Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Christmas Eve
D inner was to start around seven-thirty. At six-thirty, there was a knock on the door. Rosevita answered the door. There stood two young women and a young man dressed in waitstaff attire. “Buon Natale!”
Rosevita looked puzzled, so they explained that they had been hired for the evening.
“Giovanni? Marco?” Rosevita called out to her sons. They came to the front entry and smiled.
“ Buon Natale ,” Marco greeted them. He let the trio in and pointed them toward the kitchen, while Giovanni explained to his mother that they were students from the college he’d hired to help serve dinner. He and Marco wanted the same thing for their mother and aunt as they had at the restaurant the previous year: dinner with family where nobody worked, at least not for the rest of the evening.
“Oh Giovanni. Marco. You boys didn’t have to do this.”
“Consider it a thank-you for everything you’ve done for us,” Marco said. “Now go get dressed. Giovanni and I will explain everything to them.”
Lucia had joined them when she saw the three strangers enter the kitchen. She had heard Giovanni’s explanation and was speechless. Such a kind gesture. She wondered if her Dominic was in on this, as well, but she didn’t dare ask.
Everyone excused themselves to finish dressing for dinner.
Frankie was in her room, just finishing up. She was wearing an embroidered purple jacket over black slacks and knee-high boots. Her long, black hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, revealing amethyst earrings. The effect was stunning.
She grabbed the box of menus and dashed into the dining room before anyone else had a chance to see what she was up to. She lit all the candles and dimmed the chandelier and the wall sconces. The room had a warm, beautiful glow.
Lucia was the first to enter the dining room. She halted at the doorway. “ Bellissimo !” she exclaimed. “And what is this?” She gingerly fingered a menu.
“A little keepsake to remind people of this wonderful dinner you and Rosevita prepared.”
Lucia’s eyes welled. “So beautiful. So nice.”
Rosevita entered the room and had a similar reaction. The spectacular table and the hired staff was more than either of them anticipated or imagined.
Giovanni entered next, wearing his father’s suit.
Now Rosevita gasped. “You remind me of your father.”
Giovanni was concerned he upset her. “Mama, if you wanna, I can change.”
“No. Please. You look so handsome.” She sniffled and pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve. Her black sleeve on her black dress. Frankie wondered what she was going to think about the cream cashmere wrap and gloves that she bought her. Could be a major faux pas. Oh well . She had good intentions when she bought them.
The doorbell rang; the dogs barked. It was the spinster neighbors, Adelaide and Evie. Both were in attire similar to what Lucia and Rosevita wore. It was then that Frankie saw that Rosevita was wearing a beautiful gold brooch. A little glam , Frankie noted. Maybe there was hope of a wardrobe renewal.
Marco, Giovanni, and Dominic pulled out the chairs for the women, and the children stood between their parents. Dominic was the oldest, so he said grace.
“Heavenly father, and all the saints above, bless this food, our family, and all the souls of the world. May we all live in peace. Amen.”
A loud “Amen” response reverberated through the room, with the children scampering off to the kitchen, where their special table awaited. Frankie had made sure she put a small centerpiece together for them from a few pinecones she found in the yard under the stone pine trees.
Once the children were settled, the adults could relax and enjoy the evening. Dominic opened a bottle of prosecco and poured. Lucia made a toast: “ Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto ”—the same words that were on the menu. Frankie was pleased. She took it as an acknowledgment of her efforts.
The waitstaff began to serve the first course, then the second, and each one that followed, clearing the dishes in between. With each course, words and utterances of delight went around the table. Chatter and laughter increased as the evening went on. It was almost ten o’clock when the last dish of scampi was removed from the table. Everyone agreed to save dessert for after mass. By Frankie’s calculations, that would be somewhere around two in the morning. No wonder Christmas Day was a little more laid-back.
The sitter for Dominic and Rafaella’s children arrived to bring them back to their house, and the sitter for Sophia and Lorenzo was not far behind. The kids gave their nonnas very tired kisses goodnight, wished them a Buon Natale , and yawned their way to their respective vehicles.
Due to the popularity of the Christmas mass at the Duomo di Salerno, reservations were necessary if you wanted to get in the door and sit in a pew. When Giovanni first approached Frankie with the suggestion of going to Salerno, he asked Dominic if he could make the arrangements, which were well in advance.
The closer they got to the cathedral, the larger the crowds. Giovanni was happy he hired two cars; otherwise, they might not find parking within miles of the church. It was a special night, and his family deserved to be treated with special care.
The church was adorned with thousands of lights inside and out. The domed interior was covered with carvings, tile, and paintings in the Baroque style. Every square inch was covered with a work of art. It was almost overwhelming.
The usher took their tickets and showed them to their pews. It was an extravaganza, from the opulent dinner to the opulent church. It was a night that would be remembered.
The hour-and-a-half service consisted of prayers and music. You didn’t have to know Latin to feel the importance of the Cardinal’s words. He spoke of peace. Kindness. Tolerance. Patience. Gratitude. It was a beautiful service, especially the part when everyone turned to the person next to and behind them to wish each other Peace on Earth.
The ride home was rather quiet. Perhaps everyone was deep in reflection. There was a lot to reflect on. A lot to be thankful for.