Chapter Fifteen
“Mama J, you outdid yourself yet again,” Rico said after they’d finished eating the lasagna she’d brought. Gina had asked for seconds, just as she had with the pancakes at breakfast. He was glad Franco’s mama had agreed to join them. He wanted Gina to be comfortable with her because she might be able to connect with Gina in ways neither he nor Franco could.
“Zio Franco, do you want to play a game after dinner? Your mama and Zio Rico can play too.”
“Sounds good, but you’d better watch out. My mama is very competitive.”
“Oh, Franco, stop. I just made sure my children knew that they earned every win because their friends weren’t going to let them win. But I always make it fun.”
“Yes, it was. And sounds like good reasoning to me. But, Mama, prepare yourself. You haven’t played against Gina before. She’s ruthless.”
Gina giggled, making Rico smile. They still had a lot to come to terms with, and he didn’t think the finality of Michelle’s passing had sunk in yet, but tonight they’d just escape from it for a while. Gina had decided she didn’t want to go to the party she was invited to today, so they’d spent the day at the apartment.
“I’ll clear the table while Gina gets out the game she wants to play.” The little girl was up and headed down the hallway before he finished the sentence.
He and Franco stood at the same time and started picking up dishes.
“I can do the dishes,” Mama J insisted.
“No way. You cook, we clean.” Rico stopped what he was doing and turned to her. “Thanks for being here. We’ve probably kept her so busy today that she hasn’t had time to process everything, but if you wouldn’t mind sticking around until bedtime, she might need to lean on the shoulder of someone who knows what she’s experiencing.”
“I’ll stay as long as you need me, Rico.” The sympathy in her eyes was palpable.
“I don’t want you driving back to Breck too late tonight, though,” Franco said. “If it gets too dark, you can stay at my apartment.”
“I’ll be fine. Paul will pick me up later. He’s waiting for me at a downtown hotel. We’re making this a little getaway, despite the circumstances.”
“Why didn’t you have him join us?” Rico asked.
She waved away his question. “He didn’t want to intrude, and I didn’t think Gina needed to have too many strangers around her at once.”
“True,” Rico agreed. “I’m glad he came with you, though. And really appreciate all you’ve done.”
“What? I cooked you dinner.”
There was no getting Mama J to admit she’d done anything out of the ordinary. Rico came around the table to place a kiss on her cheek. “I love you, Mama J.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “I love you too, Rico. I’m so sorry about your cousin. Cancer is so cruel.”
He nodded, unable to speak. When they heard Gina’s footsteps, he separated from her and Rico put on his game face again.
“Why don’t I do the dishes?” Franco offered. “I’ve already gotten trounced in The Game of Life by both Gina and Mama before. Your turn, Rico.”
Rico nodded. “You can play the next game.”
The evening passed by too quickly, but he couldn’t keep Mama J here all night. “Gina, why don’t you get ready for bed, then we’ll be in to say goodnight.”
“Can’t I stay up a little—” Gina cut off the words as if she’d said the wrong thing. Before he could give her another half hour or so, she scampered off to her bedroom.
“I wonder why she didn’t put up a fuss since it’s not a school night.”
Mama J came over and wrapped an arm around him. “Watch for signs of Gina trying hard to please you. She might think you’re going to leave her too if she doesn’t behave or is too much trouble.”
“Why would she think that? I promised her I’m here for the long term.”
“She’s just lost her mother. Nothing is stable or fair in her life right now. She’ll need daily reminders, at least for a while. You’re going to have to prove yourself, even though we both know there’s no doubt.”
“Thanks, Mama J, for the vote of confidence.” Rico sighed. “I’m up to the challenge.”
“Yes, you are. And you’re the best person for the job. She already knows and loves you. Now she just needs some boring, mundane routine to show her that the world isn’t going to throw her curves like this forever.”
“Should I send her to school on Monday? I was already wondering about that.”
“Let her be the one to decide.” Pretty much what Franco had suggested. “I know I wanted to be with my friends immediately after my mama died. But at the same time, being with the other girls who still had their mamas hurt. She can’t stop going to school, though, so the sooner she learns to deal with those feelings, the better. If she does go, take her a little early, if possible, and talk with the principal, if not her teacher.”
“I’ve already texted her teacher.”
Mama J smiled. “I forgot parents nowadays have more direct contact outside of the school.”
