I look to her and wrinkle my brows. She has a frustrated look on her face.
“Holly,” my old coffee mate says, grabbing my attention as she holds out a hand.
“Oh, I’m Carleen. I can’t believe I told you so much about me and I never got so much as your name.”
We both laugh. “Truth be told, I probably wouldn’t have told you. Not back then.”
“Ugh,” I groan as I check my phone I’ve just taken from my locker.
“Problem?” Nyla asks.
“My hostess at the restaurant has quit. She didn’t even give me notice. What am I supposed to do?”
And so it begins. This is the type of thing I was afraid of. How am I supposed to fix this by tonight?
“I’ve done some hostess work and I’m sort of in between gigs. That is if you need someone,” Holly says and shrugs.
I chew on my lip. Our old hostess was very attractive and charismatic. Holly fits the same description. “Really? You’d be saving me.”
“Hon, tell me the time and place and I’m there.”
I sag down onto the bench and exhale. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Like I said, I needed to find work as it is. You’re actually doing me a favor.”
She drops her towel to her side and saunters her way into the shower. I take notice of the bold two-line tat in the center of her shoulder blades. It says Doll House on top, and underneath in smaller lettering, I think it says, Master NY.
I try to remember if she told me she was from New York. I talked so much back then, I don’t know if I allowed her to tell me much. I frown at myself.
“You decide where you want to go for lunch?” Nyla asks, drawing my attention.
“I was thinking I’d take you guys to the restaurant and cook for you both.”
“You don’t have to do that. I think Holly wanted time to catch up with you.”
“My sous-chef should be there by the time we arrive. He’ll help so I can spend more time with you guys. It’s not a big deal.”
“Okay, if you say so. Thanks.”
With that, she tosses her towel around her neck and holds the ends as she walks into the shower.
Chapter 30
Get it from Nonno
Dario
Four weeks later…
I stand in the great room of Nonno’s home, staring out of the window. There’s a beautiful view of the sea from here. I’ve found myself in front of these windows a lot since I’ve been here.
“What is with the long face? Did you not make your phone call to America?”
“I got through, but she’s always tired. We never get to talk much.”
I’m worried I placed too much on her shoulders. Running that place is a lot of work for the two of us together. I can’t imagine what must be going on without me there.
“You do something romantic for her, yes? Remind her how much you’re thinking of her and want to be there.”
“I hadn’t really thought about that. I’ve been trying to figure out how to get her here with me.”
Nonno sighs. “You young people. She’s still at your place, no?”
“She is.”
“Send flowers. Lavish her with gifts. You are my grandson, show your Di Lorenzo charm. We Italians are suave, debonair, we are the masters of romancing women.”
I chuckle. “You’re right. Thanks, Nonno.”
“Ah, to be in love. It’s a wonderful thing. I will never regret losing my heart to your nonna.”
I move to take a seat next to Nonno on the sofa. Other than missing Carleen, I have been enjoying my time here with him. He loves to tell stories and only wants someone to listen.
“What about my parents, were they in love?”
Nonno gives me a strained smile. I study his face and take in his posture. The tension I see there is new.
“Well, yes, between your parents, there was love. Gio is so much like your mother. She had a big heart and loved those close to her.
“If you were hers, you were hers. There was a time I wasn’t so sure I’d have grandchildren from Ava. Gio changed everything.”
“Yeah, how so? What do you mean?”
“I don’t like to talk of things that aren’t my own to tell if it can be told by someone who understands it better than I do. Your father should be the one to explain what happened back then. I think those still alive should give you those answers. Only they can explain what really happened.”
“Nonno,” I say in frustration. “You said I would have answers once I arrived here. All due respect, but the things I really want to know, you’re talking in circles about them. What happened to my ma?”
There, it’s out there. I want the truth. I’m not going to dance around this as he seems to be doing. I want the whole truth.
“Circles are never ending. Go order Carleen some flowers. I’ll see you at dinner.”