Chapter 13
Wizard
I could smell the food as we approached the door carrying the boxes of cannoli.
“Something smells good,” Hollywood says.
“I’m starving,” Brayden declares.
The door opens to a smiling Pops.
“It’s a good thing we made extra, then,” he says to Brayden.
“Right this way, folks,” Pops says, motioning them in.
We follow him inside the house. I can tell the family takes pride in their home. It’s spotless. The furniture is quality, but not new. Pops leads us through the living room. It’s warm and inviting. And into the dining room. The large table is set and laden with food.
Regina Perillo hustles out of the kitchen, a dish in her hands.
“Sit please. The girls are behind me. Pops, can you get the bread? It’s warming in the oven.”
“On it. Sit anywhere, kids. I’ll be right back,” Pops says.
Hollywood, the kids and I take a seat. I have Regina on one side and Brayden on my other. His eyes are like saucers as he takes in the food on the table. They become impossibly wide when the Caruso women come out, each carrying a dish of food. Valentina carries a huge soup tureen, which she sets close to me before blushing and taking a seat at the other end of the table.
Charlie sits across from me with Lucia beside her. Though the girls are identical, they each have their own style and carry themselves a little different. Thank you, Mother Mary, I can tell them apart. As I get closer to the family, it will be easier if I know which girl I’m talking to.
Pops sits at the other end of the table after setting down a large basket of bread at each end of the table.
“I’d like to say Grace,” Pops says. “Please join hands and bow your heads.”
We all join hands and bow our heads. I feel a brief pang, missing my family. I need to go back home to Chicago.
“Bless us Lord and this bountiful feast prepared with love by so many hands. Amen.”
“We have two types of soup if anyone wants some. Licurdia, and red wine stew,” Regina says.
“Daddy, what’s licurda?” Brayden asks.
The adorable six-year-old is the spitting image of his dad.
“I’m not sure, son, but I bet Miss Regina would.”
“Nonna, posso spiegarti il piatto, per favore?” Valentina implores.
“Sì, Valentina, puoi farlo.”
“Grazie, Nonna mia. Licurdia is a sweet onion and potato soup from the Calabria region of Italy,” Valentina says with a smile. “I made it.”
“Are you Italian like Wizard?” Ella asks.
“We are,” Pops says. “Italian Americans are proud of their heritage. Including the region we come from. There's even a big fight over if it’s sauce or gravy. The ladies and I, mostly the ladies, made dishes from the different regions of our families, including a couple for Wizard.”
“Would it be easier if we tell you about the dishes, or do you just want to dig in?”
“Yes!” Brayden and Ella say at the same time.
We all laugh and start passing dishes. As each dish comes around our way, Regina tells them the name of the dish and what’s in it. My mouth is watering when I take the first bite of Sunday gravy. A myriad of flavors burst across my tongue. A little moan of pleasure escapes me.
I hear Charlie chuckle. “Been too long since you’ve been home?”
“Yes. I was just thinking I need to head home to Chicago and visit my family.”
“Or invite your family down here to meet the Kings,” Hollywood suggests.
“This red sauce is good,” Brayden exclaims.
Gravy is smeared on one cheek and around his mouth.
“We call it gravy, Brayden,” Charlie says softly.
“I thought gravy was what you put on biscuits and taters,” he replies.
“That’s gravy too. How about you call it red gravy?”
His eyes light up. “Yes!”
“We’ll have plenty of food left to send home whatever you want,” Pops tells the boy.
Regina said their Sunday gravy is a family event, with each of them helping with portions of the finished product. The gravy contains juicy meatballs, Italian sausage, and pork. For pasta, they made spaghetti and mushroom ravioli to go with the gravy. In addition to that, there’s an antipasto platter with meats, cheeses, roasted artichokes, and eggplants, and black olives. Osso Bucco, Tacconelle with chickpeas and shrimp, beef broccoli, Sicilian roasted chicken, sauteed greens, and panzanella salad.
And much to my surprise, culurgiones. These amazing, boiled dumplings are filled then tossed in a simple tomato and basil gravy. Nonna made them every Sunday and always made me an extra batch. This time, my moan is louder. Francesca giggles.
“I helped Mamma make those. Do you like them?”
“They’re amazing. Close to my Nonna’s recipe.”
“Good thing we made extra,” Lucia chimes in.
For the next little while we talk and eat. The triplets make sure Hollywood’s kids are included. After dinner, the triplets take Ella and Brayden to their room to watch a movie. Hollywood and I help clean up and true to her word, they box and bag leftovers.
When we are done cleaning the adults go into the living room with a glass of wine. I wind up sitting on the sectional in between Pops and Charlie.
“Ma, I forgot to tell you about this interesting encounter I had at the store today. This man approached me, wanted to hire me to find his son. Said he was the governor of Indiana. Gave me his card.”
My blood goes cold. I clear my throat.
“Can I see the card?
“Let me grab it. It’s in my purse.”
Charlie hurries out of the room, coming back moments later with a card in hand. She hands it to me. It’s on expensive linen card stock.
Tyler Edwin Barnes II
Governor of Indiana
317-461-9747
Fuck! I sent off a quick text to Gambit.
Turd II approached Charlie
at the grocery store this morning
??