She’d called him a parent. He hoped he’d be half as good at it as she was.
“Do you mind if I go in and say good night to Gina?”
“Not at all. Let me see if she’s finished brushing her teeth. You can come along.” To Franco, he added, “We’ll be right back.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Franco smiled encouragingly at Rico, then at his mama.
One more thing added to the list of reasons he loved Franco—he wasn’t ashamed to bring in his mama when needed.
And as much as he’d lusted after Franco all these years, in the past two days, that feeling had deepened into love. Not entirely romantic love, but even more lasting.
“Lead the way,” Mama J prompted. Brought back to the moment, he turned and started down the hallway.
Gina had brushed her teeth in record time and was already in bed. “That was fast!” he commented.
She looked at them both as they entered the room and nodded. “I guess I’m tired after all.” But she looked more scared than tired.
Rico sat on the edge of the bed and brushed her hair off her forehead with his fingers. “You’ve had a long day, Sweetie. Is there anything we can do to make it easier for you to fall asleep?”
Gina’s gaze rested on Mama J’s. “Would you read to me tonight? I miss…”
Rico got up and moved to stand near the doorway so that Mama J could sit down. He didn’t want to leave before kissing Gina good night, though.
“I’d love to, Gina.” Mama J took his spot on the mattress. She picked up the book from the nightstand. “Is this what you’re reading?”
Gina nodded, somberly. After she found the place Rico had left off, he watched Mama J work her magic on the little girl. As she read the next chapter, Gina visibly relaxed on the bed. Perhaps she just needed a mama to read to her again, now that her own could never do so again.
When Mama J finished, she replaced the bookmark and set the book aside. “Gina, I don’t tell many people this, but when I was about your age, I lost my mama.”
“You did?” Gina’s eyes opened wide as she asked in a hushed tone.
Mama J nodded. “I know how hard it is, and I wish I could promise that it will all be better, but you’re always going to miss her. Some days will be better than others. I know I live two hours away, but anytime you want to talk, ask Rico or Franco to call me. I’ll come if I can, and if not, we can talk over the phone.”
Gina’s chin trembled and tears spilled from her eyes. Mama J bent over her and held her. Gina stopped trying to hold back and soon her tears turned to sobs.
“Let it out, piccola. Just let it out.”
Rico began crying too. Out of the blue, arms wrapped around him and Franco was with him, holding him, consoling him. “Don’t hold back, cucciolo. I know how hard this is.”
Little cub. Rico’s heart warmed at the affectionate term of endearment. And he did understand, only Franco hadn’t had a chance to tell his papa goodbye, which was worse.
After a few minutes, Rico composed himself and glanced back at Gina’s bed and watched the two whispering to one another. He didn’t want to intrude, but after a bit, Mama J turned to him and smiled. Franco pulled away abruptly. “I’ll leave you three alone,” he said as he turned to leave.
Before Rico could insist that he stay, he was gone.
“Is that okay, Zio Rico?”
Rico came closer to the bed. “I’m sorry, Sweetie. I didn’t hear.”
“Mama J says that while you’re working, I can go shopping with her, and she’ll teach me how to cook, and this winter, she will even take me to a ski resort to learn how to ski.”
Mama J had discussed this with him earlier, and he’d given his blessing on anything Mama J wanted to do. Gina wouldn’t have much fun hanging around a pub, but he would have to stop by on weekends now and again.
Rico smiled. “Absolutely. You’ll have to wait awhile for the snow, though.”
Gina focused on Mama J again. “I used to go shopping with my mama before she got sick.”
“I’m sure you both had a lot of fun. I know my daughter Angelina and I loved our girls’ days out. And we can stop in to have lunch at her café.”
“What kind of food does she make?”
“Some of the best Italian in Colorado.”
“Good! I like everything but anchovies and mushrooms.”
“I’ll be sure to give her a heads-up to prepare a special dish for us when you come visit. Now, you should get some sleep, piccola. Perhaps tomorrow, Paul and I can take all of you out for pizza or something.”
“I love pizza!”
“What self-respecting Italian American doesn’t love pizza?”
“I’m Italian American,” Gina said.
“I know you are, sweetheart. I’m sure your mama taught you to appreciate your heritage. She would want you to always remember that the Pellegrinos are a noble family in Palermo, Sicily, a place steeped in traditions. I’m sure your ancestors and mine knew each other back in the old country.”
