Chapter 9 #4
“I think the one in the garage has room.” Nina tilted her head in the direction of the laundry room. “You know the way? Through that door and then to the left.”
“ Si . Yes. I’ll be right back. Meanwhile, can you decant the Montepulciano? It should rest for at least twenty minutes.”
“There might not be any left in twenty minutes,” Nina said with a devilish grin.
She was well aware that particular bottle cost nearly one hundred dollars in the store.
Then she noticed a second bottle in the box.
Giovanni was as generous as he was handsome and kind.
Nina rejoiced in how she and Frankie lucked out finding two very decent and desirable men—emphasis on the word desirable .
Yes, there were decent men out there, but you didn’t necessarily want to kiss many of them.
Everyone has a level of standards , she thought to herself.
She was glad she had raised hers after her last relationship debacle.
And the debacle before that, and the one before that.
Who knew a singles’ cruise could be so fruitful?
The women had expected disastrous results, but they knew they would have fun trying.
Rachael was still the only one who was out on a limb, jump ing into relationships and then jumping out as fast. Nina hoped Frankie’s advice would take hold and Rachael could calm down when it came to men.
Then she thought about Robert and shuddered.
What did she sign him up for? At least there isn’t any mistletoe around!
Just as Frankie came down the stairs, her parents returned from their visit with friends.
“Hello Mom! Pappy!” Frankie called out. She bounced down the flight wearing a rust-colored V-neck tunic sweater, leggings, and knee-high boots.
She called it her “uniform.” Her long black hair was pulled into the usual ponytail, exposing the gold and diamond huggie earrings that Giovanni gave to her for her last birthday.
The previous Christmas, he bedazzled her with emerald and diamond cluster earrings.
Besides her cats, Bandit and Sweet P, diamonds were beginning to become her best friend, too.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she wrapped her arms around both of parents and gave them a huge squeeze.
“Something smells delicious!” her mother exclaimed.
“And it’s not the house burning down!” her father joked.
“Very funny. Ha ha,” Frankie responded.
Nina and Giovanni entered the foyer, and everyone greeted one another with kisses and handshakes. Giovanni helped Frankie’s mother, Bianca, with her coat. “It’s so nice to have someone take care of everything,” she exclaimed.
“Let me have that,” Frankie said, gesturing to her father’s coat.
“Wow. Do we still live here?” he joked again.
“Dad, did I ever tell you that you should be a comedian?”
“Not that I can recall,” he said with a squint.
“Good. Because I never will,” Frankie lobbed one right back at him.
Giovanni stood with a wide grin on his face.
He was incredibly happy Frankie’s parents embraced him into the family.
If they had any qualms about the two of them sharing a bedroom, they never mentioned it.
Besides, both William and Bianca thought it was just a matter of time before Giovanni popped the question.
William rubbed his hands together. “So, when do we eat?”
“In about a half hour. We’re waiting for Richard and his brother Robert, and the usually late Rachael. She always has to make a grand appearance.”
“Ah, yes, part of her quirky charm,” her father said with a smile.
Giovanni excused himself, took Frankie’s arm, and ushered them into the kitchen. “Now I told you that I was going to do everything, so please step aside.”
Giovanni took both of her hands. “I just wanted a minute with you to tell you how beautiful you look.”
Frankie blushed. “Even with an apron on?”
“Even without one.” Giovanni wiggled his eyebrows.
She gently brushed him away. “Go play with my father.”
Giovanni gave her an odd look. “Play what?”
“Watch a game. Keep him occupied. Pour some prosecco. Just get out of the way, please!” She was practically whining. “If I need anything, I will let you know. Now go!” She flung her arm in the direction of the living room.
Giovanni shot Nina with a questioning look.
She shrugged in return and nodded for him to skedaddle.
“Ok, but let me pour something for everyone to drink.” He went back to the garage and returned with two bottles of Starfield sparkling brut rosé.
Nina followed him to the living room, carrying a tray of champagne flutes.
“I think you will like this,” Giovanni said as he peeled the foil, pulled off the cage, and popped the cork. “It’s from the El Dorado AVA region.”
William watched the bubbles rise to the top of the glass of pink wine. “AVA?”
“It’s a designated wine-grape growing region where specific grapes are grown. Grapes have quite different characteristics, and the water and soil is everything, and of course the weather.”
