Their marriage was literally over? Hold on a minute. He’d really given her no warning at all. And had just come up with his preposterous accusations. “If you’re saying that the marriage has deteriorated over the last few months, well, that’s changeable. We can improve things with counseling. We owe ourselves at least that. Remember, we took vows before God that we’d stay together, through bad times and good, until death do us part?”
“The vows also stated that we would honor and cherish each other all the days of our lives. Can you honestly say you’ve done that during the last several years?”
She searched her mind for justifications, defenses, any kind of arguments to bring up against his claims. But she had none. Her mind went blank. “So I’m to blame for all of this?” She narrowed her eyes at him. Anger raised to the surface. The nerve of him!
“No, it takes two to keep a marriage going and two to destroy one. Maybe I could have tried harder. To me, it was an exercise in futility because the sweet, loving, and attentive girl I fell in love with disappeared. A cold, unaffectionate, self-absorbed woman I no longer knew replaced her. We were always driven, but even in college when we attended separate schools, there was a real connection, real caring. I can’t remember the last time you asked what was going on at the university.”
He stood and ran his hand through his hair, stopped in place, and glared at her. “I’ve just finished a huge project. Do you even know what it was about?” She shuddered at the sound of a once loving voice now laced with disgust. Glowering at her, hatred replaced the vacancy. His malice shot to her soul like gunfire. “I tried to be there for you, but when you’re doing all the giving and not getting anything in return, you drift off. And, frankly, that’s what I did.”
His meaning was lost to her. Drifted off, how? Margo racked her brain, searching for signs of him distancing himself from her but could find none. He’d still called her, they still made plans for dinner. Didn’t they?
That fine line between hatred and love flashed before her in his eyes. Perhaps she could coax him back in the direction of love. Surely the years they invested were worth something to him.
But before she could muster the courage to try, he continued with his painful rant. “We can’t save our marriage. It’s way too late for that.” He swallowed; his Adam’s apple bobbled. “I’m in love with someone else, and I intend to spend the rest of my life with her. She makes me happy.”
The announcement ripped through her heart like a knife. He loved another woman? How the hell did this happen? The deadening silence froze her, and for once the Queen of Talk couldn’t muster a response.
“Sadly, you’re so out of sync with me, I understand this must come as a shock to you.” He buttoned his sports jacket. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you…”
She didn’t view a single sign of regret on his face. If anything, she espied triumph.
“It happened, and I can’t turn back. I’ve already had my lawyer draw up the divorce papers. All I want is your cooperation. As I’ve said, I’ve asked for nothing so all should be agreeable to you. I’ll send them to you for your signature.” He hesitated for a moment, and for a tiny second, she thought she caught a glimpse of his old self. “You’ll be fine, Margo. You’re strong. You’ll come to accept that this is the best for both of us.”
When she said nothing, he patted her shoulder, as if though she were a mere work associate. “I’ll be in touch.”
She continued to sit in the kitchen, her mind numb, as Tim went upstairs.
He returned with his suitcases and went out the front door without a glance toward her. She ran upstairs, checked his closets and drawers noting that nothing of his was left. Not a trace of him remained in their bedroom. He was out the door, for the last time. Her husband. The memories of their years together flashed across her mind, and she repeated the same question in her mind.
How in the world had she not seen this coming?
****
Carmala was getting ready to go out Saturday night. She and Guido planned to eat pizza out and catch a horror flick. Her landline rang, and she ran to get it.
“Hello?”
There was a garbled sound on the other end and then crying. It sounded like Margo.
“Margo? Margo? Is that you, hon?”
“Carmala. Timothy, he l-left me.”
“What?”
“He’s gone. He packed and left. S-said he has someone else that he’s in love with and that he intended to spend his life with her.” Margo blew her nose loudly.
