Jessica got up and walked on farther down the sidewalk and onto the cart path that led to the back of her old homestead. The yard was full of children playing. The new owners had put in a pool. She stood and watched kids jump in the water, get out and jump again. She didn’t notice a woman walk up to the fence.
“Can I help you?” the lady asked.
“Oh…” Jessica jumped a little. “I’m sorry, I… I didn’t mean to pry. I grew up in this house, and I was in the area, so I thought…” She looked down.
“I thought I recognized you from the closing with your dad.”
“Yes. Looks like you have a houseful.”
“Six. We always wanted a large family. I must say, the minute I walked in the front door of this house, it felt like someone wrapped me in love. We are very happy here.”
“I see Mama’s roses are blooming.”
“I never do anything with that garden but pull out a weed or two. Every year the flowers bloom all summer long.”
“Mama’s hand must still be on it. I helped Daddy make the raised garden so Mama could work in it, and she and I planted all the bulbs and bushes.”
“It’s truly beautiful. I come out here in the mornings when the house is still quiet and just enjoy all the wonderful aromas.”
“Thanks for letting me take a look.”
“Would you like to come in the house?”
“No, but thanks for offering.”
“Oh, before you go, wait a minute.”
The woman ran into the house and came out with a yellow hard hat. “We found this on the floor in the back bedroom with the original floor plans.” She handed it to Jessica.
“No, that stays with the house.”
“Okay, take care.”
“I will.”
She went to Robbie’s place, and they went out to eat. She told him of her findings. “I have to find these girls,” she said.
Rob showed little interest. He was more worried about getting through his summer semester and asked that she wish him luck on getting a work grant at a company that designed medical equipment.
For weeks she wrestled with calling the two Virginia Elizabeths. Although she was curious, it was also a bit frightening to find out all the truths.
She finally sent an email to both girls and proposed they find a time to meet—stating all their fathers had been friends and she’d like to meet them. Virginia Legotti replied she would love to come to Boston and get together. It was arranged to have lunch at the restaurant in the Long Wharf Hotel.
Jessica went early and sat fidgeting, waiting for the other two. The first to arrive was Virginia Santini. As she walked, all heads in the room turned to watch the beauty gracefully strut across the floor. She was medium height, wearing a flowing black-and-white spotted jumpsuit, and spike high heels—her long, thick auburn curls lifting and dropping as she took each step.
Jessica stood as she approached the table. “Jessica Young.”
“Hi, Gins Santini.”
They both sat. “Thanks for coming,” Jessie said. “We have so much to talk about.”
Then Jessica did a double take when another woman made her way toward them. It could be her mother, much younger, but still her mama in the flesh. She put her hand on her chest trying to hold her emotions. Once again, she stood.
“You must be Jessica. I’m Lizzi Legotti.” All the girls acknowledged each other.
“Jessica, you said you live here in Boston in your email,” Gins started the conversation.
“Yes, I’ve lived in the area all my life.”
They ordered drinks.
“What is it you do here?”
“I’m in med school at Harvard.”
“Wow, a doctor,” Lizzi said.
“I looked you up,” Gins continued. “Your dad’s a famous physician.”
“Yes.” Jessica smiled. “I want to follow in his footsteps. And you…” There was a long silence. “I saw online you both are CEOs of a company. That’s amazing.” She looked at Gins.
“My dad’s company,” Gins responded. “He bought it from a man years ago. Party planner.” She giggled. “Actually, a lot more than planning parties. He also worked with a guy in Florida promoting his resorts. That’s where I grew up.”
“I know your father passed. How about your mom, is she in the business?”
“Heavens no, she’s a dancer.”
They all looked at the menus and ordered lunch, then Gins continued her story.