“Interesting,” William remarked.
“People ask me, what is the best wine? And I tell them, ‘It’s the one you like.’” Giovanni smiled and began to pour. “Nina, please ask Frankie to join us for one minute.”
Nina dashed into the kitchen and pulled Frankie away from the broccoli rabe she was sautéing. “What?” Frankie tugged in the opposite direction.
“Your presence is requested. For one minute.”
Frankie threw the kitchen towel over her shoulder and reluctantly followed Nina.
When she entered the room, Giovanni leaned over and kissed her, then handed her a glass. “Here is to family and friends! Cin cin!”
The small group clinked glasses, then Frankie made a beeline back to her greens that were waiting in garlic, olive oil, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
“I better see that she doesn’t set anything on fire,” Nina said, took a sip, and padded back to the aroma-filled kitchen.
“What do you suppose she has going on in there?” Bianca asked.
“She did not tell me, and I decided it was better not to ask,” Giovanni said, and raised his eyebrows.
“I see you are getting to know my daughter well,” William responded.
Giovanni thought he might just blush.
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang, with petite Rachael holding several boxes of pastries that came up to her nose. “Greetings and salutations!” She practically danced her way into the room.
“Rachael! So nice to see you. It’s been ages!” Bianca said, giving her a kiss.
“Indeed.” William followed with a peck.
Then came Nina.
“Hola, chica!” Rachael yelped and handed the boxes over to Giovanni. “Been way too long!”
“Yes, it has.” Nina wrapped her arms around her friend and spun her around.
Giovanni helped Rachael with her coat and gave her a kiss on each cheek. “Hello, handsome.” Rachael batted her eyelashes at him.
Moments later, the doorbell rang again. It was Richard and Robert.
Nina held her breath for what felt like an eternity.
What would Rachael do? she asked herself.
Much to her surprise, Rachael was much more retiring than Nina ever remembered.
Nina introduced everyone, and Rachael smiled and shook hands.
No flirtation, no coochie-cooing. Maybe Frankie was right .
William and Giovanni helped the newly arrived guests with their coats and the after-dinner liquor they had brought; then Giovanni poured each of them a glass of the sparkling wine.
Nina went back to the kitchen to check on Frankie. It was way too quiet in there. At least there weren’t flames shooting out of the doorway. “How’s it going, babycakes?”
“I think I’ve got everything under control.” Frankie gestured to the lavish antipasto platter. “Round up the troops and bring this out, will ya?”
“Aye aye, captain!” Nina saluted and followed her orders.
The group made their way into the dining room, with everyone commenting on the tablescape. “Very creative!” Bianca said, and then turned to Nina: “Is this your handiwork?”
“It is. Thank you.” She looked over at Richard, who showed an enormously proud expression on his face.
Richard moved over to where Nina was standing. “Is it assigned seating?” He looked for place cards.
“No. I figured we could wing it,” Nina replied, waiting for Rachael to make a cutesy comeback.
Nothing. Nina suspected Rachael had eaten a gummy or taken a sedative, but that wasn’t Rachael’s style.
Frankie’s heart-to-heart obviously made an impression .
But just to be sure, Nina whispered in Rachael’s ear, “Are you okay?”
“Couldn’t be better,” Rachael replied with a big grin.
Nina decided to let the chips fall where they may and suggested they sit boy-girl-boy-girl.
Clearly William would sit at one end of the table, but what about Giovanni?
William cleared that up in a second. “Giovanni, since you are our sommelier, please have a seat across from me,” he said, and gestured to the other end of the table.
Frankie understood how important that signal meant to her father, and to Giovanni.
“Let me pour the wine first.” Giovanni opened a bottle of Sancerre, circled the table, and gave a brief explanation.
“It comes from a small region in France and is made from the sauvignon grape in the Loire Valley. Sancerre is an area, also known as an appellation, which indicates where the grapes are produced. Sancerre is approximately six thousand acres in the middle of the country. It is believed that it was initially cultivated by the Romans during the first century. I will not bore you with any further details, but it has become immensely popular.”
William raised his glass. “Today we witness the true meaning of the word Thanksgiving . I am thankful for everyone at this table. Each of us is a gift to each other.”
Frankie’s eyes teared up. She truly had much to be thankful for, especially her turkey canard farci au poulet.