Chapter 21 #2
“Should be. It’s about my parents. I’ve dealt with them dominating my every move since childhood, specifically my mother But it’s never been this malicious and out of control.
I still hear her words to Ethan in my head, and I can’t bring myself to care about contacting them.
It was like she didn’t want to believe that I’d make such a major decision on my own. ” I slumped back in my chair.
Mamma picked up where I left off. “And she condemned Ethan because there was no one else. I don’t know your mother, Jude., but I’m guessing she never even thought of taking responsibility for never taking your dreams into consideration.”
“That’s about right,” I said glumly.
“This is difficult for me to weigh in on because I was raised in a very supportive family. When I told my parents that I was going to marry Frank and move to America, the news didn’t go over well—at first. And that was to be expected.
But they rallied quickly and sent me off with a trunk filled with photos and mementos so as not to forget them. As if I could.”
“Was it hard on your mother?”
Mamma pressed her hand to her heart. “Yes, we were very close. It helped that I’d attended college here in California, but I’d always return for the summers, and they visited every year for a few weeks.
Nevertheless, she’d cry now and then when she thought of not being with me when my first child was born or her grandchild’s first birthday.
But she never wavered in her conviction that I had to find my own happiness no matter where it took me.
And if Frank was the man, then she’d be happy for me, too. ”
“No wonder you’re the way you are with your family,” I said wistfully. “You had wonderful role models.”
“Jude, did you ever go through with the restraining order?”
“No, I was in a panic in the middle of it. And the police officer’s opinion was not to do it, given they live in Philadelphia. Unless they began threatening Ethan or me.”
“Makes sense,” Mamma said. “Jude, are you looking for closure with them, too?”
My whole body tensed and I gripped the chair arms for support. “Can I? Can I give them an ultimatum?”
Mamma leaned forward on her elbows. “Jude, I believe very strongly that people have to earn your love. And parents are at the top of the list. They don’t get to treat you like sporco sulla suola dell amia scarpa,” she said, her voice rising an octave, as if defense of me, her hands waving in the air.
“What did you just rattle off?” I asked.
Still clearly agitated, she translated in the same angry tone. “They don’t get to treat you like dirt on the bottom of their shoes.”
I laughed not because I thought what she said was humorous, but beause I never would’ve thought she could get this agitated. “You do have a temper sometimes.”
“If something riles me up enough,” she said and then she squeezed my hand. “My apology to speak badly of your parents. I just don’t understand the notion of a mother not giving her child the world.”
“Please don’t apologize. Should I call them and lay it out for them?
Until they treat me and Ethan with respect, they’re not welcome here and I won’t go home.
When they’re ready they can contact me by email…
” I was on a roll now and I took a minute to decide on what parameters I’d tack on.
“What if I tell them that they have to have proof that they’ve tried to change their behavior.
I told my father that he needed to get my mother professional help, but he didn’t react when I suggested the idea. ”
“I think that’s perfect, Jude. If you give them a plan of action, then the onus is on them. I wouldn’t mention anything about me or Frank. That might just get them furious enough to fly out here again.”
“True,” I said. “I’ll keep it to me and Ethan.”
“I’m home,” Frank called out from the mudroom. “You can stop talking about me now.”
Mamma jumped up and went to greet Frank as he came through the doorway. “Ciao,” she said and kissed him on the cheek. “How was your day?”
Frank pointed a finger at me. “You boyfriend is a bloody genius when it comes to car engines. I always thought that I was better than average, but he blows me away.” He tweaked his wife’s chin. “That’s a way of explaining why my day was very good.”
While he washed his hands, he glanced over his shoulder. “Ethan was worried why you had to speak to my wife. So, you might want to text him. He was leaving a little later than me.”
“I’ll do that right now.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket.
Me: Frank said you were worried. Don’t be. Mamma helped me see things from a new perspective
Me: Frank said you’re a genius but I knew that already
Ethan: I’m glad you reached out to her
Me: Pot roast with potatoes for supper
Ethan: I’m starved
Ethan: And not only for food
Me: I’ll be your dessert, Daddy
Ethan: Fuck, baby. I’ll be walking into Andrew’s office with a hard-on
Me: Have a good session. See you soon
Ethan: *heart emoji*
I put my phone away again and asked Mamma if I could help.