Carmala tried to process this. The perfect married couple, living the perfect life, split? How can this be? Margo was on top of the world. For Timmy to throw her this whammy—she had to be torn up badly. “I want you to calm down. I’m taking the train to see you right away.”
“Okay. Please hurry.”
“I’ll be there in no time.” Guido would have to understand.
Carmala took her bag and coat and was on her way. She’d call Guido on the way to explain. Just when you thought you had men figured out, they pulled a stunt like this. What the hell?
Chapter Twelve
The next weekend Carmala planned to visit her family with Guido. After listening to Guido’s message on her cell, it didn’t seem he’d get his act together to make the train in time.
Carmala called him back. “Guido, we’re going to miss the train! Where the hell are you?” Carmala paced her apartment. They were headed to Philadelphia for Christmas. If he got there soon, they had a chance to still get on the train.
She called him on his cell again.
He picked up. “I’m on the sub…” His phone was breaking up.
Damn him for being late.
“I can’t hear you. You’re on the subway?”
“The…two…”
“Okay, hurry,” she shouted.
Like shouting would help. Underground cell phone reception was shitty.
She climbed down the stairs with one of her two pieces of luggage, and went out on the street to hail a cab. She gave the cabbie a twenty. “Can you hold the cab? We have to make a train and my boyfriend is late. I’ll give you the fare on top of the twenty.”
“It’s your money, lady,” the cabbie said. “Where you headed?”
“Grand Central Station. Just don’t leave. I have to go up and get the rest of my stuff.” She ran up to her apartment, got the other piece of luggage, the gifts for her family, and her toiletry bag. Then she checked again to make sure the doors and windows were locked. She’d arranged for her neighbor to feed the cats and watch over her apartment.
When she got down the stairs, the cab was waiting but still no Guido.
God! She was going to kill him. She tried his cell again. “Guido, where are you now?”
“I’m right down the street.” He sounded as if he was out of breath. “I’ll be there in five.”
“I could pick you up. I got a cab here waiting, tell me the intersection.”
He gave it to her, and of course, it was more than a five-minute walk. She was glad she’d asked. She spotted him and told the cabbie to stop. He popped the trunk, and Guido threw his single bag in and jumped in the cab.
“Sorry, babe. Last minute snag.”
“What was it?”
“Mama had a problem with the refrigerator. We got it fixed. We’ll still make it. We got like twenty-five minutes until the train takes off.”
The mother, always the mother. He had her tied to his hip. And Carmala resented it. When would his mother let him live his own life?
They got to Grand Central and ran to the train, making it in time for the final boarding call. It was a good thing Carmala had purchased the tickets in advance.
Her dad, Ernesto, waited for them as they disembarked the train at Thirtieth Street Station in Philadelphia. Carmala ran up to him and hugged him tightly. It’d been too long since she’d seen him. He kissed her cheek, and then he shook Guido’s hand and pulled him into a man hug. Every year, Guido spent part of
the holidays with her parents, and they loved him, particularly since he was one-hundred-percent Sicilian.
“Mom and I are so happy to have you guys here. She already has the gravy on the stove with spare ribs, meatballs, and pork. The Christmas ham is in the oven, and there’s pumpkin pie, Italian cookies, you name it, out on the table. I hope you’ve bought your appetite.” Ernesto grabbed a couple of their bags and led them out to the parking lot.
On the way home, Carmala took in all the familiar sights: the huge skyscrapers in Center City, complete with the finished Comcast building and dual Liberty buildings with red and green lights proudly displayed on their triangular rooftops.
“We’re going to take Broad Street so you can see the Christmas decorations, Carmala. I know how much you love this time of year.” Ernesto laughed. “You think you’ll take Guido to the Bellevue for tea this year?”
Carmala looked at Guido in the back seat and winked. “Of course. And we’ll go to Tiffany’s on Walnut Street afterward.”
Guido rolled his eyes, but Carmala knew he’d tried to be a good sport.
