Chapter 2
“It’s almost time.” Mercedes breezed into Ravello’s lobby where Carlita stood tying a bouquet of silver and gold balloons to the custom sign, Congratulations Luigi and Dernice!
“Lookin’ good, Ma.”
“Thanks.” Carlita climbed down from the ladder and dusted her hands. “I gotta say…this is shaping up to be one heck of a party.”
“You outdid yourself. The food, the decorations, and the games not to mention the gifts.” Mercedes hoisted one end of the ladder and helped her mother carry it to the storage room in the back. “Any regrets about not cancelling?”
“Nope. I got to thinkin’ about what Elvira said, and she’s right.”
“About what?”
“About us having our share of interesting, or should I say questionable, acquaintances.”
“More than our share.” Mercedes craned her neck. “Where’s Tony? I thought he was already here.”
“He ran home to get Shelby and the kids. Violet made a special gift for Luigi and Dernice.”
“She’s such a thoughtful girl.”
“The best. Come check out the delicious dishes we’re serving for the shindig.
” Carlita led her daughter into the main dining room, to a long table set up buffet-style.
“We have deep-dish lasagna, four-cheese ravioli, parmesan-crusted chicken and one of my favorites.” She lifted the lid off a dish. “Fettuccine Alfredo.”
Mercedes licked her lips. “With your secret creamy sauce?”
“You know it.” Carlita pinched her thumb and index finger together. “I added fresh lemon juice, a little garlic and a pinch of pesto. I believe this is my best batch yet.”
“I can’t wait to try it.”
A commotion caught their attention. It was Tony and his family.
Violet ran toward her, tightly gripping a gift bag. “Hi Nana.”
“Hello, sweetheart.” Carlita kissed the top of her head. “You brought me a gift?” she teased.
“It’s for Dernice and Luigi.” The young girl clutched the bag. “I drew a picture and even painted it myself.”
“I bet they’ll love it.”
Tony, with Shelby holding baby Melody in her arms, made their way over. “Do you need help with anything else?”
“I hung the sign, which was last on my to-do list.” Carlita gave her daughter-in-law and granddaughter a gentle hug. “The gifts go on the table by the window.”
More guests started to arrive…Claryce “Reese” Magillicuddy, her friend and local trolley driver. Carlita’s tenants, Cool Bones, Autumn Winter, Autumn’s brother, Steve, and his girlfriend, Paisley, who also worked as a server at Ravello’s.
A guest who looked vaguely familiar slipped inside.
Carlita caught his eye and hurried across the room. “Shrimpy. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Hello, Mrs. Taylor. Thanks for inviting me.” Shrimpy, a dockhand and acquaintance of Dernice’s who had been instrumental in helping clear Luigi’s name during a recent gang-related heist, hovered in the doorway. “I hope I’m not late.”
“You’re right on time.”
Mercedes eased in behind her mother. “Hey, Shrimpy. Lookin’ snazzy, bud.”
The former homeless man was clean, sober, bulking up, and not nearly as thin as he had been when he first met the Garlucci family.
“Thanks. I got promoted to assistant supervisor,” he beamed. “With my recent raise, I put a deposit down on a studio apartment close to work and only a few blocks from the river.”
“Congratulations.” Carlita gave him a high five. “It’s refreshing to hear about a good guy coming out ahead for a change.”
“The place is filling up.”
“Go grab a drink. The gift table is over there.”
Shrimpy excused himself, heading toward the tables lined up against the wall.
“Shrimpy is right. We’re gonna have a full house.
” Carlita cast an anxious glance toward the clock.
The plan was to text Elvira as soon as the last guest arrived.
She would then escort Luigi and Dernice, who were hanging out at EC Security Services’ office, to the restaurant. “Elvira is on standby.”
“Twenty minutes and counting.”
“I’ll be the first to admit, Luigi and Dernice have an eclectic group of friends.” Carlita whispered under her breath, watching as a man with an electric blue mohawk strolled into the restaurant.
“You’re telling me,” Mercedes whispered back. “I feel like I’m on the set of the Sopranos with a supporting cast from the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome movie.”
The guests mixed and mingled while her wait staff made their rounds, offering drinks. The crowd grew, and finally the newcomers slowed to a trickle.
Thinking most had arrived, she sent a text to Elvira telling her the coast was clear.
Elvira promptly replied, on our way.
Carlita flashed the lights. “Luigi and Dernice are on the way.” She turned the lights off, and it grew quiet. Long seconds ticked past. Five…ten…thirty, a full minute.
She reached for her cell phone, thinking something must’ve happened when the front door opened. Elvira breezed in, closely followed by the guests of honor.
At the precise second they crossed the threshold, Carlita flipped the lights on.
SURPRISE!! Loud voices echoed.
Luigi and Dernice stopped dead in their tracks, a look of confusion on their faces.
“What the…”
Elvira, grinning from ear to ear, slapped them on the back. “It’s a surprise engagement party.”
Dernice clutched Luigi’s arm. “For us?”
“No, for me and my non-existent boyfriend,” Elvira joked. “Of course, for you, silly.”
Everyone started talking at once, gathering around the couple to congratulate them. Meanwhile, Carlita snapped pictures of the guests, the newly engaged couple, the food table, the gift table, and the yummy custom cake she’d helped make—red velvet with whipped cream frosting.
The couple posed for several photos, and Carlita couldn’t help but notice Dernice appeared nervous.
Arnie, the restaurant’s manager, tapped her on the shoulder. “Setup is done.”
“Perfect.” Carlita flashed the lights again. “The food is ready, folks. You’ll find plates and silverware near the far end of the table. Help yourself to an Italian feast, Ravello’s style.”
From across the room, she glimpsed Dernice pulling Elvira aside and whispering in her ear. The sisters skirted the crowd and began making their way toward the bathroom.
The hair on Carlita’s neck prickled. Something was up. Determined to find out what it was, she followed behind. Reaching the restroom, she attempted to ease the door open only to discover something was blocking it.
Using a little more force, she pushed hard. It refused to budge.
“Elvira! Dernice!” Carlita pounded on the door. “Let me in.”
Elvira appeared. “What do you want?”
“Why are you blocking the door?”
“Dernice and I are having a private conversation.”
“About what?” Carlita caught Dernice’s muffled reply. “What did she say?”
The door opened. “Fine. You might as well come in.”
“Thank you. It is my restaurant, after all.” Carlita wagged her finger at the guest of honor. “For someone who is attending their own engagement party, you sure don’t look happy. Are you and Luigi fighting?”
“No. We’re getting along like a house on fire.”
“Then what’s wrong?” Carlita caught a look passing between them. “You didn’t want us to throw a party for you?”
“The surprise party is great. It’s just…”
Elvira crept backward, her eye on the door, as if planning her escape.
Anticipating the move, Carlita blocked her exit. “Is there an issue with the food? Did you have other plans today?”
“No.”
“You might as well tell her,” Elvira said. “Carlita won’t stop pestering us until she knows.”
“We might have a problem.”
“A problem?” Carlita echoed. “With a guest?”
“Maybe more than one,” Dernice grimaced.