“We learned about traditions in school last year.”
“Sometimes, I think we find comfort in our traditions. They make us feel closer to the ones we love, even if they can’t be with us any longer.”
Mama J was such a wise woman. Would Rico ever get to a point where he’d know the right things to say?
“What are some traditions you remember with your mama and nonna?” Mama J asked.
“When Nonna still lived in her house, we used to go there for Christmas, and we made ornaments and cookies.”
“That sounds like a wonderful tradition.”
Gina’s expression grew sad. “Nonna got sick, though. She can’t do that anymore.”
“I can never replace your mama or your nonna, but anytime you want to join Angelina and me when we bake cookies for Christmas or weddings or any other occasion, we’d love to have you with us.”
Gina’s eyes grew bright again, and she smiled. “I can’t wait to make cookies again, but mostly because I like to eat them.” She turned to Rico. “When can we go to Aspen Corners?”
“I was thinking maybe next weekend.”
Gina dismissed him almost immediately and turned to Mama J. “Can I visit you next Saturday?”
“I have nothing planned for Saturday, and you’re in luck, because Sunday is my monthly family dinner.” Mama J met his gaze. “You’re both invited to join us, Rico.”
He’d always heard about these dinners but had never actually attended one before. They used to happen once a week, but with so many schedules to juggle they’d gone to monthly a couple of years ago. As far as he knew, until now they’d strictly been for family members and their significant others.
“We’d be honored, Mama J. Thank you for inviting us.”
After Mama J kissed Gina good night and they said a little prayer together for Michelle, she left the room. Rico approached the bed and sat down.
“Is there anything I can get you, Sweetie?”
Gina shook her head. “But can you leave a light on tonight?”
She’d never been afraid of the dark before. “Sure. I’ll take the night-light from the bathroom and plug it in here until I can get another one.”
“I’m not afraid of Mama if she comes to visit me, but…”
“No need to explain or be afraid of anything.”
“I know. It’s just that…I’ve never seen a ghost before.”
He wasn’t sure Michelle would be able to manage that anyway. Didn’t it take a while to manifest in ways like that? “Sometimes our loved ones come to us in dreams, and it’s just as if they’re chatting with us. Your mama might come to you that way.”
“Zio Franco said she might also send me signs.”
Rico smiled, pleased that Franco had also talked with her about the ways she might still feel Michelle close to her. The two of them had been gone walking a long time this morning and must have talked about these things then. He was happy to have the Giardanos in their corner during this.
“That’s right.” He tapped the middle of Gina’s chest. “But your mama will always be right there in your heart. And you can talk with her anytime.”
She nodded. “I know I won’t be able to hear her answers, but I know she’ll listen.”
“Yes, she will.”
Rico bent over to kiss her on the forehead. “Night, sweetheart.”
“Where are you going to sleep tonight?”
He hadn’t really thought about it. “I’ll make up a bed on the couch.”
“You can have Mama’s room if you want. She won’t be…”
“Thanks. I might eventually, but not yet.” He felt strange taking over Michelle’s domain so quickly. Besides, he wanted to get a new bed and mattress. While Michelle was fine with her twin bed, he needed room to spread out. “Now, let me get that light situated.”
He brought it in from the bathroom and heard Franco and Mama J’s voices. Good. He wanted to say goodbye before she left. He owed them both a debt of gratitude for helping Gina and him get through the first day without Michelle.
After he switched on the night-light and turned off the bedside lamp, Rico asked Gina how that was.
“Perfect. Night, Zio Rico. I love you.” She gave him a hug then curled onto her side, clutching her giraffe.
“I love you more, Sweetie.” He bent over Gina and kissed her again before leaving the room, but left her door open, just in case she needed him in the night.
In the living room, he approached Mama J with open arms. “I can’t thank you enough for tonight.”
“No need to thank me. I’m happy I could be here.” She hugged him then pulled back, clutching his biceps much like her son had done. “You’ve been given an amazing gift in that little girl, Rico. Enjoy every moment with her. She’ll open up a whole new world for you.”
Rico smiled. “She already has.”
“I’m going to get you a book that I think will help too as you begin to sort through Michelle’s things and decide what to keep. It’s about a project you and Gina can work on together called a memory box.”
He wasn’t ready to go through the mementos of Michelle’s life, but it would have to happen at some point. “I will take any help you can give me.”
For now, he’d just take things one day at a time.