“Say, Dad, did you hear the news? Bill popped the question to Jane. He gave her a nearly perfect two-point diamond ring and popped the question. Lucky girl.” She snuck a peek at Guido to check out his reaction. He winked, but she couldn’t for the life of her read his reaction. She wished she could know exactly what he thought on the subject. Did he ever think about him and her getting married? Their friends were already married or getting married.
“I heard, I heard. And I think it’s great,” Ernesto said.
They approached her old neighborhood in South Philly. The familiar residence loomed in front of her in its full Christmas glory. Each of the seven windows facing the main street boasted her mom’s single candle, bright red ribbons, and garland. Memories of her earlier years, particularly the ones in college, flooded her mind. Things were easier then. Why did life have to be so complicated? But maybe she’d thought things were complicated then as well.
They entered the house through the back door. Her Mom, Elizabetha, didn’t let family use the front door; only guests had that privilege. The door led into the kitchen still decorated with the seventies-style metallic wallpaper.
When she saw them, Elizabetha screamed from her spot at the stove. “Stop right there! Take your shoes off. It’s been raining all day, and I don’t want mud on my clean floor.”
Her mother turned on her slippered foot, and in one movement crushed Carmala to her chest. “My baby, how are you? I’ve missed you so much.” She held her daughter at arms’ length and eyed her up and down. “You’re way too skinny. Are you withering away to nothing on me?”
Carmala kissed her cheek. “It’s great to see you, Mom.”
Elizabetha grabbed Guido next. “And, Guido, I’m so glad you’re here, too.” She gave him a good once-over as well. “You, you look just fine. But we’ve got to fatten up this one.” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder at Carmala.
“Come on, we’ll watch the game,” Ernest said to Guido. “Want a beer?” Without waiting for an answer, he went to the refrigerator, popped the top off his can, and handed the other to Guido.
Guido shucked his coat and added it to the heavily laden coat rack. “Sure thing. What about the bags?”
“We’ll get ’em later. The game is already in the third quarter. Come on. We don’t want to miss it.”
“No, you don’t,” Elizabetha hollered. “You will put the luggage in Carmala’s room first.”
Guido took a pull from his beer, put it on the kitchen counter, and picked up the bags. Carmala lifted the last lone one and led the way up stairs to her old room. She was amazed that her parents would let them sleep together, but they loved Guido. And Carmala and Guido had been together four years. She supposed her parents just accepted it.
They trudged up the carpeted stairs and walked the narrow hallway toward her room. The same pink-and-red-flowered wallpaper, pink shag carpets, and, yeah, the old bookshelves packed with her favorite paperbacks brought her back to the years she lived, studied, and worked here. She ran her hand along the titles. Maybe she would reread Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
In some ways, she wished she could leave the complications of living in the big city and come back home. There was nothing like lying in her old bed, gazing at the flowered wallpaper, which amazingly still appeared new, and not having a care in the world. For Carmala, life had produced changes—some good, some not.
Yeah, so great to be home.
****
“Got your beer here, buddy. Grab a seat.” Ernesto motioned for Guido to sit on the end of the couch next to his easy chair.
Guido settled on the overstuffed sofa, sinking into a comfortable position. Being with Carmala’s dad was like being with his own kind. Ernie stood for the dad he wished he had. Over the years, he and Ernesto had built a strong bond. Carmala and he had celebrated many holidays together with her family—they’d split them with Mama—and visited Carmala’s parents in Philadelphia throughout the year, as well. Ernesto probably was the closest thing to a dad he’d ever get. But more than that, he was a good friend.
Guido didn’t have many friends. Other than having an occasional beer with the guys from work, he didn’t fraternize in New York. And the guys at work were often anxious to return to their own families. Or the single guys wanted to hit the town. He’d long ago lost contact with any school buddies. His life now revolved around Carmala. He supposed he appeared henpecked to any other guy looking in on his life.
But he was really happy with her.