“Nothing to do, Jude,” she said. She piled three plates with steaming beef and vegetables and handed them one by one to Frank, who was seated close to her. Then she placed cutlery and napkins in the middle of the table, allowing us to reach for our own. “Jude, vino or something else?”
“Water, please.”
“Beer for me,” Frank said.
Mamma wrinkled her brow when she saw Frank and I were waiting for her to start eating. “Mangiare,” she instructed and we dug in.
I looked at Frank to make sure, and he chuckled. “You better start, Jude.”
I did. The meat literally broke apart; it was so tender. “Mamma, so good,” I moaned. “I remember having meals at the seminary that were made in a slow cooker and they never tasted anything like this.”
“Do you want to know the trick?”
I nodded, “Sure.”
I sauté the garlic and herbs in a small fry pan,” Mamma explained. “Then I braise the meat in the same olive oil, add everything to the pot, and voila.”
“I’ll remember that for when I cook for Ethan. He loves your food.”
“If you ever want to learn a few of his favorites, let me know in advance. You’ll come here and we’ll cook and drink wine.”
“Deal,” I said, feeling so at home that I wanted to cry, basking in the love. But somehow, I kept it together for the rest of the meal.
I left right after with a big hug from Mamma. “You remember, Jude. Whatever you need, you call, si?”
“Si,” I replied dutifully, mimicking her Italian for yes.
Frank walked me to the front door, holding it open while I balanced the meal packed up for Ethan. “Thank you, Frank. Between Ethan and you, I somehow hit the jackpot.”
“Take care of Ethan and that’s all the thanks I need. He’s a good man and it seems like he’s good for you.”
I walked into the apartment minutes before Ethan arrived, boots clunking onto the tiled floor in the foyer.
As he turned the corner into the kitchen, he was stripping out of his long-sleeved work shirt, which he tossed into the basket he kept in the laundry room.
The first time he’d done that he explained that he didn’t want to be at the table smelling of engine grease.
“How’s my favorite Irishman tonight?” he asked, giving me a kiss on the cheek., then turning on the water to wash his hands. He followed the aromas rising from the casserole when I lifted the top to inhale the goodness. “I’m sure it tastes as good as it smells, right?”
“The meat is so succulent, it melts in your mouth,” I confirmed as I took a dinner plate from the cabinet. As I ladled a good helping onto his plate, I said, “Mamma said she’d teach me how to make your favorites.”
Ethan grabbed a fork and knife and took the plate from me. “What did you say?”
“Are you kidding? I said yes.” I opened the refrigerator and selected an IPA. “Want one?”
“Sure,” he said and then his green eyes turned the color of moss. “Then sit and tell me what prompted you to see her, Tesoro. I know it wasn’t just a visit if you called Frank first.”
I put the bottle of beer in front of him and said, “I went to see Bishop Sanchez today.” Ethan had just put a forkful of meat in his mouth so I had a chance to say, “I knew you’d want to be with me but I felt I had to face him alone.
I need to build my core of inner strength, which is dreadfully low. ”
“I understand,” he said on a nod. “But I still would’ve liked the opportunity to argue with you, preferably in bed.”
“Ethan, this is serious,” I said and even the thought of being in bed with him didn’t lessen the disappointment. “But I know what you were trying to do.”
“What happened, Jude?”
“He denied my petition.”
Ethan put down his fork and pushed back his chair to crouch at my side. “I’m so sorry, Jude. I know how much you craved having closure.” Taking my face in his palms, he pressed his lips to mine in a chaste kiss. “Was it mainly because you hooked up with me?”
He took his seat again and I said, “That wasn’t the only reason. Abandoning my post, and as a result deserting the congregation, leaving them without a leader, also stoked his anger. He brought it up a couple of times.”
“How did he treat you?”
I picked up the beer and asked, “May I?”
“Go ahead,” he said, with a quirky smile.
“I know what you’re thinking,” I teased, not able to concentrate solely on the bishop and instead, leaned in toward the man who loved me.
“Is that so?”
In answer I licked the rim of the bottle, then took a long pull, feeling my Adam’s apple bobbing. “Mm, good.”
“My slutty baby wants to play later,” he said, not taking his eyes off my mouth…or my throat.
“Later,” I said and put the bottle back down. “But to answer your question—”
“Are you purposely giving me emotional/sexual whiplash?”