Chapter 12
Gina had been at work since six in the morning, and it was now ten.
She washed her hands and looked over at her boss at Panera.
“I’m taking my break.” Her boss gave her the thumbs-up.
Gina walked outside and found a quiet place to call her mom; they talked almost every day—sometimes two to three times.
“Hi, sweetheart, how’s work?” Connie asked.
“Same day, same orders, same people. I can’t wait till I have my own catering company so I don’t have to work here. If one more customer asks me what my favorite thing to eat is, I’m going to scream.”
“What’s going on? You sound tired and tense.”
“Since Aunt Angie is living with me, for now I’ve been sleeping in Thad’s room, a lumpy single bed with a Star Wars comforter.
No wonder he sleeps over at his girlfriend’s—so not sleeping so well.
He still comes over during the afternoons to get high and watch his Spanish telenovelas.
Some people have Glade air freshener; we have eau de marijuana. ”
“How’s Angie coping with all of this?”
“Well, she’s getting familiar with the smell of pot, but she is in bad shape, Mom. When I took her over to their place, she almost collapsed on the floor. Ben and I had to help her walk down to his place. She’s heartbroken and broke too.”
“I can have her come stay with me, if that helps. I’m never home. My travel agency is crazy busy, so I’m at the office until ten most nights. Great, cheap deals to Vegas right now—Vinnie would be all over them.”
Gina interrupted, “I don’t mind having her stay at my place.
She offered to help Kim and me with our catering company, but I’m going to need some start-up money.
I barely make my rent now. Thankfully, Thad is being cool, since he’s paying part of it.
I can’t ask Angie for money. I have to figure out about how much I’ll need to buy cooking equipment, get a website … so many things.”
“Oh, Gina, you’re a good niece. I’ll transfer a couple thousand dollars into your checking account, no worries. My business is booming. Since Uncle Vinnie is the one who gave me the start-up money, the least I can do is help. How’s school?”
“It’s hard but good, almost finished with all the business courses.
Kim and I are applying for our food service sanitation certification through the Department of Public Health, and then we have to get a business license.
It’s a lot, but I know together we can get this new catering company off the ground. ”
“You and Kim can do anything you set your minds to; you were both top of your high school class. She was such a doll to help with the funeral. You both have a ways to go with the food, but with Angie’s help, you’ll get there.”
“We’re almost done with school; we should hear back from the city on our license, and then we can get off to a fast start.
I’m an okay cook and Kim’s much better. Aunt Angie said she’ll teach me everything she knows.
I don’t need to tell you what a great cook she is.
I feel lucky that she’s living with me, and I told her she’s going to be a partner just like Kim and me.
We’re going to start practicing simple dishes this week. I found a fun cookbook a friend gave me from her grandma Mindy. It’s called Scratch? My Ass! Store-Bought Can Be as Good as Homemade. It was published in 1984 by two women named Ethel and Blanche. It’s hysterical.”
Her mom laughed. “You don’t have to tell me; I was at the women’s smoker in Bridgeport, where the idea got started.”
“What’s a women’s smoker?”
“It’s fashioned after men’s smokers. In some of the Catholic churches, the guys would get together, play poker down in the church basement, and donate the winnings back to the church. They’d smoke cigars and sip their beverage of choice, no women allowed.”
Gina laughed. “So this Blanche made one just for women?”
“Yup. She and her friend Ethel created a women-only club and had several events at the local Bridgeport VFW; the only men allowed were the ones who served them. Drinks were like ninety cents, and they had great food and entertainment. They donated the profits to the Arthritis Foundation. The event sold out, and Ethel and Blanche invited the women to submit their favorite simple recipes—thus was born Ethel and Blanche’s cookbook. ”
“What a fun idea. Are they still having these smokers?” Gina asked.
“Not anymore. But what you really need to know is that Ethel and Blanche are fictitious names. The two gals who started it worked together, and one of them moved to the West Coast after the second fundraiser.”
Before Gina could ask another question, her boss walked outside and was pointing at his wristwatch. She could see there was a long line of customers. “Gotta go, Mom. I’ll call you soon. You keep killing it at your agency.” Gina walked toward the door.