“Who’s winning?” Guido took a long gulp of his beer.
“The Giants, but the Eagles are on the offense now. We’re coming back at you.”
Guido laughed. He didn’t follow football much, but he enjoyed watching the game with Ernesto.
Guido finished his beer, and Ernesto grabbed his empty can, went into the kitchen, and returned with two fresh ones.
“Here ya go, buddy. Still on commercial break?”
“Yep.”
Ernesto pulled back his recliner and drank his beer with obvious contentment. “So how’s work?”
Guido loved talking about his work with Ernesto, a retired union man himself. “It’s great. I’ve been promoted to lead electrician and hopefully, soon, foreman on the WTC rebuild project.”
“That’ll keep you busy.”
“The pay raise with the promotion is substantial. And if I do a good job, I’ll be able to keep the managerial role for other projects in Manhattan. Keyes Electric is expanding and winning some great contracts.” He drank his beer. Carmala was a wine drinker, so he didn’t drink beer often. But, man, it sure tasted good. The fizzy malt glided down his throat.
“That’s great, son. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks.” Guido didn’t want to brag, but he was proud of his success at work, and Ernesto could relate to him. Carmala tried to be supportive but totally didn’t get what he did for a living. No matter how hard he’d tried to explain. “About time. I’ve been with Keyes for nine years.”
“You know, I don’t know how to say this. But…Ah, well. I never meddled in Carmala’s love life.”
Guido’s heart pounded. What was Carmala’s dad getting at? Did she complain about his behavior? Or tell him about their fights?
Ernesto cocked his eyebrows. “Ah, I see you’re getting nervous. Don’t be. It’s just that she’s all the way up there, and I feel somewhat comforted that you’re around. But with all the crime in that city and the hours she works—”
“I know what you’re saying, Ernie. Believe me, I don’t particularly like it when she’s in the office late at night and then takes the subway home. Drives me nuts.”
Carmala’s dad leaned over to Guido. “That’s exactly what I mean. There’s all kinds of scumbags on the subways and even walking the streets at night. The business district becomes a ghost town after hours. Every time I read about the crime in the paper—I worry.”
“You’re telling me. I’ve tried to meet her when she works late, but she gets mad and thinks I’m being too possessive.”
“When my daughter gets something in her head, there’s no changing her mind.”
Guido told his side of the story about the night at Delmonico’s.
Ernesto leaned back in his easy chair, pausing for a moment. “And she just left you there?”
Guido nodded. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but you might as well know. I’m going to ask if we can move in together.”
“Really?” Ernesto didn’t appear to disapprove but added, “Any possibility for marriage?”
“I gotta take one step at a time with Carmala. I don’t want to scare her off. Her independence is important to her. But you see, if I move in, I can help her out financially and keep an eye on things. She’s moved into a new apartment. I helped her pick it out.”
Ernesto nodded and seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. “I’d like to see my daughter married someday, but in this day and age, I suppose moving in together is the first step. So I’ll be happy with that, for now.”
“No worries, sir. I’ll be talking to you someday about marrying her. There’s no way I’m letting Carmala go. She’s the love of my life.”
Ernesto lifted himself out of his seat and slapped Guido on the shoulder. “That’s my boy! I’ll grab us a couple of more beers. Keep ’em fresh.”
****
Carmala was in the middle of unpacking when she heard the back door open. Her mom had hung heavy metal bells on an inside door hook. Anyone could pick up someone coming from miles away. She heard her nieces’ excited chatter and ran downstairs to greet them.
“Aunt Carm! Aunt Carm!” Three-year-old Cristie jumped into Carmala’s arms.
The seven-year-old, Isabella, wrapped her arms around Carmala’s waist. “We’re so glad you’re here. We miss you!”
When the girls let go, Carmala’s, sister, Joanne, pulled her in for a hug. “Merry Christmas. How was the trip in?”
Having Fun with Mr. Wrong Page 13
