll call you before then. Would that be all right?”

  “Sure. I should get going. My mother’s probably worried about me, especially after the way I stormed out of there.”

  “I’ll walk you back.”

  “I’ll be fine. But thanks.”

  “Vee, I insist.”

  I decided I had punished him enough for one night. I couldn’t completely emasculate him. So we walked slowly back to my house, prolonging our time together. When we arrived, he kissed me on the cheek.

  “It was really good seeing you again after so long.”

  “It was good seeing you, too.”

  I couldn’t help myself and smiled.

  “I’ll see you next Saturday. I’m looking forward to it.”

  Michael held my gaze.

  “ ’Bye, Michael.”

  “I’ll wait until you get inside.”

  I climbed up the stairs to my front door. I looked over my shoulder and waved at him. He winked at me. I froze, not wanting to leave. Michael was fixed in place as well. We just kept staring at each other until finally Michael came up the steps. He picked up my hand and brought it to his lips. My head swirled, making me woozy. I stared at his lips. He must’ve noticed because when I glanced back up into his eyes I saw him looking at me like he never had before. He wanted me. There was no doubt.

  Still holding on to my hand, he drew me closer to him and kissed me. His lips were so soft. First he planted little kisses, but then when I parted my lips slightly, he started tracing the shape of my mouth with his tongue. It was so slow and sensual. God, I’d never been kissed like this. In all the fantasies I’d had of kissing Michael, this was better than anything I could’ve imagined. Sudd
enly realizing we were on my porch, I pulled back and looked around. But it was eleven on a Wednesday night. No one was out. The blinds of the neighboring houses were all drawn. I could just hear Ma’s voice in my head right now: “What would the neighbors have thought if they saw you kissing Michael?”

  “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

  “No, it’s okay. I just pulled away because I was afraid one of the neighbors would see us. I’d never hear the end of it from my mother!”

  “Ha! That’s true. I forgot where we were. I couldn’t help myself. I’ve been wanting to kiss you for so long.”

  The same lust that, moments before, had been in Michael’s eyes returned.

  “Well, good night.”

  Before he changed his mind and kissed me again, I quickly turned around and climbed the last two steps of my porch.

  “Good night, Vee.”

  I stepped inside. I wanted to peek through one of the three small windows that adorned my door, but I didn’t out of fear that he’d see me. Instead, I quickly tiptoed over to the living room to peek through the blinds. Luckily, none of my family was in sight. Ma had left the blinds slightly ajar as she always did to let the sunlight in, but she must’ve forgotten to draw them as night fell. Michael was walking slowly away but staring at the windows of my house. There was no way he could see me. I was standing too far back and the lights were off. He had a huge grin on his face while he stared at the windows, then looked away. As he walked down the street, I could hear him whistling.

  I let out a big sigh. Now that I was alone, I could drop the tough stance I’d taken with him and just revel in the fact that I would be finally going on a date with the man I had been madly in love with for so long.

  And that’s how it all started. After that first date, getting ice cream, we went out almost every weekend after that. I still played a little hard to get in the beginning, so that’s why we weren’t seeing each other every week. But after two months, when Michael asked me if I’d officially become his girlfriend, I said yes.

  I’ll never forget that year. He sent me peonies at the bridal shop every week. And when they weren’t in season, he sent me roses in every color. He took me to some of the best restaurants throughout New York City. And in the summer, he took me out to Central Park, where he rented a boat. We also went to the beach a lot.

  Ma, Rita, and Connie were thrilled for me.

  Then one year from our first date, he proposed to me. And of course, he made sure the proposal was just as romantic, if not more, than anything he’d done before.

  After we had dinner at Tao, one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan, he said, “Let’s take a carriage ride in Central Park.”

  “I’ve always wanted to do that!”

  “I know.” Michael seemed pleased with himself.

  “But it’s snowing.”

  “It’s not snowing that hard, and they keep blankets in the carriages. I promise you won’t regret it!”

  “How can I say no when you put it that way?”

  We hopped into a cab and got out at the park’s entrance by 60th Street and Fifth Avenue. The smell of horse manure was overpowering. Several carriages lined the street, waiting for passengers. Plenty of tourists were getting into the carriages. They weren’t going to let the weather stop them. Besides, there was something romantic about taking a carriage ride through Central Park while it was snowing.

  Michael helped me into the carriage and we were off. Two stunning white horses pulled the elaborately adorned carriage. The temperature was slightly below the freezing mark. So we huddled closely together and draped the heavy blanket that was provided across our laps. Michael had his arm around me, and I leaned into him.

  Central Park has always been one of my favorite places in New York City. Every time I came here, I never ceased to be amazed at the genius of the city’s engineers who decided to place this sprawling park in the middle of Manhattan. Although it was cold, the air was invigorating. I took in several deep breaths and just admired the beauty of the winter wonderland before me.

