Chapter 29
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
KATE
Lifting the cup to my lips, I savor the sweet taste of cappuccino outside the local shop I’ve visited every morning. A gentle breeze blows my hair across my face, obscuring my view of the flowers in the center of the table.
“Can I get you another?”
Genivia, the woman who owns the shop, stands with a smile on her face, shielding her eyes from the morning sun.
“I’m good, thank you.” Setting the cup on the saucer, turning my attention to the children playing near the fountain across the square.
“Any plans for the day?” She questions as she wipes the table next to mine. Genivia reminded me of my nona; always something cooking on the stove, and the neighborhood gossip.
“Nothing planned, no.”
After having the immense pleasure of meeting Valentina, and the subsequent brush off by Dante, I decided it was time I carried out the promise I made to Nona.
Gathering my backpack and the sizable tip the Cavalettis left for me, I hired a car, and snuck into my apartment through a window on which the lock had been broken since I moved in. Grabbing a handful of clothes, my passport and Nona’s and Nono’s urns, I boarded a plane for Italy.
I spent the first week touring the village they grew up in, meeting their remaining family and then placing their urns in the family cemetery. It was a tearful moment, like having their funerals all over again. While I was there, the local priest stopped by, offering his condolences and sharing his memories of Nona, who he’d gone to primary school with.
The next two weeks were spent in a small cottage on the edge of the family property, where I spent my days studying and the nights enjoying the townsfolk.
“My grandson’s offer is still open,” Genivia prods, having made the same offer every day since I’d arrived. Antonio, the grandson in question, was much older than me, and so shy he’d looked at me once before running and hiding in the back of her shop.
“I’m afraid I will have to decline, I’m leaving today, back to America.”
My exam was three days from now in Houston. I’d reserved a room in a fancy hotel near the testing center. According to my confirmation email, the test would last two days, six hours each day with two fifteen minute breaks and a half hour for lunch.
Afterwards, I planned to spend an extra night in Houston, enjoying the amenities the hotel offered, including a celebratory dinner and full body massage.
I planned to email the company who managed my building, letting them know I didn’t plan to renew my lease.
“Make sure you toss a coin in the fountain,” Genivia points to the water feature across the square. “It will ensure you return again someday.”
Stepping from the taxi, I tilt my head back to take in the grandeur of the multi-story hotel. The flight had been uneventful as I’d slept practically the entire way.
Making my way into the lobby, I hear my name called from close by the check in desk. Scanning the area, my eyes land on Adam who is waving like a lunatic.
“Hey, Romano,” he greets me as I approach the check in desk. “I didn’t know you were testing this week.”
Adam looks good, rested and less defeated than the last time I saw him. I’d always considered him handsome, however, he was too preppy for me.
“Got an email about a cancellation,” I admit, sharing a smile with the gentleman behind the desk. “I cut my vacation short in order to take the spot.” Sliding my credit card across the desk.
“Bounced as soon as the all clear sounded, huh?” Adam wags his eyebrows.
“What about you?” I deflect, signing my name where the clerk indicates. “Escaped Mallace I see.”
“You didn’t hear?” Adam’s eyes grow wide before he takes a look around our surroundings. “Mallace got busted for insurance fraud.”
“What?” I laugh as I take the keycard from the man behind the counter.
“Oh, yeah,” he chuckles, reaching out his hand to take my backpack. “He was the last doctor to have contact with the patient who went missing which triggered an investigation into his finances.”
My thoughts went immediately to Angelo and by extension, Dante. “Did they ever find the guy, the patient I mean?” The question was across my lips before I could stop it. Of course they’d found him, Angelo was never lost.
“They did, actually. His family hired some ex-military guy who tracked him down. He was unconscious when they located him. Now they’re shopping for a specialist to help him walk again.”
Of course they found a creative way to spin it, probably profiting handsomely from it too, I think to myself.
“I thought they got all the bullets.”
