Chapter 22 #2
“I did go over to Vinnie’s storage unit with Ben on Saturday, and while I can’t share all the details, it seems I will be able to stay in my apartment and pay my bills.
I ran across Mario’s name many times in Vinnie’s files, and if this information leaked, Mario’s job with the city would be over and he could be behind bars.
So if he’s still messing with you, let me know. ”
“Thank you, I may need to take you up on that offer. Be careful out there. He’s very connected to some dangerous people who wouldn’t think twice about killing anyone,” Ralph said.
“Don’t worry about me; those documents are tucked away in a very safe place now. I made a visit to the bank.”
“You know, Angie, I don’t know much about you, just that Vinnie bragged about your cooking and, of course, he was a devoted husband.”
“I must excuse myself to go use the ladies’ room, then we can talk about me. I’ll be right back.” Angie stood up to leave.
“Do you like chocolate?” Ralph asked. “Their desserts are amazing.”
“Yes, please, and a cup of coffee too.”
Angie found the ladies’ room upstairs. As she finished washing her hands, she saw Rebecca, the alderman’s wife, enter.
She glanced down at Rebecca’s heels and thought, That’s Ralph’s bathroom date from the funeral, all right.
She dried her hands, sure that Rebecca wouldn’t remember their brief encounter outside City Hall, and Rebecca looked right through Angie as if she wasn’t there.
Back at the table she was greeted with the biggest piece of chocolate cake she had ever seen. “This could feed an army! I hope you’re planning to share some with me.”
“I’m not much of a dessert person; I prefer a good glass of grappa after my steak. You can take home whatever you don’t finish.”
“If I was still living at Gina’s, I’m sure Thad would make fast work of this. I’ll do my best.”
Angie watched Ralph sipping a clear liquid in a brandy snifter. “I know what grappa is; we always had it on hand at the Italian restaurant where I worked. It smelled and tasted like lighter fluid to me, but enjoy.”
“This is much smoother; believe me, I’ve had the kind you’re talking about. So, Angie, tell me a little about yourself before you met Vinnie.”
Angie savored the sweetness of the creamy frosting and cake. After the drinks and the delicious meal, she was satisfied and a bit tipsy. She decided not to share about her first—before Vinnie—“loser” husband or her abusive father.
“I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago near the steel mills. My father was a welder, and my mother was a homemaker. She was a very lovely woman and a great cook. I had two brothers who also worked at the mill after they graduated from high school. My parents were part of the community and were on a church bowling league. We’d spend a lot of time at the bowling alley.
I’d do my homework and play some of the pinball games after I was done. ”
Just as Ralph was about to ask her a question, Rebecca appeared at their table and glared down at Ralph. “Another street fight, Ralphie?”
Ralph stood up and glared right back. “I have nothing to say to you, Rebecca. Have a good evening.”
Angie held her breath as she watched them stare each other down for a few seconds.
“How’s business, Ralph? I heard you ran into quite a bit of trouble today. Such a shame. To think you were on top, and now—well, it’s not looking good for you, if I can believe the news.”
Ralph didn’t respond. He sat down and looked directly at Angie. “Anyway, tell me more.”
Rebecca glanced over at Angie. “Honey, you look like a nice enough lady. You’re not in this man’s league and if I were you, I’d stay away from him. He’s a big-time loser.”
Angie stood up and leaned into Rebecca. “I don’t recall asking you for any advice.”
Rebecca’s face turned red, and she backed away from Angie.
Ralph quickly stood up and got between them. “This is not the place for this. Rebecca, I think you should leave. Angie, please don’t pay any attention to her—why don’t you sit down and finish your dessert.”
Angie clenched her fists and stood her ground; she was done being treated like a second-class citizen by anyone, including Rebecca—or Ralph.
She’d had enough of that from her ex-husband and her father.
“Ralph, I’m not sitting down and finishing anything.
I am done with men telling me what to do.
That is over. I know you both had sex in the bathroom at Rago’s.
Seriously, you two deserve each other. I’m too angry right now to be good company; I need to excuse myself. ”
Angie grabbed her purse. “Thank you for dinner, Ralph. I can see myself home.”
She ignored him calling after her, stomped out of the restaurant and into a cab.
Part of her was glad Ralph stood up to Rebecca for her, but she needed to stand up for herself.
Her heart was pounding out of her chest, and she had to take a deep breath before she could tell the driver her address.
Her cell phone kept ringing. She glanced down and saw Ralph’s name and turned off the phone.
I’ll speak to him after I cool down. Thankfully she had a quiet driver, so she stared out the window. Calm down and breathe, Angie.
Once inside, she quickly undressed, threw her clothes on the bedroom chair, and poured herself a bourbon. She sipped it as she paced back and forth in the living room. “I am done with people treating me like a second-class person! Fuck them!” she yelled to no one.
After Angie was able to calm herself down, she turned her phone back on and saw ten missed calls and voicemails from Ralph and one from Gina.
She listened to Gina’s. “Hi, Aunt Angie, we did it! It was awesome and everyone loved your pesto bites. Louie is going to use us, and many of the other directors took our cards. We couldn’t have done it without you. Call me. I’m home.”
Angie decided to call Gina back but knew she couldn’t handle a long discussion.
“Hey, Auntie, it was beyond our wildest dreams. Kim and I have lots of ideas for other menu items and were hoping we could meet you tomorrow morning before you go to work.”
Angie took a long, deep breath and said, “I am so proud of you both. I knew it was going to be a success. I want to hear every detail, but I am exhausted. How about I call you tomorrow?”
“Are you okay?” Gina asked. “You sound stressed.”
“Actually, I’m not okay. I had a terrible run-in with Ralph at Gibsons and I don’t want to relive it now. I’ll tell you everything after I get a good night’s rest.”
“I can come over now if you need me to.”
“No, honey, I’m swearing off men. Who needs them anyway?” There was a silence on the other end. “Gina, are you there?”
“I am. I hear you. Did you happen to open that little housewarming present I left on your kitchen counter?”
Angie walked over and saw a large-sized box covered with colorful wrapping paper. “Should I open it when you’re on the phone?”
“Yes, I want you to open it now.”
Angie carefully unwrapped it so she could reuse the paper and opened the box. There was a book and an oblong box with a label that read “Good Vibrations.”
“Our Bodies, Ourselves?” Angie read the cover of the thick paperback.
“Yes. This is the best book for a newly single woman like you. I read it when I was in high school. Open the smaller box.”
“I never heard of this book, but I’ll give it a try.” She opened the smaller box and let out a gasp. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Yup, I got you your very own vibrator—might be a while before you have a boyfriend.”
Angie took the phallic-shaped vibrator out of the box. A little bigger than Vinnie, she thought, and chuckled. “Well, I guess there’s always a first time. I’ll be doing some reading tonight and let you know how things go.”
“Don’t forget to put the batteries in it. I’ll call you tomorrow. You take care and sleep well. I love you.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
Angie looked at the book and vibrator. “Should I watch a rerun of Mike & Molly or give this a go?” She turned off the living room lights, took her new presents into the bedroom, and closed the door.