“My parents divorced when I was twelve. Probably should have done it years earlier. You see, my mom, Janet, is a fiery redhead.” Gins twirled one of her long curls with her finger. “Not this color red, but bright red-orange. Boy, does she have a temper! My dad never had a chance for a successful marriage with her. I remember her constantly saying about me, ‘Her name is Virginia, not Gins. She’s not Virginia Anderson.’ Of course, I don’t have any idea who Virginia Anderson is. He always called me ‘sweet Gins.’ I love and miss him so much. After the divorce, I lived with my mother for a while, but it was clear she didn’t want to be tied down with a kid, one she probably didn’t even like.” She paused for a moment. Jessica rubbed on her arm.
“Anyway, I moved in with my dad in Florida. He lived with the client I told you about, Valentino, in this huge mansion in Fort Lauderdale. Beautiful Spanish-style home complete with pool and pool house. There were even men and women models around the pool all the time. Daddy hung pretty tight with one of them named Kat, a dark-skinned Cuban. I don’t think she was any more than a bed partner, but I like her. And Valentino has a yacht. I love going out to sea on it. Ahhh…” The other two girls were listening intently.
Lunch was served, and Gins told them more about living in Florida, how she and her dad drove around in expensive fancy cars.
“Sounds like a great childhood,” Lizzi said.
“How about you, Lizzi, where did you grow up?” Gins asked.
“Peru.”
“Ooo,” both the other girls said. “Fancy you,” Gins said.
“And New York City… Papa and I went back and forth from Peru to our place in the city. Then when I was fifteen, I started boarding school there.”
“I’ll bet Peru is beautiful.” Gins turned more toward Lizzi, interested in her story.
“My favorite place in the world. My dad just died recently, and I took over his business.”
“Wow, we must really love our dads,” Gins said. “What’s your business?”
“We dig water wells for underdeveloped countries.”
“Oh.” Gins sat back in her chair after finishing her sandwich. “You like digging wells?”
“No, not so much. I am an engineer, mostly because my dad wanted me in the business. But I’m thinking about selling the company.”
“Then what will you do?”
“My papa left me a lot of money. I’m thinking about taking some time off and see if I can’t find myself. Maybe France or Asia.”
“And your mom?” Gins kept asking questions, finding Lizzi quite interesting.
“Never met her. I think she might have died when I was born. My papa didn’t tell me how she died. I was born in Peru and raised by my Niñera—always thinking my mama was Peruvian.”
Lizzi told the two women about all the wonderful places in South America and other parts of the world her papa had taken her.
When they ordered coffee, Jessica realized the restaurant was nearly empty. She had no idea what time it was, and she didn’t care. She was interested in the lives of Lizzi and Gins.
“How about you, Jessica? What was life like growing up for you?” Lizzi asked.
“I didn’t have the exotic lives you two had, but I wouldn’t want my life to be any different—lived in the same house my whole life, went to public school with the same kids. We were all involved with the church and enjoyed the country club my parents belonged to. The best childhood ever.”
“Your dad’s a neurologist, I saw online. In New Haven, I believe,” Gi
ns said.
“Yes, but like your fathers, my dad also passed away recently. Do either of you know the connection we have?” Jessica asked. The other two women shook their heads.
“Both of your dads went to school with my mama in California and college here in Boston.” She stopped, wondering if she should just jump right in with all the facts. “And… your fathers and my dad all died the same day.”
“Are you kidding?” Gins asked. “What was your dad’s name?”
“Robert Young, but more importantly, my mama’s name was Virginia Elizabeth Anderson—Young.”
Lizzi sat forward in her chair. That was the second time Virginia Anderson’s name had come up. Gins had said something about a Virginia Anderson.
Jessica took the small photo album out of her purse and opened it to the picture of her mom with the flower in her hair.
“That was my mama. She was a very courageous woman. She had a terrible accident when she was in her mid-twenties and sustained severe brain damage. My dad was her neurosurgeon. Little did he know he’d fall in love with her and they’d raise a family together. Although she was disabled the whole time I knew her, she was an amazing mother and an astonishing woman. If you want to see more about her, look her up on the internet. Virginia Anderson was a well-known lobbyist working with my aunt Catherine in DC. Well, she’s not my real aunt.”