“They did, but additional testing showed spinal cord damage we didn’t catch. He’s got a long road ahead of him.”
I feared this was the case. Between his excessive time waking up and failed reflex test, I knew it was serious.
“Hey, a few of us are getting together later. Why don’t you join us?”
“Maybe,” I lie, knowing good and well I have a date with room service and a streaming channel. I was going to spend the next twenty-fours watching all the shows I couldn't for the past few years.
“Eight o’clock, bar across the street.”
I wave to Adam as the elevator doors close, knowing the next time I see him will be down the street at the testing center.
My head hurt, body stiff and the past two days were a blur. Having gone into the testing center with a load of confidence, I wasn't certain I got my name correct at this point. I’d woken with butterflies dancing in my stomach, they remained there until well after our last break. My results would be available in the morning, so tonight, I planned to dress up and have a celebratory dinner, followed by dessert in my room.
Entering the hotel, I find a line of people standing outside the elevator bank, several suited men pointing to the hall which led to the bar. My heart sank a little, all I wanted was to climb into the massive tub inside my bathroom.
“Sorry, ma’am, there is an issue with the power for the elevator. Crews are working on it. We are offering complimentary drinks in the bar for our guests.”
Checking my watch, I have roughly two hours before I need to get ready for dinner. Alcohol was not something I indulged in, however, the thought of climbing eight flights of stairs doesn’t sound appealing either.
Entering the bar, I find three empty chairs at the end beside the window, which overlooks the main street. Sliding my tired body into the last seat, I make eye contact with one of the bartenders.
“What can I get for you?”
With my headache making its presence known, my nerves this morning have prevented me from enjoying the pot of coffee I’d ordered last night from room service.
“I’d love a cup of coffee.”
“Anything else, ma’am?”
“You could fix the elevator,” I tease.
“Fresh out of electrician skills. I’ll get that coffee,” he taps the bar twice before turning his back to me.
The television mounted behind the bar captures my attention. A scene from one of the series I’d streamed last night playing. Adjusting in my seat, I begin reading the closed captions as I wait for my coffee.
“Here you are.”
The clink of the cup and saucer steal my attention briefly. As I raise the cup to my lips, the scene on the television changes to what appears to be a news report, the banner at the bottom scrolling out breaking news.
“Great, more doom and gloom,” I mumble as I move to turn my attention to the window.
“They’ve been showing that for the last two hours, the biggest drug bust in Texas history.” The bartender motions behind him. “My brother works for the ATF in Dallas, he said it’s a mess.”
With the mention of Dallas, I snap my attention back to the television in time to see a familiar face on the screen.
“Can you turn up the volume?” A man standing not far from me asks, pointing at the screen.
“ Acting on a tip, authorities have seized more than twelve-hundred pounds of illegal drugs, with a street value of thirty million dollars. According to Dallas police chief, this is the largest narcotic seizure in Texas history. The man in handcuffs at the bottom of your screen has been identified as Jose? Chuy Maldonado, known cartel leader. From our research, Channel News Twelve reporter Erin Gray has uncovered at least twenty seven federal warrants for Maldonado .”
A smile brushes my lips as I turn from the news report to the activity outside the hotel window. I won’t think of him, not now, not when everything I want is within my grasp.
Movement across the street puts an end to my near meltdown as Adam stumbles from the bar, his shirt untucked and hair a disheveled mess. In true Adam fashion, he’d been late to the testing center yesterday. Unlike Dr. Raymond, the administration had not been lenient, refusing him entry. He would be forced to wait until the next available testing date, which wasn’t for several months.
“They arrested a cop, too?”
Pulling my attention back to the bartender, I find he’s talking to the guy beside me. Following their line of sight, my breath catches as I see Brady’s picture on the screen.
I listen as the reporter goes on to tell of Brady’s involvement in drug trafficking, prostitution, and illegal gaming. However, it’s the photo of Brady standing with Chuy in what appears to be the hospital parking lot, which makes it all too real for me.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we thank you for your patience. The elevators are repaired.” One of the men from earlier announces to the room.