  The snow kept falling. About an inch covered the ground now. The bare trees were outlined in the milky dust. There were only a few people walking around the park since it was getting later. I stared up ahead at another carriage and imagined I’d been transported back to nineteenth-century New York City where only horse-drawn carriages dotted the streets instead of hundreds of honking cars. I imagined women in long skirts and mufflers, and men in coattails and top hats walking in the park.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “I’m picturing what it must’ve looked like here a hundred years ago when cars didn’t exist. There’s something about that era in New York City that I’ve always been fascinated by.”

  “Yeah, whenever I look at those old photos of the city it’s hard to imagine, especially in comparison to today’s Manhattan.”

  We fell silent again, just taking in the serene landscape before us. We were now approaching Central Park’s Bow Bridge, where many couples exchanged their wedding vows. I could see why. The beautiful bridge was made out of cast iron and was designed to resemble the bow of a violinist. Our carriage stopped at the bridge.

  “Why are we stopping? Is the ride over already?”

  “No, Vee. I just asked the driver to stop so we can enjoy the beautiful view here for a little bit.”

  “Oh, okay.” I thought that was odd, but I didn’t question it.

  Michael sat up, removing his arm from around me.

  He placed both of his hands in his lap. He looked peculiar.

  “Are you feeling all right?”

  “Yeah.” Michael seemed to jump at my question. “Let’s just sit here for a moment quietly and just take it all in.”

  I nodded my head. He was acting strange, but so be it.

  I was looking at the snow, which was now falling more heavily, and how it had completely blanketed the park. It looked like heaps of soft, fluffy cotton candy, without the added food coloring.

  “Valentina?”

  I turned toward Michael. He was kneeling on the floor of the carriage. I had been so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t even felt him move away from me.

  “Did you drop something? Why are you down there?”

  Now I was really beginning to worry about his sudden odd behavior.

  He reached into his coat pocket and held out a small black velvet box. My heart began racing.

  He slowly opened the box. A gorgeous three-carat emerald-cut ring sparkled in the box. I couldn’t refrain from gasping.

  “Will you marry me, Valentina?”

  I started crying and laughing all at once.

  “Yes! Oh my God, Michael! Yes!”

  I threw my arms around Michael, who was laughing now, too. He finally looked more like his usual self as the color returned to his cheeks. Taking the ring out of the box, he slid it onto my finger.

  “It fits perfectly! How did you know my ring size and that I love emerald-cut rings?”

  “I had a little help from three women.” Michael smiled mischievously. “Oh, and a guy, too.”

  “Hmmm, let me guess. My mother, sisters, and Aldo?”

  Michael laughed. “Who else? Thank God, they know your tastes. I wanted to surprise you. I know we haven’t talked at all about getting married so I was taking a huge chance just popping the question to you. But you know how much I love to surprise you.”

  “And you know how much I love surprises!” I giggled like a schoolgirl.

  We stared into each other’s eyes then. I leaned into Michael as he kissed me. We didn’t care that it felt like the longest kiss we’d ever shared and were keeping the carriage driver waiting. I was sure he understood, and I was sure Michael would be tipping him nicely later for his patience. When we finally stopped kissing, Michael told the driver he could continue.

  The driver turned around before resuming the ride. “Congratulations ! May you have many years of happiness, like my wife and me.�
��

  “Thank you!” Michael and I shouted back to him in unison.

  “I can’t believe this is really happening. You’re going to be my husband.”

  “And you’re going to be my wife.”

  I snuggled back into Michael’s embrace. He wrapped both of his arms around me and placed his cheek against mine.

  “I feel like the luckiest man in the world. I love you so much, Valentina.”

  “I love you, Michael.”

  “We’re going to be so happy together, Valentina.”

  We rode the rest of the ride in silence, trying to preserve this perfect memory. I couldn’t help thinking back to when I was a little girl and Michael had rescued me at Mr. Li’s Grocery Store. A part of me always knew Michael would be mine someday, and now that my dream had finally come true, I felt a sense of wholeness like I’d never felt before.

  7

  Noxzema

  “What’s your secret to having such smooth skin?”

  “Noxzema.”

  Whenever Olivia was asked how she kept her fifty-year-old skin looking so smooth, she always referred to her favorite beauty product since she’d first stepped foot on American soil.

  An unattainable prize when she lived in Sicily, Noxzema was also sold in her country. She and her sisters used to watch the Italian TV commercials of beautiful women swearing by it, but since it was imported from the United States, it was too expensive for them to buy it. Many evenings, Olivia and her sisters would go to la drogheria and admire the sapphire-blue jars of Noxzema.

  “Noxzema will be my first purchase when I get to America,” Olivia proudly exclaimed.

  “You must send us some jars! You must!” Her sisters pleaded with her.

  After Olivia and Nicola became engaged, they had agreed to go to America. She began daydreaming on a daily basis about what her new home would be like. She shared all the plans she’d envisioned with her sisters, whom she kept nothing from.

  “First, Nicola and I will get jobs as tailors in a department store like Lord & Taylor or B. Altman’s. We will live in one of those fancy apartments we’ve seen in movies about New York. Everyone in Manhattan wears nothing but the best designer clothes. So I’ll go to work wearing Oscar de la Renta suits, and I will get my hair set every week at the beauty parlor like the other stylish American women do.”