“May I?” Lizzi asked, indicating she wanted to look at the other pictures in the album.
“Sure.”
Lizzi giggled. “Is this your dad?”
“Yes, Mama wanted their toenails to match. He loved her so much he’d do anything for her.”
“Sounds like a terrific guy,” Gins said.
“He was. The best.”
The three sat in silence for a moment. Lizzi flipped the photos back to the first picture. She made a small sound and put her hand on her mouth. Both the other girls looked at her.
“This is your mother?” Lizzi asked.
“Yes.”
Lizzi picked up her purse and took out her wallet. She had the same photo, Gini’s professional picture. “This is my mother, Virginia Legotti. Papa gave it to me not too long before he died. He told me she passed away when I was a baby. That was twenty-five years earlier and I could see the sorrow still in him. He loved her deeply. He had lived with the pain of her death all those years.”
“Are you kidding me?” Gins said. “My dad had that same five-by-seven picture on his dresser from the day he and my mom were divorced. They’re all the same woman.”
Jessica took out her phone and showed a picture of Robbie to both of them. “This is my brother, Rob.”
“Oh my gosh, Lizzi, he looks just like you!” Gins looked at both Lizzi and Jessica. “You two are sisters!”
Jessica slowly nodded her head. “Yes, I think we are.”
“How?” Lizzi said, finally finding her voice. “Why didn’t I know; why didn’t my papa tell me?”
Then it hit Gins. “I went to her funeral with my dad.” She pointed at Gini’s picture. “I recognize you now. I saw you that day. And my dad talked for a long time to another man afterwards out in the parking lot. Franco, yes, that was his name. They hugged each other before we left.”
“Franco Legotti, my papa.”
“Like I said earlier, your two dads and my mom grew up together and came to Boston for college. From what my dad and my mama’s nurse told me, Gini married Franco then had an affair with Ric and was pregnant by one of them when she had the accident. The babies died.”
“No, this gets more bizarre as we go,” Gins said. “So, if the babies were my dad’s, then we’d all have half-siblings.”
“What’s your full name?” Lizzi asked Gins.
“Virginia Elizabeth Santini.”
Lizzi looked at Jessica.
“Jessica Elizabeth Young. Elizabeth was my grandmother’s middle name. Gini’s mama.”
“My name, Virginia Elizabeth Legotti. Wonder why they named you Jessica rather than Virginia?”
Jessica smiled. “Oh, my mama named me even before my dad knew I was in the womb.”
Lizzi and Gins related stories their fathers had told them about Mama Elizabeth taking them in and saving their lives when they were young.
Jessica noticed the restaurant staff was preparing the other tables for dinner.
“Papa said if Mama Elizabeth hadn’t rescued him, he would have been in gangs and eventually in jail.”
“I know. My dad said his father was killed in a plane crash and Mama Elizabeth was the only one that cared about the tragedy and helped him through his depression.” Gins sat back and put her hand on her heart.
The women sat in silence for a few minutes.
“Lizzi, you said you wanted to travel. Do you want to get married and have a family someday?” Jessica asked, wanting to break the awkward quiet, with no one else in the room but the three of them.
“Don’t know, never thought about it much. I don’t really know who I am, just the daughter of a rich man who had a long braid and a dragon tattoo.”
“Really?” Jessica asked.
“He was a wonderful father, don’t get me wrong. But he wasn’t around much. When I was little, I was left with the staff in Peru while he was at drilling sites. And in boarding school, I wasn’t involved much out of class. I had to work really hard to make the grades to get into MIT. I need some social skills before I could ever date for marriage.”
“Do you go to the project sites now?”
“No, there are project managers and foremen to do that job. My papa just liked getting his hands dirty. How about you, Gins?”