A chorus of cheers ring out as several men rush for the hall. I remain seated, enjoying the hot coffee as I watch Adam stumble into a waiting taxi. The poor guy was his own worst enemy, much like Brady.
Stepping into my hotel room, the freshly made bed far too inviting. For a fraction of a second, I consider cancelling my reservations and climbing into the bed, sleeping for the remainder of my stay.
Life was meant to be lived, Kate , Nona’s words echo in my head as I step toward the bathroom. I have just enough time to shower before my reservations.
A sudden knock at my door causes me to jump. With a heavy sigh, I spin on my heels and wrench open the door.
Standing in the hall, flowers in one hand and tears in her eyes, was Andi.
“You have every right to tell me to go away,” she begins, holding the flowers in my direction. “I just want to congratulate you?—”
As the scent of the blooms reach me, a sudden wave of nausea rushes over me. Cupping my hand over my mouth, I run for the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before emptying the contents of my stomach.
“Oh, my god, are you okay?” Andi stands beside me, pulling my hair back as I continue to heave. “Here, this will help,” she whispers as she lays a wet washcloth on the back of my neck.
“I had a similar reaction after my exam.”
Leaning back on my heels, I take the washcloth from my neck and wipe my mouth. “My stomach has been a ball of butterflies for the past few days.” I laugh, standing to my full height.
Andi drops her gaze to the marble floor. “I’m so sorry for being such a bitch.” Raising her eyes toward me, “Can you ever forgive me?”
Opening my arms, I clear the distance between us, wrapping her in a tight embrace. “You’re my best friend, how could I not forgive you?”
We sway back and forth for several moments. I’d missed her, Andi was a part of me, a deep rooted layer I never want to shed.
“I’m sorry I made you puke.”
“I think it was the smell of the flowers.”
Andi pulls out of our embrace, a quizzical look on her face, “You love flowers.”
“Normally, yes.” I agree, stepping around her and into the bedroom. Growing up, Nona had a small garden in the backyard. She taught me how to grow vegetables, herbs and a few flowers.
“But those,” pointing at the discarded bouquet in the center of a table. “Smell like death.”
Andi walks across the room, picking up the flowers and sniffing the blooms. “They smell fine to me,” she shrugs before opening the door and placing them in the hall. “You know, I had a patient once who couldn't stand the smell of coffee while she was pregnant. Could you imagine?” She laughs, walking across the room before sitting on the corner of the bed.
A wave of panic washes over me. Searching the room, I run to the bedside table where my cell phone was charging.
“What is it?” Andi questions, as I stare at my calendar, lowering myself to the bed beside her..
“I’m late.” My words were barely above a whisper, shock filling my chest as I count the days three more times.
“How late? She questions, wrapping a protective arm around my shoulders.
“Four days.”
“Pff, that’s noth?—”
“I’m never late, Andi,” I interrupt, turning my attention to her. “Like ever.”
“You’ve been under a lot of stress. Our fight, the storm, your exam.”
A single tear falls down my cheek as the severity of the situation hits me. Combing through my memory, I know for certain Dante didn’t use a condom. It was hot, and we were laden with passion, clearly too caught up in the moment.
“Kate, is there a chance you could be pregnant?”
Unable to speak, I lower my head as I nod twice.
“Okay, there is a pharmacy on the corner.” Andi stands from the bed, her caring eyes determined. “I'm going to run down and grab a test while you get in the shower.”
Andi didn’t wait for me to reply, instead grabbing her purse and heading out the door. It has to be the stress of the last few weeks, it has to be. Dante made his decision, further confirming it since he hasn’t tried to reach out to me. He is resourceful, evident by the way he removed Angelo from the hospital, and no doubt his involvement with what happened with Chuy and Brady.
If I am carrying his baby, I will be forced to do it alone.