“I’ll call you tonight. Give Angie a hug from me—she took such good care of my brother. Talk soon.”
As Gina got behind the counter, she remembered when her mom opened her own travel agency over fifteen years ago.
Wonder Travel. Did you ever “wonder” what it was like to fly to Europe or Mexico?
Wonder no more, we have a deal for you. It took off, right away.
Uncle Vinnie told everyone at the city to use her and they sure did.
She booked at least six Vegas trips a year just for him and Angie.
Her mom made enough to pay the bills and support them since her dad took off.
Gina’s thoughts were interrupted. “What’s your favorite? So much to choose from,” a customer asked.
Gina finished her shift and drove home. When she got to her apartment door, there was a bouquet of flowers sitting there.
She picked it up and walked into her apartment; the scent of garlic and butter greeted her.
“Something smells good, and look, someone sent you flowers, Aunt Angie. Do you have a secret admirer?” She placed the flowers on the table.
“Welcome home, honey. I made us dinner. Go get comfortable and let’s have a glass of wine—lots to talk about.”
Gina grinned and gave her a big, long hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. It’s nice to come home to dinner cooking and you. Let me change real quick.”
When Gina came back in her comfortable clothes, Angie handed her a glass of wine, and they sat at the kitchen table admiring the flower arrangement.
“Well, open the card. This looks like an expensive arrangement. They’re from Fleur de Lis, ooh là là.”
Gina watched her open the card and read it. “It was lovely spending time with you, Angie. Some fresh flowers to brighten up your day. Ralph.”
“These are beautiful. White orchids and white roses,” Angie said.
Gina leaned over and took a whiff. “These smell divine. That Ralph is very thoughtful.”
Angie took a sip of her wine. “He is. In fact, I had a drink with him earlier.”
“Look at you, going to City Hall and drinks afterward. Wasn’t he the one from the funeral, looked like a GQ model?” Gina asked.
“That’s the guy. He and Vinnie went to high school together.
They lost touch and then reconnected and worked on projects with the city.
We shared a glass of wine and appetizers.
He’s such a gentleman, manicured fingers, dressed so elegantly.
He opened doors for me, even hailed a cab when it was time to leave. ” Angie smiled.
Gina noticed a little twinkle in her aunt’s eyes when she talked about Ralph. “He must like you if he sent you flowers. What did you talk about?”
“I started to tear up when we started to talk about Vinnie. Ralph gave me his linen handkerchief. I need to wash it; my makeup is on it. He did share that he was the one who put Vinnie’s obit in the Tribune, which was very thoughtful.
Such a kind man; he understood what I was going through, as he lost his wife to cancer two years ago. ”
“I’m glad you have someone who understands what it’s like to lose a spouse,” Gina said.
Angie continued, “I also solved part of the mystery of the bathroom sex at the funeral parlor.”
“Do tell—I can’t wait.” Gina leaned in and took a sip of wine.
Angie recapped running into Ralph outside City Hall and how Rebecca had come out several minutes later.
“Cookie was clearly flirting with Ralph. When Rebecca was getting ready to walk away, I smelled the perfume, dead ringer from the bathroom at Rago Brothers. I asked her what the scent was, and she looked down her nose and told me. I never heard of it, but I’m sure it’s expensive.
It was her for sure. There was clearly some chemistry between Ralph and Rebecca, even though they both tried to pretend there wasn’t. ” Angie winked.
Gina chuckled. “Case closed. You are something else. What did Ralph want with you?”
“He wanted to see how I was getting along. Asked me some questions about Vinnie’s pension.
I’m not sure how he knows anything about that, but he offered to help me expedite it since he knows the inside of City Hall.
Said he’d call Cookie to check on the status of it but wouldn’t do that without my permission.
Of course, I said yes. He invited me to dinner next week,” Angie said.
“That was generous of him. Where are you going?” Gina asked.
“One of his favorite places is Gibsons. I’ve never been, but I hear it’s quite the fancy place. I told him I’d call him once I know my schedule. I hope I can get a job soon so I can at least pay you for food and rent here.” Angie tapped her fingers on the table.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Gina said, looking into Angie’s eyes.