Gins had an easy, soft smile; she was graceful and poised. “If I can find a man like my dad, sure. But that would be a tall order. He was handsome, tall, funny, and very loving. I want to be spoiled by my husband like I was by my dad. But marriage is not on my radar at the moment. Jessica?”
“Already turned down a proposal.”
“Why?”
“I am determined to be the best neurosurgeon in the states. Marriage is way off if I ever do it. Besides, I realized I wasn’t in love with him.”
“That’s a pretty good reason,” Gins said.
They all laughed.
“You know what?” Gins asked. “You two should go to parties with me. I can tell you they are a lot of fun.”
“The parties your company is putting on? Don’t you have to work at them?” Lizzi was curious.
“Nope, like you, I have people to run the show. Like my dad told me, we’re the face of the company. And we could go to Val’s resorts, his mansion, and ride on his yacht.”
“Wow, you have quite the life, Ms. Santini.”
Gins smiled her gracious smile. “Where do you live, Jessie?”
“Just across the way in the Towers One condos. And you?”
“Not bad. I live in my father’s house on Beacon Hill. Hey, Lizzi, move your office here to Boston. The three of us could have so much fun.”
“I have…” both Gins and Jessica started to say. Jessica bowed to Gins and put her hand toward her.
“I was going to say I have plenty of room for you at my place when you come to Boston.”
Jessica nodded to agree she had the same.
“Wait,” Gins said. She took out her phone, found a picture and turned it for the other two to see.
“What, is that Vice President-elect Michael Fredrick with you?” Jessica asked.
“Yep.”
“You know him?”
“Yep. He and my dad were friends. They were in Harvard Law School together.”
“Harvard? Six degrees of separation.” Jessica smiled.
“Let me see,” Lizzi said with a half smile. She took the phone and tightened the picture to see the whole photo. “This was on the Boston Globe online society page for the president-elect’s fundraiser here.”
Gins smiled her gracious smile.
“This is not what I expected today,” Lizzi said. “I thought I was just g
oing to meet an old friend of my papa’s. I’m all alone now. No mother or father, or brother.” She looked at Jessica. “I had no idea I had family.”
She reached over and took Jessica’s hand. Then turned to Gins and took hers.
Gins smiled and laid her other hand on Jessica’s. “Whether we’re blood-related or not, we are three sisters Elizabeth: forever friends.”
Thank you for reading Families - Forever Friends: Book 3. I hope you enjoyed the series.
Would you like to see the Forever Friends series continue with the lives of the three daughters? If so, email [email protected] and tell me your thoughts.
About the Author
My name is Karleen Staible. I am a child of the 50s and 60s—1950s, that is; I’m not coming to you from the future—Sci-fi is not my genre. I write contemporary women with some romance in the mix. Life was simple in my younger days: no childproof anything, we never locked our doors, and my dad left the keys in the car so he could quickly respond to a fire with the Arvada Volunteer Fire Department.
Our street was a dead-end dirt road with seven houses. We played outside as long as our parents allowed us, and objected when we heard the call to go home at night. In the open fields, we played baseball or hide-and-go-seek throughout the neighborhood. And yes, we did drink out of the garden hose.
I lived in that same house from the age of two until twenty when I married my husband, Fred. After he graduated from college, we didn’t stay in the Denver area for very long.
He worked in the oil and gas business as an engineer. A few years after we married, he got involved with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and we were off to Algeria. And there started our expat lives. We lived and traveled all over the world, met many interesting people, and made friends who became family.
I learned to use the computer on one of our assignments overseas. I’m fascinated with the many things you can do on a computer, constantly learning new programs and techniques. I especially like doing special digital art, from video editing to designing my own book covers.
I can honestly say I’m in need of nothing. I have had a terrific life, have two wonderful kids, and great in-law kids who are all happy and successful in their careers. Our two granddaughters are definitely the light of our lives. It has been a fabulous life.
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